PROBLEMS OF J&K ARE NOT THOSE THAT REQUIRE A MILITARY SOLUTION BUT ARE RESULT OF FAILURE TO RESOLVE THEM THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE AND POLITICAL MEANS, WHICH RESULTED IN THESE BEING PUSHED INTO THE MILITARY’S LAP.

During the recent antiterrorist operations in the Kashmir valley, villagers have been coming out in large numbers and blocking actions of the security forces. Often young boys have been throwing stones at the security forces and in the process, interfering with these operations and even being instrumental in the escape of terrorists. Often during the firefight with security forces, it is the terrorists who shoot locals knowing that the blame for civilian casualties will invariably be pinned on security forces.

POLICE ACTION LACKING

Pelting security forces with stones in the Valley has been going on for quite some time. The fact that the local police have not been arresting protesters has only encouraged them to continue with this practice. There is a visible impact on actions of troops when locals come out in large numbers to help terrorists hiding in houses during counterinsurgency operations. To avoid casualties to civilians, security forces often have to deviate from their usual tactics and in the process take higher number of casualties on themselves.

It’s in this background that the army chief cautioned the local population of the Valley, particularly the youth, against this practice of blocking operations of security forces and often helping terrorists escape. This act of blocking security forces operations is not only an-anti national activity, but equally a serious infringement of law. No one can condone such activity. Equally hoisting ISIS and Pakistani flags is unacceptable and cannot be overlooked.

NO GROUND FOR SYMPATHY

Burhan Wani was a confirmed terrorist and during his encounter with the security forces, he was heavily armed. There was no ground for the sort of sympathy that surfaced on his killing. The later demonstrations and stone pelting by young boys was unnecessarily countered by the use of pellet guns by the central police. The best course was to round up these boys, put them behind bars and make them face the law of the land.

There is alienation in the Valley, though there is no discernible cause for the same. India has been treating people of Jammu and Kashmir with kid glove and pouring much money in all manner of welfare schemes. Many in India advocate talking to the people of J&K (mainly the Kashmir valley) and yet fail to spell out the content of such talks. Yet another group advocates a political solution for resolving the problem of J&K and do not know of a solution which will placate the troublesome and anti-national elements in the Valley and at the same time uphold the territorial integrity of the country.

K-ISSUE MISHANDLED

Undeniably problems of J&K are not those that require a military solution but are the result of failure to resolve them through administrative and political means, which resulted in these being pushed into the military’s lap. Over the years and at every step, we have been mishandling the Kashmir issue, and repeatedly failed to act firmly. Finally, suffering the ignominy of eviction of Pandits from the Valley and that too during the governor’s rule in the state. An environment of complete collapse of law and order machinery prevailed in the Valley and no heads rolled.

When holy relic (Muay Mukadus) went missing from Hazratbal Shrine, nearly three quarters of a million crowds assembled in Srinagar. It set on fire a police station, tehsil headquarters and the chief minister’s hotel under construction. When fire brigade vehicles arrived, these too were set on fire. Finally, the call was made to the army. We moved our fire brigade vehicles with a fully armed protection group and the crowds stayed away. The civil administration panicked and handed over the city of Srinagar to the army.

That night we moved two infantry battalions from Baramulla and deployed these in the town. For the next four days, nearly three quarter of a million crowd kept assembling in Srinagar and yet no one dare light a match, leave aside setting any building on fire. Such was the salutary effect of the military on marauding mobs.

Since then, much water has flowed down the Jhelum and the army is now being targeted with stones. This is the result of gross mishandling of the issue of J&K and pusillanimity of the successive governments in Delhi and overuse of the military in law and order situations.

What the Army Chief has said should have been said by his predecessors and should have got it implemented. The government in Delhi has rightly supported him in his warning to the errant youth and mischief-makers in the Valley. (The writer, a former deputy chief of army staff, is a commentator on defence and security issues. Views expressed are personal)