Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today asked the state police and other security forces to attune themselves to the mission of compassion adopted by the state government.
"I want to take Jammu and Kashmir out of the whirlpool of violence that has broken the back of our society and economy, but I will not succeed unless the J&K police and security forces include themselves in that mission to apply balm on the wounds of the people," Mehbooba said addressing the passing out parade of 13th batch of 228 Constables at Subsidiary Police Training Centre in Sheeri, Baramulla.
Highlighting the role of state police in combating militancy, the Chief Minister said the situation in the state has improved because of the efforts of multiple security agencies.
"If you had not acted in time, we could have landed in a situation similar to countries like Syria, Iraq and Pakistan which have been ripped apart by acts of violence carried out in the name of religion," she said.
"Unfortunately, our police force has more responsibilities. The violence of the last three decades has landed you in a difficult situation. You can fight with outsiders but when your own youth pick up guns, it becomes a big challenge for you. You have given many sacrifices. You have stood your ground and I salute you for performing to the best of your abilities," Mehbooba added.
The Chief Minister said the role of police has evolved given the unprecedented improvement in the security situation of the state.
"Your role is difficult because you have to tackle your own people. I can't tell you how to react when bullets are being fired at you. But during crowd control, we tend to overreact. We have to understand that these boys are our own and it is your responsibility to bring them into mainstream," she said.
Addressing the constables who passed out of the training centre on Monday, the Chief Minister asked them to respect the Constitutions of J&K and India while performing their duties.
"Under the constitution, police has more responsibilities than rights. If a small incident takes place, the complaint will come to you as constables. People have high hopes from you. They expect you to undo the wrongs. You should not let them down," she said.
Asking police to set up a proper mechanism for engaging
with the youth, the chief minister said the life of a police officer should become an ideal for people in Jammu and Kashmir, where security forces are often portrayed in a negative light.
"Whenever any civilian dies, it undoes the efforts of reconciliation by the state government. The army is doing an excellent job at the border by stopping infiltration. Police too should show restraint in dealing with law and order situations," she said.
Mehbooba said she is carrying forward mission of her late father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, to put a permanent end to the troubles of J&K for which he joined hands with the NDA.
"Despite his falling health, Mufti Sahab stuck his ground and joined hands with NDA. It was a difficult decision for him. He knew that he was running out of time but the welfare of people of J&K mattered to him more than anything else. I am now carrying forward his half-done mission," she said.
The Chief Minister said the J&K government will evolve a system for quick promotion of constables on the basis of merit.
"You will get rewards on the basis of merit and the inequity between KPS and IPS cadres will be taken care of," she said.
She also said they were thinking of giving one time relaxation to absorb all those children of policemen who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
