Indian man impersonating CRPF trooper arrested in IIOJK
Srinagar: Fear and suspicion have deepened among Kashmiris in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir after an Indian man impersonating a Central Reserve Police Force trooper was arrested in Ganderbal district.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Indian forces apprehended the man wearing a CRPF uniform and carrying a CRPF identity card at Domail Gate along the Baltal route to Amarnath. He was taken into custody and later handed over to Police Post Baltal for questioning and further legal action.
The accused has been identified as Harvinder Kumar, a resident of Agra in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Officials said the investigation is underway.
The incident has once again exposed the plight of ordinary Kashmiris who live under constant surveillance and harassment, and now face the added threat of “true or fake” Indian forces personnel. With lakhs of Indian troops, paramilitary personnel and intelligence operatives deployed across IIOJK, and frequent cases of imposters being caught, locals say it has become nearly impossible to distinguish between genuine and fake forces personnel.
Rights observers note that such cases increase mistrust and put Kashmiri civilians at greater risk of arbitrary detention, abuse and extortion at checkpoints, as people are forced to comply with anyone in uniform out of fear.
