Government Friday said that there was no proposal under consideration for shifting of CRPF camp from Zainakote HMT (Industrial Area) in Srinagar outskirts.
“There is no private, government land or sufficient accommodation available in the vicinity for shifting of CRPF Bn from HMT. In view of these difficulties, as of now, there is no proposal under consideration for shifting of CRPF Camp from Zainakote HMT (Industrial Area),” said Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who holds the charge of home department.
She said this in the ongoing Budget Session of the Assembly in a written reply to a question by PDP MLA from Batamaloo, Noor Muhammad Sheikh.
Sheikh had asked a written question about the demand of the Zainakote residents for removal of the CRPF camp.
“44th Bn Headquarters of CRPF is housed in Zainakote HMT (Industrial Area), Srinagar for protection of this vital installation, besides performing ROP/other day to day law and order duties. In the event of shifting of this Battalion headquarters, sufficient manpower would be required for protection of the said Industrial Unit, for which accommodation at Zainakote would be required,” the government said.
It said that under the ‘Alternate Accommodation Programme’ of Government of India (GoI), Ministry of Home Affairs, the police department has constructed or is constructing accommodation for re-location of Security Force Personnel, hitherto housed in government or private establishment.
“However, non-availability of land is an impediment in the completion of the project,” it said.
Residents in Zainakote in Srinagar outskirts have been demanding the removal of the CRPF camp from the area, and the demand aggravated after the killing of a youth, Gowhar Nazir Dar, allegedly by CRPF on November 7 last year on the day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the valley and announced the much-hyped financial package for the state.(Agencies)
