NIT Srinagar protests: Under fire, police hit back, say don’t need certificate on nationalism, impartial

A security personnel keeps vigil at NIT. PTI photo

In the line of fire for their action on students of National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Srinagar, officer of Jammu and Kashmir Police have hit back, saying they “don’t need certificate of nationalism” from anyone.

“J&K Police doesn’t need any certificate of nationalism or impartiality from those whose valour doesn’t extend beyond their keypads,” Senior Superintendent of Police (Crime) Mubassir Latifi posted on Facebook.

“J&K Police is a saga of sacrifice and courage and has brought this state out of a madness called terrorism,” the post said. In a separate Facebook post, Baramulla Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Firoz Yehya posted, “Many of my colleagues have been asking and many more must be thinking ‘whose war are we fighting? All I can tell them is that this is just another phase and will pass.”

“J&K Police doesn’t need any certificate from people like Mr. Arnab Goswami. We must continue doing the good work within the ambit of law and nothing shall deter us,” his post said.

“We have always been at the forefront of anti-militancy operations. When we fight militants, they call us nationalists,” said a senior police officer. “And today, we have suddenly become anti-nationals just because some boys were beaten up,” the officer added.

The backlash against the police has also attracted the attention of people in the Valley.

“Hey JK Police, India hires you to kill, brutalize & humiliate people of Kashmir for which you will be awarded & rewarded,” wrote human rights activist Khurram Parvez in a Facebook post. “You cannot beat your master’s kids for which you will be shown your place by the bosses in Delhi. #NITKashmir”.

“J&K cops must learn to show restraint. Got away with brutalising locals including students at slightest or no provocations in the past. Everyone isn’t an ‘orphan’,” read another Facebook post.

On Thursday, the police released a video to justify its action on the students. The video purportedly shows students smashing cars and vandalising property on campus.