Jammu and Kashmir Police and particularly Armed Police has been called upon from time to time to render services for rescuing people who get caught in inclement weather or hostile circumstances in mountainous areas of the State.
This was stated by Director General of Police (DGP), Mr. K. Rajendra Kumar, while releasing a Film “Rescue Rangers” and manual “Mountain Guide” at a function organised by Armed Headquarters at Police Auditorium in Jammu this evening.
Mr. Rajendra said since police personnel are the first responders to emergencies and being trained for this, they will be able to respond effectively and rescue people from disastrous situations. He said the demands for services like rescue operations and disaster management are increasing. Over the time we felt that we need to have it as a programme and reduce our dependence on other organisations for training our people.
Mr. Rajendra said topography of Jammu and Kashmir and the nature of natural disasters that the state could witness has been one of the main factors that prompted us to prepare the training manual “Mountain Guide” and produce the film “Rescue Rangers”. He said the publication aims to provide basic information and technical knowledge of mountaineering and rescue operations during avalanches and other mountain disasters to trainees so that they learn the fundamentals of mountain-climbing to become better mountaineers with skills of rescue and evacuation.
The DGP congratulated the efforts of ADGP, M. S. M. Sahai and his team in producing such a film and guide book. He said it will prove immensely beneficial for all sections of the society. He also hoped that JKP will raise flag on the highest peak of the world i.e Mount Everest in 2016.
The manual contains important guidelines for mountaineers. It contains chapters that provide basic and technical information needed by mountaineers during training and mountaineering expeditions. It provides information about mountain weather, mountaineering equipment, its use and management, mountain and glacier climbing and above all the techniques and skills required to rescue people from mountainous terrains and avalanche zones. The training manual has been prepared by J&K Armed Police Headquarters and is based on field experience of Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs).
Based on the manual we have also produced a film titled “Rescue Rangers”. It contains three different parts and the duration of the original film is 57 minutes. Introduction of Equipment required for various mountaineering techniques and Rescue operations. Technical aspects of various rescue techniques viz Free Hand Climbing, Repelling, Jumaring, Slithering etc. Introduction and technical aspects of different rescue techniques viz Piggy Bag, Stretcher Rescue, Z-Pulley, C-Pulley River crossing, Burma Bridge etc.
Apart from being a part of various National and International expeditions, MRTs have been regularly called upon during various natural disasters and emergencies to rescue people. MRTs tirelessly worked and rescued people during devastating floods that hit Kashmir in 2014. JKP has been regularly deploying MRTs for safety of Pilgrims during Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra that witnesses the rush of pilgrims trekking through arduous mountainous terrain to reach the cave.
Mr. Rajendra said that from 2014, MRTs started “Specialized Mountaineering and Rescue Training Programmes” and till date more than 300 personnel of different wings of J&K including SDRF have been trained. Besides, separate training programmes were organized for CRPF at Pahalgam.
On the occasion, Mr. Rajendra distributed cash prizes and certificates among the different teams, who performed extra ordinarily during the floods and disasters in the State. The next Specialized Mountaineering and Rescue Training Programme would start from 1st January 2016 at Nud Samba Jammu.
Earlier, the ADGP Armed, Mr. S. M. Sahai deliberated on the need for producing the film and guide book on rescue. He said that Mountain Rescue Teams of JKP were instituted in year 2009 when its two teams each having ten members were deployed during annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra with an aim to rescue and assist pilgrims. Over the time, its role took various dimensions and enhanced manifold.
Mr. Sahai disclosed this year six MRTs of JKP, equipped with latest mountaineering equipments, comprising of experienced and well trained mountaineers were deployed at critical points of Sheeshnag, Wavbal, Poshpathri, Sangam top, Lower Holy cave and Brarimarg. The teams worked effectively during the yatra rescuing 647 besides providing first aid and other related medical facilities to hundreds of pilgrims.
Among others, the function was attended by Spl Director CRPF, Mr. S. K. Bhagat, GOC 26 Inf Div. Major Genl. Samgeer Naraibn, VC, SUKAST Jammu, Prof. Pardeek K Sharma, DG Sports Jahangir Mir, representatives, Mountaineering Associations, University, College students. NCC cadets and Senior police officers.
