SOP for quarries to handle explosives

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 27

After the Pulwama attack in February, the authorities in Kashmir have laid down a strict procedure for the quarry owners in Kashmir on the use and transportation of the explosive material in the newly formulated standard operating procedure (SOP).

The quarry owners have been asked to deposit the explosive material at the nearby police station and specific guidelines have been framed for its transportation.

“Henceforth, all such explosive material shall be deposited in the nearest police station unless any other place is notified by the District Magistrate concerned. Furthermore, guidelines should be followed strictly for transportation and storage of all such material,” reads a fresh official communication by the authorities.

The owners have also been asked to inform the police in Jammu if intending to transport the explosives from Jammu. Most of the quarrying spots owned by the people are located along the national highway in Srinagar. The road also leads to south Kashmir.

“The Police Control Room (PCR), Kashmir, through the Station House officer (SHO) concerned should inform the dates on which the consignment of explosives is scheduled to be transported from Jammu,” the communication reads, adding that the PCR, Kashmir, will forward the requisition to PCR, Jammu, along with a request to provide proper escort to the vehicle carrying the explosive material up to Banihal.

“From Banihal, the vehicles carrying the explosives will be provided escort by the PCR, Kashmir, up to the police station concerned.”

The SOP says the explosives brought by quarry owners shall remain in the safe custody of the police station concerned.

After the Pulwama attack, in which large quantities of explosives were used, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, had asked the quarry owners in the Valley to inform the security agencies about the quantity of explosives procured. The explosives used by the quarry owners have come under strict watch after the attack.

Earlier, there were no guidelines for the quarry owners and the quantity of procurement was not necessarily disclosed before the law enforcement agencies by the owners. The explosives also remained with the quarry owners. A senior official said strict watch would be kept on the use of explosives by the quarry owners to prevent misuse.

The police have also been asked to keep an account of the utilisation of the material.

The written communication has also said that any quarry owner flouting the instructions should be subjected to punitive action as warranted under law, besides his licence will be cancelled.