Tensions have mounted in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) during the past month. The people’s protests became unmanageable for the state government and the Army was called in to flag march in the state on July 7th. The recent round of anti-India protests were triggered by the killing of 15 people by the security forces during street demonstrations against alleged human rights violations. It is the first time in over a decade that the Army is called in to control the local crowd.
[Photo Courtesy: The Hindu]
The Government of India is referring to it as a law and order problem prompted by separatists. According to India’s Home Minister P. Chidambaram, “On June 25 (at Chankhan Bridge, Sopore) and on June 28 (at Kapra Cinema Hall, Sopore) the CRPF had to use force in self-defense.” Nevertheless, the Home Minister has assured that issue of ‘excessive use of force’ shall be examined and the CRPF has been instructed to “observe maximum restraint”.
According to Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of the state, the recent incidents reflect the frustration emerging from the failure of political dialogue rather than failure of governance. According to him prospects of talks with separatists within the state have greater possibility of success when a parallel process of India-Pakistan dialogue is underway.
In a press conference Omar Abdullah, appealed to all the parents to counsel their children, “to ensure that their children do not come out and engage security forces in stone pelting…It is not a simple law and order situation. This is a battle of wits. It is a battle of ideas and ideologies. Various anti-national forces and vested interests have come together to foment trouble. It is extremely unfortunate that vulnerable youth are being incited and brought to the forefront resulting in such tragic incidents.” C.M. Abdullah has held three rounds of interactions with the locals since the recent deaths to “listen to the people” and consider their suggestions.
Despite appeals by the government, people have continued to defy the curfew and the situation seems to be getting tense. It makes one wonder what prompted the people to confront heavily armed Indian security forces with stones and slogans? The official explanation that Lashkar-e-Taiba is misleading the young protestors does not seem to be an appropriate answer. According to C.M. Abdullah stones and guns can’t change the political map of J&K. But what point were these protesters making by resorting to stones and “not” guns?
Another important concern is the use of non-violent means of mob-dispersal by the CRPF? Opening fire is the instrument of last resort while dispersing mobs, especially when the armed forces and protestors belong to a democratic state. From tear gas to water cannons, the armed forces have a variety of options to dissolve crowds of protestors.
Indian government’s version of the J&K situation is increasingly becoming unreliable given the recently imposed curbs on the free movement of media personnel in the state. According to the Press Guild of Kashmir, the Omar Abdullah Government has done “everything to stop the media persons from discharging their professional duties.” Curfew passes were issued to reporters and photographers but were rejected by patrolling troops who snatched several cameras from journalists, according to Javed Dar, a local photographer.
Situation in the state continues to remain tense and is likely to emerge as a critical test for the Omar Abdullah Government. The Government is faced with the dual task of controlling street violence and fulfilling its role as the people’s representatives. Excessive dependence on the state and federal security apparatus could check street fighting but it could further alienate the local population.
