On successful completion of instrument of accession whose substance are clear to every informed citizen of country, the dynamics of j and k changed a lot in its security perspective. It witnessed oft repeated phases of fear and psychosis either through landlordism (Chakdari system) in past or its involuntary involvement in selfish disputes of international stature. Whatever the story of Kashmir has been, one could read from historical perspective, the thing which comes to us from inner corridors is the non participation of local people in such sturdy rhetoric. Either kashmiris weren’t thought feasible to be taken into consideration or the deliberate strategy to corner the integral part was adopted to claim own motives. In a contemporary phase the security situation of Kashmir speaks for itself. After all what could be acclaimed as livable atmosphere for human beings seems to have shun its day today activities by adopting mysteries in world of ghosts. What are the factors which contribute in amplifying the trend? Why there seems only one choice in front of Talented Youth? The issue here is related with entry of south Kashmir youth (Anantnag) in rebel camp and its consequences on peace and stability. While the questions can’t be answered in precise manner having consideration of circumstances which inhabit such policy to survive, but the issues at fore contribute in a way they have been right from 1947 or more precisely after the negation of country to keep UNSC resolutions in spirit.
The present scenario of Kashmir is ripe with inter regional difference in attitude towards conflict resolution with clear support for radicalism in South Kashmir . This can be gauged from numerical analysis Which reads the average recruitment at 10 per month this year compared to 6 to 7 last year ( report by The Hindu paper )in rebel ranks . The story of radicalism isn’t hidden but when seen from unbiased perspective something different comes to fore. In fact the trend of what is perceived as terrorism in contemporary world today followed nip and tuck lines as of other regions here in Kashmir. On traced from history 2ND ARC REPORT headed by Verappa Moily mentions Ethno Nationalist struggle as the cause for initiation of terrorism to acquire sub national aim. When analyzed from this angle Kashmir is no more strange, the status of princely state with separate culture and Religion of Islam in majority, regional consciousness was bound to arise. After dovetailing into polity of country on conditional basis, the faith on democratic polity of union remained at centre and such was certified through Article 370 and 35 A later. But the subsequent erode of contents eroded the faith on union in much more quick succession than the latter would have expected. Then came the phase of 1990 with crystal clear support from along the border to wage violent fight to get the issue resolved and thus started the phase of radical tendency in Kashmir.
To a much deeper level the saying that “A small but perfect pie of something is preferable over large but imperfect one”. As the phase tread down the days of violence from outside support the strategy to counter such tactic was adopted through much severe AFSPA. The onslaught over used the required contents of case and get caught the attention of Human rights activists like Kunan Poshpora case . This was a step in direction but arose as latter thing of saying, thus proved counterproductive. As is maintained “if the cat isn’t catching the mouse the method need to be changed to get caught the mouse itself. And the same policy matter was given a trial though not honest one. Various kinds of peace initiatives were taken from time to time to engage local youth by enhancement of their capacity to move forward on path of socio economic empowerment. But the strategy of struggle-truce-struggle I would like to say in context of Kashmir continued with swing between calm and protest. This was because of serious mistake on part of Government to keep spirit of dialogue and faith of people in tandem. As the regional consciousness added its numerical strength the acquisitive attitude also made success in leaps and bounds through education and spread of religious message. After all these periods the country seemed well in target to contain simmering discontent through doles and handouts from time to time in a clever manner. It can’t be denied that Government remained aloof from dispute resolution but whatever right intentions promoted in Kashmir proved counterproductive either due to suspicion or due to insufficiency on part of Government to keep its word. As an analogy 3 member panel in aftermath of 2010 protests recommended a lot but the implementation of lone choice of relief for victims of violence could manage to get attention while cornering core sections in entirety.
After all these red and white dots the story in Kashmir took u-turn in 2016 and thenceforth the clock seems blind to move backward with to and fro in policy corridors without any real solution at ground. There are various factors which are responsible for this severe discontent which contribute over and above those already mentioned. The present ERA IS ERA OF TRANSFORMATIVE IDEOLOGY or what is called as RADICALISM PHASE which has engulfed almost every country in world, thanks to globalisation. The trend in one part gets momentum throughout world like ISLAMIC STATE. This phase is interwoven with different ideologies in a complex whole whether ISLAMIC( West Asia or middle East, Pakistan etc ),LEFTIST(Almost whole of India say for example) OR RIGHTIST( US,Israel, Iran and India as well) or whatsoever. The present trend in South Kashmir speaks same language and is continuity of that trend. The trend in radical ranks led to transformative changes in their ideology towards socio political to Religious in quick succession. First of all the movement is supposed to be truly a religious war or spiritual war to safeguard Islamic values. The 2nd notion added is to shun past rhetoric of outside support by building indigenous capacities and modifying the approach towards outside powers. The 3rd front is to change the strategy from one of hide and seek to that of crystal clear identity perceived as path of glory. The fourth dimension is that of its indigenous approach to issue which is being promoted as serious issue in legal corridors( I remember the statement of retired Army commander who cautioned government about this trend). And above all the support of general public in South Kashmir isn’t not only integral to present trend but the new and innovative approach to show off the discontent towards legal institutions. Hence the trend isn’t beyond exception. It is this trend which amplified its course to left in lurch the past notions that Socio Economic development is at the core as was maintained by 2ND ARC REPORT IN CHAPTER TITLED COMBATING TERRORISM. As the support from well off families is no more hidden now, the atmosphere of anger is clearly visible in South Kashmir. What could be the strategy to stop this trend isn’t new to power corridors, the thing is to awake from slumber in fastest possible time to engage the kashmiris in dialogue with active implementation phase thereafter, otherwise the appointment serves no purpose and contributes its share to already worsening cycle.
Kashmir is naturally a scenic spot on earth which needs to be maintained and preserved for generations to come in peace and stability. There’s multi pronged strategy In Place but the implementation phase is in stagnation. Peace and stability should be given its due to ensure safety and security for people. The notions of debate on Article 370 etc isn’t in sync with atmosphere in progress but rather the spirit of article should be revived to engage Kashmiri Awaam. The early steps of resolution should be based on certain dictum to reach any eventual outcome. Unconditional Dialogue with every stakeholder, erosion of alienation state of psychosis In youth through socio economic development, shedding down the minority insecurity dilemma by taking measures to enhance their living conditions and by embarking on constitutional mandate of secularism in letter and spirit ( issues in one part of country clearly influence the atmosphere in other regions), offer of dialogue to violent camps(why not engage the rebels on this front if influential HIKMATIYAR GROUP of Afghanistan was dovetailed in state polity), Check on parochial political statements to put country Ist, Actively engage with Pakistan( on the notion that Neighbours can’t be changed while as friends may be) etc . Unless and until union and state government couldn’t read writing on wall the juggernaut is on its way spearheaded by widest ever public support, the crocodile tears of CM serves no purposes. The health of Kashmir isn’t fit as fiddle, it needs an integrated medicinal strategy with dialogue at centre of table to reach the glory of peace and stability. The cycle is much deeper than law and order issue with new and innovative tactics at front and spreading its tentacles faster than ever. Let’s hope the news of ARMY that JAISH MOHAMMAD is on rise with headquarters somewhere in south Kashmir shake the civilian power corridors to shed past rhetoric by active engagement with local people at earliest. We kashmiris like other sections of Indian polity aspire peace and stability to make progress on nip and tuck lines to that of prospered ones. Who will provide the atmosphere is a question in mystery. Let’s hope the message make draw red ink on white paper.
Shahid Majeed Mir can be mailed at mirshahid363@gmail.com
