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Srinagar, Jan. 22: A Jammu and Kashmir government advisory on precautions in the event of a nuclear or a chemical war has triggered a scare in the Valley, already reeling under the increased tension along the LoC.
The advisory, issued by the police’s State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and published in a local newspaper, lists the do’s and don’ts for “protection/prevention” against “nuclear, biological and chemical wars”.
After it appeared, the police received many calls from worried residents asking about the need for such an advisory, an officer said.
Inspector-general of police, SDRF, Yoginder Koul said: “There is no threat of any war and the notice is part of our awareness programme. We have already issued such advisories in Jammu and it didn’t evoke such a response.”
“Recently we also issued advertisements about other disasters like earthquakes….”
But Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rasheed described the police action as “childish”. “Such things create a fear psychosis,” he said.
The advisory spells out steps to be taken during or after such wars. “Construct/identify basements in your residence where the whole family can stay for a fortnight. In case no basement is available, in the open space in front of your house construct bunkers,” reads one suggestion.
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