Handwara incident was avoidable: Army should be the last resort in Kashmir

Kashmir is on fire again. Notwithstanding Pakistan's incessant mischief to keep the pot boiling in the Valley, it is for India to seriously introspect why even after 68 years since the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir acceded to the Indian Union, we have not been able to emotionally integrate the state with the idea of India.

Events

For years now, with the onset of the summers, the political and security situation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been displaying a sickening re-enactment. The melting of snow in the region offers to the Pakistani "Deep State" - the Pakistani army, ISI and the terror outfits - opportunities to send in both state and non-state infiltrators across the Line of Control and the International Border to fan unrest in the state. Pakistan believes that keeping Kashmir in ferment is both good tactics and even better strategy.

Also read - Save the Handwara girl: Kashmiris appeal to human rights activists

The highly-avoidable events in the Valley, especially in the last one month, have once again brought to fore the simmering disquiet which needs to be addressed urgently.

It is indeed painful that this discontent has crossed the gates of even academic institutions in the Valley and a chasm has emerged between the local students and those who have come from other parts of the country to study in Srinagar. The killing of five youngsters by the J&K Police in Handwara while quelling an agitation was not only painful but also avoidable.

That Pakistan's paid agents in the Valley, like separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, are doing their utmost to vitiate the atmosphere in the state by spreading disinformation, discontent and communalism should not surprise anyone. Their devious propaganda to give the Indian Army a bad name has to be thwarted.

Both the governments at the Centre and the state should tackle this problem with an amalgam of firmness, where required, as also compassion and sensitivity where essential.

Mehooba Mufti, the state's first woman chief minister, has her task cut out. Foremost, she must reach out to the aggrieved people and diffuse the anger whether based on genuine grievances or faulty perceptions due to false propaganda of Pakistani agents in the state.

Also read - Heroes are not pawns: Army officer's daughter exposes pseudo nationals

The Sufi spirit of the Kashmiriyat has to be reignited for it is also closer to the secular orientation of the Indian state and miles away from the alarmingly escalating extremism of the Pakistani state.

Also, both Srinagar and New Delhi must implement all welfare measures announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his trips to the state. Sensitive governance, reaching out to the underprivileged sections of the state, must be ensured, especially, in the creation of job opportunities for the restive Kashmiri youth.

Streamlining

Apart from the much-needed economic amelioration of the state, the Centre and the state need to streamline their policies and synergise their resources for law and order, dealing with the separatists and the overall security measures to counter Pakistan-directed infiltration and terrorism into the state.

At the outset, it must be made clear to all in the state, especially the separatists and other Pakistani agents in the Valley, that the state will not tolerate any anti-national activities. Dissent is permissible but not sedition.

Also read - Manipuri boy writes open letter to GD Bakshi: Will you cry for us?

Additionally, J&K Police must be strengthened and modernised to effectively tackle local law and order problems; this will allow the paramilitary forces to be minimally deployed in the state, with their focus being on guarding strategic buildings and institutions.

The Army is the last bastion of the state and must be employed on rare occasions while it reinforces the counterterrorism grid at the International Border/LoC.

As for the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), it must be retained at security-sensitive zones and not all over the state. If mischievous elements try to pass the buck onto the Army for incidents the armed forces are not involved in, these can be dealt with otherwise.

Critical

However, the most critical aspect for the nation is being consistent and firm in our dealings with our terror-exporting neighbour, Pakistan. Despite many friendly gestures and overtures to this rogue nation, nothing appears to improve the ties.

Also read - When women were respected and love was celebrated in Kashmir

Pakistan continues to tread obsessively on its myopic, self-destructive path. India must adopt a policy of "benign neglect" towards Pakistan, downgrade its diplomatic representation with it and, most importantly, not allow any separatist leader to ever step into the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi.

Time is more than ripe for India to put a full-stop to its flip-flop policies vis-à-vis Pakistan. To our Kashmiri brethren, let the mother nation go all out to harmonise them with the idea of India. It's worth an effort.

(Courtesy of Mail Today.)