J&K police on high alert after recent snowfall

Jammu, Feb 4 (IANS) Director General of Police (DGP) K. Rajendra Kumar Wednesday put all ranks of Jammu and Kashmir Police on high alert following the recent snowfall in the state.

In a communication issued by the DGP here, all ranks of Jammu and Kashmir Police were placed on high alert to extend help to people in snowbound areas and minimise the hardships faced by them.

"People residing in the affected areas are experiencing difficulties on various fronts, more so, due to poor communication and other basic needs."

"It has become imperative for cops to extend all possible help as it is the human responsibility of state police," said Kumar.

"All field officers including range deputy inspectors general (DIGs), district superintendents (SSPs), sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) and station house officers (SHOs) should mobilize their sources for road clearance in the snowbound areas so that the road connectivity is restored at the earliest," he added.

"These officials should monitor the weather situation and sound alerts in the upper reaches to tackle any exigency caused by the snowfall."

"There should be better coordination with civil administration to ease the problems of the people," Kumar said.

The DGP has asked field officers to remain available within their jurisdictions and provide every assistance to the civil administration in restoration of road connectivity, electricity, medical facilities and other essential services.

As per past practice, state police should remain available for the service of patients, when they need to be transported to nearby hospitals, the J&K police chief said.

Moderate snowfall in the plains and heavy in the upper reaches of the state during the last three days has disrupted road connectivity, electric supply besides resulting in imminent danger of avalanches and landslides in habitations in the mountainous areas.