Hands tied,say angry cops,slam rights chiefs outrage

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda has conveyed to state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah the serious concern of security forces over the reported statement of Justice Syed Bashiruddin....

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda has conveyed to state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah the serious concern of security forces over the reported statement of Justice Syed Bashiruddin,who heads the panel probing civilian deaths since June 11,that firing at stone throwers was unjustified.

Justice Bashiruddin,who is also chief of the state Human Rights Commission,along with Justice Y P Nagrota,are the two members of the commission appointed by Abdullah after an all-party meeting on July 12.

Government sources told The Indian Express that Khoda took up Justice Bashiruddins statement reported in local newspaper Rising Kashmir on July 31 with the Chief Minister in a meeting on coordination between the police and para-military forces the same day.

Justice Bashiruddin was quoted as saying: Opening bullets on unarmed protesters even if they are pelting stones is unjustified.

This statement was also taken up with the CM by Rajiv Mathur,Director,Intelligence Bureau,and Vikram Srivastava,Director General,CRPF,during their two-day visit to the Valley on August 2-3 as part of their effort to boost the morale of the state police.

Mathur is learnt to have asked Khoda to direct his district police chiefs to ensure security of police personnel and their families.

Security forces have been critical of the SHRCs remarks that ignore their side of the story. They have made it clear to the government that its extremely difficult for them to function if they do not have the states full support and protection.

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While Abdullah has promised to look into the issue,the story that both Mathur and Srivastava are carrying to Delhi indicates that the extremists have started to target families of local police personnel in a bid to force them to join the agitation.

Sources said that Anantnag-based family of an Inspector posted at Sadar Police Station in Srinagar was attacked by a mob last week. In fact on August 2,protesters,via local mosques in Khrew and Pampore,threatened police personnel to either quit or be targeted.

Many policemen have gone on leave,some are asking for transfers. Two officers,including an SSP refused to join in Baramulla.