‘They don’t pelt stones at us when they see ‘Islam’ written on the shields’
If I find something like this anywhere, I will ask my boys to remove it: IG CRPF
CRPF counter stone pelters with ‘Islam’
Sumaiya Yousuf
Srinagar:
Astonishing pictures of riot shields used by forces in Kashmir’s ongoing unrest show CRPF men have been using religion as a tool to keep stone pelters at bay.
The men in uniform who stand fully equipped with riot control equipment like helmets, carry riot shields used for protection while handling stone pelting incidents.
However, on these carry shields, forces have written ‘ISLAM’ perhaps to stop boys from pelting stones at them.
Experts believe this could either be another way of reacting to the ‘graffiti protests’ being used extensively by people to protest against the civilian killings or simply to force stone-pelters not to pelt stone at something with religious connotations.
A group of CRPF personnel standing near Barzulla Bridge were carrying riot shields with Islam written on them.
On asking why Islam was written on the shields, they said, “Kashmiri boys do not pelt stones at us when they see Islam written on the shields.”
However, the group of CRPF personnel on duty did not share much information regarding the religious graffiti.
The deserted roads of the summer capital Srinagar are dotted with CRPF, BSF, SSB to assist J&K Police to maintain law and order since Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani was killed in a gunfight with forces on July 8.
Kashmir’s Grand Mufti, Mufti Bashiruddin said it was highly condemnable act.
He said by using Islam’s name on their equipment, forces were not only provoking youth but also hurting the sentiments of Muslims.
“It’s not only desecration of our religion but also an inhumane act. They should respect the sentiments of the people who are facing a tough time. The shields are supposed to be used for protection from stones and other elements not for insulting any religion,” he said.
Stressing that it was not only about Islam, Mufti Bashiruddin said even if any other religion would have been used, it would have been wrong and insulting.
He said there was no point dragging religion into everything.
Talking to Rising Kashmir, IG CRPF Atul Karwal expressed ignorance over CRPF men desecrating religion by writing Islam on their shields.
“If I find something like this anywhere, I will ask my boys to remove it,” he said.
“Normally, the carry shields they use have ‘Police’ written on them.”
Asked if he would take any action against the CRPF men carrying such shields, he said, “There is nothing for which action should be taken.”