Harsha Kakar
A report in newspaper of 10 July 2017 stated, ‘Every year thousands of Muslims offer their services during the yatra, including renting out their ponies and working as palanquin bearers’. Hundreds of shopkeepers and traders set up shop selling walking sticks, puja items, Kashmiri shawls and handicrafts. The report quoted a local, Nazir Ahmed Lone from Kulgam in South Kashmir, who stated, ‘We anxiously wait for the Amarnath Yatra. We want the yatra to be progressed peacefully because our livelihood depends on it.’
An example of the business is that over Rs 40 Lakhs worth of only walking sticks at Rs 20 each are sold in the yatra every year. Those involved in providing their services for the yatra travel all the way from districts South of the Pir Panjal including Doda, Rajouri and Poonch alongside those from the Valley. The earnings during this limited period more than justifies the stringent security checks and tough living conditions.
Post the attack on the yatra last year, there were reports of many locals rushing the injured to the hospital and even donating blood. Local support is always visible in the event of an accident of any pilgrim vehicle. For the local Kashmiri, the successful conduct of the Amarnath Yatra is a signal for tourists to flock the valley. Violence during this period has a negative impact. 2016 was a difficult year as the yatra coincided with the elimination of Burhan Wani. The yatris’ had to commute by night as during the day the roads were blocked by protestors. That year was the worst year for tourism in the valley.
The thousands who participate in the yatra come from every corner of the country carrying with them hope, faith and belief. Most have made this trek despite reading about the the environment in the valley. They come in all age groups. They have complete trust in security forces responsible for their security. They come prepared to go through the difficult trek and tough weather conditions. The terrorist strike on yatris last year occurred because they had assumedly felt safe with their Kashmiri brethren. In addition, was an unexpected puncture, which almost left them as open targets.
The yatri, prior to his move for the holy Amarnath Cave has only been aware of the status of Kashmir through the projections of the media. Media has always insisted that Kashmir is in turmoil and the majority of the population is against the nation, seeking ‘Azadi’. Therefore, the yatri commences his move with distrust and doubt, visualizing every Kashmiri whom he meets to be an anti-India individual.
It is only during his move, halts in multiple places and close interaction with the common Kashmiri, who form the majority population of the state, from the base camp onwards, does he understand the realities. He realizes that the majority are hardworking simple humans seeking to eke a living and care as much for their families as any other Indian. The yatris during the move pass through the most picturesque regions of Kashmir. They end up as ambassadors of the state, projecting it as a tourist destination and spreading word on impressions gained from the common Kashmiri, with whom he would have had long conversations during the conduct of the yatra.
Most militant groups dominated by Indian militants are aware of the importance of the yatra and that the local population earns immensely from it. Hence, the Indian Hizbul Mujahideen Commander sent a message a few days ago to the yatris stating, ‘You don’t need any security as you are our guests’. They realize that targeting the yatra would make them lose their own support base.
On the other hand, Pak infiltrated militants have an opposite aim. For Pak, India in internal turmoil, post a strike on a group forming part of only one religion, by terrorists belonging to another, would have multiple benefits. It would impact the ruling party in the forthcoming elections as it would be played up by the opposition. It could also lead to internal disturbances as the majority community has been targeted. Finally, for the Government to save face, it would be compelled to act by launching some form of strikes across the border. This time Pak may remain well prepared.
Thus, groups infiltrated from Pak and lying low at present would have been tasked for this purpose. It is to thwart such attacks that security for the yatra is essential. Security involves securing the route of the yatra, their place of halts and their movement. Each year lessons are learnt and implemented. This time to ensure no vehicle wanders off like the last year and becomes a lucrative target the Government has fixed RFID on each vehicle. Unscheduled halts are clearly prohibited.
For those involved in the conduct it is always a nightmare. There are multiple agencies whose tasking needs to be coordinated, security being a major concern. Weather is always a hinderance as heavy rains can block roads and delay moves, adding to pressures on days when the weather is clear. There are always possibilities of medical casualties, whose treatment and evacuation need to be catered for. Drills and responsibilities have been clearly laid down, yet there is always the unexpected which may occur.
Hence, a peaceful yatra brings forth many benefits. It promotes tourism, provides a major source of revenue for the locals and in turn for the state, provides employment opportunities for many locals as also spreads a message on the true character of the general Kashmiri.
Those who participate once, always seek to repeat the same. For the nation, the yatra signifies the bonding between Kashmir and the rest of the nation.
(The author is former Major General in Indian Army)
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