Bring an end to the legitimacy of separatists
With continued curfew and shutdown for the 30th straight day in Kashmir, the Governments at the Centre and in the State must see that a solution is reached to bring back normalcy. Realising the mounting pressure on the security forces on the eve of the heightened anti-Government campaign launched and inspired by the three separatist leaders — Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, the Union Government must chalk out a full-proof strategy either to initiate dialogue with them or to win back the confidence of the ordinary people in the State. In fact, the much speculation on a possible dialogue is seen as nothing but a charade by many separatist leaders. Therefore, bringing calm through the civilian agencies and an effective involvement of the State Government can be a better option. It is disheartening that after a long lull in the activities of the militants in the State, once again both the infiltration from across the line of Control (loC) and the local protests involving masses are growing. The Government must respond to the civilian protests with utmost caution, but security has to be tightened. Else, the Pakistani establishments will be making inroads into the valley in the garb of the current protests.
Why such a big spurt in the protests, hate speeches and killings in the StateIJ Is it because of the killing of Burhan WaniIJ Is it so that Pakistan was eagerly waiting for an opportune moment like the killing of WaniIJ Is it a kind of targeted protest and show of strength against the BJP-led dispensation at the CentreIJ Finally, does it show the helplessness of the current Mehbooba Mufti Government in handling the upheaval of terror activitiesIJ Precisely, the Army and the police personnel are finding it challenging on the ground when they have witnessed the militants delivering hate speeches just to encourage anti-India sentiment and fanning out their presence across the valley. It can be said that the management of internal security assumes greater importance as ever. Unfortunately, the presence of hostile neighbours like Pakistan enables the agents of the internal conflicts, mainly in Jammu & Kashmir, for receiving external support in respect of money, arms and sanctuaries from across the border. Killing of Wani was just a spark and Pakistan is gladly assisting its proxies for destablising the State and more particularly bringing a bad name to the present Mufti Government. As the independence day is approaching, the militants will definitely try stoking more violence in the State, but the sustained armed operations along the loC by the security agencies will be helpful in throttling their misadventures. The call issued by the separatists for a public blockade of all Government offices so that no employee can join duty was a direct threat to the Government and it should not be taken complacently. These are disturbing signals and detailed intelligence must be gathered on the spiraling of such activities. Apart from their call for office boycott, the appeal to their supporters to take up special cleanliness drives in Srinagar, in parts of north and south Kashmir is no other than an attempt to create parallel governance structures by them. It is time now to bring an end to their legitimacy.