In an attempt to break the impasse in south Kashmir, Director General of Police (Law and Order) S P Vaid today interacted with residents of this district and assured them of all possible help in bringing back normalcy.
Vaid, who is tipped to succeed incumbent DGP K Rajendra Kumar, interacted with the people, listened patiently to their grievances and assured of swift action to address the problems, officials said.
They said he was accompanied by DG CRPF K Durga Prasad and DIG Police (south Kashmir range) Nitish Kumar.
People told Vaid that the security forces should call the village elders before taking any action like making arrests in the area so as to avoid any collateral damage.
They also alleged that security forces were indulging in vandalism after stone-pelting clashes in the area.
The DGP issued clear cut directions to the forces to avoid vandalising public properties.
The DG CRPF also assured that there will be no vandalism but targeted action against the miscreants, the officials said.
Vaid told the people that if their grievances were not addressed at the local level, they can always contact him.
Highlighting that education was important for the future of the children in the area, the residents sought help from the officers in providing better educational opportunities for children in their area as they were poor and could not compete with neighbouring districts like Anantnag.
The DG CRPF assured them that within 15 days, a coaching camp to impart training for various competitive examinations will start for children of the area, the officials said.
He also assured them that some women from the district would be inducted in CRPF soon.
Kulgam has been one of the worst-hit districts of south Kashmir in the violence that erupted in the Valley after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8.
During the clashes, the protestors took over police station Damhal Hanjipora, set it ablaze and took away the weapons.
A police picket guarding minority community in Vessu area of Kulgam was also attacked, while a mob also attacked BJP office in Nilo-Bugam area of the district and damaged the building.
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