SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to come down heavily on those policemen who were directly involved in the stir, several hundred ‘of them will soon be dismissed, put under arrest or demoted.
Those 0 be arrested will be charged under several sections, including the Terrorists and Disruptive Activities(Prevention) Act (TADA) and the Public Security Act The axe will also fall on those officers who failed to check the rebellion. Two have been identified as Subhan Lone and Gilkar, both commandants of their battalions.
The additional chief secretary (home), Mahmood Ur Rahman, declined to say how many policemen would face the wrath of the government. But he said the number would be the vicinity of 200 10.300. The state police chief, B.S. Bedi said that those who were in the forefront of the strike would be dismissed from service.
Last week, some 3,000 policemen went on strike after a constable, Riyaz Ahmed, was allegedly killed by the army during a crackdown on Hazrat BAL, the most revered shrine in the Valley. About 1500 of them, who had captured the police control room, were disarmed by the army on Tuesday. The rebellion appears to be dying out, as most of the striking policemen have resumed duty, albeit reluctantly. A sub inspector of Kothi Bagh police station said;”” We have joined back but we are not going out on rounds and we are not doing any paper work.”
The government toughened! Its stand following evidence of the hand of militant organizations in the strike, Bedi asserted, “Ours is disciplined force. Any act of vandalism and indiscipline bor daring on virtual revolt will be dealt with sternly.”
The police chief warned that any policemen found involved in any act of violence would be punished. One officer said that the Border Security Force has been asked to arrest such policemen.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 7, 1993
