This Article is From Aug 08, 2016

Police To Take On Those 'Organising' Unrest In Kashmir, Army To Back-Up: Sources

Police To Take On Those 'Organising' Unrest In Kashmir, Army To Back-Up: Sources

Local police, para-military to deal with those organising protests in Kashmir, sources said.

New Delhi: With the crisis in Kashmir showing no signs of abating, the valley is now likely to see more of intelligence-based operations by the local police to take on those who are "organising" the unrest, top sources have told NDTV.

The Army will also be more visible in the valley as it backs up the local police and the para-military. They will, however, concentrate on their main role - counter-insurgency and counter infiltration operations, sources said. The Army has 'Victor' Force in South Kashmir and 'Kilo' Force in North Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti air-dashed to Delhi today to meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. After a two-and-a-half hour meeting, Ms Mufti said "I am hopeful that the Prime Minister will take this as an opportunity to initiate dialogue with people to address their problems. There is a need to take the same initiative of winning hearts of people, which was taken during Vajpayee ji's tenure."

Top sources, however, said that although dialogue is an option that is being explored, continuing violence is preventing such an initiative.   

On the ground, sources told NDTV, the Army will be tasked to keep the National Highway open. Its increased presence in South Kashmir and its hinterland is aimed at preventing people moving from the hinterland for protest. "The local police and the paramilitary will concentrate on dealing with those who organise protest," a top source told NDTV.

Nearly 60 people have died and over 3,000 have been injured since the unrest in the valley began after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani on July 8. Thousands of people have since defied curfew to attend his funeral and demonstrate against security forces, who point out that hundreds of their own soldiers have also been injured in the clashes that have become a deadly daily feature.
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