Srinagar is free of terror now, says CRPF

SRINAGAR: A senior officer of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Tuesday claimed that Kashmiri capital Srinagar is now “free of terrorism” as the City has been peaceful for quite a long time.

After Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, flagged off CRPF Women Bike Expedition ‘Yashasvini’, from Srinagar’s refurbished City centre Lal Chowk, CRPF IGP (Srinagar Sector), Ajay Kumar Yadav, told reporters, “Today, we saw LG Manoj Sinha flagging off women bikers to Gujarat from Lal Chowk. The mega event was held in the heart of Srinagar. Where is terrorism? District is peaceful. There can be no better peaceful atmosphere anywhere else.”

The cross-country bike expedition is a “collaborative effort” of the CRPF and Ministry of Women and Child Development and is aimed at celebrating ‘women power’ of the country, the officials said.

The expedition will traverse more than 2,134 kilometres, crossing 40 districts of various states before reaching Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar on October 31, on the birth anniversary of former Deputy Prime Minister, unifier of modern India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Enroute, all the three teams from Srinagar, Shillong and Kanyakumari will interact with the target groups of "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" (BBBP) like school children and college girls, women self-help groups, cadets of the NCC, children of CCIs, NYKS members, adolescent girls and boys, Anganwadi workers, etc., the CRPF said.

Mr. Yadav said, “Our women cops are with their male counterparts taking part in counter terrorism operations, airport security, road opening parties (RoPs), jail security and other sensitive operations. We are proud of them.”

When asked about the expedition, he said, “It is a sign of women empowerment. It sends a message across that women can achieve anything they wish”.

Before flagging off the expedition, Mr. Sinha saluted the “unparalleled bravery, determination and courage shown by the Veeranganas of CRPF in many difficult situations while protecting the integrity and sovereignty of the nation”.

“Yashasvini, women bike expedition by Veeranganas of CRPF is symbol of resilience and strength of Nari Shakti (women power). It also represents the sacrifice of women power, their self-confidence and today they are achieving many milestones in different fields with grit, determination and dedication, the Lt Governor said.

He asserted, “Empowerment and full rights to Nari Shakti is a commitment and topmost priority of J&K administration. Our daughters are scripting success in academics, research, innovation and business sector to fulfil the dreams of an aspirational society.”

He added, “Nari Shakti is playing a crucial role in the developmental journey of J&K and they are also making immense contributions for Viksit Bharat (advanced India). It is Nari Shakti that will ensure human dignity and social equality in the future.”