The steady deterioration in the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir in recent weeks is a matter of serious concern – to the people, the central government and the provincial government headed by Omar Abdullah of the National Conference. The series of gunfights between terrorists and security forces was topped with a grenade attack at a Sunday market in Srinagar, which injured over 10 innocents. Abdullah cannot wash his hands of the issues at stake in the aftermath of his party making moderate success in the assembly polls. He cannot also take things easy on the pretext that law and order is still under the control of the central government.
The assembly polls had thrown up a split verdict, in which NC got only 42 of the 90 seats while its Congress ally got seven seats. This could have ensured a majority in the assembly but for the fact that the Congress has opted not to join the Abdullah government. The NC can derive some satisfaction as four Independent MLAs have thrown their weight behind Abdullah in the running of the government. The Congress has, under the present circumstances, no way other than backing the NC unless a major realignment of forces takes place there. This is unlikely. Now that power is legitimately vested in Abdullah to chart the future course of the state, it also imposes on him the responsibility of ensuring peace at the ground level. He will be called upon to use his mass support to neutralize Pakistan-inspired terrorists operating from within Jammu and Kashmir. On the other hand, if the present scenario of a steady increase in acts of terror continues, the central government would likely use this as an alibi to throw the Abdullah dispensation out. Guaranteeing peace for Kashmir should be Abdullah’s first priority.
It was widely acknowledged that the past over six years were mostly a period of peace in Kashmir Valley. This, after the veteran leaders were put under house arrest subsequent to the abolition of Article 370 of the Constitution that had, since Independence, given a Special Status to the region. The resultant positive turns in Kashmir helped revive the money-spinning tourism sector. Industrialists saw an opportunity there and set up their units, which promised uplift to the economy and abundant job opportunities to the youth. Pakistan, more so its Army, must be biding its time to make hell out of the Valley so that they could fish in troubled waters. Abdullah must seek saner advice, mediate, and stand by the central government to wipe out terrorism from wider Kashmir’s soil – not just on the Indian side, but in PoK too– through sustained efforts on the ground and at diplomatic levels.
