J-K DGP supports setting up of deradicalisation centres

Srinagar, January 20

Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbagh Singh on Monday supported the idea of setting up deradicalisation centres for youth, who have gone astray, in the trouble torn union territory.

“In recent times, there have been lot of efforts from Pakistan and its agencies to spur radicalisation in this area, some of our young minds have been affected by it and have gone astray. If such a facility (deradicalisation centre) comes up, it should be welcomed,” DGP Singh told reporters here.

He said some of the youth, who have been caught by police, did not seem to talk sense sometimes. “At our end, when we have got hold of such youth, they don’t seem to talk much sense at times,” he said.

Singh said if an attempt is made to set up a facility where experts in the subject and religious experts are part of it, it will help these youth.  “It will be a good development and it should be welcome,” the DGP said.

The idea of setting up deradicalisation centres for the misguided youth in Kashmir was first mooted by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, leading to criticism from some quarters.

DGP on sacked police officer Davinder Singh

The DGP also maintained that there was no bar on investigating past crimes committed by sacked police officer Davinder Singh.  

“There is no bar on investigating any complaints against him (Davinder Singh) if we receive a formal complaint,” the DGP told reporters. 

He was responding to a question about reports that the sacked police officer had committed several illegal acts in early years of his career but those acts were overlooked. 

A senior police officer posted with the strategic anti-hijacking team at the Srinagar airport, Davinder Singh was arrested along with two terrorists whom he was allegedly ferrying in a car in Kashmir Valley. 

“You are talking about incidents of long ago. The officers concerned at that time must have looked into it. But there is no bar on investigating if something comes to the fore formally,” he said.  

Asked if the arrested DSP had named other policemen who were in league with him, the DGP said the investigation into the case was going on and it was not proper for him to comment. 

“There might be more disclosures in the coming times we will share with you but for the time being, we cannot comment on it,” he added. 

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have withdrawn the DGP Commendation Medal along with certificate awarded to Davinder Singh.

An order to this effect was issued by DGP Dilbagh Singh. — PTI