Dost Khan
Is there any connection between frequent shutdowns and dismantling Kashmir economy?
JAMMU: Killing of a Pakistani terrorist in surprise vehicle blast has created ripples in separatists’ camp. While the incident needs to be thoroughly probed, as death of an undertrial in such a manner and injuries to his five-member escorting team can’t be accepted, the episode exposes Kashmiri secessionists and their claims that militancy was a Jihad and indigenous. They have raised hue and cry. They have ‘condemned’ the killing of Wahid Noor Khan alias Commander Hamza. The victim, a Pakistani national, was not in Kashmir as a tourist; he had sneaked into this side as a terrorist. And, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has issued an impromptu statement, urging the International Human Rights Commission and other ‘watch-dog bodies’ to investigate into the circumstances leading to death of a Pakistani terrorist.
Mirwaiz has not, however, expressed a word in concern for the five-policemen who were injured in the incident, one of them having succumbed to injuries later. They are all Kashmiris and might have been observing ‘Roza’. Doesn’t their a suffering or deaths constitute human rights violation? That the incident seems to be patently a terror act, the Mirwaiz did not find it appropriate to condemn the killers. In a day or two, the secessionists will find out alibi to this incident as well and try to involve Indian secret agencies, notwithstanding the fact that the vehicle belonged to Jammu and Kashmir Police and was carrying several policemen. All and sundry in the separatist camp, including a chosen representative of the people have started beating chests and no wonder a call may be forthcoming for shutdown in Kashmir.
The secessionists’ modus operandi is unique. They remain in hibernation for full six winter months and surface only when spring blooms and the Valley gears up for tourist-cum-pilgrim season. While Syed Ali Shah Geelani moves to plains in Delhi, Mirwaiz turns out as a roaming ambassador, visiting continents around the world. Almost same remains the pattern of other known and little known secessionists. The end objective is to keep Kashmir boiling.
Is there any connection between frequent shutdowns and dismantling Kashmir economy? Any layman can see through the Pakistani game plan of destabilising the region through its lackeys, terrorists and some elements in the so-called mainstream outfits. Otherwise how come that the Valley has again returned to yesteryear’s horrendous situation with fear looming large over the gentry. People’s longing for peace and return of normalcy had pushed secessionists to wall and terrorists to jungles. While security forces have successfully tackled lunatic terrorists, the strategised multi-level campaign had brought back a semblance of normalcy but for a mysterious shift in the situation, ironically after the formation of government by PDP and BJP. Abrupt turnaround in relatively peaceful situation is quite unexplainable. What went wrong that reverted the Valley back to agitational mode? First, the release and arrest of Masarat Alam, controversy over the State flag, shifting of Afzal Guru’s remains to Kashmir from Tihar Jail, waving of Pakistani flags, emergence of ISIS symbols etcetera. There has not been a single day when such incidents took place that embarrassed BJP more than its coalition partner PDP. The secessionists have got a field day to play up with the situation. They appear to be hell bent on pushing the people back to square one situation. The tendencies are like vultures.
Vulture is a patient bird-seldom attacks healthy animals, mostly pounces on wounded ones and generally sustains on carcasses. Similar are the instincts among some humans who thrive on the sufferings of fellow beings.
The secessionists find peace and normalcy in Kashmir as a red rag. Many in the separatist camp become restless when the Valley wakes up to normal life. They ensure that the day ends with lot of tension in the air.
This has been a routine with peace inimical elements, not necessarily among the separatists but mainstream parties as well. To keep up their empires flourishing and to further the agenda of rogue neighbour, they keep finding out excuses. After Sopore killings by terrorists, the latest blast has readily come as a rallying point for chronic secessionists. The herd of peace breakers keeps waiting for such occasions and when the mainstream political leadership is sympathetic nothing can stop their menacing posturing.
The days ahead are crucial for the Valley as Himalayan cave shrine bound pilgrims will be thronging from all parts of the country.
The nature lovers have had a bitter taste and one can just keep fingers crossed over the situation enveloping after every moment.
