Srinagar: The Government of India on Tuesday said that the use of forces against protesters in Jammu and Kashmir was guided with objective without “compromising safety for law enforcement elements.”
“As per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) adopted by Jammu and Kashmir Police including law enforcing agencies for dispersal of unlawful assembly, less lethal weapons should be used as per the established use-of-force policy. The use of force should be guided by objectives of restoring peace, dispersal of violent unlawful assembly with use of such force as is required to minimize the casualty but without compromising safety for Law Enforcement Elements and peace loving citizens,” said Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in a written reply to question by Dr. P. Venugopal in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
“The hierarchy of usage of forces inter-alia includes use of rubber bullet, plastic bullets. Since, the contents of the SOP and the suggested security measures contain classified information, therefore, further details in the matter cannot be disclosed in the interest of the national security.”
The Government, he said, has appointed Dineshwar Sharma, former Director of Intelligence Bureau, to initiate and carry forward a dialogue with elected representatives, various organizations and concerned individuals in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. “Considering the positive initial response from different sections of people in Jammu and Kashmir, it is expected that all stakeholders in the state who believe in peace would support the Government initiative and join the dialogue process.”
