NC Asthana of CRPF was at the centre of a controversy over his remarks that there was a ‘strong under-current against India’ in Kashmir.
Senior IPS officer NC Asthana of CRPF was on Tuesday at the centre of a controversy over his remarks that there was a ‘strong under-current against India’ in Kashmir, prompting the home ministry to say that action would be taken, if required.
Fifty two-year-old Asthana, a 1986 batch IPS officer from Kerala, has penned down a book India’s Internal Security: The Actual Concerns along with his wife Anjali Nirmal, which speaks about his tenure in the Valley during 2010 unrest.
When contacted, a spokesperson of the ministry of home affairs said, “MHA is seized of the matter. We are examining the content of the book. If required, action will be taken.”
Though security honchos in Jammu and Kashmir were taken aback by his comments, separatists have hailed his remarks as a ‘realistic’ assessment of the situation.Leading the charge is Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who has asked New Delhi to pay heed to ‘people full of conscience’ and solve the Kashmir issue as per the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state.
“Asthana’s assessment is based on facts which New Delhi is not able to come to terms with. New Delhi can rule the people but it cannot win their hearts. New Delhi should accept the truth on Kashmir because it will not only help in solving the riddle but will directly and indirectly benefit crores of people,” said Ayaz Akbar, Hurriyat spokesman.
Independent MLA from Langate Sheikh Abdul Rasheed aka Engineer Rasheed called Asthana a brave officer who has made ‘realistic’ observations on Kashmir. “There have been several examples when retired civil and police officers have shown the bravery by speaking truth on Kashmir. He is the first serving officer who has spoken out truth and made the realistic observation on Kashmir,” he said.
The ruling National Conference (NC) however termed Asthana as ‘non-entity’ and refused to comment on his remarks. “Kashmir is a political issue and only politicians can put forth their comments. Asthana is no body and his remarks merit no comments,” Tanvir Sadiq, NC spokesman told DNA.
Nayeem Akthar, PDP chief spokesman, told DNA, “It is one of the views that have come from senior officer who has been handling situation at ground zero.”
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