Within twenty days of discovery of Pakistan dug 540 meters long secret tunnel at Chechwal in Samba sector, there were no fewer than eight instances of Pakistani firing along International Border as well as LoC in Jammu region. We shall have to find out why Pakistan has violated the cease-fire agreement signed by the two countries in 2003. Obviously, Pakistan will put forth its position along its denial policy. It will say that it has not resorted to firing and that it only retaliated in self defence. Secondly, Pakistan will deny presence of a large number of militants along the IB and the LoC waiting for an opportunity of sneaking into Indian side. Pakistani Home Minister has already given a hint by asking India to produce proof of cyber war that recently caused exodus of the citizens of NE-region from three southern states of India.
A high powered team of bureaucrats led by the Home Secretary R.K. Singh and police top brass and other senior officials has visited forward village of Suchetgarh sector on the IB in RS Pura tehsil, Kachryal and Ranjit Gate on the Line of Control (LoC) in Pallanwalla sector of Akhnoor besides 52 Brigade in Pallanwalla where General Officer Commanding (GOC) Nagrota based 16 Corps Lt Gen A S Nandal briefed him on the security scenario. Talking to media persons, the Home Secretary said that he had come to take stock of things on the IB and LoC where Pakistan has been indulging in unprovoked firing. Obviously, the Home Ministry has taken the situation along the border very seriously especially after the disclosure of the tunnel in Samba sector was made. One speculation is that there could be more tunnels like that and Pakistan would not want Indian security authorities to know about these. By resorting to firing along IB and the LoC, Pakistan wants to divert the attention of our security forces as the functionaries of the Geological Survey of India have been asked to find out whether there could be more tunnels dug by Pakistanis. It is also possible that Pakistan is desperately trying to help jihadis whose number is estimated around 500 strong to sneak into Indian side and pursue their agenda of subversion. However, dependable sources in the army have asserted that several attempts made by the infiltrators have been successfully foiled, thanks to the strategy planning by the Northern Command.
Home Secretary made very cryptic comment on the circumstances under which thousands of people from North East left three states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu under fear psychosis created by communal propaganda unleashed through internet and SMS perfidy. He asserted that fundamentalist in Pakistan were the source from where the mischief originated. But he was quick to add that there were fundamentalists within the country who also contributed to the creation of fear and panic. It is unfortunate that some sections of Indian citizens should have betrayed the nation and decided to indulge in anti-national activities. In such circumstances the Home Ministry should come down with a heavy hand on the suspected elements at home before bringing full pressure on Pakistan to handle its jihadis. The home made elements should be identified and the nation has a right to ask for taking action against them under the law of the land. The general opinion is that the Union Government has been usually soft paddling with these elements. Instead of deterring them from conducting subversive activities, these elements get encouraged, thinking that the Government is not seriously determined to track them down. This thinking can be changed only if the Union Government takes a strong decision.
The question of rehabilitation of the dislocated population from the border area in safer places has also come up for consideration of the authorities. The Union Home Secretary has ruled out the possibility of relocating them away from the border at some safer place. This is a moot point and needs to be discussed. If the border people are supposed to continue to live at their original places, then it is the duty of the Government to provide them adequate safeguard against unprovoked firing which usually causes them losses of life and property. Their safety is the concern of the Government. Secondly, if they continue to be at their original places, they must have the guarantee that they can cultivate their land without having the apprehension that the crops would be destroyed by firing from the other side. Every patriotic Indian would say that the border population should stay at their places and not succumb to the threats from the enemy. But may be in view of accelerated activities by the elements from other side of the border, all possible measure have to be taken. We do not understand how Pakistan will be made to answer the violation of ceasefire agreement. All that one can say is that no room has to be given to Pakistan to disturb the situation along the IB or the LoC in J&K.
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