Kashmir cop announces resignation on camera, video viral on social media

Srinagar: A video of a constable announcing his resignation from the Jammu and Kashmir police over the deaths in the Valley has gone viral on social media.

A young man, who identifies himself only as Rayees, calls his decision a “call of conscience” in his undated video, and says: "I have resigned from (Jammu and Kashmir) police department so my conscience does not keep questioning me if the bloodshed I witness as a policeman is right or wrong”.

Rayees said he had been with the department for seven years. "At the time of joining the department, I had vowed to serve civilians and take up my family’s responsibilities. I think I was doing jihad (holy war) — which is a means to fight the unnecessary desires within oneself and also to fight for humanity — but the situation in the Kashmir Valley has only worsened. An unstoppable storm has emerged.”

"Every day, Kashmiris get killed, some lose their eyes, some are in jails, and some under house arrest.” Rayees blames the simmering unrest in Kashmir on the unfulfilled promise of a plebiscite.

"The bloodshed here is because the plebiscite never took place. Even Indians and Pakistanis are dying here, but Kashmir suffers the most. I neither like Pakistan nor hate India — I love only my Kashmir. I want peace here," he said.

"It is not in my hands to resolve this issue, but there is another issue for which I have shared this video. I watch this bloodshed as a policeman and my conscience keeps questioning me.”

"I have no answer, but now I have come up with a solution to this issue — my own issue. I have decided to resign from my job. I am sharing with you through this video that I have resigned," he said.

"As far as my jihad is concerned, I will continue my struggle by doing hard work to fulfil the basic necessities of my family. I am from a poor family, my father is a labourer and I will work hard to take care of my family, but I cannot see my conscience dying. I can bear anything but I cannot ignore my conscience," he said.

A police spokesman said the department was verifying the video and the claims.

Watch the video: