Ayodhya Verdict Govt evolves multi-phased strategy to ensure law and order across Jammu VDC’s being disarmed; Army to be on standby

Greater Kashmir

SYED AMJAD SHAH

Jammu, Sept 20: Under a well formulated strategy to meet any eventuality in view of the up coming Ayodhya verdict, on September 24, Jammu and Kashmir government is contemplating to disarm Village Defence Committees (VDCs) besides putting army on standby in most of the communally sensitive areas of Jammu region.

Official sources told Greater Kashmir that the civil and police administration has formulated joint strategy to be adopted in case there is any communal threat in any parts of the region. While the police has been asked to keep eye on the “suspicious” characters, the district administration is in constant touch with the prominent citizens and respectable persons of the society, having influence over the local population.

If sources are to be believed, some intelligence agencies have alerted the government regarding possibility of communal tension in some of the areas of Jammu region in the aftermath of the verdict on Babri Masjid-Ram Janambhomi dispute.

Keeping in view the inputs the regional civil and police administration was burning mid night oil to ensure fool proof security arrangements.

If sources have to be believed the district administration Doda was contemplating to withdraw official weapons from all the VDCs in the district. Police and civil administration held series of meetings on the matter but final decision is yet to be taken, sources said. “Final decision is expected to be taken in a meeting tomorrow”, sources claimed.

“Deputy Commissioner Doda held a four hour long meeting with police, army and CRPf officials to chalk out the strategy”, sources said adding that the army authorities were requested to remain vigilant and to help civil administration in maintaining law and order in their respective areas.

The official said that the police personnel assisted by of CRPF will be deployed in the sensitive areas, especially in rural areas, where the civil administration apprehend violent clashes.

“The magistrates will supervise the security arrangements in various sensitive areas,” official informed.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner (Doda), Farooq Ahmed Khan, said that the every possible step was being taken to handle any kind of eventuality. He said that the administration has also been seeking help of prominent citizens and religious heads of the two communities in maintaining peace in the region.

Similar measures were also being taken in other parts of the region.

KISHTWAR

The mountainous Kishtwar district has been put on high alert in view of the communal sensitivity of the area. The district administration has divided the township into seven zones.

Elaborating the arrangements Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar GR Bhagat told Greater Kashmir that army has also been asked to provide six columns so that their services can be utilized, in case of any eventuality.

He informed that army troopers will not be not be deployed on the streets but instead they will be kept on hold any will be used on in need.

“The army columns will be kept at helipad, situated within the township, so that they can respond immediately, if need arises”, he said.

RAJOURI

Though the people in this border township have set best examples of communal harmony in recent days, the district administration is taking some precautionary measures.

“We are planning to impose section 144 in Rajouri district after seeking permission from the government, after the verdict in announced by Allahabad bench of Lucknow High Court”, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri said.

“We have also sought help of the religious leaders and members of civil society,” he added.

POONCH

Peace committees are being set up in the districts to maintain communal harmony and law and order.
"We have decided to set up peace committees in order to maintain communal harmony, peace and law and order to nip any possible communal flare up," Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Kuldeep Khajuria.
The Poonch district has been divided into 26 zones and all these zones will have peace committee with prominent citizens, religious persons and people of various faiths and walks of life with a government officer deputed for liaison.
"The process has already begun in this regard. We are expecting to have these committees formed by Wednesday," Khajuria said.
These committees will be instrumental in creation of communal harmony and brotherhood, maintain peace and help police and administration in maintaining law and order.
Jammu

The administration in the winter capital has also put security apparatus on alert, with the deployment of police and para-military troopers in sensitive areas, within the city and its out skirts to foil any clash.

Police and district administration is also engaged in meetings with the civil society and prominent organizations of the city.

Kathua

The deputy commissioner (Kathua) told Greater Kashmir that the administration has kept close vigil on the situation and the administration has conducted number of meetings with the members of both the communities, urging them to maintain communal harmony.

“Religion is a matter of personal faith and we must respect verdict,” the deputy commissioner said.