HC cannot recommend how law and order be handled: J-K govt

Srinagar, Sept 6 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir governmenttoday told the high Court that enforcing law and order is theduty of the State and the court "not being an expert" cannotrecommend as to how such situations have to be handled. "It is constitutional and legal duty of the State tomaintain law and order. As to what method is required to begiven effect (to) in order to control law and order has to beleft to the State," it said. The government said that the court cannot guide the lawenforcing agencies to act in a particular way or manner. "The court being not an expert does not recommend as tohow the law and order situations are to be controlled," itsaid in its response to a public interest litigation (PIL)filed by Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association seekingban on the use of pellet guns. The fundamental rights do not provide for a license to thepeople to take law into their own hands, it said. "It is only a non-violent protest march, which is afundamental right of person. Even such a right is subject toreasonable restriction in the interest of sovereignty andintegrity of nation," it said. The government said the pellet gun is a modern method todeal with crowd control, particularly agitating mobs whoresort to heavy stone pelting, rioting, arson, at theinstigation of militants and separatists with the intention ofcausing loss of life of peace-loving citizens, policepersonnel and those of security forces, besides damagingpublic and private property. "In the aftermath of the killing of a terrorist on July 8,2016, the entire Kashmir Valley in particular was rocked byunpleasant events in which thousands of people resorted toviolent agitations and attempted to cause loss to the life ofpolice/security forces personnel and that of peace-lovingcitizens, besides causing enormous damage to the public andprivate property. "More than 3700 police and security forces personnel (3777to be precise, till August 30, 2016) have also sustainedinjuries during the attacks on them by the crowd by usingstones and sharp-edged weapons and petrol bombs," thegovernment said in its response. It said since the unrest broke out on July 9, a total of1522 incidents of violence have been reported across Kashmirtill August 30, which has resulted in the loss of 58 lives,including those of two police personnel. "During the same period, a total number of 31 policestations/police posts, two courts, 164 ambulances and 51 otherestablishments have been damaged. "For the acts of violence during the same period, as manyas 1431 FIRs have been registered, 813 persons accused ofcommission of offences under these FIRs have been arrested and409 such persons have been detained or bound down by takingbonds under CrPC," it said. (More) PTI SSB MIJSC