Says Hindus, Vulnerable Muslims Must Be Armed, Trained
Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir police Chief Shesh Paul Vaid has advocated arming minority Hindus and vulnerable sections of the Muslim community besides creating Village Defence Committees (VDCs) in Kashmir Valley to tackle militancy, India Today reported Saturday.
The former DGP, the report said that that all options must be explored for instilling a sense of security among the minority community of Kashmiri Hindus in Valley. Vulnerable Muslim community members, he said should also be given arms and training to protect themselves from the militant attacks.
“There is no harm in giving arms training and providing weapons to the minority Hindu community as well as to the vulnerable section of the Muslims in the Kashmir valley,” the former DGP said.
Vaid recalled how he as the SSP of Udhampur in 1995 was instrumental in forming the first VDC in militancy infested Bagankote village which was part of Udhampur district at that time. The village is now part of Reasi district carved out of Udhampur in 2007.
“Later VDCs were formed through a formal J&K government order in Chenab valley region of Jammu division where Hindus are in minority,” he said.
He alleged that after the migration of Kashmiri Pandits from Valley, militants started targeting the minority Hindus and carried their massacre in Chenab region of Jammu province.
“But soon VDCs were constituted and people were given arms training. Muslims were also made part of the VDCs as they also faced militant attacks. This formula proved to be very successful and the mass exodus of Hindus was prevented,” he said, while advocating creation of VDCs in Kashmir as well.
“Village Defence Committees (VDCs) can be constituted in the Valley. However, this formula requires detailed planning. Forming VDCs in the Kashmir Valley is difficult, but not impossible,” he added.
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