CRPF Has Been Helping Out Kashmiris In Their Times Of Need; Thanks To Their Madadgaar Helpline
CRPF's new helpline Madadgaar is slowly healing the ties between Kashmiris and the Armed Forces.
In the recent years, terrorism in Kashmir has increased at an alarming rate. Kashmir was once a victim of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, but since 2016, the valley has seen a steady rise in home-bred insurgency, with hundreds of local boys joining militancy ranks.
However, the Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) is making considerable efforts to help the people in Kashmir with their helpline ¡®Madadgaar¡¯.
The CRPF¡¯s helpline Madadgaar can be reached by dialling 14411.
Since its inception in June last year, the helpline has received around 2 lakhs calls out of which 2,349 were found ¡®actionable¡¯. The CRPF took direct action in 2100 cases and solved them.
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Every CRPF jawan has been ordered to make the problems of Kashmiris a priority.
The helpline can also be used by Kashmiris from other states, who in turn will contact the local police to help them out.
All kinds of help available
¡°Initially we were getting only calls related to civic issues but as people learn more about the helpline, we are getting calls about medical emergencies, recruitment and career counselling,¡± Assistant Commissioner Junaid said.
¡°Our executives take details of the caller on a form and contact the CRPF battalion/Unit concerned to verify the details and assist the person," he added.
The helpline takes care of civic issues like lack of water, repairing roads as well as social problems like dowry threats and domestic violence. They have attended to problems like extortion threats and natural calamities.
A friend in need is a friend indeed
The CRPF has received 80 cases of eve-teasing and the culprits were counselled/warned and legal actions have been taken in some cases. The girls have later thanked the CRPF.
Madadgaar has funded 26 major surgeries and 44 are in the pipeline.
BCCL/representative image
In some cases of kidney failure, the CRPF is paying them Rs 10,000/month for treatment.
It often supplies medicines from its own quota, or contact the Red Cross or an NGO in case of severe emergencies.
"In one case, there was a requirement of O-negative blood. Immediately after the call, CRPF jawans gave six units of O-negative blood. Similarly, a boy who was seriously ill was taken to AIIMS thrice by us,¡± Junaid said.
Madadgaar also makes the citizens aware of the schemes that government has in place for them that they are unaware of.
The Force has written to the Home Ministry for Rs 6 lakhs/ months for medical equipment like wheelchairs and around 3 lakh/month for other assistance.
