JAMMU: Now withstanding the fact that insurgency took firm roots in Jammu and Kashmir after peace had returned to Punjab, the killing of Chief Minister, Beant he, is likely to have major ramifications in the troubled valley.

At minimum it will delay the start of the political process which was to pave the way for proposed assembly elections. Reports from the National conference and Congress circles in Srinagar indicate that pro India politicians in Kashmir have been unnerved by the way militants’ managed to plant a bomb in the car of Beant Singh who was under “Z” category security cover,

The National Conference leadership had planned to observe the 13th death anniversary of Shaikh Abdullah on ‘Sepiember8 on a grand scale, to launch the party’s political program, The party president, Dr. Farooq Abdullah.

 Who is in London, and wished to delay his arrival in Srinagar by another week, has been urged to return to Kashmir, Reports said that he may reach Srinagar on September 6. According to the National Conference sources the killing of Beant Singh has cast a poll over the morale of party Teaders and workers. One party leader said “we have to be very careful now. ‘When a man who was operating under the shadow of heavy security bandobast ‘could’ not be spared how is it possible for us to ensure our safety”? The mood in the Congress camp was ‘dismal.’ The PCC chief Ghulam Rasool Kar, had recently started what the party circles called a mass contact program. This is likely to be aborted because of developments in Punjab. Reports from Doda revealed that proIndia politicians, who had plans for coming out of the self-imposed hibernation, may not come out for the time being, at least until militants get over their cuphoria at the elimination of Beant Singh.

News from separatist sources in Kashmir and Doda reveal that the militants mood is upbeat as they now. realize that ‘agencies’ across the border have the capacity to strike anywhere they please, Also, they believe that ‘once’ insurgency raises its head again in ‘Punjab’ Kashmiri separatists will reap the benefits. Official circles in Srinagar and Jammu seem to be perturbed. They have decided to further strengthen security around VIPs following reports that militants may try to attack senior government functionaries and pro India politicians in the state, Even senior Army officers and those who man paramilitary forces and the police have been asked to avoid talking liberties with their security.

In this context, a high level meeting in which the Governor’s advisers, senior police and Army officers participated, was held in Srinagar. Sept. to review the changed security scenario in J&K following the assassination of Beant Singh. At the meeting a decision was taken to gear up intelligence and security for ensuring a foolproof security cover for senior government functionaries, politicians and vital government installations, These steps are being taken in view of threats from separatists that they would not allow the assembly polls to be held in the state, A decision was also taken to tighten security at the two airports, railway stations and tracks in Jammu and at places where the politicians wanted to hold public or workers meetings.

Observers, who conceded that Beant Singh’s killing had created panic to Kashmir, opine that its impact on Jammu and Kashmir would be temporary if the security forces succeed in sealing the Indo-Pakistan border.

Article extracted from this publication >>September 8, 1995