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| FPF Guards still wearing different uniforms in Kashmir, Jammu | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 16: The last year controversy over the arbitrary change of uniform of Forest Protection Force (FPF) guards has refused to die down as this year also the guards have been found wearing two separate uniforms in Jammu and Kashmir provinces.
These days the Forest Protection Force (FPF) guards are participating in the practice session for the Republic day celebrations in Jammu as well in Kashmir province. In Kashmir valley the FPF guards could be found wearing red belts and red shoes similar to their officers. While in Jammu the FPF guards could be seen in black shoes and black belts while the officers wear red shoes and red belts.
The issue had come to limelight last year on the occasion of Independence day celebrations, when FPF guards of Jammu and Kashmir were found wearing two separate uniforms .
"On the instructions of the then Forest Minister, the then Director FPF had changed the uniforms of FPF guards from red shoes and red belts to black shoes and black belts, which was widely opposed by guards of both the provinces", the Forest guards had said.
They further said that the administration had forced the FPF guards of Jammu province to change their uniforms but the guards in Kashmir province refused to abide by the directions of FPF directorate.
"Our uniform was changed third time by the administration which was totally unjustified. We had a separate uniform from Jammu and Kashmir police personnel but after the change of uniform to black shoes and black belt, the FPF guards look similar to police personnel and could be easily targeted by the militants", a forest guard said, adding that the administration had not taken into consideration the threat perception to guards before taking the decision.
"So far militants have not targeted any guard in the history of FPF, despite the fact that we are serving in jungles. It was probably due to a separate uniform and no weapons with us. So the guards had objected to the change of uniform in Kashmir as well as Jammu but the administration didn't consider", another FPF guard said, adding that on the demand of some newly promoted Inspectors in Jammu province, the administration had arbitrarily changed the uniform.
The Governor administration must take cognizance of the matter and change the uniform of FPF guards in Jammu province also, given the fragile security scenario in the state, the FPF guards said. |
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