Jammu and Kashmir: 10 Officers Resign From Police Force, Home Ministry Calls Reports 'Untrue'
Militants have been threatening policemen and government employees from Kashmir to give up their jobs or face the consequences.
Srinagar, Sep 21: At least ten officers of Jammu and Kashmir police have reportedly resigned on Friday following a threat from terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs denied these reports, calling them 'false propaganda by mischievous elements'. Militants have been threatening police officers and government employees from Kashmir to give up their jobs or face the consequences.
Three Jammu and Kashmir policemen in Shopian district announced their resignation on social media after the abduction and killing of three of their colleagues by militants, according to an IANS report. The three policemen who quit were a constable and two special police officers (SPOs). Some reports claim that at least ten officers have resigned citing death threats from militants and 'current situation' as the reason.
One of the constables who resigned acknowledged that the continuing death threats and the 'present situation' forced him to take the decision. Reacting to these reports, the Home Ministry said: "Jammu and Kashmir police have confirmed that these reports are untrue and motivated. These reports are based on false propaganda by mischievous elements." Earlier today, three SPOs were killed by militants in south Kashmir.
"There are over 30000 SPOs and their services are reviewed from time to time. Some mischievous elements are trying to project that those SPOs whose services are not renewed due to administrative reasons, have resigned," the ministry added. The killings came two days after a video message reportedly released by Hizbul Mujahideen asked Kashmiris working for security agencies and central government to quit their jobs and post resignation online.
“Let us and the world see that you all rejected the occupation and joined our struggle for independence (of Kashmir from India)," the voice in the video threatened. “But let it be clear that your resignations will not be accepted after four days. All you will get is death at our hands, you all will be murdered," the voice warned.
The police brass was working on a broader strategy to secure the policemen living in south Kashmir districts by providing collective housing facilities at secured places, IANS reported.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 21, 2018 03:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).