Jammu & Kashmir - Articles

Though the Mufti-led coalition government claims that it is proceeding with its 'healing touch policy' to restore much-awaited peace in the Valley, build trust among the people and win the minds and hearts of the people, there are not many takers for these claims. The government describes the healing touch in terms of its changes on the ground, which include a stop in custodial killings, release of innocents from jails and interrogation centers in and outside the Valley, stop in atrocities committed by the security forces on the people, merging of SOG into police, eradication of unemployment, etc. It has been nearly a year since the government came into being, but Mufti has failed to provide good governance. In the capital city Srinagar 87 per cent criticize Mufti's healing touch claims, while in rural areas, where 80 per cent of the population live, 71 percent argue that Mufti has failed to fulfill his promises to the people and that “healing touch� was a term coined to fool the people and the international community-----Courtesy: IPCS survey conducted in Srinagar based on informal conversations with 92 people and in Kupwara, Handawara and Sopore with 203 people in the month of June 2003.

There is no denying the fact that the State government cannot take any drastic step unless it is backed/supported by the Union government. For example, the SOG cannot be merged into the police unless there is support from Delhi. Similarly, eradication of large-scale unemployment is possible if the Centre comes forward to help the State government. The last 13 years of turmoil has been a great setback to the State economy and it is very difficult for a turmoil hit state like Jammu and Kashmir to overnight meet various objectives and win the hearts and minds of people. The tourism sector used to generate crores of rupees but is now in a defunct state with thousands rendered jobless. However, there are other areas where government could build trust among the people. These include elimination of large-scale corruption and an end to atrocities being committed by the security forces. Unfortunately, there has not been much focus on these two aspects.

Undoubtedly, these issues could be dealt with without Delhi's permission or support. When asked how you see the healing touch, a teacher from Lolab wishing anonymity quipped "for the people of Lolab, it would be a healing touch if security forces posted to Lolab stop harassing common Kashmiris." A couple of days ago, security forces had tortured a teacher and charged him with having weapons. The teacher was released on bail only after the Deputy Commissioner's intervention, and now has to make the rounds of the district court till he proves himself innocent. The teacher's family is planning to migrate from their native place for the sake of their lives. There are many families who have suffered the same fate. More often than not, the security forces in some villages of Lolab keep the keys of local shopkeepers with themselves, and shopkeepers have to report to the local camp in the morning to get the keys back. This exercise has been going on for the last many years now. Reason: security forces allege that militants come to the shops in the evenings for purchasing different commodities. Life seems to cease here as the sun sets. One who happens to carry home 100kg of rice has to justify it. Security forces threaten dire consequences if the villagers were to report the matter to a newspaper.

For the people of Lolab the 'healing touch' would be real if they are relieved of this prolonged harassment. They do not want the government to give them jobs and other facilities, only to take notice of the atrocities being committed by the security forces and allow them to live peacefully. Life has become hell for them. In Kupwara town, a forest employee, Ashraf, who was sought by the nearby army camp, was handed over to them by his parents only to be killed in custody, a day later. The town observed a shutdown for a week. Such incidents earn ever-increasing resentment against the Mufti government for failing to put a check on atrocities being committed by the security forces. Winning the hearts and minds of people demands an immediate check on such kinds of incidents. The other area where Government needs to focus is the large-scale corruption and misdoings in the administration. From a small office to the secretariat, much to the disappointment of people, corruption and favoritism is at its peak. Impartiality is yet to make inroads into the administration. People face tremendous inconvenience, and the government remains a mute spectator. Those who do not enjoy a good equation with officials have to pay to get their work done.

Local media from time to time has been warning government of this growing menace, but the latter has paid no heed. People hoped that unlike the NC, this government would be people-friendly and work for the welfare of the people and the state. But it has failed to check corruption or carry out its promises to the people. As an impartial observer, it is understandable that given the prevailing circumstances in the Valley, it is not easy for the government to restore peace overnight but what is frustrating for the common man is that what is within the purview of the government and what could be a stepping stone to achieving normalcy and win trust among the people, is not happening. The government needs to strengthen efforts to ensure that large-scale corruption and growing atrocities by security forces that add to the woes of the people come to an end. The big issues like unemployment and merging the SOG into the police can follow, to achieve tangible results.