Oct 13, 2010

Kashmir: The Developments

            The Central government called for an All Party Meet in Delhi, after the State had failed to stem violent protests in the Valley which reached a peak on 13 September when 17 civilians were killed in mob violence and clashes with the police on rumours of Koran burning images of which were shown on an Iranian channel,. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing the all-party meeting renewed call for dialogue and discussion which was supported by all participants. The Statement issued at the end of the Meet resolved to send an all party delegation to the State  to meet all sections of the people and gather all shades of opinion.  

            The All Party Delegation (APD) to Jammu & Kashmir on September 21-22, 2010 comprised 34 members of various political parties. Upon its return, after consulting the members of the APD who were available in Delhi, a report was submitted to the Prime Minister. On September 25, 2010, the CCS considered the report and approved an 8-point plan. Of these 8 points, the Central Government has released Rs.100 crore to the Government of J&K. It has also authorized the payment of Rs.5 lakhs to the families of each of the deceased in the civil disturbances. Following the CCS decisions, the schools and colleges in J&K were reopened on September 27, 2010. Besides, a meeting of the Unified Command was held on September 29, 2010 and decisions were taken to remove 16 bunkers/check-points and to release 53 persons, including students, arrested/detained in the wake of the civil disturbances.

The Delegation on its visit to the Valley perceived the boiling anger  which had built up over a period and suggested sustained measures to soothe tempers. This resulted in an eight-point Kashmir formula, which is hoped to be a major step in defusing the crisis but the government would have to ensure that this process is taken forward and not allowed to fizzle out in bureaucratic stasis as so many initiatives before have been. The decisions were formalized in a Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS) meeting on Jammu & Kashmir on 25 September and were as follows:-

1. Appoint a group of interlocutors under the chairmanship of an Eminent person to begin the process of a sustained dialogue with all sections of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, including political parties/groups, youth and student organizations, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.

2. Advise the State Government to immediately release all students and youth detained or arrested for stone pelting or similar violations of law and to withdraw the charges against such students and youth.

3. Advise the State Government to immediately review the cases of all PSA detenues and withdraw the detention orders in appropriate cases.

4. Request the State Government to immediately convene a meeting of the Unified Command and to review the deployment of security forces in the Kashmir Valley, especially Srinagar, with particular reference to de-scaling the number of bunkers, check-points etc. in Srinagar and other towns, and to review the notification of areas as ‘disturbed areas’.

5. Grant ex-gratia relief to the families of the deceased persons at Rs. 5 lakhs per person killed in the civil disturbances since June 11, 2010.

6. Appoint two Special Task Forces, one each for Jammu region and Ladakh region, to examine the developmental needs of the two regions, with particular reference to deficiencies in infrastructure and make suitable recommendations.

7. Request State Government to take steps to immediately reopen all schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions; hold special classes/lectures, if necessary; and to ensure that the examinations for the current academic year (2010-11) are conducted.

8. Provide to the State Government a sum of Rs. 100 Crore as Additional Central Assistance (ACA) in order to make grants to schools and colleges for improvements and additions to the existing infrastructure such as class rooms, auditorium, laboratory, library, play ground, toilet complex etc. [MHA India Press Release].

With resistance by the Defence and the Finance Minister who are very strong voices in the CCS, revocation of the AFSPA was stalled, but the government would do well to ensure that the security picquets in some of the critical areas which have seen some disturbances are withdrawn. The compensation package to some extent will assuage the victims but the key issue remains that of political dialogue and hopefully that would be taken forward. The entire CCS report is in the nature of an advisory to the State government and this is also a notice to Mr Abdullah to perform or perish for this may the last warning to the Chief Minister who has allowed the crisis to precipitate.

The State government acted to put into place guidance issued by the Cabinet Committee on Security. Some of the measures being implemented are as follows:-

·         53 youth/students arrested for stone-pelting to be released on assurance of good conduct.

·         16 bunkers to be removed from Srinagar city.

·         Review Committee to decide on cases of PSA detainees.

·         Committees of civil, army, police officers to review areas declared Disturbed under the AFSPA.

·         Mobile services in Varmul and Sopur to be reactivated.

De-scaling of bunkers and checkpoints in summer capital was long overdue and should provide some relief to the common man. The review of the Disturbed Areas Act under which the AFSPA has been invoked should also go a long way in managing the situation in the days ahead if these are implemented vigorously and speedily. The State government should show greater vigour in the overall decision making and attempt to meet the people’s aspirations by renewing contact at the ground level rather than merely pow-wowing with Delhi if the situation is to be brought under control.

OCT 2010