Peace
Into Pieces
By Syed Ali Safvi
22 May, 2007
Countercurrents.org
"Indian
state is projecting a rosy picture of situation in Kashmir but the facts
are contrary." "The process of law that should normally follow
any act of violence is entirely absent in the state." "It
is army rule in Kashmir and Army is carrying its tasks without accountability.
I don't know how India calls itself democracy." – These are
not the excerpts from the speech of a Kashmiri separatist leader, but
of some non-Kashmiri Indian human rights activists. In a bid to ascertain
the factual situation in Kashmir, a team of eleven human rights activists
from different parts of India visited Kashmir. After enquiring about
a dozen incidents of police and army high-handedness, the team gave
its report, which refutes the claims of both the state government and
Government of India that the strife-torn, conflict-ridden Valley is
limping towards normalcy.
The eleven-member team has
categorically written in its report that the picture depicted by the
government and the outside state media is wrong. The revelations made
in the report are eye-openers for all those who are made to believe
that everything is normal in Kashmir. If 'normal' is the word which
depicts the present situation in the Vale then I fail to understand
where would 'abnormal' fit?
Army and the government have
been claiming ad-infinitum and ad-nauseam that the situation in Kashmir
has become normal and that the violence has been brought down. But,
at the same time they are not ready for demilitrisation. Army has over
and again maintained that at a given period of time there are about
1500 to 2000 militants operating in the state. Then it makes no sense
to deploy six lakh troops to counter 2000 militants. What is the use
of such a colossal force when it is not at all able to put a break on
violence? Out of sheer anger coupled with frustration, the men-in-uniform
have resort to such inhumane acts which has put to shame even the likes
of Hitler and Chengez Khan.
There are umpteen evidences to prove how army has been misusing the
Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state. The abundant powers
given to the security forces have escalated human rights violations
in the state. Custodial killings, illegal use of force, fake encounters,
rapes, illegal detentions, and disappearances have become a regular
phenomenon in Kashmir. The paradise of Kashmir has not just been lost
but ruined and peace in the Valley has been broken into pieces. For
Kashmiris living life itself has become like walking on the minefield.
Anytime anything can happen. Each day is a new day of death and uncertainty.
Few seconds can change the entire course of life and the world will
not be the same place again. Dogged by poor fate, every Kashmir would
be thinking in his heart of hearts – "God, why was I born
Kashmiri."
Kashmir was the only place where Gandhi had witnessed 'sunshine' and
'sobriety' during the days of partition when rest of the sub-continent
was painted red with blood of thousands of innocents. After more than
half-a-century Kashmir is the only spot in the sub-continent bleeding
with impunity.
Army has wreaked havoc in
the state and the state government is watching like a mute spectator.
It can not do anything except utter a few words of sympathy to the families
which have suffered at the hands of the so-called security forces. In
most of the cases no action has been taken against the errant troopers.
Moreover, in bulk of the cases the victims of the 'insurgency' and 'counter-insurgency'
have not been given relief or compensation, which otherwise is a 'proclaimed
policy' of the state government.
Holding Round Table Conferences or giving hefty economic packages make
no sense when on the other hand human rights violations continue unabated.
If India calls Kashmir her 'integral' part then why the Kashmiris are
not treated at par with other Indians. If Gujarat Fake Encounters can
draw so much criticism from almost all parts of India. Then why Kashmir
fake encounters remain by and large unnoticed.
The ground situation in Kashmir will not improve unless and until the
Govt. of India or the State govt. (remember, it has the power to do
so) revoke the draconian acts – Armed Forces Special Powers Act
(AFSPA) and Public Safety Act (PSA). The govt. must ensure that errant
troops involved in the humanitarian crimes should be brought to book
so that others would learn a lesson.
(The writer can be reached
at [email protected]
)
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