The Real Problem of Kashmir: Five Policemen in Srinagar discloses their views

Srinagar: In recent times, the encounter of Burhan Wani, the commander of Kashmiri militancy group Hizbul Mujahideen created chaos in the nation. The valley of Kashmir stormed out after the news of Burhan Wani’s death and soon after the event, brutal protests broke down in the state. 35 civilians were being killed due to Wani’s demise which formed nation-wide headlines.

There was unsystematic use of force as a result of the violence caused and the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel put forwarded their criticisms on the issue. They, too, were victims of vicious mobs and were targeted as the enormity of the hostility was uncountable.

ScoopWhoop News spoke to five police personnel stationed at various places in Srinagar on the present hard times and how are they dealing with this violence and cruelty. Anonymity has been maintained while doing so.

Havaldar in J&K Police

"I am afraid to go home because I am from South Kashmir. We have become enemies of people and I am afraid for my family back home. Even though we belong to the same society, we are totally isolated. Whenever the situation turns volatile in Kashmir, the police has to come forward to deal with it. We are at the forefront of every situation. We have to do our duty. When we feel that a situation is beyond out control, we have to open fire.”

"Bullet is the last deterrent in Kashmir. But we know it has always failed. Deaths bring more people on the streets. It has become Palestine now. Sometimes, even we don't know what we are doing."

Special Police Officer with J&K Police

"Opening fire at civilians is a last resort for us. We have been given an AK-47 rifle by the police department and if someone tries to snatch it from us, we have to shoot. Our weapon is more valuable to us than our life. It's the same case when a government building or institution is attacked by stone-pelters. We know that if protesters get hold of us, they will not spare us.”

"Jammu and Kashmir is an international dispute and it's India and Pakistan who have to solve it. The conflict grinds down everyone including the police and security agencies.I have always observed that whenever a wave of anti-India protests erupt in the Kashmir valley, the government sends more and more central paramilitary forces to control the situation. There's a big difference in the way we and CRPF deal with protesters. We have to take extra caution while restraining protesters as we know the situation will become hard for us only. A CRPF battalion comes and goes."

Havaldar with the J&K Police

"Pellets should be banned. But the police department can't ban it. It's the government which has to take steps.I have been in the police department since 1990 but haven't seen such fearlessness in the youth. Kashmiri youth are so angry that they cannot differentiate between stones and bullets. They are fully aware that the police will use bullets once the stone pelting turns intense.”

"The youth are angry over the continuing dispute over J&K. Kashmir has seen violence for the last 27 years and the local police as well as people have become accustomed to violence to such an extent that neither does the police deem it as being too much nor are the people afraid of it."

Special Police Officer J&K Police

"We are just small pawns in the hands of the powerful.Militants take up the gun for a cause, knowing that they will be dead. They are not worried about ranks, material interests or economic security. We take up a job in the police for employment only. We feed our families and children with this job.

"Do you think we are serving India here? It's just a compulsion.Of course, bullets are fired by us but our guns are controlled by people who don't know what it's actually like on the ground.”

"Many Kashmiri policemen want Kashmir to be peaceful and prosperous. There are many who share the sentiment for freedom, but they are caught between duty and desire. We are helpless."

Special Police Officer in J&K Police

"Hum aazad Hindustan ke gulaam sipaahi hain (We are slave soldiers of independent India)."

"The reality is that India doesn't trust Kashmiris be it local elected leaders or police. Separatists are right when they say mainstream Kashmiri politicians are puppets. You can see how New Delhi is deciding everything about the current situation in the state. The centre didn't even bother to include Chief Minister in the high profile meeting on security situation.”

“There are different kinds of people in protests. They may be from different agencies, opposition or political parties to score mileage from the violence. We know many Burhans will be born in Kashmir. For some it might look as a way towards freedom, for me, we are losing our next generation."

By Monalisa Mahanta