Security forces bury hatchet over Kashmir Police IG’s remark on CRPF – Indian Defence Research Wing


SOURCE: INDIA TODAY

Top authorities of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have stepped in to resolve the controversy stirred by Kashmir Police IG’s unpleasant remark on CRPF jawans. Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh and CRPF DG AP Maheshwari have spoken to each other after Kashmir Police IG Vijay Kumar had created a controversy after he alleged that CRPF is “not performing” up to the mark.

They have resolved the issue through dialogue, albeit the fact that CRPF officers are upset. They said the criticism should have been conveyed to them privately. Both the DGs, Dilbagh Singh and AP Maheshwari, have tweeted complementing each other’s force and signalled that the matter has been resolved. “Synergy is the key to success,” tweeted AP Maheshwari Meanwhile, Kashmir Zone Police also posted a tweet complimenting role of BSF, CRPF, SSB, ITBP and CISF in maintaining law and order in Jammu and Kashmir.

But, for now, the matter seems to have been resolved as it was not even mentioned during internal security review by Home Minister Amit Shah and subsequently by NSA Ajit Doval.

A top officer said, “This is a hot summer and the synergy between forces on counter terror operation is more important at the crucial juncture, than bruised egos.”

On April 29, the Kashmir Police IG Vijay Kumar allegedly said during a joint briefing that CRPF is a “showpiece” and the actual operations are conducted by the Indian Army’s elite Rashtriya Rifles (RR) unit with intelligence support from the police.

However, sources clarified that Vijay Kumar’s remark was on “commandant rank officers” and not directed towards the entire CRPF.

The Kashmir Police IG’s remark came after two terror attacks in North Kashmir region where six CRPF personnel were killed.

On April 18, terrorists fired upon a party comprising personnel from 179 Battalion of CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Three CRPF personnel were killed in the incident. Sources said that movement in the bunker was not followed as per the standard operating procedure — a charge CRPF denies, saying “trained men on the ground” decide course of action.

Following the IG’s remark, there was another incident that occurred in Wangam on May 5. This time heavily armed terrorists fired at troops of 92 battalion deployed there. In this incident, too, sources said the internal feedback was that CRPF response was “inappropriate”. They said that the CRPF personnel allegedly scrambled instead of chasing the terrorists. CRPF, on the other hand, said they retaliated.

The “unpleasant remark” was, however, not taken kindly by CRPF officers, which finally escalated to DGs of both forces.

A source with knowledge about the developments said no security force is error-free. The individual who requested anonymity, said: “CRPF is a supplement to J&K Police’s operations and should not be taken for granted.”

While the situation seems to have been cooled down between top level officials, CRPF officers are still upset with the Kashmir Police IG’s comment.

A senior officer in JKP said, “Vijay has rubbed the CRPF on the wrong side. He will have problems in a law and order situation.”



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