1500 cops killed in 20 yrs: DGP

WASIM KHALID
Srinagar, June 22: Police Wednesday said that more than 1500 cops have been killed during the past 20 years of insurgency in the state. More than 16,000 police personnel sustained injuries in militancy related incidents and law and order problems during the period.
Talking to media persons on the sidelines of inaugural session of ‘13th Police Martyrs Memorial Football Tournament,’ Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda said, “According to our estimates, more than 1500 policemen were martyred during the past 20 years. We have also registered 16000 cops who were injured in militancy related activity and also while discharging the duties in maintaining law and order. In 2010 alone more than 3000 cops received critical injuries.”
On the occasion, MOS Home Nasir Aslam Wani said they have taken a range of steps to protect the kith and kin of the killed policemen.
“We have provided jobs to their kin. The police department is also bearing the expenses of studies of the children of deceased cops. Besides, ex-gratia relief is being provided to them,” he said.
Asked about introduction of chilli grenades to disperse protesters, Wani said they have acquired some non-lethal weapons to deal with protesters without causing any death.
“Let us hope they (weapons) are not used this year,” he said.
When asked that government, which is vigorously promoting football, has not paid Rs 50 lakhs to Jammu and Kashmir Football Association for conducting tournaments for past three years, the minister said he could not comment on the issue.
“We are for the development of sports and up-gradation of fields. I cannot comment on the money issue as I don’t know the facts,” he said.
The police conducted the first martyrs memorial tournament in 1998 in the memory of Mushtaq Ahmad Baba, the then Station House Officer of Kothi Bagh Srinagar who was killed in a militant attack at Regal Chowk Srinagar on Oct 31, 1997.
“The sacrifices of the state police have made Jammu & Kashmir proud and it is due to the sacrifices that people of the state are living in a fear-free atmosphere again and developmental works in the state have regained pace,” Wani said.
On the occasion, the minister and police officers laid wreath in memory of the killed policemen.
greater kashmir 23\06\2011