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Kashmir Erupts In New War…:OF AGITATIONAL TERRORISM, by Poonam I Kaushish, 3 July 2010 |
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Political Diary New Delhi, 3 July 2010 Kashmir Erupts In New War… OF AGITATIONAL TERRORISM, By Poonam I Kaushish The travails of picturesque Kashmir continue. Till yesterday, thousands of tourists were flocking to the region gliding in shikaras across the Dal Lake. Today, the Valley is again under siege of rising public anger and curfew, notwithstanding the ‘visible’ signs of normalcy. Which at best of times, mean the absence of ‘abnormalcy’! It took a minor spark to ignite a major conflagration in the Valley three weeks ago. When the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) allegedly killed a youth by opening fire against a procession in north Kashmir. The killing spread to other neighbouring districts and at last count 11 civilians had died even as security forces struggled to contain the violent stones pelting mobs and the State Government imposed curfew. Adding fuel to the fire, our netagan resorted to their favourite pastime: trading charges and playing the blame-game to whet their nefarious political appetite. The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, squarely accused the CRPF of “being uncontrollable” only to backtrack after a sharp rap from the Union Home Ministry who let out that it was the handiwork of the LeT. The Prime Minister called for an emergency meeting in New Delhi. The Congress chose to remain silent but stated it wanted its ally NC to act “firmly” and focus on ensuring a peaceful ongoing Amarnath yatra. Omar’s arch-rival PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti however denied the killings as the LeT’s handiwork, and squarely blames the lack of administration in the State. Significantly, the killings have triggered apprehensions of a fresh uprising given the anti-Indian sentiment which runs deep across the length and breadth of the State. The fragility of the security scenario can be gauged from the fact that there is a marked increase in infiltrations from across the border. According to official reports as many as 400 militants were waiting at different launch pads in PoK to infiltrate across the LoC and over 2,500 others in 42 Pak training camps bidding their time to cross-over. Already, 65 infiltration attempts, 126 militancy-related incidents, 18 civilian and 18 security forces casualties and 45 encounters, which left 53 terrorists dead, have been recorded just between January 1 and March 30, 2010. The militants have also resorted to the use of IEDs and grenade attacks to avoid direct conflict with the security forces. Asserted Union Defence Minister Antony, “these incidents are indicative of the shape of things to come. We are expecting a ‘hot summer’ in Valley this year,” he added. What makes the latest violence dangerous is that the terrorist’s have added a new dimension to their militancy: agitational terrorism. From a belief in armed insurgency to an incipient rights-and-protest based phase of hartals, strikes and stone pelting. Wherein they incite the Kashmiri youth to turn violent (a 13-year old is a professional stone-pelter) which in turn helps militants to move from one place to another minimizing chances of the ultras getting detected. Sadly New Delhi has treated Kashmir as a problem of real estate and experimented with various permutations and combinations by wielding the big stick against trigger-happy militants. (In the hope that it’s policy of more of the same, more Rashtriya Rifles, more BSF, CRPF and so on, would somehow yield dividends. Little effort is, however being made to see whether the policy is getting us anywhere.) We can keep the land. But, importantly, how are we going to keep the people? Prevent innocents caught in this conflict from being killed? The crux of the issue is that while not a few Kashmiri seeks exclusion from the Indian State, New Delhi insists on inclusion leading to violence. Remember, Kashmir is not a law and order problem of a few miscreants holding the population to ransom through terror. Nor is it merely a territorial dispute with Pakistan that can be resolved by enforcing draconian laws. Essentially, the problem is political and mainly of a people who feel alienated both from the Government in the State and the Centre. No effort is made to instill a sense of security among the people. The Government believes in more of the same --- men money, and material. But whether this is and subtracted at will. The money meant for public development finds its way into private pockets. The material is used for individual betterment. A vicious circle leading to disillusionment and alienation. Worse, the State Administration along with the Centre continue to take knee-jerk actions instead of learning the art of firm management and imparting riot-control skills to the security forces. The bottom line: Containment. Efforts need to be made to take the administration closer to the people. Work on development projects should be intensified. The sense of alienation among the youth needs to be addressed with newer employment avenues being made available. A senior Union Home Ministry official averred: “It is imperative that the State Government tackles these problems immediately. Until the people of the State are with you, nothing can make Kashmir militancy free.” Also, with violence recovering momentum in the State, it is imperative for both Srinagar and New Delhi to reverse the flawed policy of troop reduction before the situation becomes ugly. Consolidating the gains of the past ten years, and deepening the peace in the State, will require an enormous and sustained effort, since Pakistan continues to vigorously support terrorism and disruptive activities in J&K. New Delhi would be foolish not to realize that economics is no guarantor of peace or to win the hearts of the people. Till a political solution is found, there is no hope in hell for a return to normalcy in Kashmir. This is underscored by the fact that distrust runs through the complex strands of the Kashmir imbroglio. Any talk of a new chapter, peace et al would be incomplete without Pakistan, India’s spoilsport ménage a trios. Granted, one cannot expect dramatic success overnight, notwithstanding the right noises of ushering in peace and normalcy. Also granted that winning the minds and heart of the people is not easy. Deep mistrust and lack of confidence is apparent. New Delhi needs to desist from falling in the trap of ‘more of the same’ over and over again in anticipation of different results. The need of the hour is imagination, innovation and impetus In sum Kashmir is not a place, as Russian poet Arseny Tarkovsky wisely said, a place where destiny seems to shadow events like a madman with a razor in his hand. Nor is it a toy to be frittered, twisted, discarded or dumped. It is a national issue, which transcends political planks, ideology, philosophy and thesis. New Delhi has to leave no ‘stone’ unturned to further its national interests and make Kashmiris’ truly feel they belong to India. The Kashmiris’ too need to rise to the occasion. Keep above populism, cheap gimmicks and petty politics. Time to give peace a chance. No more rhetoric please! ---- INFA (Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)
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