Army said no to request for flag march in Sopore

The Army turned down a J&K government request for a flag march through Sopore town after a 20-year-old was killed in firing by CRPF on June 28.

The Omar Abdullah government,through the Deputy Commissioner,put in the request for the flag march with General Officer Commanding,Kilo Force,Major General N George.

This request was made after the state government alleged that the CRPF,there to assist the local police,had gone out of control.

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Sources said the Kilo Force commander immediately communicated the state government request to Northern Army Commander Lt General B S Jaswal,saying the Abdullah government wanted the Army out in Sopore to control the law and order situation. The request for an Army flag march was also passed on by Srinagar to New Delhi at the highest levels.

Lt Gen Jaswal asked Army Headquarters to take a decision and told Maj Gen George to hold on. The Army Headquarters debated on the request and decided to reply in the negative the brass made it clear that the Army was not a riot-control force and the primary duty of the Kilo Force was to neutralise militants,not fire against its own people.