Amid fresh worries that large funerals of militants are turning out to be fertile grounds to “lure and motivate” local youth to take up arms, the J&K Police is devising a mechanism to prevent such occurrences.
Security and intelligence officials in Kashmir have been deliberating upon large militant funerals since 2017, but have not been able to do much on the issue. In many funerals, militants also turn up and give ‘gun salute’ to their slain companions.
With these funerals becoming the new recruitment hubs, the police authorities have sought an action plan from district police chiefs from the Valley, asking them to share their views about stopping such funerals.
The Additional Director General of Police, Security, Munir Khan had recently asked SSPs to seek the viewpoint of moulvis so that all aspects are taken into consideration while devising a strategy.
“These shows (large funerals) lure and motivate youth to join militant outfits and indulge in activities which are detrimental to the security of the state. This trend also results in radicalisation of the young generation,” read the communication of the ADGP to SSPs.
“You (SSPs) are advised to study the whole process within your respective jurisdictions and submit an action plan within the shortest possible time, so that a mechanism is devised and adopted to prevent such occurrences/ incidents,” it added.
The seniors in localities and moulvis of various mosques should also be taken into confidence to seek their point of view so that all aspects are considered while devising the mechanism, the communication read.
Sources said a few district police chiefs have suggested that bodies of local militants should be buried at only designated places in respective districts with only the family and close members in attendance.
“We may face a law and order situation if we don’t hand over the body, but we are capable of handling such a situation,” said a senior police officer who is against handing over militant bodies to the families.
However, some officers are of the view that not handing over the bodies may prolong the law and order situation as tempers usually run high when local militants get killed. However, they too want that measures should be taken to not allow large funerals.
“While we need to impose strict restrictions in the native areas of slain militants, there is also a need to act against those who deliver proactive speeches at the funerals,” another police officer said.
The large funeral phenomenon has its origins in the “new age militancy” which was symbolised by 22-year-old Hizb commander Burhan Wani, who was killed in July 2016.
While the bodies of local militants are handed over to families, bodies of Pakistani militants are buried close to the Line of Control in Baramulla district.
Cops look for way out as militant funerals turn into recruitment hubs
