Jammu and Kashmir Police
 Tryst with Peace

My dear Jawans and Officers of J&K Police,

It gives me immense pleasure to express my appreciation for the contribution you have made during the just concluding year 2011. I am overwhelmed by the valour and courage you have demonstrated in keeping the flag of Jammu and Kashmir Police aloft while maintaining law and order and ensuring dignity and honour of the people of the State.

            The year 2011 emerged as a watershed year in Kashmir, rekindling a new hope for peace and normalcy. It was a year that reinforced people’s deep longing for peace; their urge to breath in a tension-free environment and their immense faith in the institutions necessary for peaceful and orderly society.

            While a lot of credit for all this has to be given to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the role of various law enforcing agencies especially the Jammu and Kashmir Police has been outstanding. The brave jawans and officers of the force put in their best to supplement the efforts of the people in sustaining the peaceful atmosphere, which proved conducive for the normal activities like influx of tourists, uninterrupted educational activities, youth exchange programmes and fillip in sports and other extra-curricular activities, besides conduct of trade and business.

            The year 2011 erased, to a great extent, the grim memories of the two decades of militancy and unfolded promise for new hope. This hope has to be sustained and I am sure that the officers and jawans of Jammu and Kashmir Police will contribute towards this by their dint of dedication and spirit of public service. True, attempts of polluting the atmosphere were made by a negligible segment of the society, inimical to peace and normalcy, but the police showed high degree of resilience in restoring order. I am indebted to the people for demonstrating sagacity and extending cooperation in our efforts of restoring peace. This odyssey has to be carried forward.

            Peaceful 2011 does not mean that we should remain complacent to the situation, as the vested elements continue to pose bigger challenges in times to come. The terror regime is active and engaged in fomenting trouble.  We have to remain vigilant to frustrate any attempt to disturb the peace and harmony. We owe to our people a peaceful and congenial atmosphere wherein they can feel reassured about their safety and security. We have to create conducive conditions for the youth to flourish in their chosen careers and pursuits in this fast competitive world. For channelizing   their   energies     in   proper direction, a peaceful and tension-free atmosphere is a pre-requisite.

            Being part of this society, the Jammu and Kashmir Police cannot afford to shy away from its social responsibilities.  We have to instill a sense of confidence among the people in us; we have to become more people friendly and that should be our resolve for the year we are stepping in. I am sure you will achieve this self-defined objective for yourself with pride and dignity.

            While looking back to the just concluded year, we have a reason to feel satisfied for being part of ensuring free, fair and peaceful conduct of Panchayat elections. Notwithstanding the acts of intimidation, an atmosphere was created wherein the people of the State came out in large numbers to exercise their franchise thereby reposing faith in democracy. The massive voter turnout caught the imagination of the entire nation, and I am not exaggerating to say the entire world. This has been possible by instilling a sense of security among the people.

            The year just bygone also witnessed unprecedented tourist arrivals and pilgrim tourists, both to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ji and Shri Amarnath ji in the Kashmir Himalayas. The valley witnessed a record tourist arrival in 2011. Similarly, the pilgrims to Amarnath ji numbered over 6.35 lacs against over 4.5 lacs during the Yatra-2010 and Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine crossed 1 crore mark for the first time this year. The peaceful summer also witnessed spurt in cultural and social activities. While the youngsters remained engaged in various skill building activities, the social gatherings across the Valley reminded of the yesteryears peaceful and normal situation. This momentum has to be sustained by ensuring that law-breakers do not raise their ugly heads.

            It was due to the dint of your determination that we were able to check the activities of anti-national and anti-social elements. The cult of violence has redoubled your responsibilities. Apart from normal policing, we have to face the challenges of global terror. Given your experience and expertise, I am sure that we will be able to shoulder the bigger responsibilities in the near future. The professionalism acquired by the Jammu and Kashmir Police is being acknowledged all over the country. I feel pride in sharing with you the compliments, extended by the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister during the recent Conference of Directors General of Police in New Delhi, to the Jammu and Kashmir Police for their crucial role in combating terror and restoring law and order in the State. The professionalism of Jammu and Kashmir Police is being discussed in various forums and seminars across the country. What could have been a befitting tribute to your valour than entrusting upon the Jammu and Kashmir Police the role of guiding the States on tackling mob violence without any collateral damage or use of non-lethal weapons? We learnt our lessons fast and grew in professionalism to become pioneers in tackling law and order situations and restoring order by using minimum force.

            In the wake of large scale  disturbances during summer of 2010, the Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI, constituted a Sub-Committee headed by Director General of Police, J&K to frame Standing Operative Procedure (SOP) to deal with serious law and order situations in the country. The committee framed the SOP, which was approved and circulated to all Directors General of Police and Inspectors General of Police for adoption. The SOP dealt in detail the procedure to be followed by Police and Central Armed Police Forces while dealing with serious disturbances. The drill to be followed in dealing with stone pelting mobs, attack on protected person’s motorcades, attack on Government and police establishments, mobs led by women,  children and stone pelting in narrow streets have been covered in the SOP.

            It also deals with the training, the equipment, tactics, procedure, follow up action to be taken by police, besides rehabilitation and counseling centers, administrative action and other measures to be taken to defuse the situation.

            Consequently 5 battalions of IRP were specially trained and provided with different types of non-lethal munition and weaponry to deal with serious law and order situations. The non-lethal munition was got specially manufactured through Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA),  after the committee headed by DGP J&K visited BSF manufacturing facilities at Tekanpur. These measures proved highly successful in dealing with the law and order situation during the year and consequently there were no civilian deaths while dealing with disturbances in the state during this year.

                The other measures which contributed for maintenance of law and order included Police-Public meetings, constitution of civil society groups at police station level for getting feed back from the people as part of community policing, Civic Action Programmes focusing on youth, sports tournaments on a large scale, constitution of youth clubs, besides sensitizing police force towards need for improving police public relations. 

            Having said so, let us pay homage to our valiant jawans and officers who laid down their lives during the year for the nation and the people of the State. My heart goes to their families, as they will be missing their dear ones. I reassure them that they are the proud members of the great police family and their welfare is a sacred mission for us. During the bygone year, 15 officers, jawans and SPOs achieved martyrdom while performing their duties and braving the brunt of terrorism.

            As already stated, we have not steered out of the terror morass as yet. It continues to be a big challenge. Along side other security agencies; we have been shouldering this responsibility with valour and professionalism.   

            As a result of our combined efforts, there has been discernible improvement in the situation. The militancy related incidents continue to show dwindling graph and were lowest- ever during last 21 years of militancy. This year witnessed a sharp drop of 47 per cent in terrorist violence compared to last year’s total of 368 incidents. Jammu Province  witnessed  74   per   cent   drop    whereas Kashmir witnessed 33 per cent drop in terrorist violence compared to last year. The terrorist violence this year dropped to an all time low of around 190 incidents compared to a figure of 1438 five year back at the end of year 2006, showing a steep decline by 1248 incidents (nearly 87 per cent decrease). The overall situation has improved drastically during the past few years. Our endeavor remains to ensure that while causing maximum attrition to terror monsters, the civilian population is not harmed. Alongside combating terror, we have to remain vigilant against the terror mongers who seize every opportunity to malign the security forces and the police by exaggerating events and fabricating stories. This is also a part of terror-regime to create confusion by spreading falsehood. The propaganda or disinformation campaign is part of terror strategy. Therefore, we have to remain extra cautious while dealing with the situations lest the terror mentors will get an excuse to exploit the events.

            However, to instill sense of peace among the masses, several security bankers have been removed from the public places in Srinagar. Also to restore sports, cultural and other activities, Indoor Sports Stadium and 52 buildings in the State have been evacuated and handed over to the concerned agencies during the year.     

            While saluting your valour and lauding your role in the professional arena, I assure you that every effort is being made to improve your service conditions, increase your capacities and capabilities by organizing refresher and other training courses from time to time, looking to your and your families welfare and creating necessary infrastructure for ensuring excellent policing.

            To acquaint the police force with modern techniques of policing, like intelligence gathering, crime detection, investigation on scientific lines and last but not the least countering insurgency operations, adequate infrastructure is being created on fast track basis and training programmes conducted. The objective is to keep the force abreast with latest technologies and methodology. Trainings help in acquiring knowledge and expertise and keeping this in view, efforts have been made to upgrade the training institutions across the State. 6,342 personnel have been trained in different institutes in various fields of policing during 2011. These trainings include basic recruit training of 2866 constables and specialized courses for 1,849 jawans and officers. Besides 454 officers have underwent different training courses outside the state.   

            As regards the creation of avenues and better career prospectus of various ranks, massive promotions in the gazetted and non-gazetted cadres were affected. These include promotion of 3 Inspectors General of Police as Additional Directors General of Police, 1 Deputy Inspector General of Police as Inspector General of Police, 4 Senior Superintendents of Police as Deputy Inspectors General of Police, Selection Grade of IPS to  7  Superintendents of Police, Junior Administrative Grade to  1 Superintendent of Police, 1 Deputy  Superintendent of Police as Superintendent    of     Police,     3     Chief  Prosecuting Officers as Deputy Directors Prosecution and 34 Inspectors as Deputy Superintendents of Police in the department.

            In the non-gazetted ranks bulk promotions were ordered during the year. While 142 Sub-Inspectors were promoted as Inspectors, 303 Assistant Sub-Inspectors promoted as Sub-Inspectors, 1030 Head Constables promoted as Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 1710 Selection Grade Constables promoted as Head Constables and  1274 Constables elevated to the rank of Selection Grade Constables.  

            Continuing its journey to broaden the police family by inducting additional manpower, recruitment process was further streamlined and expedited. As a result, 84 highly qualified and dynamic youth were inducted as Deputy Superintendents of Police. Besides 6,255 Constables and 145 Followers were recruited in the Organization during 2011 excluding 433 SPOs who have been absorbed as Constables and Followers on the basis of their performance. 

            As part of expansion, 9 Police Sub Divisions, 30 Police Stations including 4 Juvenile Police Stations and 46 Police Posts were sanctioned by the government during the year 2011. Moreover, 443 additional posts including 1 DIG, 2 SsP, 13 Dy.SsP, 9 Inspectors, 30 ASIs, 8 Accounts Assistants, 37 Head Constables, 305 Constables and 38 Followers have been created in the department.

            In order to enhance the living and working facilities to the personnel, State Police is utilizing approximately Rs. 148 crores in upgrading these facilities, out of which Rs. 56 crores are being spent on raising building infrastructure. During the year, under the modernization scheme, 5 Battalion Headquarters were constructed at Reshipora Shopian, Rajouri, Samba, Pattan, and Wuyan Kupwara. Administrative Blocks were constructed at Srinagar, Anantnag,  Ramban, Leh and Kishtwar, besides 3 Sub-division offices at Hundwara, Sumbal and Nowshera, 3 ASP Offices at Kathua, Udhampur and Dumana and 4 Police Stations at Gursai Poonch, Gangyal, Khurhama and Behramgalla Poonch.

            Under the alternate accommodation programme, the department has constructed building infrastructure at various places in the state and the para-military forces supplementing the state police to maintain law and order, have been accommodated in these buildings.

            The Organization is having two Police Hospitals in the State, one each at Srinagar and Jammu. These Hospitals are providing diagnostic and treatment facilities and have been fully equipped with latest infrastructure, trained specialists and para-medical staff. Medicines procured from reputed firms have also been made available at these Hospitals. The proposal to upgrade these hospitals is under way, to increase the patient intake and modernize the facilities.

            With the commissioning of train service in the valley, the people had a relief from road journey inconvenience, but it added to the responsibilities of Jammu and Kashmir Police. To ensure the security of railway tracks, stations and commuters, the force established its security grid, equipped with gadgets and communication network all along the track. The service was suspended for some time due to the damages caused  during disturbances in 2010, but with the brave efforts of GRP personnel, the service has now been restored fully from Qazi Gund to Baramulla.          

             To reshape the telecommunication grid on modern lines, 20 Mbps network was established at police control rooms in two capital cities and Police Headquarters (PHQ) Srinagar and Jammu, besides extension of 2Mbps network to  Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy Udhampur and headquarters of traffic and security. Latest digital HF sets with SMS, data transfer and fax facilities were introduced to keep in pace with changing world and achieve more efficient results. 7 more crypto centers were sanctioned to deal with classified traffic and with the opening of these crypto centers communication network would be  strengthened.

            Investigation forms core of policing. This aspect has not lost the attention of the policy planners and to strengthen this mechanism, several revolutionary measures were taken, which include up-gradation of Forensic Science Laboratories across the State. A massive programme has been launched to improve the traffic regulatory system all over the State. In the beginning, signal system is being introduced in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar, as the number of vehicles has alarmingly gone up.

            Frequent road accidents are a major concern. We are seized of this malady and therefore efforts are underway to further sensitize the agencies tasked with the responsibilities. In this regard to improve the traffic management, for facilitating the public and to interface with the stake holders, traffic wing launched its website as well as a page on face book which has helped to systemize the working of the wing for achieving synergy. This has also helped the management to reach out to the general masses. Traffic Management Information System (TMIS) has been put into operation to create a data bank of traffic violators and to keep a track of frequent violators.  

            Welfare of the families of our brave jawans and officers is on top of our agenda and the department has established a Central Welfare Fund (CWF) for the support of these families. For this purpose, the Organization has launched various welfare schemes.  

            During the year, Rs. 15 crore have been released and paid for these welfare schemes to the families of martyrs, serving, retired personnel and SPOs. This includes Rs. 8.5 crore as immediate Special Welfare Relief, more than Rs.  1 crore as Ex-gratia Relief,  Rs.  13 lacs to the families of deceased SPOs, Rs.  28 lacs in the shape of scholarships to the wards of police personnel, Rs. 4 lacs as financial  assistance to the families of martyrs, Rs. 16 lacs as welfare relief and loans to retired and serving personnel.

            A much awaited meeting of Central Police Welfare Committee was held at Jammu towards end of 2010 and among major decisions, retirement gift was enhanced from Rs.  3,000 to Rs. 35,000. During the year more than Rs. 2 crores have been paid to the personnel who retired from the department.

            To provide quality education to the wards of martyrs and serving police personnel is our priority. For this purpose police-public schools have been established at all range headquarters in the State, besides Leh and Kargil. Two police-public schools at Srinagar and Jammu have been augmented upto higher secondary level and equipped with latest methods of education. The results of these schools have been much encouraging and the schools established at other district headquarters are being provided better infrastructure and qualified staff.     

            As a part of its social responsibilities, Jammu and Kashmir Police is contributing to promote sports culture within and outside the department. A series of sports activities are carried out through out the year to encourage and refine the talent of the youth in  the sports field. During the year, 59^th  All India Police Wrestling Cluster was held at Jammu in which our players proved their mettle and bagged various medals. 13th J&K Police Martyrs Memorial Football Tournament, 1^st Kashmir Marathon, Jashan-e-Dal Water Sports Festival and Inter-Zone and Inter Battalion Sports Meets are other activities organized by the department during the year.  Kashmir Marathon which was held under   the   footage   of Zabarwan hills witnessed huge public participation from all walks of life. It was due to the efforts of the department that our players have brought laurels at national and international level in different disciplines.

            Realizing its social obligation towards society, the Organization conducted various activities under Civic Action Programme in education, sports and cultural sectors. The objective has been to address major concerns of the society especially the youth. The department organized training courses in different income generating trades and established police-public libraries at various places including Awantipora, Kishtwar, Srinagar and Nowshera.  Reading material and computer facilities were provided to the youth to make them able to compete in various professional examinations besides educational assistance and tours for the students belonging to poor pockets and militancy affected families.

            To improve the physique of the youth, sports has remained under focus of our Organization. Under the Civic Action Programme mini sports stadiums and gymnasiums were constructed at Rajouri, Udhampur, Awantipore, Ramban, Kishtwar, Budgam and Leh. In addition many sports activities were carried out under this programme which include T-20 Cricket Tournament at Jammu University and Ganderbal, 5^th North Zone Cricket Tournament of Deaf and Dumb in Jammu, Cricket Tournament at Awantipora and Budgam, Volley Ball Tournament at Manigam and Athletic Meet in Indoor Sports  Stadium  Srinagar.  De-addiction Centre established at PCR Srinagar has been treating the addicted people and 24 hours monitored stress management helpline has now been added to the centre.                     

            Jammu and Kashmir Police, besides its professional duties, has been working for the promotion of cultural activities in the State. As a part of these activities carried under its Civic Action Progmme, the Organization launched a talent hunt  ‘’Choona Hai Aasman’’ for budding singers in different corners of the State and several talented youth were identified during the state level hunt. To reshape their talent they were sent outside the state for coaching in the discipline.     

            In order to establish close rapport with the people and for strengthening relations with them, a mechanism has been chalked out to reach out to the masses in different parts of the state. In this regard Police-Public workshops were conducted at different places and the people showed a good response to share their views with senior police officers. In addition, community policing has been introduced in the state and 41 Youth Clubs and 5 community centers were established to provide opportunities to the youth of the state to interact. This has helped them in identifying the solution of their problems leading to their redressal. The youth clubs have been provided various facilities including computers, sports and reading material. During the year, more than 2,000 police-public meetings were held at Thana level with the members of civil society of the areas. The mechanism has yielded good results and the people, realizing the humane face of the police, are expressing their faith in ‘’men in khaki’’. The healthy interactions of the youth with intellectuals have helped them to get guidance for proper academic performance and employment.

            Recognizing the sacrifices of Jammu and Kashmir Police during the year,  304 personnel have been honoured with medals which include 50 President’s Police Medals for Gallantry and Police Medals for Gallantry, 3 President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Services, 33 Police Medals for Meritorious Services, 21 Sher-i-Kashmir Police Medals for Gallantry, 11 Sher-i-Kashmir Police Medals for Meritorious Services and 221 DGPs Commendation Medals.  

            Jammu and Kashmir State this year also remained prime destination of various delegations and VVIP visits and national level conferences. The force made adequate security arrangements for the visits of Her Excellency the President of India and other VVIPs and delegations. An incident free Shri Amar Nath Ji Yatra was ensured by putting effective security measures in place. Verification for Haj pilgrim passports was completed within the shortest possible time and security arrangements for their departure and arrival were made despite hectic engagements on various fronts.

            Security of tourists and their free movement was given priority which has been hailed at national level. The Tourist Police has remained instrumental in bringing awareness among the tourists. The personnel of the Wing conducted surprise inspections at various destinations to check over-charging and touting. More than Rs.  6 lac was  realized from the people involved in the sale of adulterated and fake items to the tourists.             

            In view of the importance assumed in present global scenario, the Home-guards and Civil Defence Organizations have accelerated their activities. The Organization is involved in the noble task of selfless service to the community to contribute in assisting the people during crisis. It has brought awareness among the masses about precautionary measures during and in the aftermath of a disaster. In this regard a National Level Conference on Disaster Management was held at SKICC, Srinagar in which several experts from all over the country participated and delivered their lectures.        

            Continuing its noble service, the Organization this year conducted several awareness programmes at various places in the State which include Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, Samba, Sunderbani, Kathua, Doda, Poonch, Rajouri and Nowshera. The volunteers of the Organization launched rescue operations during cloud burst at Baggar in Doda and also saved civilians during flash floods in Samba. 

            During the year the Organization conducted state level workshop on disaster preparedness and mitigation in Srinagar to bring together all stakeholders and sensitize them to various aspects on disaster management. Workshops on Civil Defence and disaster management were held at Sopore, Anantnag, Pulwama, Srinagar, Budgam, Kupwara and Baramulla. To train the volunteers in different activities of disaster management, the organization conducted 64 training camps in which 5000 volunteers participated, besides 39 Civil Defence personnel and volunteers were deputed to NCDC Nagpur for advanced training in the field.   

              All this would not have been possible without the much needed support of the Government, which not only appreciated the needs of the Police Organization but walked an extra mile for ensuring up-gradation of the force at all  levels. I seize this opportunity to express gratitude on behalf of the Jammu and Kashmir Police to the Government headed by Chief Minister, Jenab Omar Abdullah and0 Minister of State for Home Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani. This is also the time to assure the Government that the valiant jawans and officers of the force will continue to serve the State and its people with dedication and commitment.

            I extend my good wishes to you and your families for the year to come. Wish you a blissful and prosperous   “New Year”.

Happy New Year.