Maninder Dabas
The story of CRPF Jawan from the valley, Khurshid Ahmad, who despite being hit by 8 bullets is desperate to get on his feet and serve his nation, is an inspiration for many. On the other hand the resignation of two police jawans, Firdous Ahmad and Waseem Ahmad Sheikh, bowing to social pressure of them killing their own protester brothers, is a tale in contrasting realities. The ongoing unrest in Kashmir is probably the toughest time in the life for a Kashmiri cop. Being a Kashmiri, he’s always seen with suspicion by Indian establishment, whereas the ongoing battle with their fellow Kashmiris who protest, has made them traitor to their cause.
A Kashmiri jawan serving in police therefore has nowhere to go. Post Burhan Wani’s encounter on July 8th, the unrest in Kashmir has grown many folds and the death toll has already crossed 60. Since majority of the jawans of army, CRPF and BSF don’t belong to Kashmir, they face stone-pelters once, twice or three times a day. But a cop who’s one of their own has to face them 24×7, because he lives among them.
Social boycott
The battles fought daily between police and protesters have made local kashmiri cops villains in the eyes of their neighbours, relatives and loved ones. Most of them are now facing social boycott. The threats seems to have started working, as two special police officers (SPOs), Firdous Ahmad and Waseem Ahmad Sheikh publicly announced their resignations from police department in the town of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. They also shouted pro-azadi slogans in order to restore the lost faith of their people.
Later Waseem also tendered public apology and asked for forgiveness from the people. “I came home yesterday and decided to quit my job. Now onwards I am not associated with police department. I am sorry if I have hurt anyone intentionally or unintentionally. I seek your forgiveness,” Wasim was quoted in DNA.
Threats to their families
The unrest in the valley has made the cops of Kashmir villains in the eyes of the locals and the situation has become so tense that the families of these jawans are receiving threats. These threats come from both militants and the mobs who protest against the armed forces. The Kashmiri policeman is under severe pressure to either resign or die at the hands of mob or militants.
In violence-hit Kashmir, if anyone is on the retreat, it is the J&K Police. An SSP posted in south Kashmir told TOI on Monday that there are reports of attacks on policemen coming from across the disturbed valley. “But what is worse is that nobody is supporting us. The government has abandoned us,” the officer said. “Everybody is legitimising the voice of separatists. In the 1990s, the police force had collapsed. There are entrenched interests that want the same situation again now.”
The officer added, “Lots of money has been pumped into creating this present situation, perhaps hundreds of crores. And then you have separatists identifying brave police officers. We are sitting ducks. But the question to be asked is, who is allowing this?” Sources in the department said that houses of dozens of policemen have been burnt down and that almost every family, especially those of officers, has received threats. An officer with the CID said, “Our family is our biggest weakness. The CRPF and Army can fight without any fear here as their loved ones are safe back home. But we have ours here. And our enemies know that.”
Families asking forgiveness from separatist Geelani
The situation in valley has become so vulnerable for a local cop that now the families of the cops have started asking separatist leaders like Syed Ali Shah Geelani for forgiveness that their son is firing pellets at his own brothers and sisters.
Early this month a family of police officer had approached Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani seeking forgiveness against their son who was accused of firing pellets on the protesters at Chee village of South Kashmir’s Bijbhera. Meanwhile posters of Sangbaz (stone pelters) Coordination Committee threatening to families of police officials were seen a locality in Srinagar.
