Senior state Congress leader and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil believes incidents like Gool where four civilians were killed in BSF firing play essential role in the resurgence of militancy in the Kashmir Valley.
By Faisul Yaseen
Q: Is there resurgence in militant attacks?
A: Yes, as far as the government version is concerned. However, the number is very less. Sometimes, militants kill innocent people in these attacks. The truth is that entire Kashmir is not witnessing this resurgence. Insurgency will always continue to be there.
Q: Insurgency will continue’ what makes you think so?
A: Incidents like BSF firing in Gool area of Ramban where four civilians were killed, Army firing in Sumbal area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora area in which two youth were killed are increasing the discontent. Our troops have to exhibit restraint. There are better ways of dealing mobs. Troops should not resort to firing every time. It adds fuel to fire. Public discontent must be dealt with all care and responsibility. Bullets should not answer the pebbles thrown in utmost anger. Moreover, extreme corruption in the state system and governance is acting as a catalyst to crop up more and more of helplessness and frustration among the state youth. They are getting deviated from the mainstream because they are hopeless, both about their future and the system as a whole.
Q: How has the Centre been able to help in this situation?
A: Centre has always offered its full support to eradicate both, militancy and corruption. They have come up with hundreds of schemes to uplift Kashmiri people. There are different schemes for youth as well; however, it’s the state government that has not been able to implement these schemes due to its extremely-corrupt-nature.
Q: Looking at the series of recent militant attacks in the Valley, do you think there is some pattern or these are isolated incidents?
A: There is a pattern to these attacks. However, only few militants are left now. So, they try to come to limelight by killing innocent persons like sarpanchs or policemen. These attacks are just a way for them to show their existence and vent out their frustration. However, the recent attack in Hyderpora area of Srinagar was a one-of-its-kind and our forces and intelligence agencies should learn a lesson from this. They have to be careful, alert and not think militancy is over.
Q: Recent encounters killed some highly educated youth, why are such youth joining militant ranks?
A: Majority of youth crossing over to the LOC for militant training are unemployed. Jammu and Kashmir is facing a major problem of unemployment. These days our youth with professional degrees like MBA, MCA, MA and PhD don’t even become Special Police Officers (SPOs), a job that’s paid a meager salary of Rs 3000. They are not even able to land in these jobs. Our education system is producing parasites not skilled youth. Frustrated, youth take refuge in militancy since they don’t believe there is ‘transparency’ in current system.
Q: How is the government responding?
A: Congress high command has taken a serious note of the resurgence in militancy. It has offered full support to the state government to eradicate militancy as well as corruption. It is the responsibility of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to look into it.
Q: Any other points you would like to make here?
A: There is extreme corruption in Valley and Omar government has not been able to bring it down. Earlier, we had done our best to constitute strict laws against corrupt employees, officers and even politicians; however, all such institutions are dysfunctional under this government. He (Omar) should focus on all institutions of Accountability and try to be honest while handling cases of corruption even if they involve his own ministers or ex-ministers.