A dog to its puppies: don’t move out, you may die a man’s death!” If you are wondering, that’s an SMS doing the rounds in Kashmir these days. Which in turn is an approximation of what is happening on the streets of the Valley…,” thus begins Showkat A. Motta’s article “Stone Sepulchre” (Outlook, 12 July).
Obviously the last few weeks have seen chaos and upheaval in the valley as dozens of youth succumbed to their injuries under the military might. The recent series of protest–violence–protest geared up when Tufail Ahmad Mattoo (17), hit by tear gas shells during a protest, breathed his last on June 17.
The death toll was followed by the police firing to quell the mob. The youth were protesting and pelting stones, they say. However, if the youth were pelting stones, they could have been overpowered without firing bullet and spewing blood. But the police, deployed at the spot, preferred to shooting at them to taking precautionary measures. A series of violent moves of the security forces leading to the deaths of youths indicates that they have been invariably using their might in wrong direction.
The police have been extra-powered by AFSPA [Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958] to maintain law and order in some troubled regions. Kashmir unfortunately stands in the same category. In J&K police personnel enjoy the extra power of pumping bullets into the non-combatant in the name of maintaining law and order. But when, powered by the same act, they are deployed in other parts of the country to fight out anti-social elements, they fall flat. For example, a couple of months ago, 74 police personnel were butchered by the Maoists in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh but no viable action was taken. Even today the Maoists openly challenge the government and security forces for dire consequences if their demands are not met.
The recent approach of our security forces to maintain law and order indicates that they are master perhaps only in dealing with anti-social elements armed with stones not with guns. Pumping bullets is the last resort when no alternative is left. But in the valley it seems to be the first choice of police personnel. Even a young lady, who was watching the protest, was gunned down. The security forces, however, did not justify this killing but termed it as an incident of stray bullet.
Whatever is taking place in the valley is really sad and needs to be stopped immediately. The regional leaders, being the well-wishers of the people, should shun their protest and also avoid inviting the youngsters to join any such march.
The police personnel are expected to be cautious especially when the situation is tense. Their brutalities not only leave the deceased’s family grieved and invite global criticism for them but also malign the bright face of India in the comity of nations.
The Government should consider the grievances of poor Kashmiris. If, as usual, it ignores their demands and press them with military might, it will hardly yield desired results. Complete harmony will definitely prevail in the region if the Kashmiris are given equal share in the national cake.
The Government should also make no distinction between Kashmir and the rest of the states. The people of Kashmir should be allowed to enjoy their fundamental right as the other citizens of the country do. Cruel laws which let security forces use their power at will should be repealed. Endeavours should be made to run some more educational institutions and open new vistas for development in the state so that the valley may produce some more Shah Faisals.