STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said efforts are on defuse tension in Bhaderwah town, rocked by protests over controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammad, and expressed confidence that the situation will return back to normal soon.
Tension mounted in Bhaderwah and some areas of Kishtwar over the controversial remarks against the Prophet by two now-suspended BJP leaders, prompting authorities to impose a curfew and snap internet services there.
Singh said people should behave responsibly and maintain communal harmony.
“We are holding talks with them (people). Additional director general of police (ADGP) and the divisional commissioner have been sent to that area. They are both in Bhaderwah. The situation is being watched. We will soon bring it to normalcy, the J-K Police chief told reporters during a visit to Kathua to review arrangements with regard to the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra. He said curfew has been imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain peace and appealed to people to not get misled by provocation.
People should behave responsibly. If someone does anything wrong, action is taken against that person. It is not wise to come on roads at the instigation of someone and do acts which cause damage to communal harmony,” Singh said.
Expression of resentment on being instigated is alright to a level but no such step should be taken wherein police have to use force and take stringent action, the DGP said.
He said some people do not behave responsibly and do acts that disturb law and order.
“They speak very wrong. They should not speak like that. If someone hurts people’s feelings, there are aberrations,” Singh said.
Curfew has been imposed in Bhaderwah to stop such an activity, he added.
Sporadic incidents of stone-pelting were reported in Bhaderwah town. Some people, violating restrictions, came out on the streets and threw stones at security forces while raising slogans. During his visits, the DGP sought security and traffic arrangements reports from the senior officers of these districts being put in place for the smooth conduct of SANJY. At the transit camp Bhagwati Nagar the DGP took a round of the complex and parking area for yatri vehicles. The DGP directed for completing and finalizing all the necessary arrangements on ground with respect to security of the camp. He stressed for monitoring of security and traffic plan arrangements by the jurisdictional senior officers on regular basis. He directed for area domination surrounding the Base Camp and also day / night patrolling to ensure safe and smooth conduct of the yatra.
SSP Jammu Chandan Kholi gave a detailed briefing to the DGP regarding the measures being taken for the SANJY at Jammu. ASP Jammu City Kulbir Handa and DySP Hqrs Jammu Swati Sharma were also present on the occasion.
During his visit to Samba, SSP Samba Dr Abhishek Mahajan and DySPs Bari Brahamana, Vijaypur accompanied the DGP and briefed about various measures being taken for smooth conduct of the Yatra.
At Kathua, he visited Lakhanpur along with Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rahul Pandey and SSP Kathua, R C Kotwal who apprised the DGP about the progress of arrangements at the entry point for the pilgrims.
DGP stressed that security and facilitation of Yatris is top priority of Jammu and Kashmir Police and administration and added that Lakhanpur is the gateway to J&K for the pilgrims and every effort should be made to make their journey comfortable for the yatries. He said that security grids need to be strengthened more and coordination among all stakeholders must be ensured for the smooth conduct of the yatra.
The DGP also took note of the boarding and lodging facilities at these places being provided for the forces deployed. The DGP also directed for adequate measures for disaster management at these locations.