Srinagar: Newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Sujit Kumar on Friday said tackling terrorism would remain the foremost priority of the police force, while calling for public cooperation in maintaining peace and law and order in Jammu and Kashmir.
Kumar, who assumed charge as IGP Kashmir on Thursday evening, made the remarks while reviewing security arrangements at Dargah Hazratbal and other locations witnessing large congregations on the Friday following Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi.
“Our operations were the first priority in the past and they remain the first priority today as well,” Kumar said while responding to questions about the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Kashmir.
The new IGP’s statement came as thousands of devotees gathered at Hazratbal and other religious places across Srinagar for congregational prayers and Eid-e-Milad-related religious programmes.
During his first field visit after taking charge, Kumar reviewed security deployments, crowd-management arrangements and coordination between police and other security agencies at Hazratbal and other congregation points.
The police chief also assured people that the Kashmir Zonal Police would remain committed to their safety and security.
“I congratulate everyone and want to assure the people that the Zonal Police is always there for you,” he said.
Kumar also appealed to the public to cooperate with police and security personnel, particularly in view of the traffic restrictions and security measures put in place around major religious gatherings.
“Many people are offering prayers today, so we seek your cooperation. We understand movement is difficult for the public,” he said.
The IGP acknowledged that large religious congregations and heightened security arrangements could lead to difficulties for commuters, particularly on roads around Hazratbal and other locations witnessing heavy public movement.
He said police and other security agencies had made arrangements to facilitate the peaceful conduct of congregational prayers while ensuring the safety of devotees.
The security review covered deployment of personnel at strategic points, movement of devotees, crowd-management measures and coordination among different security agencies.
At Hazratbal, thousands of devotees had gathered for Friday prayers following Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, with the Holy Relic believed to be of Prophet Muhammad displayed at the shrine.
Large gatherings were also reported from mosques and shrines in different parts of Srinagar and other districts of the Valley.
The police and civil administration had strengthened arrangements at major congregation points to regulate the movement of people and vehicles and prevent disruption during prayer hours.
Traffic Police implemented diversions and route-management measures around Hazratbal and other busy stretches, while security personnel were deployed to facilitate the movement of devotees.
The IGP’s visit to the congregation points came on his first full day after assuming charge of Kashmir Zone.
Kumar’s emphasis on counter-terrorism operations comes against the backdrop of continued security operations against terror networks in the Valley. He said the police would continue to give priority to operations aimed at tackling terrorism.
While reviewing arrangements at Hazratbal, he also assessed the preparedness of personnel deployed for the large congregation and the coordination mechanism with other security agencies.
The police deployment was aimed at ensuring that the religious gatherings proceeded peacefully while maintaining necessary security protocols.
Officials also maintained arrangements for crowd movement and emergency response at the congregation sites.
The IGP’s appeal for cooperation was particularly directed at commuters and members of the public affected by traffic restrictions around major religious gatherings.
“Zonal Police is there for you,” Kumar said, reiterating that the police force remained committed to the safety and security of the people.
He also acknowledged the inconvenience caused by movement restrictions during large gatherings and urged people to cooperate with police personnel deployed on the ground.
