JK police won't use surrendered militants anymore

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

The Jammu and Kashmir police propose to stop using the services of surrendered militants for anti-militancy operations in the valley.

"Their utility is over. Their services are proving somewhat counter-productive now," state Director General of Police Gurbachan Jagat told Rediff On The NeT, "We have decided not to use them anymore.''

Till now, the special task force and other security agencies had been relying quite heavily on surrendered militants (or pro-India militants, as they are known) in their campaigns. However, the alleged excesses by these renegades -- many are part of the official force now -- have forced the government to reconsider.

The state government has already absorbed a majority of them into the Border Security Force and Central Reserved Police Force. Besides, nearly 5,000 have been appointed as special police officers.

The DGP claimed the situation in Kashmir was fast returning to normal. However, both infiltration and exfilteration still continued.

"We have reports that nearly 200 youth have gone across for training this year," he said.

Speaking about the army withdrawal from towns, the DGP said Anantnag has been taken over jointly by the Kashmir police and the CRPF. Next month, the troops would start withdrawing from Baramullah.

Withdrawal from Srinagar, Jagat continued, would be in a phased manner. The police-takeover would be complete by May.