We are working shoulder to shoulder with Anti-Narcotic department and NGO’s to eradicate the evil of drugs in South Kashmir,” Vijay Kumar

Hailing from a remote village in Bihar, Vijay Kumar joined Indian Police Services (IPS) in 1997. Currently posted as DIG South Kashmir, Kumar shares his experiences and observations in an Exclusive interview with The Kashmir Scenario.

Talking to

Shah Irshad Qadri of The Kashmir Scenario

Kumar feels that the youth of Kashmir are becoming more career-oriented and have discarded violent means of protest.

Medals:

Presidents police Medal for Gallantry(2005)
Police Medal for Gallantry(2003)
Police Medal for Meritorious Service (2013)
Sheri-Kashmir Police Medal for Gallantry (2003)
Chief Of Army Staff commendation Card (2007)
GOC-IN-C Northern command commendation card (2005)

From a village in little known Shahrsa of Bihar to IPS, it has been quite a journey for you. Take us through it.

I belong to a village Banya District shahrsa of Bihar. I had my primary & secondary education in a government school and then shifted to Delhi for bachelor’s degree in Delhi University. I did my master’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). In 1997, I qualified Indian Police Services (IPS) exams in 1997.

IAS examination needs unflinching family support. Did your family support you for this examination?
I was eager to qualify this prestigious exam since childhood. Parents helped me and supported me all through my life by whatever means. See this examination is spanned over a long period of time. Family support is absolutely necessary. I am thankful to God that my family supported me allthe way through this examination.

What is the secret of your success for qualifying civil services?
I started preparing General Knowledge during my days in Delhi University. During my graduation I completed sociology paper as it was my first optional subject while I completed my 2nd optional paper in JNU.

How you started your career in Delhi?
After getting admission in Delhi University, we were living in team and helped each other by sharing the rented house. We were preparing jointly which helped us a lot. Delhi was a big city for a countryside boy like me. Yes there were some difficulties in adapting ourselves in Delhi but with time it becomes easier to adapt. When you have a goal in life then these difficulties don’t matter at all. Unidirectional focus is important.

First posting is always interesting for a Police officer. Where was your first posting and how was the experience?
After Training, I was posted in Kupwara in 1998. The situation was not good in the valley and people were scared of police. But I was trying to solve the complaints of people quickly which somehow helped people in trusting the police again.

You were posted in valley in turbulent times. What was reaction of family on the first posting?
No. They were mentally prepared for it as they were aware that I have to serve in any state of the country. I too was ready for that. But yes sometimes I miss my family and relatives and village too as I am away from home from past 17 years.

What changes you witness in valley during you two decades of posting here?
Education sector has improved in the valley. Youth have become more oriented. Change has occurred economic condition of people. Now there are good roads and development is taking place rapidly.

What is your take on drug addiction in valley?

This menace of drugs was increasing in South Kashmir but we have started a moment against it. We along with volunteers destroy Charas at many places. Last year we registered 175 cases in this regard. We are working shoulder to shoulder with Anti-Narcotic department and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) to eradicate this evil.

Besides Drug Addiction, Crime rate in South Kashmir has increased?

We are fighting against crimes too. Every now and then we seize vehicles and other items as we cracked many theft and burglary incidents.

From past few months young educated boys are joining militancy ranks? What could be the reason?
A few cases have been identified in Tral, Shopian & Pulwama, but it is just4 to 5 cases. This number cannot be treated as a general trend among youth. I request youth to get involved in NGOs or start a business, go outside the state as there are hundreds of options like a call centre for 12th standard. Hotel sector is also good for Kashmiris due to their pleasing appearance and demeanor. Gun is not an option , see whoso ever is getting killed their families get into miseries.

Is the graph of militancy getting down or up?
See the graph of militancy is very much down leaving aside some 3 to 4 incidents in South Kashmir. Barring a few stray incidents, the situation is improving. Kashmir of 2013 is different from a Kashmir of 2002 or for that matter a Kashmir of 1992.

Do you think that police should organize seminars to aware youth about the schemes available for youth?
Yes, police is doing it, but due to law & order problems, VIP movements, yatra & crime disposal pressure, we get a little time to do so. We can maximize such initiatives, when the darbar moves to Jammu as there is low pressure on police. The movement will be increased in winter in schools & colleges as the pressure of VIPs reduces.

Youth involved in protests are slapped with Public Safety Acts (PSA) and lose their career. What can be done to save their careers and at the same time rehabilitate them?
There is some confusion in people regarding the slapping of Public safety Act (PSA). At times the figures are exaggerated. We do not slap PSAs liberally. Let me tell you that in South Kashmir in 2011-2012 not a single PSA was slapped. Yes in Anantnag there has been a single case of PSA. Yes we arrest some anti-social elements. But they get bailout & we handover them to their parents.

In 2008, 2010 killing Police had promised action against the culprits. What happened to that promise?
I can’t comment about that. The cases are under investigation. I can tell you that in 2008 the police was not trained professionally to tackle street protests. We did not have non-lethal weapons, but in 2011 we got trained with CRPF. That is why during post Afzal Guru protests, there was a little damage. There was not a single killing in South Kashmir.

There have been incidents of target killings recently in South Kashmir in which Special police Officers’ were killed? What is your take on that?
We have increased vigil. Boys are trained how to patrol the streets. Boys must go together as per briefing, they should not walk alone.

Posting in Kashmir

Present Posting: DIG Police South Kashmir Range, Anantnag.
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