epilogue magazine, september 2008

8/7/2019 Epilogue Magazine, September 2008

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Epilogueb e c a u s e t h e r e i s m o r e t o k n o w

www.epilogue.in

Editor in Chief

Zafar Choudhary

Consulting Editor

D. Suba Chandran

Associate Editor

Irm Amin Baig

Designs & Layout

Keshav Sharma

Mailing Address

PO Box 50, HO Gandhi Nagar,

Jammu

Phones & email

Office : +91 191 2493136

Editorial: +91 94191 80762

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Edited, Printed & Published by

Zafar Choudhary for CMRD

Publications and Communications

Published from Ibadat, Madrasa

Lane, Bhatindi Top, Jammu, J&K

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Disputes, if any, subject to jurisdiction

of courts and competitive tribunals in

Jammu only.

Price : Rs 15

CONTENTS

Prologue

Letters to the editor 4

Hear & Hear

5

Columns

Keen Eye 6

Ladakh

Agriculture 44Interview 47Diary 49

Stop Press

Review of Media 51

Reviews

Movies 53

Epilogue

From the Consulting Editor 56

3

Who Said What

Volume 2, Issue 9, September 2008

IN FOCUS

Fire 2008

Jammu And Kashmir9Beginning Of The Endgame

Post-Agitation18Uphill Task For Jammus Politics, Economy

Amarnath Confrontation :22Is It Sureal ?

Replay Of 90s ?26Still No Lessons From History

Find The Enemy28...It Is Communalism

Our Mis-Leaders, 39 Hectares33Of Land And Seesaw Of Faith

Jam-Kash Showdown35Clash Of Vested Interests

Reconnecting Kashmir :39Need For Reopening Traditional Routes

After 2500 Cr Loss,41Eyes On Jhelum Valley Road

Epilogue1September 2008

For more News, Views & AnalysisLog on to

www.epilogue.in


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Center For Contemporary Studies


Jammu & Kashmir

The J&K CCS, a non-profit institute, is engaged in research onissues of contemporary importance involving Jammu and kashmir

For an upcoming project on people of Jammu and Kashmir, theJ&K CCS invites proposals from researchers, scholars, teachers,journalists and other dispassionate observers of life to write briefbiographical account of the personalities listed below. It may benoted that the list is not complete and will be continuouslyupdated during life of the project. Interested writers may alsosuggest names of people who, they believe, have contributed tochange in Jammu and Kashmir. The biographical accountinvolving a critical analysis of personality, successes, failuresand contributions to various aspects of general life, shaping upthoughts and present positioning in the public space should be inaround 2500 to 3000 words. A modest honorarium of Rs.

1000 is being offered for each submission. Any particular authorcan not write on more than two personalities. Interested authorsare requested to list their choice of personality with J&K CCSbefore starting the assignment so as to avoid many authorsw r i t i n g o n s a m e p e r s o n .

THE PEOPLE

Aagha Ashraf Ali

ZG Muhammad Khwaja Sonaullah Bhatt Omar Abdullah Farooq Abdullah Mehbooba Mufti Mufti

Mohammad Sayeed GM Shah Mirwaiz Omar Farooq Shabir Ahmed Shah Mohammad Yasin Malik Pervez

Imroz Mian Abdul Quyoom Nighat Shafi Pandit Prof Hamidi Kashmiri

Muhammed Yusuf Taing Prof Rehman Rahi Syed Ali Shah Geelani Syeda Aasiya Andrabi

J&K CCS Ibadat Madrasa Lane, Bathindi Top, Jammu Ph : (O) 0191 2493136 , 94191 80762email : [email protected], [email protected]

Contact :Contact :

ANNOUNCEMENT


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Around three months back a rigging the1987 elections. Then it tookfront page story in Srinagar 20 years to restore some order ofnewspaper and later a much semblance. Yet no lessons were learnt.detai led report also in a This time around the government in

Srinagar based magazine asked, who Jammu and Kashmir which triggered thesays separatists are not participating in Amarnath landmine was headed byelections? At that time the buzzword in Congress. The Government in New DelhiKashmir was about the forthcoming is also headed by the Congress. Do weelections. Further explaining the still need to blame the Pakistan's ISI for

argument, the story pointed out that all this mess? The worst scenario thismuch of the separatist sentiment has time, however, is that there has beenbeen consolidated by the mainstream dangerous fallout in Jammu a placepolitical parties seeking to work under which endured everything silently andthe constitutional ambit. The reference welcomed everyone who felt insecurewas to Peoples Democratic Party and in rest of the state. All those gaps whichthe National Conference. One leading were required to be filled in forexample was given of Mohammad Yaqub achieving a larger goal of peace andVakil one of the founder members of stability have been widened. The gulfHurriyat Conference who joined the between Kashmir and New Delhi, thePDP and was tipped to contest elections gulf between Kashmir and Jammu andfrom one of assembly constituencies in more dangerously the gulf betweencentral Kashmir district of Badgam. various sections of society has neverYaqub was not a case in isolation. He been as wide as it is being seen today.

was among at least three dozen such When things were normal no effortspoliticians who continued to toe the were made to make people talk to eachseparatist line and at the same time other. Our present issue carries wellprepared to participate in a democratic opinionated essays and articles on theexercise. A month and half later, when bloody fire which has engulfed JammuYaqub issued a statement on his and Kashmir. Gautam Navlakha's leaddissociation from the PDP; again he was essay comes as an eye opener for allnot the case in isolation. All those who those who have been rubbishing thehad been thinking on these lines stand eruption as temporary. Syeda Afshanathrown back to the scene of 1990s. A gives a poetic sketch of life's returnstage has reached in the Valley where journey in Kashmir. Interviews with theeven the PDP and NC are now shy of members of Shri Amarnath Yatratalking about elections. They are asking Sangharsh Samiti which spearheadedfor a larger debate on Azadi. This is how Jammu agitation open a window to the

New Delhi lost its plot in Kashmir in a discrimination sentiment in the region. Iperiod of just little over two months. am afraid if New Delhi can do anything atLooking back at such eruption 20 years this stage but at least the Civil Societyback once can recollect how Congress can take a lead in picking up the threads.twisted the neck of democracy in 1984(by toppling an elected government) Feedback :and then buried this institution by [email protected]

Thus Begins The End

Zafar Choudhary


P R O L O G U E

FROM THE EDITOR


EPILOGUE aims at providing a platform where a meaningfulexchange of ideas, opinion andthoughts can take place among the

people and about the people ofJammu & Kashmir. The attempt is toresearch, investigate, communicateand disseminate information, ideasand alternatives for the resolution ofcommon problems facing the stateand society of Jammu & Kashmir andin the context of their significance toSouth Asia as a whole.

We welcome contributions fromacademics, journalists, researchers,economists and strategic thinkers.We would also like to encourage

first-time writers with the onlyrequirements being a concern for andthe desire to understand the

prevailing issues and themes of life inJammu & Kashmir

Contributions may be investigative,descriptive, analytical or theoretical.They may be in the form of originalarticles or in the form of a comment oncurrent events. All contributions haveto be neatly typed in double space andmay be sent to the address given

alongside or e-mailed to the editor.

W h i l e t h e e d i t o r a c c e p t sresponsibility for the selection of thematerial published, individualauthors are responsible for the facts,

figures and views in their articles.


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They eroded essence of 2002 Get some views from other side Spare labourers

also2002 assembly elections in Jammu and It is deeply regretted that the poor

Kashmir were hailed and applauded labourers from outside the state areWith EPILOGUE We feel relaxed and

world over for their fairness. being treated shabbily by none otherinformed about the political and

Unfortunately what followed later was than the so called secular voices of theotherwise happenings in Jammu and

unfair. The ruling coalition partners, the Kashmir. (Biharis on radar in Kashmir,Kashmir, but at the same time it isPDP and the Congress eroded credibility Epilogue, August 2008) God knows, whyrequested that a view from other side ofof the whole exercise for their mutual they are destroying the very essence ofKashmir may also be carried, after alland continuous engagement in a bitter Kashmiriyat i.e. tolerance? A secularthe world knows very little aboutacrimony next five and half years. Yes society like that of Jammu and KashmirNeelam Valley. Now time demands aindeed, they had made 30 pledges to leaves no space for the communal andvision and voice from Muzzafarabadthe people at the time of assuming intolerable forces that are hell bent toalso, so you can be helpful to bridge theoffice but they conveniently forgot to spoil the progress of the state.gap. Anyhow the last issue covering theissue a white paper while demitting the

Ladakh story with statical figuresoffice. Kudos to Epilogue (August, 2008 Mohit Sharma

Jammu Universityissue) for a precise but still fair analysis deserves appreciations

of the points of coalition's CommonZubaid Rana,Minimum Program. My suggestion is that Media should not succumb

Bangalorewhen PDP and Congress come for votes

again, public should first seek a status D e e p l y c o n c e r n e d o v e r t h e

Thanks ! Wajahat Habibullahreport on these pledges before developments in Jammu and Kashmirentertaining them. we have been just trying to getThe views expressed by Jenab WajahatReyaz Dar updates from the media. Looking at

Baramulla, Kashmir Habibullah over recent happenings in different outlets one ends up inthe state (in his interview, Epilogue, confusion. One based in Jammu has

August 2008) clearly signify that no entirely different feel of things thanIIsecular and informed person like him the one in Srinagar. And those in Newcan remain mute at this juncture, Delhi have altogether different storyNothing serious was done on the CMPperhaps he knows more about the state to tell. It appears that all means ofpledges. Bitter but the fact is that manyand is worried about the present print and electronic media areof the pledges of the duo wentscenario. Wajahat Sahab truly deserves somewhere under the influence ofunnoticed. Unfortunately none of thea warm appreciation for always showing locals and religious groups. May betwo partners is willing to own the guiltcourtesy for the cause of Kashmir, surely somewhere crossing the line of truethat they failed in keeping their

journalism. To say the least, I amtime has compelled him to speak up.promises. The serious research andhappy that Epilogue is still adopting aPeople like him, across the society needanalysis of EPILOGUE is appreciable tobalanced approach. Keep it up!to come for the sake of nationality.remind us that politicians always

remain politicians.Kanhaiya Bhardwaj,Ahsan Ahmed Rather,Avenesh Dutta,

Mumbai.Advocate, AnantnagPoonch

M A I L B O X

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


Mail your letters to [email protected]


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The recent incidents in the state ofIf police agencies continue to use excessiveJammu and Kashmir are a cause forforce, then it will be difficult for people likeconcern. In this hour of crisis, divisiveme to continue in Parliament'.politics will lead us nowhere'.

Omar Abdullah, MP , President, National Conference

Dr . Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister Of India

India needs azadi from Kashmir as much as Kashmirneeds azadi from India'.

'Vohra (NN; Governor J&K) is myArundhati Roy, Social Activists and Writerfriend but I still feel his exit isnecessary to cool down tempers inJammu'.

We are Pakistanis and Pakistan is us becauseDr. Karan Singh, Former,

we are tied with the country through Islam'. Sadar-e-Riyast, Jammu and Kashmir,

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Leader, Hurriyat Conference,

The current attitude of the Kashmiri Leaders of all hueshas convinced us that our own movement for securing a

They (Kashmiris) will neither act nor go there. Union Territory status is justified'.Otherwise, Muzaffarabad is also our area and if they arehappy to go there let them go' Thupstan Chhewang, MP, Leader, Ladakh Union Territory Front

Leela Karan,, Convener, Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti

Mehbooba Mufti feels her rhetoric willmislead the people on the LandThe situation in Jammu and Kashmir is Controversy but she is too inexperienced'reminiscent of the times when a permit wasneeded for a visit there'.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former CM, J&KL.K Advani, Leader BJP


H E A R A N D H E A R

WHO SAID WHAT

Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Former CM J&K

'No one can airlift land from Kashmir to Jammu.

It should be given back to the SASB for the yatraperiod only. It is just a matter of two months.

We should not forget that scores of locals earn

their livelihood by the yatra'.


8/45

Wpro-Pakistan. Mirwaiz's predecessor on the phone and asked me what washile in terms of massMaulvi Yusuf was against Sheikh the hurry. I told him that there was soinvolvement in the protestAbdullah 's decision in favour of much trust for government of Indiam o v e m e n t a g a i n s taccession to India and had ran away to which his ministry had squandered. Hemysterious disappearancePakistan whereas GM Karra was leader further asked me "how"? In reply I said,of Moe-Muqdas, there was noof a pro-Pakistan party Political did he want me to explain the wholeprecedence, it was mainly directedConference. How, the holy relic was story on telephone. Then he asked meagainst GM Bakshi and his nominee torecovered from whom, according to to come immediately.the post of the Prime Minister,Mullik, "was an intelligence operationShamusuddin. This was evident from thenever to be disclosed."incident quoted by Mr. Yousuf Sheikh I told Nanda that Vishwanthan had

when Bakshi Rashid's jeep was thrown refused to get the holy relic identifiedinto the Jhelum and he had to run away As the situation started deteriorating I by the Action Committee and had statedto save his life. There were appeals to

rushed to Delhi to seek the intervention th at any bod y who dem an dedthe government of India, in particular to of Indian leaders. The PSP, which was identification was a Pakistani agent,the Prime Minister Nehru, to intervene the major opposition party in the thus dubbing almost the entirein the situation. country agreed to sent Nath Pai to population of Kashmir as Pakistanis.

Kashmir as it had earned some goodwill Nanda heard series of my allegations

as a vocal voice against GM Bakshi's rule. and spoke to the Home Secretary onBut contrary to the impression of theBut he fell ill andauthor of the article, BN Mullik, thecould not go. I soughtDirector of Intelligence Bureau and Lalan appointment withBahadur Shastri did not work inthe Home Ministercooperation. Much damage had been byGulzari Lal Nanda butMu l l i ck and Home Secre tarywas asked to wait tillVishwanathan that Shastri was sent bya de l e g a t i on o fNehru to repair. Even after the relic was

Kashmir government,restored on January 1964 as who was coming tosurreptitiously as it had disappeared, onsee him had met him. I27 December 1963 the two officers ofinsisted that I shouldthe government of India refused to getmeet Nanda beforeit identified the reason for their refusalofficial delegation.to do so was that two of the three mainNanda himself cameleaders of the Action Committee were

When I read Mohammad Yousuf Shaheen's reminiscences of the mass movement in Kashmir from 27 December 1963 to 4February 1964, for the recovery of the holy relic in a local English daily, I, too, felt like recording my reminiscences as I wasdeeply involved in it and had played my humble role in resolving the crises created by it. However, I remained too muchdistracted by a mass upsurge in Kashmir followed by a similar upsurge in Jammu for and against revocation of thegovernment order for transfer of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. Even now I would not be able to deal with all thedetails of the events which I know but only refer to what I could do during those crucial days. The role I could play in the holyrelic agitation was facilitated due to my close association with its three leaders, Maulana Mohammad Saeed Mussoodi,Ghulam Mohiuddin Karra and Mirwaiz Farooq. The first too were my old friends, the last, just entered in public life becamemy admirer till his end. The three leaders led the movement in a well organized manner.

C O L U M N

Looking Back

How An Explosive Situation

Was Resolved 44 Years Back


KEEN EYE

Balraj Puri


9/45

phone. Then he repeated hi s to a person like Lal Bahadur Shastri, a

explanation to me. I told Nanda if the minister without portfolio in his

Home Secretary had the audacity to cabinet. Otherwise the situation in

speak lies to him, what he would he Kashmir might take an explosive turn."

doing in Kashmir. Nanda called him I gave the letter to Ashok Mehta, aagain but meanwhile he had left his former socialist leader, who had

office. He called Mullik and asked him joined, on Nehru's appeal, the Planning

to come to his room immediately I Commission as its deputy Chairman. He

rebutted Mullik's explanation and lived in South Avenue just opposite to

asked him that on February 6, it was a Teen Murti, the Prime Minister's

Dedar day when the relic had to be residence. I requested him to take the

shown to millions of people who would letter personally to the PM and get his

gather there, if some score of people reply. He could enter PM's bed room

doubted authenticity of the relic, and was able to get a favourable reply.

there would be explosion. Mullik said

"we have made arrangements to face Shastri arrived in Srinagar on 30the explosion." To that I remarked "it is January much against the wishes of

not wisdom to first create an explosion Nanda and officials of the Homethen try to face it." I assured both of Ministry. Brushing aside the advice ofthem that I had full trust in the Vishwanthan and Mullik, Shastri invitedintegrity of Mussoodi, the senior most the Action Committee for Iftar andleader of the agitation, and that if the offered dates and other things whichrelic was genuine he would certainly Muslims usually eat to break their fast.endorse it. The other two leaders, As a Kayasth of UP, he was well aware ofwould never defy the decision of customs of Islamic culture. He offeredMussoodi. In course of my discussion, to the Action Committee that he had noMullik said that there were certain objection to get the holic relicthings that could not be disclosed in identified. Trust begets trust, they say.national interest. I almost lost my Shastri's goodwill gesture as againsttemper, and said," Nanda ji have you distrust of the officials, disarmed the

called me to get a lesson in national Action Committee and its membersinterest from a person who was serving offered to cooperate and send him thehe British imperialism when we were list of identifiers. Which "upetfighting against it." Nanda tried to Vishwanthan and Mullik."pacify me. I enlisted the support of

Jayaprakash Narayan also who spoke toMaulana Massoodi told the ActionNanda in my presence. But I was notCommittee members that as the holysatisfied. I had so far avoided torelic ws a spiritual heritage, it neededcontact Nehru as he had fallenBasirat (spiritual eye) and not merelyillperhaps first illness in his publicBasarat (physical eye) for the job oflifeand it was announced, on hisidentification. Every body agreed, andbehalf, that he would not see anybodythe task was left to Meerak Shah, thetill he recovered.holiest saint of Kashmir in Rishi order.

On the appointed day Meerak ShahI wrote a "personal and urgent" letter declared "Haq" meaning right. All theaddressed to him wherein after gathering started dancing with joy andapologizing for approaching him during shouts of "Mubarak, Mubarak." Thus ahis illness, I requested to entrust the potentially explosive situation wasjob of dealing the situation in Kashmir turned into universal celebration.


C O L U M N

KEEN EYE

NowTellingThe J&KStoriesEpilogueb e c a u s e t h e r e i s m o r e t o k n o w

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10/45

How do you define the ongoing agitation the anti-Jammu discriminatory mindset. blockade. The media is also being fooledin Jammu? There are varying versions. Is When a piece of land was allotted to the and its surprising how the media gotit strictly for restoration of land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board , the taken-away by this rumour withoutShri Amarnath Shrine Board or it includes separatists and mainstream parties checking the ground realities. They canthe larger issues of discrimination agitated against the decision in Kashmir. also make research and bring the truthagainst Jammu? The government succumbed to the into light. Why no voice of economic-

pressure just in five days blatantly blocked came from Ladakh, when theignoring the Jammu sentiment. Jammu highway is same which passes throughSuch eruptions can not been at spur of thewas taken for granted as they have done Kashmir Valley. It was a rumourmoment and at any petty issue. There wasover past 60 years. concocted by the political parties.an anger pent up for last 60 years which

erupted when all limits of patience hadexhausted. The ongoing agitation in Therefore, the first step towards It is understood that the SAYSS, at noJammu represents the popular aspirations standing against the discrimination is to point of time, made any attempt to giveand anger of the people of Jammu which have this land restored to the Shrine a communal colour to the agitation buthas remained bottled up for the more than Board. We will step by step go further on still there were some unpleasant60 years. People across all affiliations of other issues and let us hope for a positive incidents. There is an undeniablefaith and politics are supporting the Shri outcome. Now the people in Jammu are communal tension in Poonch, RajouriAmarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti which well informed and perhaps prepared to and Kishtwar and then there ishas been spearheading the agitation. We ask for and fight for their rights and this is migration of some 100 families ofhave an overwhelming support 70 the first step but its true the way ahead is Gujjars in Jammu. How do you look atpolitical, non-political, social, trade and quite difficult but not impossible. these incidents?even literary organizations. The core issuebefore us, of course, is the restoration of What do you have to say to say on the We are happy that at all stages we haveland to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board but allegations of economic blockade of tried to keep the traditional communal

at the same time we are seized of the Kashmir? During initial days of harmony in Jammu intact. There werediscrimination factor which can not be agitation, various leaders of Shri many attempts by National Conferenceignored. The main direction of the Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti and and Peoples Democratic Party and inagitation at present is on the core issue, also leaders of various supporting some cases even by the government toand the discrimination issue too will be organizations including the BJP, Shiv defame the ongoing agitation; Sangarshdealt with in phased manner at suitable Sena, Tankers Association and Bar Samiti condemns any step of any politicalplatforms. Once the agitation achieves its Association have been on record party or person that tries to sabotage thepresent purpose then it will keep on threatening snap of supplies to the secular social fabric in the society.adopting different modes to address the Valley. Don't you think this put India in adiscrimination issue. difficult situation on Kashmir as Even the Muslims are supporting this cause

separatists politicized the issue to of Jammu, they are a part of Samiti, if atThe demands are for restoration of land invite international attention? some places some miscreants did thisto the Board and recall of the Governor. coward act, we condemn it and want aThere is perception and expectations This is all a bundle of lies. What to talk judicial probe to bring the guilty to book.

that the agitation shall be called off once about it, I think people who are But one thing is clear there are some forcesthese demands are met. Then what propagating this, even do not know what who never miss any opportunity to raisehappens to the larger issues of does it mean. From the office of conflicts and we have evidence that somediscrimination against Jammu? Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir to people incited by the NC and PDP were

PMO to Food Corporation of India and given free hand by the local administrationLook, from where did this revocation of Hindustan Petroleum, all have made it to threat some particular community inland allotment come? It is an outcome of clear that there was never any economic other districts of Jammu.

Interview : Brig Suchet Singh, SAYSS

'First priority is restoration of land; discriminationissue can be dealt with in phased manner


I N F O C U S

FIRE 2008


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UOf course firing across LOC did take the Indian government was itselfntil recently it was claimedplace but Indian army's role in setting up downplaying militancy then why werethat militancy had petereda forward post in violation of ceasefire they fighting shy over troop reduction?out, but that the threat ofat Nowgam sector has been ignored. The former Governor SK Sinha boastedinfiltration remained. As a(Parvez Bukhari in the Mail Today that in 2002 there were 10 casualties permatter of fact number of infiltrationAugust 1, 2008 ) As a final proof it was day which came down to below 2 per daybids has sharply declined; officially inclaimed that non-militancy related when he departed. Whereas number of2001 it was said to be 2417 andcrimes have shot up! Arguably, militants operating varies from betweendeclined to 311 in 2007. Up to May 2008

statistics can be manipulated. But if 150 (yes hundred and fifty)-1200.it was said to be 120. Indian governmentalso claimed a seventy percent decline

in militancy related incidents between

1990 and 2007, from 3500 to 1000

incidents. Firing incidents came down

from 671 to 183. Bomb explosions

declined from 1000 to just 50. Killings

of civilians declined from 914 to 153.

(The Tribune, 12 December, 2007).

However, official propaganda claims

that ISI was up to its old trick. Albeit it

was said that situation has reached

normal level. That people are

participating in existing political

process and shunning 'separatists'.

Besides, ceasefire was being observed

by India and Pakistan along the LOC

since November 2003 resulting in ending

mortar shelling and a fall in infiltration.

Having scored a self-goal by its acts of omission and commission it will be difficult for Indian state topush the genie of freedom back into the bottle of indifference. Once an idea grips the imagination ofpeople it becomes a material force. The idea of 'azaadi' from India has truly resurfaced with a passion.On the other hand by privileging fight against armed militancy and pretending that popularaspirations for freedom from India had waned Indian state became victim of its own disinformationand remained disinclined to take people seriously. Talks with Mirwaiz Omar Farooq led Hurriyet,never popular with the people, were stalled while crackdown on dissidents rose. There was nomovement of any kind which suggested that Indian state was at all sincere about fulfilling any of

the promises and assurances it had been making. Let alone release political prisoners arbitraryarrests of political dissidents and defenders of democratic rights, some of who were targets ofattacks, have carried on.

Jammu And Kashmir

Beginning Of The Endgame


I N F O C U S

FIRE 2008

Gautam Navlakha


12/45

Obviously, all this meant was that Indian not how long the movement can sustain attitude of the security forces and their

military no longer faced a magnitude of itself. Or whether squabbling leaders vulnerable dependence on New Delhi

for their physical well being. When athreat which called for obtrusive will manage to de-rail the momentum.

State ceases to present itself aspresence 24X7 by seven lakhs armed This could be wishful thinking on part of

protector of the beleaguered andthe Indian state. Political mood of thepersonnel. Yet they go on expanding andunable to ensure free flow ofpeople has already been displayed. Thatoccupying land. So how do they justifym o v e m e n t o n h i g h w a y s a n d such mass mobilization was possible fortheir presence? The arrogant claim istransportation of supplies of essentialso many days itself shows that it can bethat Indian military is here to protectcommodities, despite extraordinarythe people from cross border

presence of Indian army on theterrorists. But when this , as per theirhighway, then fear fuelled by thisown claim, no longer can be sustaineddependent relationship overtakesthen it is clear that India's enemiesother considerations. It is here thatremains inside J&K and who by theirIndian State's abysmal role, especiallyvery religious identity are perceived toof its law enforcing agencies, whichbe real or potential supporters offailed to stop the agitators in Jammu,

Pakistan. Therefore, suspect in the eyesKathua and Udhampur from fomenting

of the Indian state and a demonized communal divide and blocking theprojection of the movement becomes

National Highway for nearly threenecessary. The perception of anyone

weeks, which enraged a people whosedemanding 'azaadi' as being anti-

right to life was imperiled even as theirnational and pro-Pakistani may have

suffering has been belittled by thebeen a part of disinformation campaign

Indian state and its 'good 'people.but it has deep roots and it suits Indian

state to remain in the victim mode. SoEconomic Blockademuch so that Union home secretary

recently forgot that by accusingThe report presented by the J&K policePakistan for fomenting trouble in theto the all party delegation on August 10valley he was implicitly foregroundingspeaks of (a)gitation started blockingthe incompetent role played by athe National Highway repeatedly with abloated and pampered securityview to obstruct supplies to valleyapparatus in India. Surely if Pakistan

repeated. Routine life will return. including LPG, oil, petrol, diesel etc.can bring lakhs of people out on the However, periodic public rallies will And went on to say that (m)anyroads of Indian held Kashmir there is lot continue to take place. Thus it will be incidents of attacks on Highway onto be said for the ineptitude of the presumptuous to read routine life as a individual vehicles and supply loadIndian state. If this is what policy return to normalcy. In other words this carriers(and) beating of driversmakers want us Indians to believe then upsurge has unambiguously displayed created a sense of insecurity.they obviously feel Indian people are the organized and self-managed Deniability of the blockade by Newgullible. One can not expect good sense popular desire to be free of India. This Delhi is astounding because it flies inor 'good faith'( the mantra to wash off all is not going to dissipate anytime soon. the face of people's own experience ofs ins) to prevai l under these

shortage as well of the policecircumstances.

department of J&K. Why is it that fruitThe agitation which began in June overmerchants of Delhi's Azadpur mandi saydiversion of forest land for Amarnath

It could be that authorities feel that in the first fifteen days of AugustYatra has proceeded beyond it. Theconfident in restoring authority of the only 124 fruit trucks reached the marketissue of 800 kanals which broughtIndian state as time passes because as against 814 in the same period inpeople out in June has been overtakenlivelihood concerns can come in the way August 2007? If it was not a result ofby demand for 'azadi' caused by theirof mass mobilization. But the point is blockade then how come it took 19sense of insecurity at the communal


I N F O C U S

FIRE 2008

leader of a Jammu based transportassociation Ashok Nanda told theTribune (August 21, 2008) thatKashmir valley will soon faceacute shortage of foodgrains

because four out of six FCI depotsare running out of stocks.According to him normally 200trucks use to daily carryfoodgrains to the valley now lessthan 20 trucks are plying. If this isnot a form of blockade then whatis. Worrying part of this is the factthat this is happening when theIndian state cries shrill that there

has been no economic blockade!


13/45

days, from July 25 to August 14, for of army, attacks continue to take place? demand freedom from India? Why is it

Avtar Singh (truck # PB 08 0997) Surely their presence is unnecessary that out of 10,513 incidents that took

carrying medical supplies from and in fact contributing to choking place in Jammu region 10,098 incidents

Jalandhar for SMHS hospital Srinagar,? ( civilian traffic on the two lane highway? took place in Hindu majority areas of

Greater Kashmir, August 15, 2008) Or Again why were Jammu's BJP leaders Jammu (3758) , Kathua (2270) ,how come five drivers were attacked in publicly declaring their intent to starve Udhampur (1850) and Riyasi (740)?Kathua when they were part of an army people in the valley in order to 'teach Does it make it a regional movement orconvoy on 17 August going to Delhi. them a lesson'? Why was no action taken in fact a movement confined to(Rising Kashmir, August 20, 2008) There against them? Why is it that out of the predominately Hindu areas? Is it aare stories a galore in valley press. Let 1171 persons arrested, including those regional movement that is drivingalone this leader of a Jammu based who probably lynched the two J&K Muslims to move out of Hindu majoritytransport association Ashok Nanda told police constables, Zakir Husian and areas? Is it not fear that drives them tothe Tribune (August 21, 2008) that Zafar Javed, all were given bail? It is take this step? Is this unaided migrationKashmir valley will soon face acute also important to ask why second rung not a bigger blot on India's constitutionalshortage of foodgrains because four out leaders of the agitation in Kashmir have democracy? Is it alright to abuse theof six FCI depots are running out of been charged with waging war, sedition 'separatists' for migration of kashmiristocks. According to him normally 200

and criminal conspiracy when no such pandits from the valley even when thetrucks use to daily carry foodgrains to acts were invoked against the Jammu Indian state provided them 'safethe valley now less than 20 trucks are agitators? Why is it that out of 129 cases passage'? But to be mute when Muslimsplying. If this is not a form of blockade registered by the police in Jammu start fleeing their home and hearths inthen what is. Worrying part of this is the region none were under any draconian Jammu driven by Hindu fanatic mobsfact that this is happening when the law or provision? and hostile security forces?Indian state cries shrill that there has

been no economic blockade!Does it mean that agitators who carry So obvious is the patronage and

tricolour, but engage in mayhem are to protection extended to the rabbleBesides, if the situation is normal, and

be treated with compassion, whereas rousers in Jammu that it is astonishingthere has never been any blockade, why

those who remain unarmed and that otherwise sensitive people did notis the army out on the highway since

peaceful but carry green flags are once speak out for years againstAugust 4? And why despite the presence

persecuted because they dare to permission granted to Bajrang Dal and


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VHP to hold weapon training camps in pr ivate lives , and indeed even camps in J&K (excluding those in

Jammu, which is a Disturbed Area. They transform their will and attitude as is Jammu, Kargil, Leh, Akhnoor and

publicly display weapons during their Udhampur) and these occupy 90,000the case in J&K. Publicly Indian state

rallies including in Jammu city but acres of farm and orchard land and 1500pretended it was heeding the public

violation of Arms Act is condoned. Let buildings. But the appetite for acquiringfeeling which wanted demilitarizationalone authorities even the 'good' people land continues to grow. For instance inwhen it setup a committee headed bychoose to look the other way. They can saffron rich Lethapora in PamporeIndia's defense secretary to look intogo and disrupt press conferences at will tehsil, where no construction isthe demand. The incongruity of a hugeanywhere in Jammu but no harm ever permitted under state laws, the CRPFpresence of armed forces occupyingcomes to them. Ninety per cent of the has demanded 5000 kanals for its grouplarge tracts of land even as the number25,000 members of the Village Defence he ad qu ar te rs . In di an ar my is

Committees in Doda district, (with 60- demanding 10,000 kanals for expansion

40% Muslim-Hindu ratio) are armed of Army's Kundroo Filed Ammunition

Hindus. How many of them are members Depot (FAD). Besides, Indian Air Force

of right wing extremist groups is which possesses 850 acres in

anybody's guess. But that there are a Awantipora has asked for 763 acres of

large number with such leaning bodes ill additional land. Army which was givenfor the people. 212 acres in Sharifabad in exhange for

vacating 139 acres of Tattoo Grounds

Garrison in Srinagar has takenFinally, the sharp contrast between howpossession of 100 acres at SharifabadJammu agitators were met by securitybut refuses to budge from Tattooforces and how trigger happy they wereground! In the Cattle Research Centre atin Kashmir drives home the hostileManasbal spread over 352 acre army innature of Indian government forces1990 first asked to set up few bunkers.towards predominately Muslim people.Then built barracks and laid claim toIn one go all that was being claimed252 acres of the land in 2005.about normalcy having been restoredFurthermore, the annual Landmineevaporated before the heat of people'sReport 2007 states that about 160 sq

anger. That foundation of normalcy kms in Jammu and 1730 sq kms landwere tenuous was never understood byremain mined. Speaker of J&Kthe charmed circle of policy and

of militants, said to be operating has Assembly recently pointed out thatdecision makers.officially come down to 1200, was bad 3500 acres of agricultural land in hise n o u g h . B u t b y r e j e c t i n g constituency Chamb (Jammu) have

So let us list two blunders committed by demilitarization, pull back of troops, been mined and 6000 familiesthe Indian state in recent times in J&K. reduction of troops etc in February last displaced. J&K Tourism minister told

along with the new rents for acquired media on October 19, 2007 about armyThe Issue of Land land announced by India's Ministry of violated Master Plan for Gulmarg and

Defense ranging from 2.1 to 5 times is a without requisite permission (t)heyway to buy silence of the people, forIt requires no rocket science to realise have occupied 400 acres of land onsome more time. Which is all very wellthat involuntary alienation of land in which they have raised huge concrete

except that this sends a message thatgeneral, and cultivable one in structures. (The Asian Age OctoberIndian armed forces are in no mood toparticular, will enrage people. This 20, 2007)vacate occupation of land and they areturns into fury when land is acquired forhere for a long haul.armed security personnel who maintain Thus new rent structure may even be a

an intrusive presence among civilians precursor of occupation of more land.designed to control their public and There are reportedly 671 security forces For instance, until recently the Ministry


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As of now 2204 kanals , of which1500 kanals is forest land (andfrom which 800 kanals were to bediverted to SASB for temporaryuse) are being used for yatris inBaltal route. This land includes56 kanals of private landincluding a graveyard. In otherwords not only must SASB Act beamended to make its membershiplocal but its powers must bedelimited and the yatra beregulated with restricting thenumber of yatris to one lakh.


15/45

of Home Affairs set a standard of 75 the norm and the earning varies local Muslim participation in the yatra,

acres of land per battalion for central between Rs 90,000 to Rs 125,000. (One including sharing one third of offering

para military forces. Now the MHA has quintal fetches Rs 1800). Thus the offer with the Malik familes, it chose to

asked these forces to acquire 150 acres of Rs 10,000 per kanal for orchard is very endorse the Hindu extremist agenda of

of land per bn. This is being done under low. Depending upon the fruit or crop it creating Hindu stakeholders in J&K.the argument that this will enable could be less than 2 and at best no more

better housing facility for the jawans 10% of the actual income. Thus the rent In order to understand the magnitude ofand also allow these forces to set up does not compensate the farmers for the blunder committed by Indian Stateschools and hospitals for the family of the loss of income. Put it another way let us begin by taking a look at salientthe jawans as well as local population. farmers or orchard owners are subsiding features of the Amaranath issue whichWith average size of family being 5.5 the deployment of armed forces. first stoked fire of resentment. Shrieven if 100,000 soldiers bring their Amaranath Shrine Board (SASB) set upfamilies then population of such people This by no means is all. This land also by the National Conference in 2000,will go up by several lakhs. Could this be comprised non state subjects, presidedprovides employment. It is well knownan indirect way of demographic over by Hindu governor, saw itself asthat largest source of employment intransformation? (2) being a sovereign body accountable toJ&K is agriculture and horticulture.

no one and went ahead to takeover anRemove this land from cultivation thatHaving said this let us consider certain entire area to prepare for larger andmuch less earning and lesser number ofhidden facts which lurks behind the larger turnout of pilgrims. Under clausejobs become available. Seen in this lightrent hike. The previous levels from 16(d) of the SASB Act authorized themthe pitiable rent being offered is awhich rent has been increased were to carry out 'development activityfraction of the earning and its spin offpathetically low. So two or five times concerning the area of shrine and itsalso includes decline in employment.increase must be tempered by this fact. surroundings'. Using this, as well asBesides, even if 10% of the total croppedFor instance Class I category of irrigated Jammu High Court's pronouncementarea of 1,126.000 acres or 9 mn kanal inland the rent was previously Rs 1125 per that everything being done by the board

J&K is removed from production itkanal per year, which now has been will be deemed to be done in 'good

means, for an economy so dependent onincreased to Rs 3381 per kanal. For faith', SASB began to make demands

agriculture and horticulture as that ofdouble cropped irrigated land the rent which were resented. Worse they

J&K, a huge loss. All these losses are notwas Rs 1688 per kanal and has been pretended to be a body which was

calculated. (3)increased to Rs 4087. For orchards the vi rtually unaccountable to any

rent earlier was Rs 1575 and has been ins titution. Recall the infamousThis context of how angry people areincreased to Rs 10,000 per kanal. statement of CEO of SASB on January 1,over occupation of their land and Indian 2008 wherein he claimed that theState's attempts to buy silence through legislature has no authority to questionFor another the rent increase does notrent hikes provides the background in SASB or for them to answer theirtake into account the loss suffered bywhich SASB landed itself. queries. And yet the SASB, it is said, wasthose whose land is thus alienated. To

set up on the basis of theget an idea one has to consider someRevisit Nitish Sengupta Committee recommendation of the Dr Nitishother figures. One kanal of apple

Sengupta Committee (1996)? A readingorchard is officially said to have 12 treesof the report makes it abundantly clearIndian state's biggest blunder onalthough upto 18 is not uncommon. Thisthat the committee's recommendationsAmarnath was to promote a Hindutranslates into 300 to 360 boxes of fruit.

were scrupulously ignored.Shaivite pilgrimage as a patrioticThe income varies from Rs 1.2 to 1.5

enterprise forgetting the constitutionallakhs. As for walnut one kanal is said to

truth that all Hindus are not Indians andhave 6 to 8 trees. Income from this For instance, SASB was not tasked with

all Indians are not Hindus. And,could be anywhere between Rs 4.25 to 6 micro managing the yatra or to turn it

therefore, religious affiliation islakhs. If the land is used for paddy into an all Hindu affair from which

irrelevant. Also instead of building oncultivation between 50-70 quintals is Muslims were to be kept away. Among


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the various acts of governor SK Sinha Gomukh in Uttarakhand. At both Kailash livelihood. Any damage to the ecology

was to summarily discontinue the Mansarovar and Gomukh the period of could prove fatal for them, which is

traditional role of the Malik family as pilgrimage is restricted and the what pollution of Lidder river by SASB's

protector of the shrine and their right to numbers regulated. System of ceiling unregulated promotion of yatra and

get one third of the offering. And on number is practiced at Vashnodevi destruction of the ecology of Nunwaninstead of regulating and restricting the also where a cap of 20,000 per day is in valley threatens to bring about.

number of pilgrims SASB went in to place. In fact Nitish Sengupta on page

overdrive to make it for a longer 52 of the report says that (a)long with T h e r e p o r t p r o p o s e d t h a tduration and for larger and larger the regulation of the total number of administration of the yatra should benumbers. Non state subjects were being pilgrims to about 1 lakh during the 30 handed over to the department ofengaged for all kinds of services day period, we should also regulate the tourism, as is the case in every othertraditionally performed by the local maximum number of people who can be state of India where religious tourismpopulation both Kashmiri Muslims and permitted at any point of this journey at comes under the purview of the tourismPandits. any given time. And adds we could lay department of the respective states.

down a ceiling of 3000 pilgrims that can They wanted that local tentwallahsbe permitted to travel on any of theseSo what were Nitish Sengupta sh ou l d be a l l owe d t o o f f e r

sectors in a single day. (Three sectorscommittees main recommendations? accommodation and dhaba ownersare Chandawanri to Sheshnag; Sheshnag

provide food for yatris. (p 62).to Panjtarani and Panjtarani to the

Setup after the 1996 Amarnath Yatra Moreover, in so far as the high poweredCave).

Tragedy in which 205 yatris and 25 board was concerned the committee

porters and security personnel lost their recommended that the CM should beIt also called for restricting havanslives the report emphasized that the the chairperson. The board was toperformance at the Holy Cave since pilgrimage to Amarnath is not just supervise the yatra and preparethey pollute the purity of the p i lgr image but h igh a lt itude strategic plan for providing facilities.atmosphere and also constitute firemountaineering (p 54). It wanted ahazard. (p58) The report opposedminimum age of 15 and maximum of 65 As of now 2204 kanals , of which 1500proposal for making road fromfor yatris. (p 55) The report repeatedly kanals is forest land (and from whichChandawari to Sheshnag and then up tomakes the point that at this altitude, 800 kanals were to be diverted toPanjtarani motorable. Because

the hazardous nature of the track and SASB for temporary use) are being used(a)llowing the motor vehicles to gouncertain weather number of pilgrims for yatris in Baltal route. This landinto this area will not only damage theand period of yatra has to be strictly includes 56 kanals of private landenvironment of these areas, but willregulated. It has to be emphasized

including a graveyard. In other wordsalso spoil the pristine scenic charm ofhere that carrying capacity of this

not only must SASB Act be amended tothese mountains and valleys. (p 60) Butpathway of about 32 kms (between

make its membership local but itsSASB has gone beyond and introducedChandanwari and the holy cave) is

powers must be delimited and the yatrahelicopter services for pilgrims which isextremely limited. It passes all along at

be regulated with restricting thea source of major concern. It wasvery high altitude, well above the treenumber of yatris to one lakh. Or elseevident that the meltdown of theline and through areas with no humandevout Hindus can bid goodbye to the'lingam' within fifteen days of yatra thishabitation. (p 5) For eight months ofhealth of the area for posterity.year was contributed by presence ofthe year there is snow and formation of

huge numbers of yatris and theice lingam, nautral stalagmite, begins

Communal Prejudice or Jingoism ofhelicopter services. The criticalonly by June.Officialsimportance of protecting the ecology of

this area can not be underplayed whenIn this sense Amarnath yatra cannot be

it is realized that while tourists come Next blunder was in persisting with acompared with any other pilgrimagesand go local inhabitants depend on the Governor who flouted all constitutionaland the closest parallel can be drawnwater and land for their life and norms and pushed Hindutva agenda.with Kailsah Mansarovar in Tibet and


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One person is like tree in a forest but a disappearance of 8-10,000, uncovering economic blockade is located.

constitutional position of governor and of mass graves in just one Uri sector,

his continuance is reflection of Indian cross firing, encounters, custodial Long and short of it is that Indian statestate's policy. Were one to go through deaths.. Even where relief and has become its own worst enemy. There

what former Governor SK Sinha said in rehabili tat ion is concerned the is no point blaming Pakistan,his Field Marshal Cariappa memorial promptness with which New Delhi fundamentalists, human rights activistslecture on August 16, his Hindutva announced compensation for one and usual alibis used by the Indian state.proclivities are self-evident. It was his Kuldeep Kumar who committed suicide It is time we acknowledge that 'nationalgreat contribution that Centre for in Jammu is unmatched by anything security' paranoia cannot hide theKashmir Studies, set up in Kashmir they announced through 19 years of reality that Muslims of J&K have no

th war to the families of IndianUniversity, uses 13 century as the cut confidence in the Indian state. Thegovernment's forces atrocities. Did oneoff date thereby history of Kashmir's march to Muzzafarabad was not ahear of any compensation for the 34Hindu past is studied but not its Islamic rhetoric or a drama enacted butkilled and 500 injured or propertypresent ' s past . Th is was h i s something that emerged from thisdamaged by the India security forces inunderstanding of 'kashmiriyat'. And it palpable sign of fear and was perceivedjust 48 hours?was his principal secretary, who as one way in which J&K's dependence

officiated as CEO of the board, who on India could be reduced. In any casewent out of his way to insist that land In fact it is strange that despite entire Jammu-Srinagar highway is an artificial

stwas permanently transferred to the Jammu and Kashmir region being link and by itself unsuited for 21board and insisted that as the disturbed whereas in Jammu security century said to be an era ofpopulation of India will increase we will forces waited for executive magistrate 'globalisation'.have to consider further extension of to issue orders to open fire, in the valley

no such procedure was followed. It isthe yatra period. (Greater KashmirIn this sense we are back to square one.

instructive that Indian army called inJune 18, 2008).And just as well. Because this time

4500 soldiers from 9 corps in Himachalthere are no militants but people out on

Pradesh because they did not wantThe fact that Indian state allowed him the streets. Indian state and India's

334,000 soldiers deployed in counterto do whatever he wished was perhaps 'good' people can ignore this now atinsurgency duties in the valley to beno accident. Once a movement is their own peril. Perhaps a bout of self-disturbed? This sleigh of hand meantdemonized, passing it off as a form of

th criticism, good for intellectual clarity,that these 4500 troops belonging to 9'proxy war' being waged by Pakistan, might be in order to ensure that at leastCorps operated under magistrate'sand underplaying the role of the Indian now six decades of obfuscation andorder and not under AFSPA as in astate including crimes committed by prevarication can be bid goodbye and'disturbed' area. On the other hand, theIndian security forces then next stop is the reality of popular aspiration forsorry spectacle of highly communalizedmanipulating people's minds. Such has opting out of India be given its due.CRPF forces entering hospitals, firingbeen the nature of Indian state's Instead of fearing right of self-tear gas shells inside them, (a war crimeattempt to manage people's will, 'turn under Geneva Convention), opening fire determination it is time we embrace itit around' as the army's doctrine on which targeted head and chest, non-use because this offers us the only chance ofsmall war proposes. That killings of of rubber bullets, venting their anger a peaceful and democratic solution. It209 Hindus and Sikhs and migration of by destroying properties on several offers this to every state subject acrossabout two lakhs Kashmiri Pandits is localities in Srinagarand yet their the LOC divided Jammu and Kashmir asplayed up but by far the larger picture crime of excessive use of force and well as communally polarized Jammu

violation of their constitutional pledgeof killings by Indian security forces and Kashmir an opportunity to makedid not bring Indian people out on theremains shrouded in obscurity in the their wishes known. It is only when westreets in solidarity with those who havename of national interest. Not much know what people want thatsuffered most and continue to suffer.is ever said about the 70,000 Muslim substantive negotiations can ensue.

killings, arrest and torture of at least Until then the hoary resilience,60,000 persons, 33 recorded massacres, It is in the midst of this reality that euphemism for prolonged military


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suppression, displayed by Indian state, will carry on further aggravating the

dispute. And people will continue to vote with their feet and fists against a

forced union with India which threatens their fundamental right to life.

While one wishes wiser counsel to prevail the truth is that 61 years of

regression makes it abundantly clear that it is left to the people of India, andnot the state, to force a change in Indian state's policy towards the people of

J&K.

Amidst all the claims of the Indian government that allegation of economic

blockade being bunkum and Pakistan inspired propaganda, Ministry of

Home Affairs has finally conceded that at least between July 31 to August 4

there were disruptions of supplies. One should be thankful for small

mercies from the centre of obfuscation and extreme right wing

pronouncements which is what MHA has become. ( Mail Today August 19,

2008.) In fact going by the threat held out by All J&K Oil Tankers Association

Jammu truckers will not load supplies for the valley if land issue is not

resolved by August 20, 2008. (The Tribune 19, August 2008) And the fruitmerchants of Delhi's Azadpur Mandi have said that between 1-15 August in

2007 when 814 fruit trucks reached Delhi, this year in the same period only

124 trucks landed at Delhi. (The Hindustan Times 20 August, 2008).

It is worth noting that total land holding of the armed forces in India is

approximately 1 mn acres. Recently the Indian Planning Commission of India

had wanted army to part with 2 lakh acres of surplus land lying with with

62 cantonments. This request was turned down and instead the army asked

for an additional 2 lakh acres! The point is that neither are armed forces

willing to part with land they occupy nor is their appetite for more land going

to decline.

Just to provide an idea of the acute unemployment the J&K government

which dealt harshly with 5000 state roadways employees for demanding back

wages (they were not paid for five months) claiming they did not have money

to pay them has lifted ban on filling vacancies on state employment, which

they had imposed on March 5, 2008. Thereby 30,000 vacancies of which 4978

for gazetted posts, 20,000 non-gazetted posts and 7000 Class IV posts will get

filled. The point to note is that state government which time and again

delays payment of wages to some of its employees is now going to fill 30,000

posts. Where is the money going to come from? Thus on the one hand armed

forces occupy cultivable land, which helps reduce food and fruit production

and reduce employment. And on the other hand additional employment is

being generated in the state sector even when they do not have the money to

pay their salaries! The begging bowl syndrome will get strengthened. And

Indian state can then go around propagating that they cover nearly 80%

J&K's expenditure. This feeds into the myth that J&K is incapable of

meeting its own expenditure and to undercut the argument about the

economic viability of J&K were they left alone. Thus create dependence

and then flaunt it to rub the nose of people in the mud.

Things were not like till three

months back. Why this sudden

upsurge in the Valley?

People in the Valley are known

for the patience. But patience

too has got a limit. If your

understanding says that there is

a sudden eruption then I mustcorrect you. There was no

sudden eruption.

Dissent and protests

h a v e v a r i o u s

manifestations and

silence is one among

them. When you talk

about the situation

three months back, I

would say, there

were protests in

silence which has now broken.

By mobilizing such huge

crowd in Srinagar what do

you want to convey?

We have not been mobilizing

any crowds. People have been

coming out at their own. There

were over two lakh people who

led a march to Muzaffarabad

when we were showered with

bullets. Then on August 22,

more than 10 lakh peopleassembled at the Idgah

grounds. There was just one

announcement appealing to

come out in solidarity with the

issue. Elders, youth, women

Interview with

Shabir Ahmed

Shah


19/45

and children all came out in tens of are ready for talks. orders diverting of land to Shri

thousands. Tens of thousands of more Amarnath Shrine Board following

people were on their way but the space protests in the Valley have led toWhat should be the contours of ain Srinagar City was not enough to tension in Jammu. What do you havedialogue?

accommodate them. There were no to say on this?speeches. There was no politics. Lakhs

We have never set any conditions. Theof them raised their hands for their This is the worst propaganda we havebasic thing is that there should be abasic political rights. This was a sort of ever seen. Some people in Jammu aretripartite dialogue with the people ofreferendum which the Government of easily and conveniently forgetting thatKashmir as a principle party.India and International community not they but we have been hosts of theshould take note of. Shri Amarnath pilgrims. This is most

Y o u l a u n c h e d a m a r c h t osecular tradition of our Valley. Can you

Muzaffarabad alleging that there wasReferendum for what and what trace one single incident of history

economic blockade of Kashmir. Waspolitical rights you are referring to? when the Amarnath pilgrims were put to

there so serious a problem? Theany inconvenience, harassment or

Governor's administration has allhumiliation by any Kashmiri? I wouldPrecisely, Azadi. People of Kashmir have along been denying any snap of

take this opportunity to convey it all ourmade it known that they want Azadi. We supplies except that whateverHindu brothers and sisters across Indiahave long been asking for consultations, irregularities may occur when thethat Amarnath pilgrimage is as mucha referendum or any exercise to know situation is disturbed.sacred for us as it is for them. It is a partwhat Kashmiris want but this right wasof our tradition that we, every year,denied to us. Now people are coming

You are a journalist; check the pressorganize a special welcome function onout to let it known to one and all,

record of last two months. Every newthe arrival of pilgrims to accord aclearly and without any ambiguity that

day you will find statements whichrespect to their sentiments.they want Azadi.

civilized people would not issue even

for the rogue states. And then ourThen why this controversy on the landYou mean that doors for a dialogue or supply lines were completely chocked,issue?now shut? the drivers were beaten up, trucks were

set ablaze, and our local produce was

We have not created any controversyAbsolutely not. Our doors are wide open made to rot. What wrong did we do bynor is this any issue for us. Our issue isas they always have been. If anyone marching to Muzaffarabad. All wevery clear and this has been clearlyshut the doors it was the Government of wanted to do was to sell our produceconveyed by the people of KashmirIndia. At least now is the high time and procure the essentials. We arelast Friday. If at all there is aGovernment of India realized urgency more than two lakh people, unarmedcontroversy it has been created byof a dialogue. We are always ready to and leading a peaceful march. Theysome people in Jammu and theirget engaged in a meaningful dialogue. (government) applied brute force andpatrons elsewhere in the country.Kashmir's case is entirely different but sprayed bullets on us. What is theAmarnath pilgrimage is a symbol ofthere are also other places in India justification for this?Kashmir's secular tradition and we willwhere people are fighting for thecontinue to make all efforts to keep itpolitical rights. At all these places and Now have a look at the situation inup. You should note that the number ofwith all such people, Government of Jammu. There is an agitation and the

pilgrims visiting the Amarnath ShrineIndia has been talking why any positive region, particularly the Winter Capitalwas highest this year. Had there been amovement on Kashmir is not there. City, is burning in fire of anger.problem from our side or had thereThey try to isolate us, they project a Kashmir Muslims in general andbeen an inconvenience to the pilgrimswrong picture of public sentiments and Kashmiri separatists in particular arethey would not have come in bigthen they ask us that why are we on accused of hurting the Hindunumbers.roads? This is not fair. Let them come we sentiments. The cancellation of


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Loosing Political Plot compulsion or will, had become more or the agitation gathered momentum,

less constituent parts of the Sangharsh they had to endorse every thing what

Samiti condemning their own parties the Sangharsh Samiti had to say. NoIt will be a tough time for theand criticizing their own charters. other party or leader would havecompetitive politics to resume its

addressed as many press conferences asThe BJP an essential constituent of thenormal course. Unlike Kashmir, JammuCongress leaders did address all theseSangharsh Samiti was initially seen as

region has a truly competitive months. Interestingly, the agenda ofthe eventual beneficiary of themainstream politics with Congress,their press conferences and statementsagitation as it was the CongressNational Conference, BJP and the newlyissued to media always remainedgovernment accused of withdrawing theemerging Panthers Party as mainendorsing the day to day stand ofland transfer order. Former Chiefplayers. Bahujan Samaj Party is alsoSangharsh Samiti. When Samiti calledMinister and Congress' 'hope' in Jammuseen making significant inroads in Dalitfor the removal of Governor NN Vohra,and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad waspockets of the region. Just ahead of thethe local Congress jumped into the frayseen in Jammu only twice in two monthseruption of Amarnath shrine landas main votary of the demand. Veteranson July 17, when he addressed a publiccontroversy, the political mainland oflike Dr Karan Singh, the scion of Dogrameeting at a border township and thenJammu was ripe for the electoraldynasty, who otherwise visits Jammuon August 10 as part of the all-partypolitics. Elections were just threehardly once a year, wrote to the Primedelegation constituted by the Primemonths away but the campaign designsMinister seeking removal of theMinister to find out a solution for thehad already been put in place by theGovernor.

crises. Azad's being away from the sceneparties. Two months of agitation has all these of crises not only brought downwashed away whatever the parties hadbut also smashed up the morale of localtried to build up not only in recent few Former MLAs, sitting MLCs and otherCongress leaders. During initial days ofmonths but over past five years. Now at office bearers of the Congress wouldagitation, the local Congress leadersthis stage the lines of ideology stand often walk into the office of Sangharshtried to defend their government'sblurred between the arch rivals. For Samiti to reiterate their support even asdecision but as the days passed off andtwo months all of them, out of the party at national level frequently

Post-Agitation

Uphill Task For Jammus

Politics, EconomyEpilogue News & Analysis


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The 60-day long Jammu agitation has been finally called off after the Governor NN Vohra's administration

hammered a peace pact with the agitating Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS)a 70 party

conglomerate spearheading the agitation. The final agreement sets aside the controversial 100 acres tract of

land at Baltal and allows the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board to use it for creating facilities for the pilgrims. The land

will be put to such use for three months a year and its ownership title shall not undergo any change. When

protests had erupted in Kashmir Valley against diversion of same land to the Board, the main objection was

change of ownership status ie from the Forest department to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. Therefore for

reaching at the final agreement to end agitation in Jammu, it is obviously seen that both the SAYSS and the

Government made some climb down from their stated positions. What leaves one confused is that fact that such

use of land (as agreed upon in the pact) has never been objected by any party in Kashmir. Finally pragmatism

seems to have dawned upon both parties concerned even though Jammu has not remained the same place again

after two months of violent protests. The losses are enormous but at a first look one finds the mainstream

competitive politics having disappeared from the local landscape.


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equated the Jammu agitation as between Kashmir and Jammu. Leaving sectors of economy the losses to

the Kashmir field to Omar, who joined respective sectors have been as follows:dangerous as separatist movement inchorus with separatist, Farooq went onKashmir. Prominent local leader and Industry, Rs 4000 Crores; Tourism, Rsjustify demand of Sangharsh Samiti and 3000 Crores; Trade Rs 1100 Crores,MLA till recently, Raman Bhalla courted

called for restoration of land to the Transport Rs 775 Crores and Production,arrest on August 21 as a part ofShrine Board. When the agreement is Rs 250 Crores. Insurance sector is yet toSangharsh Samiti plan. However, theinked between Samiti and Government, initiate a survey of loss to the vehiclesveteran Mangat Ram Sharma still couldFarooq turned up as the only Kashmiri that too is reported to be running intonot escape the wrath. He had to take aleaders to give a thumbs up. Crores of rupees. The Shri Amarnathpillion ride with a cop to reach home

Yatra Sangharsh Samiti, during itssafely when a strong mob attacked hisnegotiations with the government hadvehicle in the city. Now when the agitation has been calledput a demand for compensation to alloff, the next battle is for thesuffering sectors of economy. Thoughforthcoming elections and the taskIn Jammu region, National Conferencethe demand has been agreed to inbefore political parties is to redrawhas much of its presence in the ruralprinciple but the businessmen doubttheir constituency agenda.areas than the urban space. Thus NCany possibility of full compensation.leaders played little smart. They leftThe agreement between Governmenttheir plush winter capital residence to Economy Suffers Rs 26,000 Crore lossand the Samiti concluded that af an ou t i n t h e i r r e spe c t i v eWorking Group shall be constitutedconstituencies. Omar Abdullah's speech

Besides competitive politics, the other under the Chief Secretary to examinein the Parliament on, July 22, had givenmajor sector which suffered a huge loss losses to all sectors both in Kashmira new direction to the Jammu agitationduring Jammu agitation is obviously the and Jammu regions. The Workingwhen a youth committed suicidelocal economy. The trade and industry Group will have representatives fromallegedly enraged over Omar'slobby groups have put losses at Rs 26775 different sectors of economy as itsstatement. However, father FarooqCrores. Though the parameters of members. A loss assessment reportmade quite a good effort to save thecalculation have not been given but shall be submitted to the Centralsituation. After maintaining a muchaccording to local Commerce and Government for financial help, saidrequired silence for a couple of weeks,Industries and representatives different the agreement.Farooq played quite a balancing act


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Following is the text of the joint statement issued at the press conference:

1. 'The Shri Amarnathji Yatra, which has been going on for many centuries, is a shining symbol of communal harmony andbrotherhood in Jammu & Kashmir and reflective of the State's composite heritage. The Yatris have been welcomed with

open arms by the people of both Jammu and Kashmir Divisions and all required facilities have been made available for

them. Sadly, certain decisions of the State Government relating to the Yatra created misunderstandings which led tocontroversy and agitation and loss of many precious lives. Apart from the damage to property, there has been a colossal loss

to the State's economy in different sectors like transport, trade, industry, horticulture and tourism.

2. 'The Yatra to Shri Amarnathji Shrine has traditionally benefitted a large number of local residents, many of whom havecrucial dependence on this annual pilgrimage for their livelihood.

3. 'There has been no occasion in the past on which the State Government has failed to provide the required support for the

conduct of the Amarnathji Yatra. On the contrary, the extent and nature of governmental support to the Yatra has beenprogressively enhancing, from year to year.

4. 'In view of the need to seek a peaceful resolution of the fundamental issues, to settle all existing doubts and clarify the

continuing responsibility of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir had constituted,on 6 August, 2008, a four-member Committee comprising:

Dr. S. S. Bloeria, Advisor to Governor, Justice (Retd) Shri G. D. Sharma , Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Vice Chancellor, University

of Jammu and Shri B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board

5. 'The Committee held three rounds of discussions with the four-member Committee nominated by the Shri Amarnathji Yatra

Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) which comprised:-

Shri Tilak Raj Sharma, Brig (Retd) Suchet Singh, Prof. Narinder Singh and Shri Pawan Kohli

6. 'The Governor has also held discussions with the leaders of political, social, religious, academic and other organizations in

the Kashmir Valley. The predominant view, emerging out of the consultations, is that the Amarnathji Yatra, which is acenturies old tradition of J&K's rich composite heritage, will continue to be welcomed and supported by the people of

Kashmir, in every possible way. It was also felt that while the Shrine Board could continue to use the land, as in the past, for

Yatra purposes, nothing should be done to alienate or transfer the land. While an assuring convergence of views hasemerged, the Governor is committed to continuing the consultative process to ensure against any remaining

misunderstanding whatsoever on an issue which has earlier led to serious misperceptions and grade human and economic

loss.

7. 'Based on detailed discussions and deliberations held in the recent weeks, the following framework of action for resolving

the issue relating to the use of land for the period of Yatra by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, at Baltal and Domail, has

been agreed to:-

A. 'The State Government shall set aside for the use by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, exclusively, the land in Baltal and Domail(Compartment No. 63/S, Sindh Forest Division) comprising an area of 800 kanals, traditionally under use for the annual

Yatra purposes.

B. 'The proprietary status/ownership/title of the land shall not undergo any change.

C. 'The Board shall use the aforesaid land for the duration of the Yatra (including the period of making the required


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arrangements and winding up of the same) for the purpose of user by various service providers according to its needs and

priorities.

'The aforesaid land shall be used according to the Board's requirements, from time to time, including for the following:-

i. 'Raising of temporary pre-fabricated accommodation and toilet facilities by the Board;

ii. 'Establishment of tented accommodation by private camping agencies (locals, permanent residents of the State);

iii. 'Setting up of the shops by shopkeepers (locals, permanent residents of the State);

iv. 'Facilities for Ponywallahs and Pithuwallahs;

v. 'Provision of healthcare and medical facilities;

vi. 'Setting up of free Langars by private persons and groups which are licensed by the Board;

vii. 'Facilities for helicopter operations/ parking of vehicles;

viii. 'Arrangements of security by local police/para-military forces and other security agencies as per the arrangements in placehere-to-fore; and

ix. 'Undertaking measures relating to soil conservation, land protection and preservation of ecology.

8. 'It has further been agreed that the Board shall continue to remain responsible for the overall arrangements of the Yatra on

both the routes during the Yatra period, including all arrangements as mandated under the provisions of the ShriAmarnathji Shrine Act, 2000 A.D.

9. 'Apart from the above, the Committee set up by the Samiti had, during the course of discussions, presented a fourteen-

point Charter of Demands for consideration by the State Government. The main demands relate to withdrawal ofcriminal cases against various persons during the period of agitation, provision of compensation to the families of the

deceased and to the injured and working out of appropriate packages of financial assistance to compensate losses of the

transport sector, trade and industry, horticulture sector, hoteliers and tourist operators. The State Government has agreedto examine all these demands in an appropriate manner on time-bound basis.

10. 'In particular, as regards the registration of criminal cases against various persons during the period of agitation, it is agreed

that all cases of non-serious nature which shall mean bailable and compoundable will be withdrawn. The remaining caseswill be reviewed, on the merits of each case, by a Committee headed by Shri Anil Goswami, Principal Secretary (Home)

within 60 days. Till the completion of this process, no action will be taken in such cases. Also, specific allegations of

atrocities on agitators, based on prima-facie evidence, could also be looked into by this Committee.

11. 'Ex-gratia relief will be extended in favour of the next of the kin of the deceased and in favour of permanently disabled and

the injured in all cases covered under the existing rules of the State Government.

12. 'Further, a Working Group, under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary will address all compensation issues relating to bothJammu and Kashmir Divisions and the Central Government will be approached for extending enabling financial support to

the State Government for this purpose within a period of two months. To make the exercise meaningful, one representative

from each of the affected sectors will be associated with the deliberations of the Working Group.

13. 'The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board will be reconstituted keeping in view the provisions of the Act and the past precedents.

14. 'It is agreed that the Law Department in the State Government will examine the issue of disposal of LPA in terms of the

understanding made hereinabove within one month.'

Sd/- Sd/-

(Lila Karan Sharma) (Dr. S. S. Bloeria)Convener Advisor to Governor of J&K

Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti


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T

the se l oca l channe l she public outrageloaded with array ofover the revocation

statistical data disparagingof the land transfer

order by the minority everything from disparity

government of Mr. Azad has in number of assemblyprogressively merged with the seats to Badshah Universitylatent issue of long felt racial standing on a forest area.bias felt by this part of the Ve ry agg re s s i ve tex tstate of Jammu and Kashmir. messages underscoringSome of the renowned precise statistics l ikepolitical analysts from Jammu number of unemploymentlike Dr. Jitender Singh and being more in Jammu,P r o f . H a r i O m h a v e

Jammuites giving morerationalized this with the

t a x e s c o m p a r e d t oa n a l o g y t h a t t h e

Kashmiris and advising tooverwhelming public outcry

boycott Kashmiri goodso v e r t h e A m a r n a t h

were also disseminatedpredicament is only abefore text services was

symptom of the disease ofaltogether condemned atdiscrimination/partialitythe behest of the Governorsuffered by the people inSahib.Jammu from hukumrans in

Kashmir. The local Cable

c h a n n e l s w e r e a l s o Watching this kind of

acknowledged by these theatrics in these channels

commentators, for precipitating reminisces one of the

the unprecedented mass churlish PTV where till todaywave, which saw conservative every evil in Pakistan isand politically novice women easily blamed on thefolk from Jammu coming

shoulders of India. Thesespellbound onto the streets ta l k s headed by thesloganeering and beating protagonists not only are likeutensils. one-eyed wisdom of sage

Shukaracharya, where one is

fascinated by his side ofThe extremist politicians

perception only but also itaffiliated to Jammu came to

The confrontation over transfer of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and the its revocation is just the trigger.

The issue is small but the problem is far larger. The office of Indian Prime Minister, as it appears now, has always

grossly overlooked the historical background and composition of aspirations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Amarnath Confrontation :

Is It Sureal ?

Anmol Sharma


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seems that they are bereft of the history We can never, first-of-all deny the fact think that only Hurriyat is demanding

of J&K politics. Every voice emanating that Kashmiri community has never scraping of Armed Forces Special

in Jammu these days be it the electronic allowed itself to be identified with the Powers Act (AFSPA). This draconian law

or print media oscillates to dot the voice rest of India and culturally too their has created more havoc in Northeast

of Kashmiri leaders and Kashmiri locals. Kashmiriyat was never part of the broad than in Kashmir. IAF has bombardedThe hatred and acrimony against them Continental-cum-Secular-cum-Hindu them and used mortar shells and in

has arisen to such a level that people influenced Indian ethos. Second-of-all 2004, the abduction and killing of

have vowed not eat fruits from Kashmir we also have to wake up to the fact that Thangjam Manorama Devi triggered

and made a bonfire of their handicrafts we have repeatedly blundered in our massive protests by the people ofon streets of Jammu. brainless policy towards sensitive Manipur. A group of brave Mothers shook

issues. Just to score some more seats in the conscience of the entire world by

Punjab by dirty tricks, we tried to their nude protest in front of AssamIt is utmost necessary and meaningful toqu ar an ti ne Ak al is by pi tc hi ng Rifles HQ. But here in just 2 days ofpoint out that the bog ie ofBhindrenwala and the havoc it did to Army's management on the streets, thediscrimination continuously raisedIndia was in the shape of operation blue intellectuals of Jammu are crying foul,nowadays by the people of Jammu is notstar, sacrificing our women Prime so can we not just for a moment imagineover-pampering of the Kashmir region

Minister and the wave of resentment by what these people in Northeast andbut was a shrewd ploy by those headingSikhs which we conveniently labeled Kashmir must be feeling?successively the PM's Office. It is part of'terrorism'.our States history that Maharaja Hari

Singh in 1947 had approached both India We as Indians connect the image ofand Pakistan with a Standstill Likewise, in Kashmir, we promised 'near' Bharat Mata with bureaucracy of babu'sAgreement as he was in dilemma freedom in the shape of a sadar-i- and feel that we can commit no blunderwhether to accede to Dominion of India riyasat and a Prime Minister. Art. 370 and do not realize how alienated andor Pakistan or to stay independent. It was a sacrosanct cornerstone and it has estranged minorities feel and what theyshould not, also be forgotten that over the time been diluted to the core, really feel about India and HinduKashmiri has never been empathetic specially by Delhi Agreement of 1952 Majority. The treatment to a Ladakhitowards India, he never wanted to be a and the famous Sheikh-Indira Accord in student in my class was not what mouldpart of India, and they are not ashamed 1975, the betrayal to the masses when make a Indian proud. Very few studentsto openly say it. Although, this may be Rajiv Gandhi and Farooq Abdullah shook would talk to him and he was a socialhighly objectionable for a patriotic hands to upset the mandate to MUF outcaste. When I asked him whetherIndian, but this is the truth we do not forced them to respond in the way they Buddhists would have also protestedwant to accept. did. In return, we responded with like Kashmiris if land was acquired in

unparalleled HR excesses, which saw a Ladakh, his reply was they would have.

lakh people dead, 10,000 still missing Even at the slightest provocation likeMrs. Gandhi had her hair pulled by someand what not. Army came and sat on the Dera Controversy, the Sikhs shoutKashmiri girls in 1970's, and we knowtheir orchards, cultivable lands; schools the slogans of Khalistan Zindabad inwhat slogans they raised during Indiaetc, our PM Mr. Singh had openly stated Gandhi Nagar.West Indies Cricket match and thet

epilogue magazine, september 2008

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