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| Alarming situation in Kashmir and the Indian psyche | | Army & Omar | | Neha
Jammu, July 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah yesterday did what he said and what he did was on expected lines. He contested the claim of Lt General Om Prakash, GOC 15 Corps, that the situation in Kashmir is alarming; that it is time to remain extra vigilant as militants in Kashmir, whose number is approximately 300, have intensified their activities; and that Islamabad has been trying its best to send 600 terrorists to Jammu & Kashmir to cause terrorist and fidayeen attacks.
Contesting the claim of Lt Gen Om Prakash, who is man on the spot, a visibly angry Omar Abdullah said: "There is no alarming situation (in Kashmir). The fact is that with every passing year militancy is declining and I don't think that anybody should use such kind of words, particularly words like alarming. The use of words like alarming results only in creating panic among the people". "As of now the situation is not alarming and if at all there is some problem, it points to a failure in the security grid which needs to be discussed," he also said. His grievance against the Lt Gen was that when he met with him a day earlier, he did not tell him that the situation in Kashmir was alarming and his main argument was that since "Kashmir is witnessing huge rush of tourists and Amarnath pilgrims", no one can say that the situation in Kashmir is alarming.
It would have been better had the Chief Minister shared the view of the Lt Gen and discussed ways and means calculated to ensure the defeat of Pakistan and those seeking to destabilize the State and communalize the situation there to further their anti-India agenda. That he didn't do so and, instead, publicly contested the Lt Gen's claim should clear many doubts and once again establish that there are elements in the establishment who are determined to help directly and indirectly to the Pakistani agents and radical Islamists active in Kashmir and on other side of the border and Line of Control.
The situation in Kashmir is indeed alarming. The extremists like Syed Ali Shah Geelani are playing the shots. They are threatening Kashmir-wide agitation in the event of the authorities settling the displaced Kashmiri Hindus in separate colonies in the Valley. They are, in addition, provoking the common Kashmiris to rise in revolt against India. They are openly flirting with Pakistani authorities and seeking to vitiate the atmosphere in Kashmir. As for terrorists, they are carrying out anti-India operations in different parts of Kashmir, including South Kashmir. Only recently, the terrorists struck in a big way at Pampore, Kulgam and Rajpora. In fact, the last 40 days or so have witnessed terrorists conducting anti-India operations and launching attacks on the Army, CRPF and the State police. The situation in Kashmir has reached a point that even the University of Kashmir has organized an out-and-out anti-India seminar. As far as Pakistan is concerned, less said the better. Suffice it to say that Islamabad is leaving no stone unturned to foment more and more troubles in Kashmir.
The argument of Omar Abdullah that the huge tourist rush and the increase in the number of Amarnath pilgrims is an indication that perfect peace prevails in Kashmir is a weak argument. His argument indicates that he is not aware of the psyche and determination of the Indians. The Indians are not like the Americans and the Britons who are mortally afraid of visiting militant and terrorist-infested areas. The Indians are Indians who have been witnessing terrorist attacks for more than 22 years now. They have learnt to withstand and neutralize the militants' onslaught. They do not take more than six years to resume normal activities. Besides, they make it a point to visit and tour the areas where the extremists are active. That the Indians are not afraid of Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and Kashmiri extremists could be seen from the fact that the number of pilgrims visiting the holy cave of Baba Amarnath has been increasing year after year since the early 1990, when the secessionist and communal violence engulfed Kashmir and some other parts of the State. The Indian tourists as well as pilgrims reached Kashmir in lakhs even in 2008, 2009 and 2010 when the situation in the Valley was highly volatile. The Indians are a brave nation.
Anyway, the issue is not Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his opposition to the Army. The issue is the role of the Congress party. It appears the Congress has abdicated its authority and given the NC a license to say whatever it wants. When will the Congress Ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister, rise to the occasion and join issues with the NC leaders, including the Chief Minister? |
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