Guv wants no civilian losses during ops

Tribune News Service
Jammu, December 16

Governor Satya Pal Malik underlined the basic need to save civilian lives during anti-militancy operations during a security review meeting after the disturbing incident in Pulwama on Saturday.

The Governor, distressed over the loss of lives of civilians in Pulwama district, told the security forces that “all efforts should be made to save civilians” during anti-militancy operations.

Malik made it clear at the meeting that “working for the peace and upliftment of the youth who were frustrated and landed in hopelessness because of the situation of violence was an article of faith for him.” He also made it plain that peace was a must for his plans to connect with the people at all levels. And, he would like the fruits of the grassroots democracy to be delivered to the common man so that the forces of violence perpetuated by the vested interests were checked.

Sources said Malik told officers in the meeting that he wanted people-friendly measures, particularly involving youth, to stay the course. The Governor said the anti-militancy operations should not become a cause of any inconvenience to the civilian population in any manner.

While taking a detailed review of the law and order situation, the Governor took stock of the counter-infiltration and counter-terrorist operations undertaken recently.

He directed the security forces to minimise the collateral damage during anti-terror operations. He recommended people-friendly measures during such operations, asking the security forces and the administration to address the post-operation complications.

The Governor emphasised the importance of maintaining sustained close watch on the ground situation, and appreciated the coordination and synergy between the security forces and the civil administration.

Pained by the unnecessary and avoidable loss of civilian lives in the operation, the Governor appealed to the people to keep a distance from areas where anti-militancy operations were in progress. He appealed to them to not go near such areas during or immediately after such operations. Malik also directed the security forces to give time to people to evacuate from an area during an anti-militancy operation as per the standard operating procedures.

The Governor also directed the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, to hold an inquiry into the Pulwama incident and suggest precautions to minimise civilian casualties in anti-militancy operations.

During his tenure that began in August this year, Malik initiated several historic steps and among them the biggest one was the restoration of the grassroots democracy by holding municipal and panchayat elections that the state had been waiting for years.

People-friendly steps ‘must’

Governor Satya Pal Malik directed the security forces to minimise the collateral damage during anti-terror operations. He recommended people-friendly measures during such operations, asking the security forces and the administration to address the post-operation complications.