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| India cannot forsake people of POK, Northern areas | | | Karan Bandesha | 12/15/2011 11:40:20 PM |
| Security of its citizens is the primary duty of the state. This duty encompasses maintenance of normal law and order against criminal acts, riots etc , security from external aggression, economic security, security of personal freedom and rights as humans etc. Of recently, a new dimension has been added to security which is s Internal security against forces of terror and disruption. Admittedly, this is a tall order to achieve, yet the Indian Union with its well embedded democratic dispensation has, since independence, steadily moved in this direction.
All Nation states do not have as hallowed a concept of security as is prevalent in India. There are also many regions where one set of citizens is given a status higher than the other set. In fact, a segment of the population is exploited to the benefit of the other segment. No better example of this malaise is available than the region which is erroneously and falsely called Azad (Independent) Kashmir in Pakistan. Since 1948, it has been ruled through proxy by the Government of Pakistan, its lent officers and its secret agencies. Even more heart rending is the condition of the Northern Areas, also under Pakistan control. This beautiful region which comprises of the major cities of Gilgit and Baltistan (Another erstwhile part of the Dogra principality of Jammu and Kashmir) has been denied a legal status and has for the last six plus decades been surviving without any national identity whatsoever. This translates into complete abdication of State responsibility and utmost misery for the people. The area swarms with soldiers of the Pakistani and Chinese armies who are the unquestionable masters of this domain. No civilian has the right to even protest against their presence much less question their activities and atrocities in person or through the media. There exist no independent human rights agencies, no independent media; the concept of freedom of expression is unheard of. The resources of this region are mercilessly looted, its benefits accrue to people who do not ethnically belong to this region while the ethnic population does not even have the right to protest; in case they do so they are simply killed in cold blood and not an eyebrow is raised.
It is not surprising, therefore, that the people of this region are totally bereft of the modern facilities and amenities, economic development and basic human rights. In case they are looking for a government job, they have to pledge to eschew all political activity that may be inimical to the interests of the State of Pakistan. In plain words livelihood is available to them only in exchange for their freedom of expression and their right to protest. The more diabolic issue is a blatant attempt to engineer ethnic cleansing in the region with the intention of changing its demographic profile, a move that will reduce the local population into abject slavery. It was in pursuance of this evil agenda that Brigadier Pervez Musharraf, later President of Pakistan, earned for himself the sobriquet of Butcher of Baltistan. The story of the so called "under Indian occupation" Jammu and Kashmir is, on the other hand, very different. Despite hostile terrain and a strategically disadvantageous location, this region has achieved development feat after development feat. It offers not just state sponsored employment but a thriving tourism industry revived virtually from the dead. The basic infrastructure in the form of transport (road, rail and air), education and health facilities is enviable. Being part of the strong and vibrant Indian state, it is well protected against any untoward and sudden event of a cataclysmic nature. A good example is the national response to a massive earthquake that devastated both sides of the line of control in 2005. Whereas the areas affected on the Indian side have been fully developed and have become better than the original, the areas in the so called Azaad Kashmir continue to languish despite overwhelming international aid. Most of the funds have been eaten up by the government agencies and militant organisations.
Further, Kashmir's trade, tourism and exchange of services with the rest of the country provides a huge market for ethnically produced foods and handicrafts. Kashmiri population lives and moves around in any and every part of India with complete freedom. In fact, the economic and social ties with the rest of the country are so strong that the region cannot dream of surviving in the absence of Indian support and patronage. Despite all this, the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir is portrayed as being under the rule of foreign occupation forces.
While on the subject of security, it is also necessary to acknowledge and understand the role of the Indian Armed Forces in ensuring this situation of human security in the region. Were it not for the untiring efforts of the Armed Forces who toiled selflessly to bring the state back from the brink of political and strategic disaster and ensured a peaceful environment free of violent terrorist disruptions, the stage for economic and social development would never have been set. This is quite in variance from the manner in which the Pakistani army is exploiting the people while the State turns a blind eye. The modern world has a responsibility towards the subjugated people of the so called Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas. They need to be provided with the basic parameters of security in accordance to globally acceptable levels. It is very sad to see a complete race being thus exploited by mercenary and colonial forces while the world looks on. Indian, especially, needs to play a proactive role by giving moral support to these deprived people. It is not proper for the Indian Union to forsake these people who, in actuality, should have been an integral part of the Indian Union. |
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