The General (has) come out with the astounding proposition that terrorism in J&K will come to an end only if India agrees to a dialogue with him on Kashmir. If Pakistan has no control over the terrorists, how come he knows the terrorists mind? The presence of hundreds of Pakistanis and Afghans among the terrorists gives the lie to his claim that the insurgency in Kashmir is a "local" problem, of India's own creation. In the aftermath of Musharraf's debacle in Kargil, we are currently faced with an unprecedented upsurge in terrorist activities in J&K. Gen. Musharraf may not admit it but he has thrown a direct challenge to the sovereignty of India. And much as he may not like it, several countries are beginning to disbelieve Pakistani claims of innocence.

But we must remember that our war against terrorism has to be fought and won by us alone. It is in this context that one welcomes New Delhi's belated moves to give a more purposeful turn to counter-insurgency measures in Kashmir. Whatever the ingredients of the new counter-insurgency plans, we have to remember that there can be no lasting peace unless a sound political strategy is simultaneously evolved, one that embraces all sections of political, social and economic opinion in the State. Such a policy has to be something more than the present ad- hocism of the Farooq administration.

However, our previous experience shows that the unified command was anything but "unified". The various agencies involved in the command were pulling in different directions and, tragically, even working at cross purposes. The Chief Minister who was technically the head of the command rarely found time to take its meetings and instead nominated the Chief Secretary to deputise for him. The new regime provides a role for the State Governor even as the Chief Minister stays as the head of the Unified Command.

New Delhi has never over the past 50 years allowed an alternative to the National Conference to grow. The NC, under the leadership of Sheikh Abdullah, undoubtedly played a historic role but in the years following the Sheikh, who for his own reasons was averse to let national parties entering the State, none of the major political parties really showed any interest in involving itself in J&K politics. The BJP did put in an appearance but only as a Hindu party, confining itself to the predominantly Hindu areas; the Congress party's presence always depended on the state of its relationship ... with Sheikh Abdullah. This more or less left the Valley entirely to the National Conference.

The NC may still be the most broad-based party in the State but the Farooq years have rendered it most ineffective and rudderless. It is unfortunate that every attempt by even pro-Indian combinations to form a rival political party have been thwarted by New Delhi by simple devices such as choosing to give poll ... irregularities by the NC a blind eye and lately giving Farooq a free hand to have his writ run.

The three years and more that Farooq has been in power, he has done little to address the grievances of the people. He continues to be inaccessible. His constant refrain for some time now has been that he needs more Central funds for development and security.

The new trial balloon floated by him is the demand for autonomy ... What good is greater autonomy to the state of anarchy to which J&K has been reduced? How are the people going to benefit if the Chief Minister is called Wazir-e-Azam and Governor, Sadr-e-Riyasat ?...

Farooq Abdullah's ... reckless inability to build bridges between his Government and the people causes concern. A luxury aircraft for his own use or building brand new gold courses is not people's priority. They want their basic needs to be provided. We must pursue the new counter-insurgency programme with vigour but let us not give a handle to the campaign across the border that the situation in Kashmir is repressive.

Farooq Abdullah as Chief Minister and the head of the unified command must be seen by the people as a healer without compromising on security and law and order. Simultaneously, efforts must be made to broaden the political dialogue in Kashmir, involving all secular, pro-Indian elements ... (Source: The Pioneer, 1 February, 2000)

 Extend Gujarat Dispensation to J&K

Editorial, The Greater Kashmir,3 Feb., 2000

Permission to its employees by Gujarat government to joint he ranks of the RSS is, but one example of the hidden agenda remaining hidden no more ... The hard reality is that while a district magistrate in Gujarat shall sport his official identity card he shall also possess one issued to him as the basic worker of the RSS. What is such a basic worker supposed to do in times of a communal flare-up?

Does it need any explanation? It is said that every human being has a dual personality; One that he displays and the other that he actually possesses. Isn't it now intended to remove the outward façade that most public servants have? What has been legitimized by the Gujarat government shall find takers in a lot many of other Indian states. J&K must not remain an unnecessary exception to this changed perception at the all India level. A humble contribution can be now made by the state government by announcing that its employees can also become members of political or religious parties whose existence has been alleged to be anathema to the so-called national interest ..

Harish Khare On Advani as Prisoner of Bureaucracy

Despite official assurances to the contrary the Government has not been able to prevent the infiltration of a large number of professional mercenaries. These mercenaries have made their presence felt even in downtown Srinagar .... Despite the "magnificent victory in Kargil", the combined resources of the Army, paramilitary forces and the J&K police have not been able to check the entry of mercenaries.

What is more everybody, including the Defence Minister ... had warned that in order to avenge the "Kargil humiliation" the militants would step up their violence.

The security forces are busy performing a thankless job of killing as many mercenaries as possible ... Despite the BJP-RSS long-held views about the inadequacies of the Abdullah family, the Vajpayee Government has allowed itself to get sucked into the quagmire.

There is a National Conference (NC) representative (Omar Farooq) in the Vajpayee Government, notwithstanding the fact that the NC and the BJP were on the opposite sides in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections. This is the most blatant example of political dishonesty, but is tolerated in the name of "national interest".

That the Abdullah family does not care for its political credibility in J&K cannot be Advani's concern; but as the Union Home Minister it is his duty to ensure that the democratic political space does not shrink any further.

Everyone in the Valley believes that the security forces played the bountiful god, deciding which political party should win. In the process Advani presided over an "operation" that politically squeezed out democratic dissent from the likes of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and Saifuddin. Soz; the bottom line of this "operation" is that dissent now comes only from the Hurriyat quarters ...

Advani ... has now revealed himself to be as much a prisoner of North Block's unimaginative orthodoxy as those preceded him. He too has come to rely on the Indian Army's capacity to contain the militants, instead of trying to "solve" the Kashmir problem.

(Source: The Hindu, 17 December, 1999)

 Autonomy has no Takers

S. Zahoor in The Greater Kashmir, 29 Jan., 2000

The political observers opine that with its acceptance of the autonomy report the state government could not only end up in a straight collision with the centre but there are no takers for the autonomy card within the state as well. The observers feel that the people in Jammu and Ladakh are already up in arms against the 'sinister move' of the ruling party and even in Kashmir valley and Muslim majority areas of the Jammu region there are no takers for autonomy as the pre-dominant opinion in these areas is for separation from India.

.. The BJP with which NC is a power-sharer at the centre, is up in arms against the ruling party's intentions to restore autonomy to the state ...

... Dr. Abdullah's role has now been restricted to rubber stamp administrative head of the state. And seeing the power going out of his hands, he has started trumpeting the autonomy issue which he himself had otherwise buried on the birth anniversary of his father saying "restoration of autonomy was a distant dream".

So far as the Valley is concerned ... the discriminatory policies of the centre have further eroded the faith of Kashmiris in the Indian democracy. The pro-India NC has completely lost ground in the Valley and it does not command any support among the masses due to its policies of duplicity, treachery and betrayal of the people, the observers feel ... The acceptance of the Pre-1953 position for J&K might open up a Pandora's box for the BJP government which is otherwise committed to further integration of the- state with the rest of the country.

Whether or not NC can convert the delicate autonomy issue into a political trump cared, only coming days are going to unravel. However, keeping in mind the prevailing ground reality, one prospect looks certain: that is, though the autonomy issue might generate some ruckus in the Centre-State relationship, the Kashmiris are expected to watch the development with the same ... old stoic silence ...

Brij Bhardwaj on Checking, Popular Support to Militancy

Can the security measures alone turn the tide in the .. State ... The situation can change only if we are able to win the battle of the hearts of the Kashmiri people. A beginning can be made by ensuring that people are able to participate in free and fair elections.

... Common people, afraid of the militants' gun and crushed under the burden of a corrupt administration, have lost the will to defy the militants ... A new effort is required to make a distinction between the militants who are supported and financed by Pakistan and others who are operating independently inspired by their desire to be free.

A dialogue with some organisations who are willing to operate within the framework of the Indian Constitution should not be out of place. Similarly all political outfits should be actively involved in the fight against militants. The insurgents, who want to give up militancy and join the mainstream, should be suitably rehabilitated and provided protection

The need for a proper strategy is essential as militancy in Kashmir will remain with us until we deal with it in full measure. It is difficult to control the determined militants or suicide squads but the popular support which provides them sustenance can certainly be checked. Dr. Abdullah will be an important part of the new strategy but to depend on him totally will be a major folly ... The support for militants by Pakistan will not change irrespective of the change of Government in Pakistan. The fight against them is a long process and requires a multifaceted strategy. Dependence on force along will not carty us far. We need to hit the militants but we also need to start a dialogue while carrying with us all pro-India elements.

(Source: The Pioneer, 13 November, 1999)

Kanwar Sandhu On Role of Ex-Militants

Six years ago, the Ikhwans [ex-militants] were the Army's valuable asset. Working largely in the shadows, the surrendered militants were of great help in tracking down militants in the Valley. They knew the hideouts and the terrain. Soon, they began getting regular salaries but over the years as their numbers have grown, they are now increasingly becoming a liability.

In fact, today, there are many who resent them. Local residents view them with deep suspicion-some even with contempt-for switching sides. Mainstream parties sneer at their recent attempts to jump into electoral politics.

Even the Army admits their limited use ... It's estimated that there are close to 3,000 of them operating in the Valley (with) different security agencies ... It was recently decided that Ikhwans get a uniform salary of Rs.1500 p.m.

Several cases of extortion, looting and harassment by surrendered militants have been reported. Since some of them surrendered to avenge excesses by fellow-militants, they have been settling personal scores ...

Given their proximity to the Army, Ikhwans are also being targeted by militants ... The Ikhwans, armed with official sanction and protection, were much sought after by parties during elections. This prompted many to contest polls themselves ... Kukka Parrey floated his own political party Awami League, as an MLA from Sonawar. Javed Shah, formerly of the Al-Jehad, joined National Conference and is a member of the state legislative council. Another militant of Muslim Mujahideen (now called Peoples' Patriotic Front) contested the Lok Sabha elections from South Kashmir but lost.

Security officials admit that Ikhwans have become yet another element in the Valley's turbulent politics. "We know the dangers of pandering to these elements but without them we are totally at sea in the Valley," says the Army.  (Source: The Indian Express, 9 December, 1999)

Failure in Kashmir

Editorial, The Hindustan Times, 15 Dec.,1999

The series of grenade explosions and firings by terrorists in prominent Srinagar localities all through the day on 13 December, 1999 are a disturbing reminder that the government continues to be at sea in dealing with the Pakistan-orchestrated militancy in the Valley ... (This) would suggest that the Centre is yet to evolve a coherent strategy - military or political - to tackle the fundamentalist terror unleashed on the uniformed personnel ...

All this pointedly suggests that the security situation in J&K ... has deteriorated disconcertingly. If such a state of affairs.persists, emboldened militant activity may well be expected to spread to regions beyond Kashmir ...

On Establishment of Casino in Srinagar Shahabuddin's Correspondence With Chief Minister of J&K,

I - 15 September, 1999

The Indian Express, New Delhi, has reported today that your Government has sanctioned the opening of a casino in a hotel of Srinagar and that two more such applications are under consideration. It is also reported that the sanction was issued because of your 'personal interest'. Senior officers have pointed out that so far gambling is legally banned in the State.

Your Finance Minister is reported to have stated that the State Government has to enact a law before sanctioning a casino.

The existence of a casino may or may not increase the tourist flow but it will certainly further alienate the people of the Valley. I request you to re-examine the question in a broader perspective.

Il - 21 September, 1999

This facility that is being provided in two 5-Star hotels is not going to be for the locals ... This is only for the tourists who will be visiting the VaMley and thus will not in any way affect our way of life. This project is still in its infancy and all other pros and cons will be studies.

(Source: CM's Letter No. CMJK/PS/OS/99 dated 21.9.1999 to Shahabuddin)

III - 29 September, 1999

I thank you for your DO No.CMKJ/PS/OS/99 dated 21 September, 1999 regarding the proposed licensing of Casinos in 2 Five-star Hotels in Srinagar.

The point that the Casinos will be out of bounds for the local people, while they are open to tourists (including those from the rest of the country) may not be legally tenable. Nor will it politically advisable or defensible.

In this connection, I would like to bring to your notice the public furore in Goa against opening even off- shore casinos. I request you to reconsider your views.

IV - J&K Awami National Conference's Statement, 23 September, 1999

The J&K Awami National Conference gave a clarion call for mobilising public opinion against the CASINO menace which is being brought in clandestinely for the promotion of tourism in the State. This menace is the thin edge of the wedge of destruction posing a devastating threat to our rich cultural heritage ...

Carefully executed hits at establishments of the Indian security forces in J&K are aimed at shaking the confidence of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their capacity to protect them against the fundamentalist terror. This is the first step toward reigniting political and social support for secessionism ...