Mudassir Ahmad
SRINAGAR: Blame game has been started between political parties over joining of educated youth into militant groups in Kashmir, which has become a cause of concern for the government and the security establishments.
Day after Hizbul Mujahideen's Burhan Wani was killed, mainstream parties Saturday blamed each other over reviving of militancy in Kashmir.
Burhan Wani (22), along with two of his accomplices was killed in an encounter in Kokernag area of Anantnag district on Friday evening. Following which massive protests broke out across Kashmir and parts of the Valley are under strict restrictions.
Following these killings, former chief minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdulllah said that NC had maintained that a political problem needs a political solution. Omar said, “Burhan was not the first to pick up the gun and won't be the last. For all Burhan's social media activity I don't recall any militancy attributed to him while I was in office. Not sure after that.”
Observing that no militancy incident related to slain militant commander happened in his tenure, Omar Abdullah said that Kashmir's disaffected lot has got a “new icon in Burhan Wani”.
In a series of tweets, Omar said that his party NC believes in resolution to political problem. He said that the killing of Burhan would “have more consequences than his social networking activity”.
BJP spokesperson Kashmir Khalid Jehaingir said joining educated youth was not prerogative since everyone is educated in today's times. “It does not matter whether educated or uneducated are joining militant groups, terrorist is a terrorist.” He said the youth were joining militancy due to policies of the NC and Congress.
Reacting to Omar Abdullah's tweet, where he had apparently blamed the PDP-BJP for Burhan for inspiring youth to join militant groups, Jehangir said, “He (Omar) should go to the history when his grandfather joined hands with the Congress. The NC and Congress misgovernment's, rigging of 1987 elections was reason for eruption of militancy in Kashmir. Both the NC and Congress are carrying the bloodshed in their luggage. It is because of the policies of the NC, Congress that some youth have chosen the path of militancy,” the BJP spokesperson said.
“Sheikh Abdullah did endorse accession with rest of the country and people of Kashmir too endorsed that. Then he wanted 1952 position. Their idea was to rule JK and become second Maharajas of Kashmir.”
He said BJP want to give good governance and to make alienated youth closer to the New Delhi. “”Unfortunately that some youth are resorting the path of militancy. Militancy graph will go down and youth will choose good path and serve their community.” He said the BJP will always follow the Vajpayee's mission on Kashmir.
Mehboob Beg, chief spokesperson of the ruling PDP said joining of educated youth was not a new phenomenon but has been going since 1947 although there had been ups and downs in the militancy. “Nobody denies that a section is alienated from the mainstream in Kashmir. That is why PDP has included in the agenda of alliance that government of India needs to hold talks with Pakistan, Hurriyat and other sections of the society,”
He said blaming the PDP-BJP for joining of youth like Burhan Wani into militancy was diluting from the main issue.
“Kashmir issue needs to be addressed through dialogue. Whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked to Pakistan at various levels, we have appreciated it.”
Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid said he rejected the statements of those who blame the PDP-BJP government in the state for joining of youth into militant ranks.
“Even if Syed Ali Geelani becomes chief minister and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq the governor of the state still killings won't be stopped. You need to address the basic problem that is resolution of the Kashmir dispute,” Rashid said.
He said he had difference with the PDP-BJP for religious and cultural interference in the state.
However, he said the violence may decrease had the government of India been sincere in solving of some basic issues in the Valley.
