Kashmiri Pandits and the healing touch

By B.M. Kohli

The ethnic cleaning of a particular community by the militants against started in Kashmir and other areas within four months of Mufti’s assuming power. It clearly indicates that nothing is in his control and the reigns are being pulled only from the other side of the border. The only difference, of course, is that such acts are being participated less by the locals and more by the mercenaries. The trend began much earlier before election but the support of locals has not receded probably due to the danger of gun. There is no doubt now that this massacre of Nadimarg, killing fifty percent minority population of the area in one stretch, has derailed completely the process of re-habilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir. The helpless and innocent Pandits, who chose to stay back in their home-land inspite of all odds, were killed after being paraded in rows in the heart of the village by the militants in Army uniform. This time the chief minister may not be in know how of the reduced strength of security to minority class in Nadimarg but the police officers cannot escape their responsibility, leaving doubts that such heinous crimes are being committed with their connivance in one way or the other by surrendering before the militants without resistance and handing over their arms to them to accomplish their job. As per Star news more than 600 policemen have been suspended for showing cowardice in the discharge of their duties but many of them have been re-instated after manipulated enquiries. But the that remains that Kashmiri Pandits now are more afraid to visit Kashmir, not to speak of resettling there. Such selected massacres of one community and failure of successive Governments to protect them has resulted into complete frustration and mistrust on the assurances made to them. As per a survey conducted in migrant camps and those who are living in their own accommodation, none is willing to return to Kashmir inspite of the difficulties they are facing in the camps and changed circumstances. Some of them were bold enough to say “We were not fools to leave our homes, land and every thing in Kashmir We have done it to save our lives. The Govt. has no control and can provide only lip service.” The feeling of loosing their home land and their acquaintance always reminds them of miseries which they faced for no fault of theirs. The recent incidents at Sunder Bani and Mahore etc. are glaring examples and Police as well as the Govt never feel tired of repeating the same dialogue of healing touch that action shall be taken against the defaulters and the sufferers shall be granted ex-gratia relief”. The militants earlier were seen moving around in the area by the inhabitants continuously for few days and then no action taken by the police or the administration until the militants accomplish their job of killing the innocent villagers, is another example to demonstrate the non seriousness of the authorities, whether Central or State, in such matters Either the resources available with our forces are not sufficient to cope with such emergencies or there is lack of co-ordination between them and the administration. An immediate action in Sunder Bani could have saved the lives of innocent victims, had the authorities taken it seriously. One is at a loss to understand how the concerned officers slept peacefully after the dreaded militants were seen roaming in the area when any body including they themselves whether revenue or policemen could be their victims. A leading national newspaper revealed that two Pakistanis have been found recruited in J&K police. Disbanding of SOG and some VDCs are again going to increase such incidents in future. The Central Govt. is continuously expressing its concern over such matters but initiative has to be taken by the State Govt. like that in UP by the Mayawati Govt. by arresting the anti-national students with out caring for the appeasement of any individual. The healing touch policy no doubt is impressive and required to bring the indirect sufferers to the main stream by making them to realize that the Govt. cares for them. A care has to be taken  not to provide balm to the militant first and to the sufferers later. Already Pakistan is exploiting the youth in Kashmir and in other Muslim countries by luring them with money or all the comforts they are going to receive in heaven. The need of the hour is to educate them to get the most of it in the present world, where all of us are living with our kith and kin and should work for making it a peaceful world and rest is a bonus in case we get it, which no body has seen so far.