01 January/Monday   

The efforts of J&K Administration to wean away youths from joining militancy have started yielding results. As part of a big initiative to de-radicalise the youths the J & K government is reviewing cases of 5,500 youth in a bid to save their academic career and amalgamate them into the mainstream. These first-time stone pelters of 2016-17 are being currently reviewed by the expert committee headed by the DGP, Mr S P Vaid.

Earlier, in November, cases against 4,327 youths involved in 744 incidents of stone pelting and other law and order problems during 2010-2014, were withdrawn under the Chief Minister’s amnesty scheme. Around 634 youths involved in 104 cases of 2008-2009 were given amnesty under this scheme. The incidents of stone pelting have also seen a sharp decline, which is a measure of success of this policy.   

Other dimension of Deradicalization is Newly introduced homecoming policy for local militants, which too has also yielded positive results. The return of Majid Khan a popular local footballer has inspired many to shun the guns and join the main stream. So far seven boys have come back to join their families. More boys are expected to come back. So far, the J & K police has brought back 74 boys from the jaws of militancy. The J & K Government is determined in its efforts that local terrorists drop guns and join the mainstream.

In 2017, around 206 terrorists were neutralised, of which 84 were locals and 121 foreign terrorists. Local recruitment has come down drastically, while the number of foreign militants being eliminated has risen high.  The increase in cease fire violation by Pakistan to push in more number of militants across the Line of Control, indicates that Pakistan sees Indian success as deradicalization as a big blow to Kashmir militancy. The release of Hafiz Saeed is also aimed at reviving the dying militancy.

Operation All Out

Collateral damage is part of any military operations. Death of around 24 civilians in anti-militancy operations in last year, should not be viewed as brutal killing the innocents by the security forces. Getting caught and killed or injured in the cross fire is different as compared to gathering at encounter site with an aim to prevent the Forces from eliminating the militants and getting killed/injured in the bargain. There is misconception that Operation All Out is about killing. It is not like that. Killing is only a small portion of the overall strategy and thought process of Operation All Out, while major portion is about overall improvement by way of getting youth back through surrender and counselling. All Out is against people with guns in hands and not against peaceful citizens. If someone throws weapons and is willing to join the main stream – he is most welcome and his rehabilitation is a major responsibility of the Government.

The question which every Kashmiri needs to answer is that- who are their role models- the likes of Shah Faesal the IAS topper, Nabeel Ahmed the BSF topper or the rag tag Jihadis, who are just a pawn in the hands of their Pakistani handlers.