KASHMIR AND IMMATURE OMAR ABDULLAH

                                  KASHMIR AND IMMATURE OMAR  ABDULLAH

                                                           Dr K Prabhakar Rao

                   Kashmir has been again strongly in the news. For the last three decades, Indian army and other security agencies have been fighting an undeclared war in Kashmir. The hasty decision of Jawaharlal Nehru taking Kashmir problem to the world body       has pushed India into a continuous burning kiln without any respite. India  and Pakistan have fought three major wars over this issue apart from an undeclared Kargil war. These wars cost India very greatly and progress in the state has been very greatly hampered. The credit for declaring Jihad in Kashmir must go to General Zia ul haq the former Pakistani dictator. Numerous terrorist outfits were raised, quartered and trained in Pakistan with the aim of creating unrest in Kashmir. He however paid for his deeds when he was blown up in aircraft explosion while on flight ( 1) and died a dogs death. Allah  punished him in this way.

                  All these years Indian troops have been fighting Jihadis with hands at back. The local Kashmiris political parties who claim independence have been fomenting continuous trouble with the connivance of Pakistan. Such traitors are many in Kashmir. In fact Indian rulers have always shown leniency in Kashmir and failed to amalgamate Kashmir with India. Special provisions for appeasement have aggravated the situation. Kashmir pundits were driven out of Kashmir and they did not return as the government can not guarantee their security. BJP ad has always been demanding scrapping of special status to J and K and this has fallen on deaf ears the pseudo secular leaders  are blind and are unable to see the danger to the nation from the Kashmiri separatist. For creating Muslim vote bank these political leaders are bartering the  national security, integrity and well being to  handful of treacherous and  anti nationals.  The separatist being Muslims always draw sympathy from Muslims(some trouble makers) of other regions in India as for them Islam is the binding factor and probably not the nation. Any strong action by security forces in   Kashmir is   immediately projected as violation of human rights and use of excess force.  Infact the state of Jammu and  Kashmir is in  the state of insurgency duly abetted and stoked by Pakistan. Recently past Pak president general Musharraf declared openly that Pak govt turned a blind eye to the raising and training of militants in Pakistan for fighting in J and K. All these years Indian leaders played hide and seek diplomacy with Pak with well worded texts and brought the nation to today’s pass. For present situation, no  external agency is to be blamed.  It is purely the incapability of the rulers who lacked vision and fore thought and could not take right decisions at right time. They mismanaged  all these years. Our leaders have squandered away the advantages every time after Indo pak war. These are;-

1. During the Indo pak war of 1948, the PM Jawaharlal Nehru declared ceasefire and referred the matter to  the world body while India was  about to capture Gilgit and Hunza, that are now in Pakistan and is being called Pak occupied Kashmir. With this  an eternal bleeding sore has been created in India’s  back.  

      .     

     b.           India most foolishly handed over  all captured  territories to Pakistan after

               Winning war in 1965. Lal Bhadur Shastri who bravely lead the war to victory              

   Succumbed to probably Russian pressure in Tashkent and died in the night.                       

   With his death, entire thing has become  a great mystery.. It was a golden    

    Opportunity to bargain and settle Kashmir issue. Alas! There was no fore 

    Thought. Blood of brave Indian jawans and officers was  wasted by the

    Politicians.

 .

  c.      The most golden opportunity was lost again in 1971 after Indo Pak war when      

          East Pakistan became independent as Bangladesh. One lakh  prisoners of war         

         who were Pak army members from East Pakistan were captured after surrender      

         of   Pak army to Indian  army. These men were  well fed in India and then were

         Handed over to Pakistan  after an agreement  between Mrs Indira Gandhi  and    

         Bhutto the pak PM. Kashmir was not negotiated and it was the biggest let down 

         of India.                                               

d.               

          In Kargil war ( Undeclared war) Pak troops  and Terrorists were completely

          trapped in Kargil area  and if wanted they could have been massacred by Indian          

         Troops. They were allowed to escape into Pakistan surely under the pressure of

         USA. . Kashmir was not bargained.

              Above indicate the hollowness of Indian policy and the wisdom of our past   rulers. Present too are no way better. Their capabilities have been thoroughly exposed after 26/11 in which handful of Jihadis from Pakistan occupied star hotels in Bombay and butchered innocents civilians on streets  and in hotels. They were atlast killed except  one ( Kasab) by the army commandoes who overwhelmed them.  This episode has exposed the real   security lapses, preparedness, forethought and negligience of  the govt at all levels. India  lacked  guts to react  and  meekly asked  Pakistan to  send their ISI chief  for explaining. What a shame indeed. ShivRaj Patil the  home minister well groomed who lacked capabilities was sacked and was replaced by another equally competent person Chidamabaram who is struggling in his seat (2)

 Although Kashmir is reeling under terrorist activities security forces reasonably controlled the  activities and every one expected that some progress could be achieved. However of late, the situation turned violent with civilian outbursts in all major towns and there were spurt of anti government activities. Govt offices, vehicles are being burnt while police and security forces opened fire several times causing many deaths. These deaths had cascading effect with more riots and arson by civilians. The situation became grave and a political delegation was sent by the govt to study situation and bring it under control after discussions with the J and K leaders. The question is why this sudden rise of civilian unrest took place in Kashmir that more or less peaceful in recent days.

The violence in Kashmir that is mostly centered around Srinagar and Sopore may not reflect real situation and unrest in Kashmir valley. This is probably is the handiwork of certain trouble makers in the valley and these could be the political leaders who subscribe to independence, of course duly abetted by the Pak advisors. Although the problem is in limited sector there are chances of spreading too. All these years Kashmir has faced cross border infiltration where Jihandis were pushed through the porous borders and these were effectively being checked by BSF and Army apart from local police and their support. Usually it is seen that when armed militancy is not gaining and showing results due to effective actions by security agencies, trouble makers resort to civilian unrest that is generally not easy to control. Civilian unrest includes Dharnas, strikes, arson, burning effigies, blocking the routes, looting of shops, burning of offices, buses etc. Such actions are invariably controlled by civil police and they may take the help of state armed reserve and CRP in grave situations. When limits exceed army may be called enforcing curfew and resort to mop up actions. Calling army is the last resort and this will be much resented. In case of J and K, Army is already there assisting civilian administration.

Although militant outfits are showing their presence in recent times, they were effectively checked by security agencies. India and Pakistan also indulge in talks where nothing really comes out   and some pressure is built up over India on Kashmir.  As usual the rituals of talks go on gaining nil. Most of these talks are held under US pressure. Pakistan itself is in turmoil and facing stiff trouble from Taliban (Native) and their militant outfits are disorganized. After Bombay attack ( 26/11 in India ) Pakistan earned wrath of the  world nations and is seen as rogue body. LET ( Lashkar e toiba) that has been blamed for Bombay attacks is lying low and there is great pressure  on Pakistan to punish culprits  and this is unlikely to happen. Other militant outfits  from Pakistan such as Jaish e Mohammed  and Hizbul mujahedeen are totally  disorganized and  the chances of  carrying out major attacks by these organizations is  much reduced. Indian security forces are completely geared up to meet all challenges. In this situation the alternative for the trouble makers is  to create civilian unrest.   Once Omar Abdullah an youngster took over as CM  duly pushed in by his father ( Dynastic succession) certain elements  have been kept out of government. Omar is too young devoid of experience and statesmanship   needed to handle   such a trouble torn state. Once Omar won the elections, every one thought that Kashmir has become peaceful. But Hurriyat and PDP are fanning troubles inciting youth to take to street violence.  It appears to be a organized activity where youth are being incited to stone   security agencies. These security agencies are being forced by the government to show more restraint and there are instances where police men were beaten black and blue by the mobs and at times were lynched.  In many instances security agencies had to fire to control situation and some youths died.  The deaths have  sparked off further demonstrations  with more people to create trouble and to clash with police or army.  Again there were firings   and some more youths died.  Thus the cycle was never overcome. On the whole  aim appears to show the state government in poor light.  They are also reminding New Delhi that all is still not well in Kashmir   and the  demand for independence is the ultimate.

         It is now clearly known that the trouble makers were ready to accept some deaths of youth and they derive advantage. In fact it is probable that they also pay these youth regularly for taking part in these demonstrations. This appears to be an organized action and   fact is that in youth anti India hatred has been sown deep and they see army and CRPF as Indian agents and as occupation forces. The security forces are restrained by the political leaders who leave no stone unturned in heaping abuses against them and calling for their withdrawal. The civilian government of Omar Abdullah failed miserably to win over confidence of people.  In fact, Omar Abdullah earlier made statements that Army’s powers in Kashmir should be curtailed. Civilian population and hence the    .  Is Omar Abdullah mature enough to stay in the chair? Maturity does not come  by virtue of a birth in an influential family . This may help some one to rise rapidly at an young age into influential  positions as it happened in case of Rajiv Gandhi,  and now Rahul Gandhi.But maturity  is acquired over  many years after struggling and passing through various situations  and facing problems. In case Omar Abdullah the rise was  very rapid being the son of Farookh Abdullah and grand son of Shiekh Abdullah whom people call  as Lion of Kashmir.  Lions died away in Kashmir long ago and now they are confined to Gujarat only. Only cats remain in Kashmir apart from snow leopards that are  no match to any lion. Recently he remarked on the accession of  Kashmir to India and it being integral part of India. He stated that Kashmir    could not be compared to Junagarh and Hyderabad former princely states that merged with India after independence.He has blamed Indian govt for present crisis (3).  Amid mounting international focus on Kashmir for its resolution, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah   said Jammu and Kashmir was an outstanding issue between India and Pakistan, with international recognition. He asked New Delhi to start a sustained two track dialogue process with the neighboring country and separatists to resolve the issue.
On state’s relation with India, Omar emphasized that Kashmir had not merged but acceded to the country under unique conditions and it was obligation on part of both sides to respect the instrument of accession.
Omar said that the ongoing unrest had once again put Kashmir on “front burner” and it should not be allowed to be shelved till a solution is found. By saying this Omar has shown the colors of Sheikh Abdullah his grand father put under confinement long ago for anti Indian activities and for demanding autonomy for Kashmir and pressurizing India.

  
                  Omar blamed separatists for the present unrest saying it all started with the announcement of calendar programs by the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
“People were treated like cattle and asked to go here and there. Protests programs were announced on Fridays. After Amarnath land row in 2008 protests have taken shape of stone pelting.”
Without naming anybody he said time had come to think who have quit Kashmir during the past four months. “Army and paramilitary forces were target of the program but how many of them went away. I will say more troops arrived in view of the present situation. If somebody left Kashmir during past 3-months were Kashmiri doctors, students and businessmen. We believe more than 30,000 people lost their jobs due to the unrest,” Omar said. “From Tangmarg to Mendhar, Public property and institutions were targeted and burnt. Calendar program makes people to suffer not the government.”
On Kashmir situation, Omar said government hopes that it would improve soon. “However as long as the protest calendar continues there is a danger,” he said. Thus we see that Omar Abdullah is a chip of old block  and has not reconciled to  Kashmir being integral part of India. He expects that Pakistan is a party to this  state  that si not acceptable to India. On the other hand BJP has strongly condemned Omar for  stating that Kashmir is not an integral part of India (4) In fact Omar has tried to gain sympathy of the separatists in the present turmoil by aligning with the more hostile attitude against India  by demanding dialogue with Pakistan by Indian govt  to resolve the issue. In fact there is nothing to resolve and in fact Pakistan has to vacate Gilgit and Hunza. Does it mean that Sheikh Abdullah is being reenacted in Kashmir.  This is very important turning point  now  and India  should not  withdraw troops from the troubled areas and  the  biggest problem for the  security forces is the imposition of curfew.  Usually  under the conditions of Curfew people completely stay at homes and once shoot at sight orders are issued , it becomes a great deterrent. But when  youth venture out in very large numbers  and start confronting police  or CRPF how do they contain. How many they could kill that again leads to confrontation. In all such  situations,   handling should be firm.  Once the crowds know that security forces are  under  restraint by the govt  and would not fire that easily trouble would continue. In all such  situations there is an essential requirement of effective restricted firing at the leaders who lead the agitation. Invarialby once the leader is targeted things would become   quite . By being  not firm  during curfew,  message will go that the govt is not sincere in implementing it and trouble would go on. Deaths should be avoided , but where  necessary  can not be avoided.  Natiuonal security takes precedence all the time.Armed forces should not be weakened in Kashmir (5). There is a necessity of replacing the present l;eadership  with more mature  leader who can command some respect in all sections. Otherwise Sheikh Abdulla would reemerge to great    discomfort. Change Omar Abdullah an immature  CM and save Kashmir.

Bibliography.

1 . Dr K Prabhakar Rao . The bungling of Kashmir Issue, New Swatantra Times, VolVIII, No 10. Feb 1996, PP 7

2. .India caught with pants down. December 05, 2008, 06:13 and also published on Progressive Islam.org on December 10, 2008*

 3. I am not Delhis puppet says Omar.   http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Im-not-New-Delhis-puppet-says-Omar/articleshow/6703080.cms

 4, BJP demands removal of Omar as CM,  http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bjp-demands-removal-of-omar-as-kashmir-cm/132586-37-64.html?from=RHShttp://ibnlive.in.com/news/bjp-demands-removal-of-omar-as-kashmir-cm/132586-37-64.html?from=RHS

5. BJP against removal of AFSPA,  http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bjp-demands-removal-of-omar-as-kashmir-cm/132586-37-64.html?from=RHS