Control the extremists, promote the moderates

MHA prepares new report to deal with situation in Kashmir

Jammu Tawi, February 25: Finally, the Ministry of Home Affairs has brought out an assessment report which nothing more than photo-copying hundreds of similar inputs with a set of new plans to curb the militancy in the Kashmir valley of Jammu Kashmir State. The advisories in the report are “control” of the mosque, madrasa, print and TV media, changes in political atmosphere, strengthening of intelligence set-up and reaching out to the ‘moderate' factions of Hurriyat.
The report, compiled after securing inputs from ground, suggests long-term “actionable points” and has been sent to National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, as reported by a news-portal quoting sources.
The report which discusses about the three-decade-old insurgency in the valley has, however, no mention to Pakistan component. It advises that the political situation in the state needs to be changed and those who were part of the 2014 victory need to be supported and promoted by the government. The report also suggests that some of the financial schemes of the Centre may be implemented through these people that may help to bring more people in their area of influence.
The report also put forward a special development scheme for the Shia, Bakkarwal and Pahadi Muslims in order to prevent them from lured away by the Kashmiri separatist element and the widespread cult of Wahabism within in the valley.
Largely defunct Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Jammu and Kashmir division needs to be revived. The report says those news organizations in the Valley fomenting anti-India sentiment should be “discouraged” from telecasting any “negative propaganda”.
On the role of separatists, the report calls for crackdown by Income Tax and other agencies on them but at the same time advocates engagement with the moderate faction.
To curb cases of stone-pelting, it has been advised that those indulging in such incidents need to be booked under Public Safety Act and for first-time offenders, especially teenagers, special juvenile homes may be set up so that they do not get influenced by more radical elements.
For economic development and to tackle unemployment, it has been suggested that the government come up with a special provision or legislation related to corporate social responsibility (CSR) for Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that business houses carry out activities under this head in the Valley and yearly targets for the companies may be fixed.
Suggesting an overhaul of intelligence and police management, the report suggests that to tackle militants from across the border, Special Operation Group (SOG) needs to be revived as it was done in 2002.