CRPF goes for ‘image makeover,’ to start helpline

Majid Jahangir

Advertisement

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 5

In the strife-torn Kashmir, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has embarked on an “image makeover” exercise. The paramilitary force will shortly start a round-the-clock helpline in Kashmir for the people needing help.

The CRPF has faced lot of flak over the use of pellet guns during the last year’s unrest that was triggered after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.

The helpline named “Madudgwar” (helpful) — that will come after five months of unrest — will become operational soon. The CRPF said the motive behind it was to “reach to the people” across Kashmir.

“Our force has presence across the Valley and we will be able to extend help to the people who call the helpline number that will be operational shortly,” CRPF, Srinagar, spokesman Rajesh Yadav told The Tribune. “Madudgwar” is an outreach programme of the force to support people, especially in the far-flung areas, he said.

The CRPF, the largest paramilitary force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has at present 47 battalions deployed in Kashmir and they are involved in both anti-militancy operations and law and order duties. After the militancy broke out in Kashmir in 1990s, the CRPF was brought to fight the militancy but it was gradually replaced with the Border Security Force (BSF). The CRPF started replacing the BSF in 2005 for internal security in Kashmir and its primary task was to take on the counter-insurgency operations. But after the 2008 Amarnath land row, the force is largely involved in controlling the law and order problem in the Valley.

The CRPF spokesman said the helpline would not be limited to support people in the Kashmir, but would also address the grievances of Kashmiri students studying outside state if they face any difficulty.

“If any Kashmiri student faces any difficulty or harassment outside the state, they can call our helpline number, we will address their grievances,” Yadav said.

In the last year’s unrest, there were many reports of alleged harassment of Kashmiri youths in many states of the country.

“As we have a pan-India presence, we will address the grievances of students residing outside the state if they call our helpline number,” the spokesman added.