J&K Governor appeals for calm, says deployment of forces only for election purposes

Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], Feb 24 (ANI): Governor Satya Pal Malik has appealed the people of the state to maintain calm, and not to panic over the induction of 100 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), which is only for the election purposes.
“The Governor has appealed to the people that the induction of forces should be seen only in the context of conducting elections, and should not be attributed to any other cause,” said a state government spokesperson on Sunday.
“He has also appealed to the people not to believe in rumours of any extreme nature, which are circulating widely in some quarters and to remain calm,” the spokesperson said.
“These rumours are unnecessarily creating an atmosphere of fear in the minds of people, leading to stress and disruption to normal life. Rumours about curfews and other actions should not be believed," said an official statement issued from the Raj Bhawan.
Governor Malik on Sunday called an informal meeting of the State Administrative Council to review the current situation in the state, particularly in the backdrop of Pulwama terror attack and preparedness for the impending Lok Sabha elections.
In the meeting, the Governor was also apprised of the security scenario in Kashmir Valley and Jammu and also briefed him about the gradual induction of central forces for election purposes.
“About 100 companies of Central forces are being inducted into the state at the moment. However, this is still less than the actual additional forces required. Thus, more forces will be inducted in the coming weeks,” he said.
“There is some security related action being taken by the forces, but this is purely related to Pulwama attack, which is an unprecedented one. The response of security forces is guided solely by the need to counter both the impact and any further action that may be taken by terrorist groups who are still out to disrupt our country and its democratic processes,” further reads the statement.
It is worth mentioning that Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday approved the deployment of 100 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)—CRPF 45, BSF 35, SSB 10, and ITBP 10—in Jammu and Kashmir.
Three platoons constitute one service company, which has the strength of about 132 personnel and is headed by an Assistant Commandant. CAFPs comprise of seven security forces under the authority of Ministry of Home Affairs.
The meeting was attended by among others Advisors, Vijay Kumar, KK Sharma, and K Skandan, besides B V R Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary, Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to the Governor,  R K Goyal, Principal Secretary, Information Department, Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary, Home, and Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Planning and Monitoring Department.
On the issue of safety and security of Kashmiris residing outside the state, Governor Malik clarified that there is no panic anywhere and the students are safe.
“Over 22,000 Kashmiri students are studying outside the state and the number of students who have actually been injured or hurt in incidents is not even in single digit. The state’s system of Liaison Officers (Los) in nine major cities has worked effectively so that there is no panic anywhere and students continue their studies safely,” he said.
“The work of LOs, helplines in the state, and other measures have ensured that the vast majority of students continue their studies uninterrupted,” he said.
The meeting also apprised the Governor that there was no stock of LPG, a result of earlier blockade of the national highway for seven days and the ongoing blockade for the past four days, leading to disruption of supplies from Jammu to Srinagar.
“The government is taking measures to enhance the supplies to the Kashmir region. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, has rationed petrol and diesel supply to conserve whatever is available for emergency purposes. Steps are being taken to increase the availability of stocks in the valley. The public should see it only as an administrative measure in a shortage situation,” the Governor was informed in the meeting. (ANI)