Kashmir quagmire: Dual stance leads nowhere
Central government has announced ceasefire during the month of Ramzan against Kashmir extremists. Home minister Rajnath Singh had referred to the preparedness of central government to engage in talks provided the Hurriyat conference gave its concurrence to find solution to Kashmir problem. Though the issue has mellowed down for the time being, the instigating talks by BJP leaders is doing more harm than good. Rajyasabha member D P Vatsa stating those pelting stones at defence forces in Kashmir must be shot dead, has created a furore. This could add more complexities to Kashmir problem that’s already in a quagmire.
According to the statement made by Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the Parliament, about 39,918 people have been killed in Kashmir in incidents of violence between 1990 and 2011. But the separatists believe the actual number is more than double of what’s on the record. Government told the parliament that 13,224 people and 5,369 members from armed forces have been killed in various incidents of violence. Though state and central governments underwent a change during this time in Kashmir, the violence relating to the region has never come down, and innocents are paying the price with their lives.
After announcing ceasefire, Rajnath Singh visited Srinagar on June 8 and took stock of response pattern and preparedness of security forces. He instructed the officers to withdraw cases against minors held for pelting stones. Accordingly cases against 530 boys has been withdrawn. While the home minister is trying to bring situation under control, his other colleagues are instigating the situation for worse.
Whatever it is, only talks alone can solve the problem of Kashmir. Joint Hurriyat Leadership too has exhibited its willingness to participate in the talks with the government of India. At the same time, the leadership has sought our government to clear air on a few topics. Though the extremists did attempt to create problems, things seems to be under control now. But the recent statements by some few BJP leaders can create a situation of disharmony.
Central government needs to take people into its trust circles, even before engaging with the Hurriyat. The government needs to clear the air in people’s mind regarding their safety. Owing to some impulsive decisions made by Modi four years ago when he occupied the PM chair, people of Kashmir are in great problems. Women and children have also taken to streets to pelt stones and make their unhappiness known to the authorities.
Some off-the-top decisions regarding safety and security as initiated by the new government has created massive issues especially for women and children. Youths are attracted to illegal and anti-government activities. Central govt needs to engage them with great forthcoming attitude to get their attention.
Central govt needs to assure to people of Kashmir that they wouldn’t choose the same violent path to control the mobs, including absolute dropping use of pellet guns against protesting women and children. A conducive atmosphere needs to be created by releasing leaders such as Shabeer Shah, assuring total inquiry into incidents of firing undertaken by armed forces.
Ministers contradicting home minister Rajnath Singh must be strictly told to stay off the issue and not to issue any media statement since this is not helping the cause. The government must show total commitment to resolving Kashmir issue through talks and discussions.
The BJP led govt had appointed Intelligence chief Dineshwar Sharma as intermediary last year. Mr Sharma has said: Unless the violence is contained and people’s consensus is collected, there would be no use to any discussions on this issue. His statement clearly shows the lopsided approach governments have taken to sort out the issue. Central government needs to draw up innovative plans to engage the youths who are increasingly getting drawn to extremist activities. Hence defence forces need to engage in bringing down the violence than taking decisions that further deepen the damage.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh could have given even more concrete assurances of ceasefire in order to encourage positivity and talks between government and separatists. Negative approach or aggression will not provide any solution to Kashmir problem, ever. Union government’s ceasefire in Ramzan month is the most appropriate gesture. If this positive reinforcement is continued, the people of that region may even come around to sit down and talk with the government and being part of it. If clarity is not reached, this issue may continue to exist for a few more years.
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Shivaji statue collapse case: HC grants bail to consultant Chetan Patil
Mumbai (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to consultant Chetan Patil arrested in connection with the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj''s statue at Rajkot fort in Malvan in August.
A 35-foot statue of the iconic Maratha warrior king collapsed in Sindhudurg district on August 26, nearly nine months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled it on Navy Day.
Patil was arrested on August 30 from Kolhapur.
A single bench of Justice A S Kilor on Thursday held that no case was made out to implicate Patil in the case as he had not been appointed as the structural designer of the statue.
The bench further said Patil had only submitted a structural stability report of the pedestal of the statue and the pedestal was intact even after the collapse.
Another accused, Jaydeep Apte, who was the sculptor and contractor, was also arrested in the case. The HC said it would hear his bail plea on November 25.
The Sindhudurg police had registered an FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for negligence and other offences last month against Apte and Patil for the statue's collapse.
Patil and Apte moved HC seeking bail after a sessions court rejected their pleas.
