Authority of forces getting undermined, Governor rule will help restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir: Ex-DGP Kuldeep Khoda

SRINAGAR: The authority of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir was getting undermined during PDP-BJP coalition government headed by Mehbooba Mufti and Governor's rule would help restore normalcy in the State, feels former state police chief Kuldeep Khoda.

"Lots of things were happening during PDP-BJP coalition government. Authority of security forces was getting undermined. The stone pelting and other things were taking place. It was not a good situation, where people feel they can come on top of moving security forces vehicle and pelt stones on them. It is not a happy situation for any democracy or for that matter any state, which is run under rule of law," Khoda told New Indian Express. Khoda served as State police chief from 2007 to 2012. He said it does not happen anywhere that a mob comes on top of security vehicles any time and pelt stones on security men travelling in the vehicles.

Welcoming imposition of Governor rule in the State after fall of PDP-BJP coalition government, Khoda said, "Governor rule will make a change. The semblance of rule of law should prevail now. It was getting derailed."

He feels now that Governor's rule has been imposed, things should improve and law and order management should be better. "The way situation was being handled, it was not giving results. It infact led to deterioration of situation. It required the change of security management. That change has taken place and we will hopefully see change in ground situation also," said Khoda.

Referring to rise in militancy, militant recruitment and radicalization in Kashmir, he said, "We have not seen such a situation even in 1990s when militancy started in the Valley. It is happening after Burhan Wani's killing. It increased after the agitation. The situation had gone from bad to worse".

"He should not have threat of being attacked." Criticising withdrawal of cases against stone pelters by Mehbooba government, Khoda said, "When cases against stone pelters are withdrawn and they are released, they would obviously feel encouraged."

"They should be put behind bars for all times but there should be no political interference on these matters. The law of land should be allowed to take its own course. Let them get released through normal process of law. The political government should not intervene in these matters," he said.

The former DGP said there should be no political interference in law and order and security management. "It is the field of professional and they should be allowed to take decisions. The government should help in implementing the professional decisions. The political interference in these issues complicate the situation and that was what was happening on the ground," he added.