Violence down in IHK by 40%: India

SRINAGAR—Violence in occupied Jammu and Kashmir has decreased by 40 percent compared to last year’s figures despite continuing efforts of infiltration from across the Line of Control, a top police officer has said.
“There has been 60 percent decline in violence in Srinagar city and 40 percent in other parts of the state compared to last year,” said Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range), Shiv Mohan Sahai while speaking here at a seminar on role of youth in crime-free society.
Sahai blamed 18 years of conflict for an increase in crime in the state. “When I joined police 20 years back and was posted as SDPO, 10 murders used to happen in a year in the state. But now the situation is different and last 18 years of conflict is responsible for it,” he said.
During interaction session, the audience which mostly comprised of students asked the IGP questions ranging from corruption to human rights violations.
“It (the Kashmir conflict) isn’t terrorism, and how can you reject it out rightly that it isn’t a freedom struggle?” a Kashmir University student asked Sahai.
“If you think terrorists will give you freedom then you are wrong. You will achieve such freedom where Tabinda Gani cases happen. Your freedom struggle has no popular grounding, otherwise it would not have ended so quickly,” Sahai replied.
Another student cornered the police chief on fake encounters taking place across the state. “Those who are involved in fake encounters are being promoted. Isn’t it a crime?” he asked.
In his reply, Sahai replied that nobody was above law, and those police officers who were involved in fake encounter cases are in the Central Jail despite being on high posts.
“Anybody can commit crime, but our effort is whosoever does it is punished. If battle of have’s and have-nots is fought democratically, it would solve the problem. One man’s terrorist is other’s freedom fighter,” the IGP said.
A girl student quizzed the IGP on an incident which occurred at Hazratbal on Eid- ul-Fitr when an auto driver was thrashed by policemen. The girl told Sahai that the driver was so harshly beaten by the policemen that “he died.”
On this, the IGP said, “Let me correct you. He is alive, and you shouldn’t exaggerate an incident.” Another girl stood up and shot back at the IGP: “A man was killed in Kupwara by the Army for saving honor of his female colleagues. He isn’t alive and what action you have taken?”
Sahai responded by saying that army has “accepted that they committed mistake, and we are investigating it.” The audience wasn’t however satisfied with IGP’s reply.
Amid questions on human rights and other issues, a teenager stood up and wanted to know from the IGP why people are afraid of going to police stations.
“I agree with your views. We aren’t able to portray our image as friends of people,” Sahai said.
Violence in revolt-hit Indian Kashmir has declined by up to 60 percent because residents of the Himalayan region are turning against militants, a senior police official said Friday.
There has also been a 40 percent decrease in violence in other parts of Kashmir this year, said police inspector general Shri Murari Sahai, citing “people’s cooperation” in the decline.—Agencies