Ground Zero in Kashmir

Majid Jahangir in Kulgam/ Tral

A narrow lane in Rampur, a sleepy village in Kulgam, leads to the house of Rafeeqa Begum, a woman in her fifties. Rafeeqa’s 15-year-old son Aasiful Islam, a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant, was killed in a gunfight in 2007. Her two brothers and a cousin were killed in separate gunfights. Another brother, Mohammad Abbas (42) and a nephew are active militants of Hizbul Mujahideen. Abbas’s uncle Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh, a leader of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference is serving time in Kathua for his separatist ideology.

Rafeeqa’s is just one story in south Kashmir - the new epicentre of Kashmir’s resurgent militancy. 

“Abbas was an ‘over-ground worker’ and was arrested many times. After his two brothers died, he wanted to live a normal life,” says Rafeeqa. “He was constantly harassed and finally joined militancy last year.”

A video message by a new militant recruit Zubair Ahmad Turray blames the police for forcing him to pick up the gun. Turray, who joined militants after escaping from police custody, accuses the police of circumventing the judicial process to keep him behind bars under the Public Safety Act (PSA).

Hawoora is less than 2 km from Rampur. During last year’s street protests, security forces could not enter the village for more than four months. In her house, Ateeqa Begum blames ‘men in uniform’ for pushing her son Dawood Ahmed Allai (23) for joining militancy three months ago. “Dawood was an accused in the killing of a sarpanch in Hawoora in 2012. That day he was home. He was not remotely involved in the killing. He was framed and arrested. After Dawood was released, he lived a normal life,” says Ateeqa, who brought up her six children — three sons and three daughters — as a single parent. “But everything changed when the police again put him behind bars for the next six months. When he was released, he told us he was going to Shopian. After joining militancy, Dawood came home only once.” She says Dawood would not have taken up arms if he had not been harassed.

The Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama axis is turning out to be the new hotspot of home-grown militancy. Police records show that over 50 militants are active just in the twin districts of Kulgam and Shopian. The number of militants, the police say, has doubled since 2016. Before the killing of young militant Burhan Wani, which triggered five-month-long street protests, the two districts sheltered only two-dozen militants.

The situation is worse in Shopian: militants have been appearing on social media, and a few of them are reportedly roaming free in some areas. A young Kashmir Army officer Lt Ummar Fayaz was kidnapped and shot dead in Shopian and despite the police having identified the men behind the incident; they continue to be at large.

Shopian superintendent of police Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar says recruitment of militants spiked during the previous unrest. There are at least 30 active militants in the district now, he says. “Efforts are on to neutralize them. The militants are using locals as human shields to escape from the cordon.” 

Army steps in

The Army is considering several publicity measures to wean youngsters off stone-pelting. “We are planning an all-India tour for a few agitated youngsters. So that when they return, they feel the change, which will hopefully help,” says Major General BS Raju, General officer Command of Victor Force, the Army’s counter -insurgency grid in South Kashmir. He stoutly defends his men against charges of harassment of civilians. “We go by rules. There are strict orders not to harass anyone,” he said.

The Army also plans around 30 tours within the state for the students from various districts. Plus, there would be adventure trips and village games. “We have held at least 30 treks for the students. This trekking gives them an excellent opportunity to bond and break monotony,” says Maj Gen Raju. 

Worsening situation

In 2013, a police census found that only 78 militants were active in entire Kashmir, which was the lowest since militancy erupted in 1990. Now the number is anywhere between 250 and 275. Adding to the worries is the impression being increasing created that militants are enjoying people’s support. While the police say that around 100 militants - 90 of them being locals - are active in south Kashmir, they say they have active support of a “vast network” of the ‘over-ground workers.’

Fractious politics

The rhetorical political statements on bringing about normalcy are just that: empty words. Listen in what various parties are waxing eloquent about: 

“A sincere and honest implementation of Agenda of Alliance is the road map for resolving the problems. The AoA is meant to strengthen the bond between communities, regions and between the alienated sections of society.” 

Senior PDP leader and state minister Naeem Akhtar

“Kashmiris are annoyed with New Delhi. Despite repeatedly highlighting the political problem of Kashmir, New Delhi is repeating the mistake of viewing the crisis through the security prism. The resolution is through political initiative … For that, it is imperative to start an early dialogue and bring Pakistan and other stakeholders to the negotiating table.” 

National Conference chief and MP Farooq Abdullah

“The police and administration should be empowered so that they can handle the daily law and order situation expeditiously. Police officers with good experience in anti-militancy operations will fight the elements disturbing law and order on a routine basis.”

Ashok Koul, BJP’s general secretary

“The government should shun its policy of delay and obduracy towards the resolution of the Kashmir issue and come up with positive initiatives.”

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference