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| Probe Tanghdar clashes during Army recruitment rally | | | Mischief is in air in Kashmir. There is
no dearth of mischief mongers in the val-
ley and their number has increased during the last 20 years of militancy related violence in Kashmir.Though protests leading to stone pelting and clashes between protesters and police in Tanghdar area of Kupwara district on Tuesday are nothing new as far as recruitment rallies in the Army,the paramilitary forces and in the police are concerned the breezy incident of violence were seen as extension of the ongoing malady. For the last several days groups of people have responded to the separatists’ call for shutdown and protests against the Government’s initial decision to allow Pandits to proceed to Kousar Nag spring from Kulgam area.Though the Government has revoked the decision and has directed Pandits to proceed to the mountain spring from Reasi the valley continues to be on uneasy moments because of protests and owing to intermittent clashes between the protesters and the security forces. In the context of these developments one cannot take the events at an Army recruitment rally in Tanghdar lightly. During the clashes between the police and protesters about 15 persons,including eight security men,were injured.
Reports said that atleast 15 persons, including eight security personnel, were injured in clashes which broke out on Tuesday during an Army recruitment rally at Tanghdar in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.Trouble broke out in Chamkote village of Tanghdar region, close to Line of Control, after a group of aspirants for jobs in a Territorial Army unit started pelting stones at personnel conducting the physical tests. candidates who were rejected in the physical tests resorted to violence and even set ablaze the fencing of the arena where the tests were conducted.The army personnel, sensing danger to life and property, fired few blank rounds which do not cause any injuries. The injuries have been caused by stone pelting,according to Army officials. More than 4,000 candidates had turned up for the "few posts" which were to be filled up at the recruitment rally.A police official said the agitating candidates alleged that the recruiting officials relaxed the rules to allow middle school pass candidates to appear in the physical test against the criterion of 'Matriculates and above' only.The official said seven candidates, four policemen and equal number of Army jawans were injured in the clashes.Additional police personnel had to be rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control.
Well the incident of breezy violence during Army recruitment drive in border town in Kashmir pales into insignificance when one compares it with incidents of clashes during Army,paramilitary forces’ recruitment drives. Just two months ago three civilians were killed and several injured in Assam during Army recruitment drive.In another incident in Jorhat in Assam 30 people were injured in clashes between protesters and security forces during an Army recruitment drive.These breezy clashes do take place during CRPF or police or Army recruitment drives in many parts of the country.These incidents are nothing but expression of anger on the part of unemployed youth.With increase in the number of unemployed youth there is corresponding increase in the level of anger among this section of youth.And Jammu and Kashmir state cannot be an exception.However,if such incidents of violence take place in various states one may treat it as part of the game,a game manifesting anger of unemployed youth and helplessness of the Government and its agencies in fulfilling aspirations of all those who are jobless.But such breezy incidents in the border belts in Kashmir call for a proper probe in order to ascertain whether these clashes were sponsored or incited by militants or by some separatists.What adds to confusion and amazement is the way large number of unemployed youth in Kashmir take part in the recruitment rallies conducted by the Army and the paramilitary forces and on the other hands these very youth are in the forefront of those found shouting slogans against the Army,against Army’s presence in Kashmir.A high level inquiry needs to be conducted to find out whether the anger was the result of mismanagement on the part of the those Army authorities who were organizing the recruitment rally or the clashes had been triggered by a few militants to malign the Army or to find out that these clashes were part of the normal happenings during such rallies.However, indications are that the anger was incited by some anti-Government and anti-Army elements. If it was so these elements need to be identified and punished. It would be in the fitness of things if the Army,paramilitary forces and the police start recruitment drive at various places in the state which could provide a chance to several lakh unemployed youth to get employment.In Jammu and Kashmir increase in unemployed figures means increase in violence. |
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