S. Narinder Singh
Much talked and publicized visit of All Party delegation (APD) comprising of 26 leaders of National mainstream parties headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh after meeting 200 members in 30 delegation in Srinagar has only reached to the conclusion that J&K is a matter of national interest and common solution was required to it. The APD members urged the delegations which included political parties, social, religious, trade organizations, educationists including vice-chancellor and various other members of the civil society to suggest the measures for maintenance of peace and normalcy in Kashmir. However, suggestions given by those delegations to APD are not known.
APD during their visit claim that they gave patient hearing to the members of delegations and their suggestion to contain unrest but did not disclose their point of view about the solution to the current scenario. It is a known fact that whenever under such circumstances any delegation/group from the centre attempted to visit Valley they faced hartals, bandh in protest against their visit. This time Hurriyat leaders/separatists have refused to meet APD despite their members visit to their home because they had already rejected the invitations of Mehbooba Mufti in her capacity as president PDP. This time violent clashes in different parts of the valley greeted the APD which led to clashes between security forces and protestors even Mini Secretariat, housing the office of DC Shopian was torched in which 70 protestors were injured and even MLA Tral’s House was attacked. It is also not known whether 30 delegations of 200 people who met the APD carry any weight in solving the present situation. In my opinion, this exercise of bringing the APD by NDA Govt; is merely a face saving tactics as they invited lot of criticism due to loss of human lives and property in Kashmir valley. The delegation urged the Govt. to ensure that all Govt. offices, educational institutions, commercial establishments should function at earliest. Nothing concrete has come out from the APD visit to Valley except their advise to hold dialogue with the stake holders and appeal for maintenance of peace and normalcy in State which is not a new thing.
It depends what steps are recommended to reach at common solution to the current scenario in which more than 70 people killed, 8000 injured including security forces personnel. While interacting with the APD, CM appraised the delegation that this unrest and turmoil cannot be compared with 2008 and 2010 situation. This is not the time to compare the situation, rather she should concentrate on how to bring back normalcy at the earliest. Mehbooba’s claim that 95 % people of the Valley are peace loving and it is only that 5 % of people holding the valley to ransom and at the same time she claims in her statement that there are few people who want to vitiate the environment of peace and creating disturbances.
Mehbooba instead of dealing with the unrest/turmoil in Kashmir seriously is busy with laying foundation stones inaugural functions and enjoying scooty ride with the college girls in Jammu. The Govt. headed by Mehbooba is unable to handle the situation in the valley. She seems to be scared of problems in Kashmir with the result rushes to Delhi for help. On the one hand she claims that it is only handful of person i.e. 5% who are responsible for vitiating the peaceful environment of Kashmir, on the other hand she hints at her opponents with the plea that her coalition Govt. is doing well which they can’t tolerate and do not want normalcy to return. Thus, she is busy in blame game instead of getting cooperation from mainstream parties of the state whose leaders has already been advised by the PM Modi to join hands with the Govt. in solving the unrest/turmoil in the Valley. She further claims that those who are instigating and disturbing the peace are not Kashmiris. As per newspaper reports, her statements are confusing and self- contradictory. Moreover, she also claims that 95% people of the Valley wants to open their shops to earn livelihood and send their children to educational institutions but question arises who stops them. It is always the responsibility of the elected Govt. to mitigate the sufferings of the people but at present educational institutions, shops are closed, trade and industry including tourism is suffering. There is no attendance or poor attendance in the Govt. offices including the secretariat, the seat of the Govt.
It seems there is no Govt. as the head of the state along with alliance partner is roaming in Jammu in claiming that her Govt. will complete full term without realizing that it is only the security forces which are fighting with the forces which are promoting and are at the back of those creating unrest in Valley. Keeping in view the performance of the present Govt; which have totally failed in all fronts and is busy in promoting the transfer industry by ordering the wholesale transfers in 100’s in all Govt. departments i.e. education, health, engineering, revenue, police, forest etc. In view of the present situation there is urgent need to impose Governor Rule but the Centre will never allow this because for the first time in history of J&K, BJP has come into power with alliance due to Modi wave. She is not visualizing that she is enjoying scooty ride in Jammu whereas terrorists are riding over the people by killing innocent Kashmiris. More deployment of security forces in rural areas and the army taking position in four districts of South Kashmir i.e. Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag to re-establish the authority in the Valley and to help the civil administration clearly indicates that there is only name sake govt; actually it is Centre who is handling prevailing unrest/turmoil and administration. She actually is aware that her party has lost grounds in the Valley and dissentions in the PDP party is also simmering as it is clear from resignation of PDP Gen. Secy. Kara from MP seat and basic membership of PDP and recent statement of one time Dy. CM Muzaffar Hussain Beig presently MP who has advised her to continue till current unrest is settled. If she feels agenda of alliance between two parties is a” paper of fraud and not paper of good faith” and moreover if this alliance does not work and feels two alliance partners are incompatible. She is left with no other option but to resign. He also disclosed in an interview to a TV Channel that PDP was suffering on the ground as the party has not benefitted or done anything for the workers. He also admitted that it is the real reason they are in trouble today. He has clearly indicated/advised Mehbooba to resign if the alliance did not work for ideological/administrative reasons. Even as the civilian street protest continued to rock the Valley for the last more than 2 months and in violence more than 90 persons were killed, since; valley has been observing bandh on the call by separatist. Moreover, the secretariat employees in a meeting decided not to attend the office as the situation is volatile and an employee is hardly able to come out from his home which will create hindrance in the functioning of the Govt..
In view of the media reports union Govt. has to scale down security cover of Kashmiri separatist and curtail various facilities enjoyed by them in view of the unrest in the Valley being instigated by the separatists. Govt. is also considering the move to curb foreign travel of separatist by withdrawing their passport and denying travel documents in some cases besides scaling down their security cover. It will be a right step in containing terrorist/separatist activities in the valley. Mr. Geelani recent statement that Pakistan is a friend and India occupier clearly indicate that separatist in connivance with Pakistan is responsible for unrest/turmoil in Valley. This step should have been taken much earlier because giving security covers to those who themselves are involved in instigating violence is a burden on govt. exchequer which has no meaning rather such anti national and pak agents should be punished instead of giving such facilities. Home Minister recent directions to the security forces to bring back normalcy in the valley within 2 weeks enabling the school, educational institutions as well as attempt to reopen shops and other commercial establishments is a step to be welcomed. It is a well known fact that Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism and the time has come to realize that warnings will no more work rather Pak. should be taught lesson by strict & stern measures which are required to deal with the enemy country.
The plea of the Kashmiri leaders that pellet gun should not be used on the mob as the innocent people are injured/killed. It is not understood how the leaders treat these stone pelters who attack security forces and police stations as innocent. It is for the law and enforcing agencies to see what type of weapon/method is to be used to curb the antinational elements and killers of humanity whether pellet gun or chilly grenade or AK-47 depending upon the situation is to be used. They should not sympathize with those indulged in anti-national and terrorist activities as they are paid agents of ISI.
Once, the Pakistan activities and its nefarious designs to destabilize the country are foiled, peace and normalcy in Kashmir will automatically return. Moreover, there is urgent need to make aware people of Kashmir that they are being misled by Pakistan and are walking on wrong and destructive path. Govt., political parties, civil societies, intellectuals and people from all walks of life should put all efforts for inculcating the spirit of nationalism among Kashmiris. Their mindset which has been derailed by the enemies of the humanity has to be reset in order to lead peaceful and prosperous life.
(The author is former Director Information)
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