SRINAGAR: The continuing Armed Forces siege of the Hazratbal Shrine complex to wear down the militants holed up inside is symbolic of a larger siege of the Valley as a whole and the Central Government’s policy towards Kashmir,
Significant too is the attempt by Srinagar residents to defy the cur few on Oct.22, especially the manner in which it was done as it indicates the people’s response to the armed might of the State.
As faras the siege, the Army has been quite categorical in maintaining that it will wait for the militants to surrender unconditionally. “Nowhere in the world has a Government caved in to the demands of terrorists,” declared Lt. Gen Padmanabhan, the corps commander in charge of the operation.
Similarly, it is obvious that New Delhi’s policy vis-à-vis the Kashmiri people’s movement for secession from India, which has deep rooted popular support, is Single track. It will maintain a heavy deployment of security forces to combat violence, despite the expenses, with the belief that insurgency will bum itself out and the people will abandon the movement out of sheer fatigue.
But many a women, children and elderly pilgrims have been trapped in the shrine complex along with the armed militants and are suffering from hunger, cold and other infirmaries.
Similarly, the common man in the Valley is paying a heavy price, physically and mentally, because of the siege. The pilgrims inside the shrine claim that they are not trapped and refuse to come out unless the militants’ demands are fulfilled. Similarly, the average Kashmiri seems uncompromising in his or her hatred for the Indian State, unyielding in their desire for azadi.
The Army has, however, received a boost in its efforts by the strong arm manner in which the civil authorities managed to contain the situation here on Friday when many religious and political lead crs had given a call to the people to march towards the shrine complex “come what may.”
If the authorities can keep a lid on things throughout the Valley, than there will be less pressure on the Army to consider other options for as the corps commander pointed out “the length of the siege so far is qualitatively speaking nothing. We have infinite patience,” And indeed, the Indian State can, if left alone by the international community, wait for as long as required.
Unfortunately, this is not a democratic or humane policy. LuGen Padmanabhan was unaware of the symbolism in his words when referring to the siege he said: “The militants are uncomfortable now and things will get progressively worse.” The Center seems to care less for the same holds true of the people in general throughout the Valley.
The people’s response, however, was evident in the clashes between the Fateh Kadal residents and the Border Security Force in down town Srinagar on Friday. While the BSF men paraded the crowded. By lanes and alleyways, sharp shots were heard. Several jawans knelt and took position, aiming their semiautomatic guns at the fleeing youngsters, not knowing whom to fire at.
A few meters away, another group of youngsters had gathered to shout slogans and hurl stones. They were tear gassed compelling them to disperse. One of them, however, picked up the cannister with the thick smoke fuming our and hurled it back.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 29, 1993
