Events & Issues

New Delhi, 26 July 210

Stone-pelting Youth

WORRYING DIMENSION TO KASHMIR

By Balraj Puri

The current turmoil in Kashmir has attracted more than usual attention, nationally and internationally. The third consecutive summer that the Valley has witnessed tumult. Though some causes are long-standing, the issues and nature each year were different.

In 2008, trouble erupted over allotment of Government land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. Following an uproar in the Valley against this, Jammu leaders gave a blockade call stopping all road transportation of essential supplies to the Valley. True, the blockade was withdrawn after some days, but for the first time it appended regional tensions to the complicated Kashmir problem. The agitation lasted 97 days leaving 70 dead.

In 2009, furor broke out over the Government’s handling of the alleged rape and murder of two sisters-in-law. While a Judicial Commission held some local police officers and doctors guilty, a CBI enquiry dubbed it a conspiracy to defame the security forces and accused the complainants. Leading to a two-month agitation.

The difference between the two protests was that while separatist leaders were able to mobilize masses in 2008, they were divided in 2009. This year too, the stir was not organized by the separatists. It began with the inadvertent killing of a 17-year-old boy in mid-June by a tear-gas shell fired by the CRPF to stall a stone-pelting protest march. Leading to a vicious circle: Every killing was followed by stone-throwing violence, more tear-gas by the security forces killing more boys. So far, 17 youth have died and continues.

Significantly, it is unlikely that any one of the agitations were pre-planned as the summer is peak tourist season and a principal source of income for Kashmiris. Nonetheless, the current turmoil is baffling. The main opposition Party, PDP wants Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to resign over the killing of civilians. The Union Home Secretary blames the PDP; a NC Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar condemns the CRPF for defying the State Government. Its MP Mehbood Beg demands revocation of AFSPA and accuses the Centre for failing to talk to the separatists. The Union Home Minister Chidambaram holds the Lashkar-e-Toiba responsible.

 
Undoubtedly, anti-national elements in Kashmir and militants across the LoC are trying to exploit the situation. But there is no evidence that they initiated protests by teenagers. If so, the terrorists would have provided weapons to the boys other than stones.  Particularly, as the State Government is clueless about the protest groups’ leaders.

Importantly, two things are clear. The youth revolt, led by post-1989 born, is a manifestation of their disillusionment with the old leadership, mainstream and separatists, and stone-pelting is their weapon. Recently, a group of young boys addressed the media in Srinagar and expressed their disappointment with the entire separatist leadership, who due to their mutual rivalries and changing attitude of the Pakistan Government which patronized one group after another alternatively, were losing ground. Thus, the youth sought to fill the vacuum. However, not much is known about its leaders, hierarchy, network and motivation.

Needless to say, it is total failure of the State intelligence, without which no effective police, administrative and political measures can be taken to deal with the situation. Clearly, the State police needs proper training and equipment for mob dispersal. Apart from tear gas, they need to be trained to use smoke guns, water cannons, chilli sprayers and other appropriate methods.

Lastly, the reaction in Jammu needs to be watched. Any harm to a yatri during the ongoing Amarnath yatra, 1 July to 24 August, would again lead to disastrous consequences, a repeat of 2008. As Jammu is the only supply line for all essential goods to the Valley, all necessary measures need to be taken to keep the route open. The State needs to get its act together, scotch rumours and be on constant vigil.

Fortunately, the bandh call given by the BJP-sponsored Sangarash Samiti recently, which had spearheaded the agitation in Jammu in 2008 over the land row, was a total flop. So far nearly three lakh pilgrims have undertaken the yatra to the Amarnath cave and returned with pleasant memories of the warm hospitality extended to them by the Kashmiri Muslims. So also the 40,000 Kashmiri Hindu migrants who came to Kheer Bhawani last month. This was the biggest congregation of Kashmiri Hindus after their mass exodus in 1990.

In the prevailing situation, more important than any Indo-Pak dialogue or discussion with separatist leaders, as suggested by the Chief Minister, one needs to talk with teenager leaders to understand their frustration and desperation. According to Omar Abdullah greater contact was needed with the people throughout the State. He advocated addressing small gatherings to understand and solve peoples’ problem on the spot. But it would be better still if he were to create institutions at all levels to handle the problems. Not only would this be more effective but also lead to empowerment, the lack of which was the cause of popular discontent.

Not only that. J&K is, in many respects, a unique State with much diversity. It is the only State which does not have panchayati raj institutions. Even the law, under which the election to these institutions is proposed to be held by the end of the year, provides for more centralization and regimentation of the system due to the provision of nomination at all levels. Some systemic reforms are also needed to ensure equitable share of political power and allocation of funds among regions.

Proposals mooted by Nehru and Abdullah in 1952 and at the all-Party State People Convention in 1968 convened by Sheikh Adbullah and attended by all parties, including the separatist, should be considered for implementation.

Likewise, there is no justification for not extending the jurisdiction of the National Human Rights Commission to the State. In sum, the new situation provides an opportunity for fresh thinking on the multiple problems bedeviling the State. ---- INFA

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