SRINAGAR: The authority of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir was getting undermined during the PDP-BJP coalition government headed by Mehbooba Mufti and Governor’s rule would help restore normalcy, feels former state police chief Kuldeep Khoda.
“Lots of things were happening during PDP-BJP coalition government. Authority of security forces was getting undermined. Stone pelting and other things were taking place. It was not a good situation, as people felt they could pelt stones on security forces. It is not a happy situation for any democracy or for that matter any state, which is run under rule of law,” Khoda, state police chief from 2007 to 2012, told TNIE.
He said nowhere else did a mob climb security vehicles and threw stones at security men travelling in them.
Welcoming the imposition of Governor’s rule, Khoda said, “Governor’s rule will make a change. The semblance of rule of law should prevail now. It was getting derailed.”
“The way the situation was being handled, it was not giving results. It, in fact, led to deterioration of the situation. It required change in security management. That change has taken place and we will hopefully see a change in the ground situation also,” said Khoda.
Referring to rise in militancy, terrorist recruitment and radicalization in Kashmir, he said, “We did not see such a situation even in the 1990s, when militancy started in the Valley. It is happening after Burhan Wani’s killing. It increased after the agitation.”
Khoda stated that the situation was very bad as policemen on duty were feeling insecure and apprehensive about their security. “Policemen should not have threat of being attacked.”
Criticising withdrawal of cases against stone pelters by the Mehbooba government, Khoda said, “When cases against stone pelters are withdrawn and they are released, they obviously feel encouraged. They should be put behind bars for all times. The law of the land should be allowed to take its own course. Let them get released through normal process of law.”
The former DGP said there should be no political interference in law and order and security management.
“It is the field of professionals and they should be allowed to take decisions. The government should help implement those decisions. Political interference in these issues complicates the situation and that was what was happening on the ground,” he added.