Not apt to comment about AFSPA in media: DGP

Srinagar:  Director General of Police (DGP), Kuldeep Khoda Thursday refused comment on controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, observing that it was not apt to discuss the issue in media.“I will not comment for these issues are not discussed in media,” Khoda told reporters while responding to query about his view on the repealing of the legislation from peaceful areas.On being asked that the army has openly voiced its opposition to withdrawal of the act, he said, “I have my own opinion. These issues are based on various parameters and the opinion is already given by the state government.”     The state police chief also refused comment on whether state administration will allow rally by Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on May 21. “Let me not answer it here. But I will tell you these issues are considered as per the requirement in the interest of peace,” he said on sides of a function: laying of foundation stone for Kashmir Railway Police Office at Nowgam Railway Station here. About the murder of Jamait-e-Ahli Hadees Chief Moulvi Showkat Ahmad Shah, he said that investigations into the case has been completed and the accused will be chargesheeted soon.  “The case has been solved and the accused will be chargesheeted shortly,” he said as per a Press Bureau of India correspondent.On railway security, he said that additional police and mobile patrols have been deployed to secure rail lines in the Valley in the aftermath of damage to the railway infrastructure during last year’s summer protests in which over a hundred people died alleged in government action.“On every railway station we have presence. There will be a police station and police post there and we have deployed mobile patrols along the tracks,” he said. Khoda said the security is being jointly handled by the state police and CRPF.He said that police has been entrusted additional responsibilities to ensure the safety of railway tracks as well as commuters and deal with the crime pertaining to railway premises. He said that the proposed office building will strengthen the working facilities for the police besides improving the delivery of public service in the valley. “It will facilitate the passengers to report any crime promptly and the police to respond quickly to any emergent situation”, he added.Referring to the coordinated efforts put by Northern Railways and Railway Police for resumption of train service in the valley, the DGP said that the service has benefited the common people particularly the student community at large and it is responsibility of all sections of people to ensure the safety of railway tracks and other railway properties. He said that the restoration of damaged railway tracks was a challenging task for Railway Police and Railway Authorities and it was only   due to their coordinated efforts, that the task has been completed within a short time. The service has enhanced the developmental activities in the valley and in future the railway service would be playing a key role in the development of the State, said the DGP.Stressing upon the officers for close synergy, Khoda said that our motive should be efficient and safe train service for the passengers. He asked them to beef up the security system regularly for the railways and its employees after restoring the service from Qazigund to Barramulla. He assured that sufficient man power with required logistic support would be provided to the Railway Police for proper deployment to ensure security of the passengers and the assets of railways.