Jammu & Kashmir - Articles

Besides the general focus on the healing touch policy of the new government, the Urdu press also focused on two important events, one took place inside the Valley and the other outside it – the massacre in Nadimarg and the American attack on Iraq.

Srinagar Times, in its editorial (25 March 2003), predicted that the blame game between Delhi and militant organizations operating in the Valley would begin after the Nadimarg massacre as usual. Further, the Hurriyat Conference and militant organizations would demand an impartial inquiry into the incident. People would be sincere enough to express sorrow and grief over the incident as they did at the time of the Chattisinghpora massacre in the past. "Mufti-led coalition government, much vocal about restoring long awaited peace in the Valley, has failed miserably to bring changes on the ground. During its five months tenure, there has been no decrease in the bloodshed. Nadimarg massacre has come just few days after eight people were killed in Poonch market, not to speak of eight innocent people who were killed in Gool Gulabgarh.�

Srinagar Times in its editorial (2 April 2003) commented " Both the state and the central govt. are responsible for the Nadimarg massacre. On one hand where the security lapse on part of state government has led to the incident, the continuous infiltration on borders is encouraging violence on the other hand.� It also said, "The militants claim that they are carrying on a freedom struggle but the Government of India denounces it as terrorism. Though the militants' fight has a moral and political support in the valley, common people is caught between two guns."

Expressing concern over the growing 'unhealthy criticism' over Nadimarg massacre Chattan commented (31 March 2003) that critics used the 'Nadimarg incident' as an occasion to rough up the five month old Mufti government. "Some sections of critics accused Mufti of maintaining flexible attitude towards the militants carrying out such attacks. Others crossing all the limits did not even hesitate to call Mufti a part of militancy." It also continued, "Criticism is a democratic right but should not be misused. Such people don’t want the new government to flourish. The need of the hour is to conduct an impartial inquiry into the incident and punish the guilty.�

Srinagar Times in its editorial  (1 April 2003) commented that "the Mufti- led coalition government has adapted the same attitude as that of its predecessor National Conference government in dealing with the problem of unemployment. Though the issue of large-scale eradication of unemployment dominated the addresses at the election rallies, no steps have been taken on ground in this direction. At the same time, there are controversies within the party about the problem of unemployment"

Believing that "The restoration of peace is possible only after the problem of unemployment is over," in its editorial Srinagar Times (1 April 2003) also observed  "Many people who were promised jobs after they agreed to campaign for elections in different parts of valley visit Jammu Secretariat in search of jobs and return helplessly. Seeing the rush, it would be safe to say that every candidate seems to have promised jobs to at least 500-1000 unemployed youth."  It also continued that the “unemployed youth, disappointed with the NC government voted against it in the last elections for obvious reasons. If the coalition government doesn't bring flexibility in its attitude towards the unemployed, it will meet the same fate as that of NC in next elections."  

There is a growing anti-American sentiment vis-à-vis the war against Iraq in the Valley. The demonstrations against America in different parts of the Valley appeared in a section of the vernacular press. The Valley observed a two days shutdown against 'American aggression' to express solidarity with the Iraqi people. The Democratic Freedom Party, Jammat-i-Islami and Jamiat Ahlihadees expressed deep concern over the war against Iraq and called it an act of ''naked aggression'.' Going a step further, Aaseya Indrabi, president of the Dukhtrani Millat (lone women outfit) asked militant outfits to intensify attacks on security forces under "Operation save Iraq, save Islam," besides calling for frequent strikes. "It would be an equivalent expression of solidarity with Iraqi people fighting against a Superpower," feels Aaseya.

Srinagar Times observed (20 March 2003) that by attacking Iraq, America has isolated itself from the rest of the world. "The war against Iraq is unjustified and uncalled for. Iraq is perhaps the only country which didn’t succumb to the American dictatorship. For this reason, she is facing American aggression.â€Â� It adds that the way America has started its onslaught indicates that it is hell-bent on destroying Iraq. Its motive is to get hold of Iraq's oil resources that it has been eyeing for long. America may win the war on the ground, but on diplomatic and moral grounds it has already lost, concludes the editorial. 

Subah Kashmir in its editorial (25March 2003) “Innocent Iraqis and Helpless world" observed that the war against Iraq was not justified. The daily recalled that in 1991 George W Bush's father fought a war against Saddam to eliminate him but could not. Instead of growing weak, as expected by the then President, Saddam emerged as a strong leader with the unprecedented support of the people of Iraq. "Now George Bush, committed to complete the incomplete mission of his father, has targeted Iraq once again with an apparent intention to kill Sadaam. The permanent members of the Security Council failed to form a consensus to solve the Iraq crisis, needless to speak of ten non-permanent members who failed miserably to play any role". Daily Aftaab summed up that "by attacking Iraq unjustifiably and by disrespecting UNO, these countries have unveiled their criminal face before the world.�

Daily Aftaab in its editorial (30 March 2003) found that the invitation extended to India and Pakistan by the US and Britain to come to the negotiating table and resolve all the outstanding issues, including Kashmir, was aimed at making their presence felt as ''peace lovers'' in the world. "These countries suggest that others talk and find a peaceful solution, but for them the same carries no weight. America and Britain went for war against Iraq overnight. The reluctance was such, that widespread condemnation apart, the UN, the biggest international organization, was itself challenged," the editorial observed.

The vocal Mufti-led coalition government has been insincere in fulfilling its promise of releasing the innocent people detained in different jails and interrogation centers within and outside the Valley. The government has not put in adequate efforts to restore peace and tranquility in the trouble torn-Valley, which it claims is a larger part of its "healing touch" policy. At the same time, the ongoing demolition drive has also received little attention. These were the findings of a survey of Urdu media in the valley.

Daily Aftab, in its editorial, "Chief Minister's announcement about the prisoners," dated 19 March 2003, commented that the government was befooling the international community by merely noting that a number of innocent Kashmiris held in different jails and interrogation centers would be released.  Nobody has been released barring a few leaders. The daily makes an obvious reference to the statement of the Chief Minster acknowledging that "ailing Ashraf Sahrai, Vice President Jamat-i-Islami was undergoing detention unreasonably; Dr.Gh.Mohammed Hubi of Charar Shrief and many others associated with Hurriyat were held only on political grounds."

The government has not come forward to rescue such people, and deceiving the international community that it is concerned about the Kashmir dispute. "By doing so, the government also sets up the platform to claim democracy and make the outside world understand that Human Rights were taken care of in this part of world", the editorial continued. "However, the situation on the ground is quite contrary to it. The people of the valley are yearning for justice," summed up the editorial.

Alsafa, the lone bi- lingual newspaper in the valley reported on 19 March 2003 that "the smugglers from different parts of the valley were arrested on the charges of timber smuggling. These people were not involved in any militancy related activity". The daily also opined that prolonged detenus like Noor Mohd Kolwal, Masrat Alam, and Ab. Rashid Shiekh should have been released irrespective of their involvement in the freedom struggle. "What does the new government want to achieve by befooling people of the valley?" it questioned.

While the healing touch has been questioned, people were unhappy over the demolition drive which is under progress in the valley on a large scale. Although they acknowledge it as a step facilitating the smooth running of transport on the roads, easing pedestrian movement, especially in lanes and by-lanes of the city, the authorities are accused of being partial in their approach towards encroachments. Aftaab commented in its editorial (20 March 2003) that "the Municipality and Development authorities with the connivance of higher ups receive handsome bucks from the people close to authorities for leaving them untouched. For this matter, shopkeepers and others affected have once again started to reestablish the demolished portions.� Its editorial further said, “People reason that demolition being selective is not acceptable to them. Whosoever comes in the 'demolition purview' must be taken to task to make it successful and everlasting."