Terrorism Must End in J & K

Targeted killings that took place in Ganderbal’s Gagangeer area have shocked the nation. Innocent people have lost precious lives and their families have been rendered helpless. Amid assurances of peace and stability by the policy makers, terrorist attacks have increased. It has vindicated the point of the security analysts that tourism is not the barometer of peace in Kashmir. From the past few years tourists have thronged Kashmir. Even this year there has been an influx of tourists to various destinations in Kashmir. Keeping the two consecutive terror attacks in view that have rocked Kashmir, it must be said that the terror infrastructure is intact and is ready to grab the opportunity to strike with impunity. The Ganderbal attack has been planned and executed with meticulous precision to inflict maximum damage. Terrorists have given a strong message that they are waiting to strike. And this time it must be seen as a challenge to the newly elected UT Government in Jammu and Kashmir led by Omar Abdullah, who represents the constituency where people have lost lives in this attack. The new government must assert its will and impose the writ to drive home the point that it is in control. This attack has been materialised within a few days of government formation. No progressive society can encourage bloodshed and killing of innocent people. Thus the response is quite obvious from the civil society and common masses. Both regions of the UT, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed the protests against the Ganderbal attack. If people in Kashmir have widely condemned this cowardly act then people in Jammu have expressed anguish against Pakistan through street protests to drive home the point that people of Jammu and Kashmir don’t approve terrorism. The National Conference Chief, Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s statement must be seen in this context. He has given expression to the anguish of the people against Pakistan’s patronage of terrorist groups that operate through the sleeper cells and over ground workers in Jammu and Kashmir to violate peace. He has warned Pakistan and asked it to end terrorism, saying that Kashmir won’t yield. He has questioned Pakistan and said, “How can there be talks? You kill our innocent people and then call for talks. First, stop the killings”. He has substantiated this by saying, “I want to tell the leadership in Pakistan that if they want good relations with India, they need to put an end to this. Kashmir Pakistan nahi banega (Kashmir will never become Pakistan). Let us live with dignity and succeed. If they couldn’t create a Pakistan for 75 years, how would it be possible now?… It is time to end terrorism; otherwise the results will be very severe… How will talks be held if they kill our innocent people?” In his categorical statement he has further said, “This attack was very unfortunate… Immigrant poor labourers and a doctor lost their lives. What will the terrorists get from this? Do they think they will be able to create a Pakistan here… We are trying to put this to an end so we can move on from the misery”. His statement makes it clear that the Jammu and Kashmir Government is ready to act to put an end to terrorist violence. It is imperative for this newly formed National Conference –Congress Government to assert. As people are watching the developments with a keen eye. The reason being that in the absence of the elected government people were waiting for local governance with a hope. That hope in democracy and governance must been upheld. Otherwise, the worsening of situation will lead to emergence of many issues that can pose a threat to national security. No one can forget the 1990’s when terrorism was mistaken as a law and order issue by the policy makers. The rest is history, how Jammu and Kashmir was caught between the devil and deep sea. People in Jammu and Kashmir want peace, security and stability.