Omar, Mehbooba express strong objection to using community halls as security barracks in Jammu & Kashmir

After a spate of killings of civilians in October, the Centre ordered the deployment of an additional 5,000 troops

The Jammu and Kashmir administration’s decision to station additional central paramilitary forces in community marriage halls in Srinagar has triggered resentment among people and political parties in the Union Territory (UT).

After a spate of killings of civilians, including members of minority community and migrant workers, in October, the Centre ordered the deployment of an additional 5,000 troops of the central paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

The additional troops who were stationed in Srinagar city have taken over community marriage halls for accommodation. Residents and political parties are demanding an alternative accommodation for the security personnel.

“My Government built community/marriage halls & demolished bunkers in Srinagar. It’s disappointing to see the security situation in the city has now regressed so far that new bunkers are being constructed & the marriage halls are being used as barracks for security forces (sic),” National Conference leader and former chief minister of J&K, tweeted.

Another former CM and PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: “After placing security bunkers at every nook & corner of Srinagar, CRPF personnel have been pushed into marriage halls which is the only private space left for people here. Every day more draconian laws are brought in with the sole purpose of suffocating people into silence.”

Srinagar mayor Junaid Azim Mattu said he has raised the issue with the administration for exploring alternative options for housing the security personnel.

“Have spoken to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pole Sb regarding the issue of SMC Community Halls being made available to the CRPF...SMC wasn't consulted on this decision,” he tweeted.

The residents of the old city in Srinagar, while demanding immediate shifting of the troops from the marriage halls, said in case of any militant attack, they will have to bear the consequences.

“Placing CRPF troops in marriage halls in congested localities can prove deadly for the residents. And it will also create problems for those who have booked these halls for any functions as well,” said a resident of old city Khanyar.

However, Public Relation Officer (PRO), CRPF, Abhiram Pankaj said additional troops from within Kashmir Valley were deployed in the city in view of the requirement.

He said the places for accommodating the forces were chosen by the civil administration.

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