The Jammu & Kashmir Government would analyse the latest trend of Kashmiri educated youngsters joining militant ranks as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has described it as a “serious concern”.
An engineering graduate and a university research scholar were among eight militants who recently died in gun-battles with security forces in twin districts of Pulwama and Shopian in south Kashmir. There are many other university passouts who have joined militant ranks after the public uprisings in 2008 and 2010.
“It is a matter of deep concern to be analysed seriously,” Abdullah said on the sidelines of an investiture ceremony.
As many as 104 police personnel including top-ranking officers were awarded with Sher-e-Kashmir police medals for their outstanding performance in gallantry actions especially on the anti-insurgency front between 2002 and 2011.
“Many militants killed in recent encounters in south Kashmir were well qualified mostly belonging to Islamic University of Science and Technology and Kashmir University but why they joined the militant ranks and with what aim, is a question which we will start working on with full analysis,” Omar said, adding that today every single case is being taken with a serious note.
Referring to Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s recent statement on the revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Omar said the Centre has acknowledged the J&K Government’s demand, but clarified that it was a continuous process and his Government was in touch with the Centre on the issue.
When asked that Army is opposing the revocation of AFSPA, Omar said, “This is Government of India’s problem. We are hopeful that it will take steps to revoke this Act.
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s visit to J&K, he said that a misinformation campaign had been launched on the cancellation of the Prime Minister’s visit.
“Misinformation campaign has been spread that the PM’s visit has been cancelled but at this point of time the visit stands as we are in discussion with the PMO regarding the modalities of his visit. We are also in touch with (UPA chairperson) Sonia Gandhi and probably she is also visiting the Valley,” he said.