The BSF had been rushed by the Centre to deal with the street protests.
Highlights
- Of the 56 BSF companies deployed, more than 20 have arrived
- They are expected to assist the security forces in the state
- Centre has been reaching out to all stakeholders to help end the violence
The schools of Kashmir, closed in view of the prolonged unrest and violence, have opened their doors to the troops of the Border Security Forces, who have come to the Valley after a gap of 12 years.
The BSF had been rushed by the Centre to deal with the street protests. Of the 56 companies deployed, more than 20 have arrived, tasked to assist the security forces in the state where 69 civilians died and over 6,000 were injured despite an unprecedented 45 days' curfew.
A man died in fresh clashes in Pampore district today, as Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Srinagar bringing Prime Minister's message of peace. The deployment of the BSF is also part of the Centre's new strategy to restore peace. They are expected to aid the local police and paramilitary forces who are facing the brunt of the protesters' anger.
"We have taken over four schools in Srinagar - SP Higher Secondary School, DAV School and two more schools in Nishat and Bemina," said senior BSF officer Vikas Chandra.
The Centre has been reaching out to all stakeholders in its attempts to end the cycle of violence that has gripped the state. Today, Mr Singh, however, made it clear that while the government was open to talks with all Kashmiri intellectuals and public figures, it would not engage with separatists in the state.
According to reports, BSF personnel will initially be deployed in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk and adjoining areas in Srinagar, for law and order duties.
The BSF had conducted anti-terror operations in Kashmir for nearly 13 years from 1991 to 2004. The BSF was then moved back to their primary duty of guarding the international border.