Jammu: Around 5000 personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police are being specially trained to deal with street protests and stone throwers with minimal force and non-lethal weapons.

The move to revamp their strategy to deal with street protests comes after over 100 civilians in the state were killed in clashes last year and security forces were blamed for using excessive force.

The mock exercises usually last for about two hours and focus on how to deal with stone throwers by using minimal force.

During the exercise, police fire in the air and chase away the protesters, ensuring that they don't fire directly at the people.

At the end, the protesters are dispersed without any casualties.

"We are hopeful that we would be able to handle the crowds in a much better manner because our boys are well equipped regarding their own safety also and also with regard to the weaponry," said Director General of Jammu and Kashmir police, Kuldeep Khoda.

The J&K police is essentially involved in anti-militancy operations. It will, therefore, take some time to bring about transition from an anti-militancy force to one that deals with law and order issues.

Tags: j&k violence, jammu, jammu and kashmir police, kashmir issue, stone throwers