Jul 22, 2011

From Militancy to Politics – A Noticeable Shift

Around five Lakh domestic as well as foreign tourists have visited Jammu and Kashmir since January to end May. This is evidence of peace prevailing in the state and may demonstrate a distinct shift if the summer passes off peacefully. The past three years had seen a drop in tourists in Kashmir even though there was very limited threat from terrorist groups the overall internal security scenario was marred by a number of incidents of violence, protests and stone throwing. This had a major impact on tourist industry but this time there has been a revival and possibly even separatist leaders are willing to support the government given that this may have impacted their support base.

The interlocutors nominated by the Central Government to work out a political solution by discussion with all sections of society have been reportedly involved in an internal discord over a panel member’s remarks. “A decentralized form of participatory governance under the aegis of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) is most suited to J&K, which is extremely diverse in terms of geo-climatic conditions, endowment of natural resources, ethnicity and politico-economic aspirations. Empowerment of Panchayats with adequate resources, commensurate with the requirements for discharge of local responsibilities provides an ample opportunity to resolve all the outstanding issues, which have contributed to the process of alienation among the people,” one of the interlocutors Ansari wrote in a column in a newspaper Greater Kashmir published in the Valley. Other interlocutors as Dileep Padgaonkar and Radha Kumar seem to disagree with these views.

The differences in the interlocutors are not unusual, but public airing of views by one of the group will raise controversies. How much this will undermine the purpose for which the group was set and also acceptability of the solutions they provide is another concern and the exercise may remain controversial unless there is sufficient consensus within the group. Even though separatist leaders have not met the interlocutors at least in public there have been some reports of a contact which have to be verified. The group is expected to submit a final report in October this year.

Cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade between Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which was suspended for four weeks has resumed on a low note during the month with 39 truck-loads of goods exchanged. The  traders want relief from Value Added Tax and other impositions and also want to move from barter to a currency based system. Opening of trade however has led to some consternation in the separatist camp. United Jihad Council chief Syed Salahuddin is concerned that cross-LoC trade will weaken the movement for separatism as it would break barriers. Salahuddin, who is also the chief of Hizbul Mujahideen, said, “We are not against cross-LoC trade, but this is part of India’s tactics to occupy the state.”

28 names of militants wanting to return to the state from Pakistan occupied Kashmir  (POK) have been cleared of the 700 applications received. "80 more names will be cleared by the end of this month. Hopefully, all these 108 militants will return home next month," an official said.

Separatists in the Valley also seem to have shifted their focus from political issues to non-political ones like female foeticide, tourism and social evils.  The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has taken initiative and has called for sustained campaign against female foeticide later both the factions of Hurriyat Conference have also followed suit however their focus is on so called immoral activities and maintaining pure values. The subtle shift in the agenda of the separatists having gauged the mood of the people is welcome, in a way this also indicates success of the policy of the Centre to push political issues in the background and encourage economic activity and development so that these can lead to reconciliation.

While the JKLF which is for independence has made the first move to shift to social issues, whether those groups which form a part of the Hurriyat Geelani faction and are seen to be hawkish will join the band wagon remains to be seen. The passage of summer peacefully in Jammu and Kashmir will indicate the road map ahead but there are still many more weeks to go therefore all parties are keeping their fingers crossed despite the rise in the number of tourists to the state. But for the people of Kashmir reassurance of hundreds of tourists is hope of a bright future ahead.

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