SRINAGAR, July 16: More powers need to be given to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) so that they are granted immunity from arrests for acts performed in exercise of their duties in conflict-ridden Jammu and Kashmir state, a study has suggested.
That the force were often “harassed” by the state police and there was a need for for immunity through amendments in the CRPF Act, a Home-ministry-sponsored study conducted by the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA) on Role and Functioning of CRPF has said, a national newspaper reported.
“Although the CRPF is deployed in the State (Jammu and Kashmir) in aid to civil authority, its status and powers must not be subordinate to that of the State police. The Force personnel must be allowed to exercise the powers that are granted to them especially since the State police is not in a position to take over all duties or even be present in adequate numbers (in operations),” daily Pioneer wrote quoting the study.
The report compiled by Associate Fellow, Internal Security Cluster, IDSA, Arpita Anant said, “The CRPF Act may be amended to give some statutory powers to the Force. Since the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) does not apply in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and Section 45 of the CrPC that provides protection to CRPF personnel against arrest for acts performed in carrying out duties is not contained in the Ranbir Penal Code which is applicable in Jammu and Kashmir, the Force personnel need to be given some immunity, while on duty in the State.”
It further suggested that some additional powers may be granted to prevent harassment of the CRPF personnel and these could be investigative powers or the authority to lodge FIRs.
For improving infrastructure for the paramilitary personnel in the State, it advised that an adequate proportion of the security related expenditure funded by the Centre should be spent on the requirements of CRPF.
The report also suggested reduction in the number of static duties for better operational preparedness and highlighted the need for adopting policies for overall motivation levels of the paramilitary personnel.
“It would be very worthwhile to improve the working environment to keep them motivated. It is also important to do so since the Force is performing a very crucial role. In Jammu and Kashmir, the boundary between internal and external security often blurs. A well cared for and motivated Force is the key to ensuring peace and stability in the State,” it concluded.
Consultations between the Union Home Ministry and the CRPF are underway to implement the recommendations of the report, the newspaper reported.
