S. Narinder Singh
She replied that it is the ‘business interest’ of her organisation to have such interviews. I advised her that their main concern should be national interest first. Not only this, during those days CID, wing of the Police Department, headed by the then ADG Kapoor used to bring out daily news bulletin highlighting the activities of terrorists such as their attacks on security forces locations by pin pointing the places and killing of security forces personnel/civilians. In other words, it meant officially informing Pakistan through the official news bulletins that their sponsored terrorist were doing their assigned job. I advised DGP and ADGP that such reports should have been meant for the Governor, his Advisors and Chief Secretary. There should be separate press note for the media showing the consolidated events of killings, injuries and loss of public property by the terrorists in the various parts of the State without mentioning the exact places. They agreed to my suggestions. Such disruptive anti-national forces should be curbed and dealt with sternly. CM Mehbooba Mufti’s statement that the security forces or police who have used excessive force would be held accountable was followed by transferring DIG and SSP Anantanag and other police officers hurriedly in order to normalise situation. But the government should not attempt to demoralise the forces whose duty and responsibility is to maintain law and order for peace in the state. The reported statement of Mehbooba that security forces should apologise for excessive use of force is Akin to promoting terrorism and encouraging secession through violent forces in the Valley. The statement attributed to the Chief Minister has not been denied so far, which gives credence to what has appeared in the newspapers. Glorification of terrorists or romanticising the separatist movement is incomprehensible. The state has no option but to deal with iron fists terrorists, their mentors and those raising anti-national slogans. The democratically elected representatives have a vital role to play in awakening the masses about evil and nefarious designs of Pakistan and anti national elements who are hell bent upon destroying peace by making innocent people fodder for gun-powder. Such an action only reflects that the government wants the security forces and police to surrender before the mob comprising anti-national/terrorists and disruptive elements. By observing black day by the Pakistan Government and raising issue of human rights violations clearly shows that Pakistan is directly involved in supporting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and making all efforts to destabilise India. So, the government should confront and concentrate on the measures to save J and K from nefarious designs of anti-national elements from within and outside the country because Pakistan is frustrated due to its internal crisis. To divert the attention of its own people, Islamabad is raising the issue of Kashmir at international level in the garb of human rights violations. The rogue neighbour least bothers about discontent in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and atrocities committed by its rudderless army. By raising its voice on Bruhan’s killing who is responsible for a number of killings of civilian and policemen, Pakistan has proved that it is this country which is responsible for the terrorism in the region and world through ISI.
Moreover, during my five years tenure in Police Department as Special Assistant to DGP from 1992 to 1997, when the militancy was at its peak in Kashmir, I happened to meet many captured and surrendered terrorists while arranging interviews of the international, national and local journalists with them at the interrogation centre. Once, I met a bearded, tall, handsome, fair complexioned terrorist from Muzaffrabad who shook hands with me on knowing that I belonged to Tehsil Bagh, Poonch area of PoK. On being asked how he was lured to join this terrorism, he promptly replied that he did so on the name of Islam for Jihad. On my further inquiry about Jihad he narrated that as per their religion (Islam) if Muslims are in trouble within the radius of the 200 Kms, they have to fight for their liberation which is called Jihad. Since he disclosed that he is PhD in Pol. Science, I became more curious and asked him since he was operating in Valley, what he observed in Kashmir? Are people of Valley in trouble? He abruptly replied, “No, not at all.” They are leading a prosperous and peaceful life. Rather they are making lives of others miserable. He admitted that they were being misled by Pakistan in their training camps in the name of Jihad. He further said that Kashmiris are leading and living peaceful life whereas people of PoK are in trouble and leading miserable, difficult and oppressed life. While concluding the discussions, I asked how the agencies were treating him in the captivity? Nicely, he said. Immediately, he was lost in deep thoughts and in a state of despair he said he landed in this mess due to fear. Lastly, when I asked him what he will do in case he was set free by the Indian authorities and will he join terrorism or Jihad again, he said “NO”.
In another interrogation centre, where local militants were kept, I inquired from one of them as to why they had chosen this path. The stock reply came, “pressure, fear of gun and intimidation by Pakistani terrorists”. On gun point, they were compelled to join. I was taken aback to know details of their training. They said they were being transported as Baratis in buses up to the border where Pakistani agents used to guide them to reach the training camps by taking different routes. Again I was astonished to know about their return after training. They said they were equipped with five AK 47 rifles with ammunition, out of which they used to sell four in Pakistan itself and re-enter border by paying some amount to the agents.
During Governor Rule in 90s, there was a policy to bring back misguided youth to join mainstream. There were rehabilitation centers for surrendered militants to train them in various skills.
Now coming to the prevailing scenario, it is due to wrong policies of the present Coalition Government the situation has come to square one. The government announced clemency to 600 stone pelters who were arrested during 2010 for causing huge loss of lives and public property. Who knows they are the ones who are currently engaged in perpetual stone pelting? , The government ought to have taken precautions while taking such sensitive decisions. People of Kashmir are generally peace-loving. What to talk of guns; they have never carried even sticks to harm anybody. Prior to 1989, people used to walk late nights on roads of Kashmir. There was no fear from any side. No doubt since 1947, negligible pro-Pak and communal elements thrived in the State. I remember during 1978-79, when Z.A Bhutto was executed by the then Pakistan President Gen. Zia-ul-Haq, large number of protest rallies were taken out in the Valley which targeted Jamat-e-Islamic activists, beat them up and caused damages to their orchards and livestock. I, in my capacity as District Information Officer Doda, also became victim of that agitation as the news about attacks on Jamat-e-Islami supporters was not carried by Radio Kashmir, either in Srinagar or in Jammu. I was attacked by the protesters.
The rise of terrorism in Kashmir is being attributed to alleged rigging in 1987 Assembly elections in the State. Had Muslim United Front, an amalgam of radical outfits, got few seats in the course of free and fair elections, the situation would have been different. A segment of people got alienated from the mainstream and Pakistan got an opportunity to meddle in by way of launching insurgency through ISI. In August and September 1989, the terrorists became active in the Valley. From 1992 onward, their activities were strengthened by Pakistan in the Valley and gradually Jammu also got engulfed. Gradually, terrorism spread its tentacles beyond J and K and manifested in Parliament attack and Mumbai carnage, among other places. The captured terrorists involved in the heinous crime against humanity were awarded death sentence.
( To be continued)
(The writer is a former Director,
Information J&K Government)
