Govt approves deployment of 100 companies of forces in J&K for law and order

Top police sources have explained this move as “a relief to over stretched training cops on duty since panchayat elections last year.” (file)

The Centre has approved sending in additional 100 companies of additional police forces to Jammu and Kashmir with a view to “strengthen CI grid as well as for maintaining law and order.” The order, from the Ministry of Home Affairs directed to the Chief Secretary of J&K, details the induction of central forces “with immediate effect.”

The 100 companies will comprise of 50 companies of the CRPF, 30 companies from the SSB and 10 companies each from the BSF and the ITBP. Top police sources have explained this move as “a relief to over stretched training cops on duty since panchayat elections last year.”

Centre’s decision to deploy additional 10,000 troops to the valley has created fear psychosis amongst people. There is no dearth of security forces in Kashmir. J&K is a political problem which won’t be solved by military means. GOI needs to rethink & overhaul its policy.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 27, 2019

Fresh troop deployment to J&K comes about four months since 100 companies of central forces were deployed in the state, following the February 14 IED explosion at Lethpora, Pulwama, that claimed the lives of at least 40 CRPF personnel.