Jammu and Kashmir Police Chief Tuesday said that police never supports any political party and it has been always neutral. In the backdrop of some complaints lodged by Peoples Democratic Party leaders that police is harassing PDP workers in Old City, Police Chief Ashok Prasad said that if that is the case these party leaders should approach Election Commission.Police has been always neutral and is working objectively in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Any worker from any political party is subject to legal action if he breaks the law. Police is always apolitical meant for the protection of people,” Prasad told adding that irrespective of party affiliation everyone is equal before the law.Director General of Police Ashok Prasad said that police has no intention or strategy to arrest known stone-pelters or separatist leaders before the coming Parliament elections. “We are going to arrest and take action against those who would break the law. Any persons indulging in stone-pelting is bound to face the music,” he said and added that police has made fool proof security arrangements to conduct the forthcoming elections smoothly.
Responding to a query, Ashok Prasad told that during the forthcoming elections, the level of threat is same from the militants as it was during the previous elections. “We are ready to meet any challenge and this year the security would be more alert and foolproof,” he said.Director General of Police Ashok Prasad said that during the first three month of the current year all but 26 militants have been neutralized which indicates that Government Forces are very alert and active. He said that people are coming forward in large numbers to assist Government Forces in trapping or neutralizing the militants. He said that militants have not changed in strategy and they continue to carryout stray attacks on policemen. “Level of violence has come down drastically in Kashmir. Whatever encounters and incidents of violence take place in Valley are all information based and started by Government Forces. Last year, militants manage to strike in a big way which is not the case this year. Militants carried out Hyderpora and Bemina attack and this year they only target inpidual policemen to be in news,” Prasad said adding that there is no surge in violence and majority of the operations against militants are carried by law enforcement agencies.