Targeted Killings in Kashmir: A Serious Concern

The dastardly act of killing a Punjabi Sikh youth and another Punjabi youth at point blank range in Kashmir by terrorists has sent shock waves not only in Jammu and Kashmir but the rest of the country. This is the first targeted killing of minorities in Kashmir to squander the peace initiatives of the Jammu and Kashmir Government. This is a well calculated move to keep the Kashmir on the boil so that the ethno-religious conflict is kept alive to reconsolidate and regroup the terror networks. Last year there was a series of such attacks to thwart any developmental activities for the welfare of the society in Kashmir. In these attacks both non locals and minorities were targeted to create the social division and provoke the masses. So that a sense of insecurity is created for those visiting Kashmir. It includes the targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandit Package Employees who are serving in Kashmir under the Prime Minister’s Package. Their killings had led to a prolonged agitation and protests for the relocation to Jammu. But after the administrative assurance they resumed their duties in various departments in Kashmir. Targeted killings are meant to destabilise Kashmir and derail the attempts to bring the normalcy back to the valley. Resistance Front, supposed to be the shadow group of the Lashkar is supposed to be involved in the yesterday’s barbaric attack. It is clear that after a lull the terrorist groups want their presence be felt in the valley. So that their masters  from across the border can keep the conflict alive by targeting the innocent lives. It is an open secret that terrorism has the patronage of Pakistan and its Army that loses no attempt to wreck the peace initiatives in Kashmir. In order to shift the focus from its internal sectarian strife and political chaos it activates the subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The opening of the Poonch- Rajouri front in the recent years is an ample proof that Pakistan wants to keep India engaged at multiple fronts. So that it can harvest the dividends from the loss of innocent lives. In the  previous month there have been high profile meetings of the security grid  both in New Delhi and at the union territory level with Home Ministry monitoring the security situation. Home Minister,Amit Shah  has been categorical  in stating that there will be zero tolerance  for terrorism of any kind and rightly so. Progressive societies can’t thrive on regression and threat to life and limb of the people. This act must be seen in the light of the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections that are scheduled within a few months. This terrorist act is a well calculated ploy to create  fear  psychosis among the masses to stay away from the democratic process. Keeping in view the sensitivity of the situation that can emerge. The security apparatus has to be tightened with a focus on comprehensive intelligence inputs that can pre-empt these targeted killings in the valley. These fissiparous tendencies can’t be left to act at their whims and fancies. Police Administration and the Para Military forces must not lower their guard. Common people too must act as sentinels and discourage the elements that engineer social and communal fault lines. These targeted killings are also meant to stop the march of Kashmir towards the economic prosperity and tourism boom. It will have an impact on the tourist arrival and the transaction of other businesses of Jammu and Kashmir with other states of the nation due to fear psychosis. Only condemnation of such acts won’t yield the desired results. There is an urgent need for a clear social message that Kashmir wants peace, prosperity and progression. These acts of targeted killings must not be allowed to embolden the terrorists to act with impunity and pose serious threat to the people living in Kashmir and people visiting Kashmir. Even the responsible  media has a bigger role .That includes both print and electronic media. The factual reporting from the ground zero has to be encouraged. So that the public opinion is made for the terror free society in Kashmir. Revealing the truth and analysing it for the betterment of the society and nation has to be primary objective of the media. Kashmir can’t afford the killing of its innocent people anymore when lot of blood has already flown through the Vitasta (Jhelum).Both society and administration must join hands to keep Kashmir safe.