The Unsung Guardians: The Role of J&K Police in Nation Building

 The Unsung Guardians: The Role of J&K Police in Nation Building

By Hajra Bano

Hajrabano1910@gmail.com

The word "police" conjures up an image in our minds—a khaki uniform, a baton in hand, a tall black boot-clad figure standing steadfast amidst chaos. But have we ever stopped to think of the human stories behind those uniforms? Especially in Jammu and Kashmir, a region that has weathered storms of conflict, natural disasters, and societal unrest for decades, the police are not just law enforcers; they are the custodians of peace, resilience, and hope.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police, often working in the shadows, have time and again emerged as the frontline warriors—not just during protests or emergencies but in the larger narrative of nation-building. They are not just protectors of life and property but also healers of wounds that run deep in a land that has seen more than its share of suffering.

In 2010 and 2016, the Kashmir Valley erupted in protests, paralyzing life as we knew it. Streets echoed with slogans, stones flew, and anger simmered among the masses. The police stood in the eye of this storm, tasked with an impossible mission—restoring calm without losing humanity.

It was not just tear gas shells or barricades they carried; they bore the weight of mistrust and anger from their own people. They faced stones, abuses, and violence, yet they stood firm, often shielding civilians caught in the crossfire. Behind every officer stood a family waiting for their return—a mother praying, a child asking, "When will Papa come home?" But many didn't return. According to reports, over 1,600 J&K police personnel have lost their lives in the line of duty since the 1990s. These are not just figures; they are tales of valor engraved into the earth of Kashmir.

During the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the J&K Police acted as a bridge between the administration and the people at a time when communication lines went down and uncertainty loomed large. They made sure that essentials reached the doorstep, provided safety to vulnerable populations, and tirelessly worked to ensure that the region did not slip into chaos.

When Nature Rages:

The waters showed no mercy. In hours, entire neighborhoods were submerged; families separated and lives lost. While most people ran to save themselves, J&K Police ran into danger. They were wading chest-deep into waters, taking the risk to save children, the elderly, and the sick. Boats became lifelines, helicopters started dropping food packets, and these makeshift shelters become homes for displaced people-all well-orchestrated with police help. Several officers worked through days without respite, in many cases forgetting to eat or sleep, as relief reached all parts of the Valley. They are the unsung saviors that brought hope into a region that was drowning in despair.

When the world shut its doors during the pandemic, the J&K Police opened theirs to serve. They enforced lockdowns, ensured the supply of essentials, and became the voice of calm amidst panic. They delivered medicines to the elderly, facilitated the transportation of the sick, and ensured the dignified burial of COVID-19 victims when even families couldn’t step forward.

Challenges they face are much more than professional responsibilities. Sections of their own communities ostracize them and brand them as enforcers of "the other side." The weight of this mistrust is heavy, yet they carry it with dignity. They stay away from their families for a long time, witness violence, and live in constant threat-taking an emotional toll.

The J&K Police are guardians of law and also architects of stability in a region that ultimately determines the unity of the nation.

By defeating militancy and keeping the region at peace, they ensure safe and sound security for this crucial region for India as an overall concern.

They organize sports tournaments, counseling sessions, and vocational training programs to divert youths from falling into the trap of radicalization.

They ensure that in elections, every citizen is allowed to vote freely, strengthening the democratic fabric of the nation.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police are more than the khaki uniforms we see. They are the silent warriors who carry the scars of battles fought in the streets, in floodwaters, and within their own hearts. They are the backbone of a stable Kashmir and, by extension, a stable India.

We have to remind people of these sacrifices, and honour their braveness with this hope in sight. After all, they form the forefront which, when up, makes not even one such storm that happens in either of nature's upheavals or human violence manage to undermine our nation.

We are citizens and therefore extend our thanks, not in words but by understanding their sacrifices. In the heart of every officer beats the vision of a peaceful Kashmir, a united India, and a brighter tomorrow.