Srinagar: In a decisive move to curb local militancy in Kashmir, the newly-appointed Director-General of Police (DGP) Mr Swain conducted the first-ever public grievance meeting at the Police Headquarters in Srinagar on Saturday, announcing an intensified campaign against those involved in recruiting locals into militancy, declaring that each act of participation would be treated as an act of terror.
Addressing the media after the public grievance meeting, DGP Swain pledged to launch an 'all-out war against the people who push innocent youth into terror folds and use them as cannon fodder.'
He expressed optimism that with community effort, 'the recruitment of local youth will considerably fall, leading to no more violent incidents and no further recruitment.'
DGP Swain issued a stern warning to those inciting youth to join militancy, declaring that each act of participation would be treated as an act of terror.
He stressed that locals aiding or facilitating a youngster's entry into terrorist ranks would be held equally liable.
Earlier in a meeting, DGP instructed police officers that 'every recruitment into militancy, whether as an active terrorist or as an overground worker or as a hybrid sleeper cell, shall be taken legal and operational cognizance,' as reported by The Hindu.
'It will be a matter of investigation as to who motivated him to join the terrorist gang; who provided arms and ammunition; which school or Islamic seminary he was attending; who were his friends and teachers; who helped him in contacting handlers across; and which handler is responsible for pushing the youngster into the dark lanes of death and destruction.'
Reportedly, properties belonging to Over Ground Workers' (OGWs) families are being seized across Jammu and Kashmir. The process now includes accused persons in several drug, arms, UAPA, and PSA cases.
As per a report, almost 200 different properties belonging to persons accused in various cases have been attached in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019, and a majority of the seizures worth crores of rupees took place in 2023.
Meanwhile, the DGP also warned individuals who, under the 'guise of freedom and expression, encourage militancy, stating that they too would face legal consequences.'
In a subtle jab at Pakistan, the DGP accused the neighboring country of poisoning the people of Kashmir by supplying narcotics like brown sugar, heroin, and cocaine. However, he clarified that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in the drug trade, including personnel from the police or security establishment.
'Earlier, Charas (hash) was being sold locally, it wasn’t that harmful. Now poison is being pushed into Kashmir in the form of brown sugar, heroin, and cocaine. That poison is being sold, and people are being killed,' he said.
He also vowed to break the backbone of narco-traders who have built big houses and are traveling in big cars with the money earned from drug dealing.
'And while acting against such people, we will not back out. People who think that they have built big houses, have bought cars with this money will not go scot-free. We will go after them. For now, we will not focus on peddlers or small-time retailers; we will go after those wholesale dealers who have made crores,' he said.
Earlier, the DGP stated that the maiden public grievance meeting was a new effort aimed at building a connection with the people.
The public darbar, he said, won't have a solution to all issues, but the issues within the domain of the police department will be resolved.
He said the grievances redressal mechanism will have regular follow-ups, and the complainants will remain well-informed about the status of their cases.
Pertinently, the DGP had announced last week to hold two-hour public grievance meetings on two Saturdays of every month in the twin cities of Srinagar and Jammu.
“For me too, it is an experiment. It has a message value. I will also remain aware of what kind of things affect police administration, including different categories of grievances and complaints,” Swain added.