State shows its might in Kashmir Valley
For the third consecutive day, chirping of birds could be heard in the Valley’s pollution-free environs that resonated with secessionist slogans for most of last fortnight.
By Masood Hussain, ET Bureau |
SRINAGAR: The J&K government has finally asserted its might. For the third consecutive day, chirping of birds could be heard in the Valley���s pollution-free environs that resonated with secessionist slogans for most of last fortnight. With the scuttling of Monday���s march to Lal Chowk, the state administration sent a clear message, ���enough is enough,��� to use the exact words of officials here. And a besieged but peaceful Valley seems to have got the message.
There has been no relaxation in curfew in the last 75 hours. No newspaper have been printed as staff movement is extremely difficult. Marshalling of reporters continued. Cable networks remained banned. Unprecedented restrictions on movement of medical staff and attacks on ambulances by security men continue.
Apart from Lal Chowk, many localities in Srinagar have been sealed. Hospitals and population in Srinagar are scampering for milk. With the Army dominating rural areas and CRPF in control of the city, an impression is there that the state police is actually playing second fiddle. A top official said such impressions based on deployments are correct. ���But the fact is any force that is on the ground is legally assisting the police,��� he said.
But the severe curfew restriction is part of crisis management. Do not confuse the two aspects of the crisis, suggests Mohammad Sayeed Malik, a respected commentator. ���As far curfew goes, it is the state���s response to the agitation. Kashmir did what it had to do and now the state is doing what it deems fit to put a lid on it,��� he told ET.
But the pressure cooker condition runs the risk of exploding any day after restrictions are eased. ���It definitely can prove counter-productive but experiences show it mellows down people and eases the situation,��� said a senior officer. Authorities are still undecided on relaxing curfew even though there has not been any violation for over 24 hours now. ���We will take a decision on Wednesday,��� a top aid of governor N N Vohra said.
The blueprint on resolving the crisis initially envisaged calming Jammu by talking to the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) and undoing disruption in truck movement so that the situation in the Valley is tackled. Policy makers ��� Kashmir is currently administered strictly as per NSA���s directions ���finally accepted the MHA-BJP principle of making a distinction between the agitation in Jammu and anti-national protests in the Valley and de-linking the two.
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Sources said the Centre has found a formula to satisfy SAYSS. A formal announcement was deferred as SAYSS and BJP have actually backed out and insist it would organise another rally on Wednesday. They have taken a strong exception to the Centre���s decision that while cases against all those spearheading violent agitation will be withdrawn, the government will invoke the Public Safety Act against all persons involved in disrupting truck movement.This has angered SAYSS. Chief Leela Karan Sharma on Monday said in Kathua they would throttle Kashmir by strictly enforcing an economic blockade if the ���police repression��� in Jammu did not end. Kathua was again brought under curfew as thousands moved out to block the highway.
Administration is confused over its next step in Srinagar and Jammu. Officials say they are unaware if detained Hurriyat leaders, some of whom are in a Zabarwan guest house, are booked under PSA or not. They continue to hunt for many others like Shabir Shah, Masarat Aalam and others who somehow managed to give them the slip.
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