Authorities in Jammu-Kashmir, Uttarakhand have banned sale and storage of Army uniforms. Here's why

The military has issued orders prohibiting the sale, stitching and storage of army uniforms and combat pattern dresses. The order comes on the heels of the Pahalgam attack where terrorists attacked tourists wearing military uniforms. They managed to kill 26 people and left several others injured on April 22.

In the wake of the attack, prohibition has also been issued across Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, Uttarakhand’s Dehradun, and even Jharkhand. But why has this come into effect and steps are being taken?

Why has the military banned the sale?

It is to be noted that during the Pahalgam attack, the terrorists donned military outfits and opened fire at the tourists present at the Baisaran Valley. In view of this, authorities across several places have banned the sale, stitching and storage of army uniforms. Some of these places include Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar, Samba and Srinagar districts. The ban has also been imposed in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun, Uttar Pradesh’s Agra and even Jharkhand along with Pathankot and Gurdaspur in Punjab.

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What steps have been taken?

Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Rajesh Kumar Shavan ordered the prohibition in the Jammu and Kashmir districts. Under a set of newly issued regulations and restrictions, the district magistrate stipulated that all authorised private firms and shops engaged in the procurement, storage and sale of combat clothing are required to immediately provide written notification to their local police station confirming their authorisation to conduct this business.

The order specifies a 15-day timeframe from the date of its issuance and publication for the submission of the aforementioned information. Additionally, all authorised individuals, private firms, and shops engaged in the sale of such articles are mandated to submit fortnightly reports detailing all transactions involving combat/khadi dress/cloth, along with comprehensive information regarding the army, paramilitary and police personnel who made the purchases.

The list shall be provided by the dealer or dealers to the Station House Officers concerned on a fortnightly basis.

“The register carrying all such details will be maintained properly by each dealer and shall be made available as and when the inspection of the shop is conducted by competent authorities,” the order said, directing all such authorised firms to sell such articles to bonafide members of armed forces after verifying their identity and recording the names and the units where ever employed on the register.

The measures aim to prevent impersonation and misuse of military clothing, especially after reports that such disguises were used during recent attacks.

How are those in the business reacting?

The shop owners in Dehradun have been instructed to check and verify the identity of the buyers. He said that only police personnel or those officially authorised by the army are allowed to buy such attire.

“We’ve been told to check Aadhaar cards, ID cards and even verify the buyer’s phone number in real-time by calling it,” one of the shop owners  Sagar Ahuja told news agency ANI. He further added, “We also have to note down their full address and, in case of army personnel, their unit details for example, Garhwal Rifles, then we will have to add Unit 1 or 2, etc.”

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Ahuja added that, in recent years, the government has tightened regulations around military uniforms. “Nowadays, the Indian Army issues official uniform fabric only through army canteens. The materials come with barcodes and cannot be sold to civilians. We merely stitch uniforms for army personnel who bring in their authorised fabric.”

What is the situation?

Following the terror attack, the Central government implemented a series of diplomatic measures which included the closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, the suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani citizens with a 40-hour deadline to depart and a reduction in the staff levels of the High Commissions in both nations. Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited Srinagar on Friday (April 25) to review the security situation following the terror attack.

Police have been monitoring social media to identify videos that instigate the public and disrupt the harmony in Jammu and Kashmir. It said that some people are circulating videos of the demolition of ‘mazars’  on social media, which they said “may spoil the social harmony”. Officials said police are monitoring social media to identify those circulating such videos and warned that strict action will be taken against them.

With inputs from agencies