காஸ்மீர் இளைஞர்கள் கல் எறிந்தால் `இந்திய ஜனநாயகம்` என்ன செய்யும்?

Only alternative to pellet is not to throw stones

'More than 200 youth were injured and majority of them have sustained pellet injuries in the recent protests at the encounter sites in South Kashmir. As per hospital records, 41 youth were hit by pellets in their eyes'

Only alternative to pellet guns is for youth not to throw stones: ADG CRPF

“Public cooperation and trust is the only thing we need to bring the situation to normal. People, especially youth should understand that stone pelting is illegal and invites trouble,” he said.

ABID BASHIR
Srinagar, Publish Date: Apr 9 2018 11:49PM | Updated Date: Apr 9 2018 11:49PM

File Photo V S K Kaumudi

Only alternative to pellet guns is for youth not to throw stones:  ADG CRPF

The best alternative to the use of pellet shotguns is for people of Kashmir to realize that it is risky to protest and attack government forces with stones, a top Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer said on Monday.

“Stone pelting at the encounter sites would obviously result in loss of life and use of pellet guns,” additional director general (ADG) of CRPF for J&K zone, V S K Kaumudi told reporters on the sidelines of  CRPF’s Valour Day function at the Regional Training Centre Humhama.

Talking about the recent incident of stone pelting at Hiller in Anantnag district in which two CRPF men were killed, the officer said that the stone pelting does not do any good. “If you (youth) have something to say, the social media can also be used to vent anger,” he said adding that the stone pelting was not a new issue in Kashmir.  “Its pattern keeps changing. It’s like here today and there tomorrow. The CRPF has been dealing with the stone pelting effectively and we will continue to do so.”

Kaumudi, however, said all CRPF men deployed on the ground for law and order duty have their pellet guns fitted with deflectors. “The main aim of deflectors is to fire pellets in lower direction to ensure no loss of life,” said Kaumudi.

Asked about the total number of pellet guns allotted to CRPF men in Kashmir, the officer evaded the query. “There are 61 battalions of CRPF deployed in J&K and all men were trained in various capacities,” he said.  “I am sure that all battalions are fulfilling their responsibility in a very professional manner”.

Kaumudi, who took over as the ADG CRPF (J&K zone) in February, said there was need for public cooperation. Youth, he said, should desist from targeting forces with the stones.

“Public cooperation and trust is the only thing we need to bring the situation to normal. People, especially youth should understand that stone pelting is illegal and invites trouble,” he said.
He said that the youth must focus on their future and education. “I am sure that the parents want quality education for their children,” he said. “Youth must realize that they can also study outside J&K. They should search for better opportunities and benefit from it, instead of resorting to violence,” he said.

More than 200 youth were injured and majority of them have sustained pellet injuries in the recent protests at the encounter sites in South Kashmir. As per hospital records, 41 youth were hit by pellets in their eyes.