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Round The
World
New Delhi, 10 April 2020
Bloodshed At Border
HOW DOES INDIA STOP IT?
By Dr. D K Giri
(Prof. International politics, JMI)
The entire world is completely
or partially locked down in a desperate fight against the deadly disease for
physical survival. The virus strikes even the high and mighty, the British
Prime Minister has gone into ICU and many honchos in various sectors are taken
ill. This is perhaps the first time in recorded human history where the entire
world is in a battle against a common invisible enemy, the COVID-19, even the bubonic
plague that erupted in 14th century killing innumerable people was
confined only to Europe. Under such global pall of gloom, people are teetering
on the brink in apprehension of the multiple fallouts of the corona outbreak.
Overwhelmed as we are
by such a blood-chilling scenario, one is bitten by the news that five elite
commandoes are found dead in the Keran sector in North Kashmir. While three of
them died in action, two succumbed to their injuries in the army hospital. The
five dead bodies of terrorist-infiltrators by the side of the commandoes
indicate a close hand-to-hand combat. This is surely shocking when the entire
world, as said before, is engaged in a battle for survival of humans. How does
one explain this madness of people, misguided by Pakistan, and how do we stop
spilling the blood of our people at the border?
The presence of infiltrators
on our side of the LoC was noticed by spotting their footprints with spy
drones. Operation Randori Behak was launched and the army’s Special Force
commandoes were airdropped on snow bound Keran sector at an altitude of around
10,000 feet. As per Army sources, the commandoes slid into a ditch where the infiltrators
were hiding. They were all neutralized as we lost five of our commandoes.
The incident of last
Sunday raises quite a few questions that need immediate as well as long-term
answers. The immediate challenge is, there may be more such adventurism by
terrorists from across the border to sneak in as the country’s attention is
focused on controlling the spread of the virus. Although the Army is always
alert, the political leadership may not be. Second, terrorists would like to
stretch the resources of our country and continue to foment trouble in Kashmir.
Third, India cannot stop the bloodshed without a durable solution to
cross-border terrorism.
New Delhi needs to
adopt a two-pronged approach to handle the situation. One, to maintain peace,
harmony, order and above all self-respect in Kashmir valley, so that the
international forces do not have excuses to meddle. Any unrest in Kashmir will
draw international attention, and India has to spend energy and resources in
combating the negative international perceptions. Second, is to shift its focus
to reclaiming POK, rather than defending our part of Kashmir. Such a shift of
strategy will change the goal posts and alter the terms of negotiations with
Pakistan.
Historically, Kashmir
has been always an occupied territory. Their struggle for self-determination
predates the partition of India in 1947. Since the Mughals annexed it in 1589
AD, Kashmiris never had the right or opportunity to rule themselves. After the
Mughals, it was ruled by Afghans (1753-1819), Sikhs (1819 to 1846) and then
Dogras 1846-1947. The Dogras bought Kashmir from the British Empire for 7.5
million nanak shahi rupees, the
ruling currency of Sikh Empire. The Dogra king Hari Singh wanted independence
at the time of partition, but acceded to India as Pakistani-backed tribes attacked
the State.
New Delhi is
concerned about its role and responsibility since Kashmir’s accession to India
in 1947, but the process is incomplete as Pakistan illegally occupies part of
it. On 5 August 2019, New Delhi took the most radical step on Kashmir since
1947, i.e. abrogating Article 370 that conferred special status to the Valley
and bringing it under direct control as a union territory. New Delhi should
have no excuse in developing Kashmir as it wants, of course without further
alienating its inhabitants. There are four groups of people, subdued at the
time, in terms of their political inclinations; the Pro-Indians, Pro-Pakistanis,
Pro-Independence, and Pro-peace and normalcy.
The pro-Pakistan is a
fringe group without much backing of the locals. The Pro-Independence group is
also losing support as many realise an independent Kashmir will not be a
feasible or even a viable entity. Many will in fact settle for a united Kashmir
with some autonomy for the sake of the Kashmiri history and culture. And the fourth
group, perhaps the silent majority will want peace and normalcy to be restored.
A Kashmiri student of mine studying in Jamia articulated this aspiration well.
She said, “The education, health and communication systems have collapsed. My
classmates (she is 2nd Year MA) are yet to complete their graduation
due to continual disruption of classes.” What they want is a normal life to get
on with.
New Delhi has planned
many development projects. Instead of completing them, it has come with a Domicile
Law. One finds this government’s sense of priorities quite incomprehensible.
Once normalcy is restored, and development is seen to be picking, people may be
inclined to new laws. One hears about lot of resentment against the domicile
law. It is like the introduction of NRC. When the country was looking up to a
new phase of growth and world status with the second coming of our powerful
Prime Minister, we are thrown into a controversial prospect of NRC, thanks to
the unrest that follows.
The second part of
the strategy is retrieving POK. The Army General, the Home Minister, and other
leaders have gone public that POK belongs to India and it a question of time
India takes it back. But one does not notice any strategy, diplomatic,
political, or military towards this goal. We are gaining a reputation for tall
talks and no action. This will not help in the end. New Delhi should without
loss of any more time, as soon as the coronavirus is somewhat under control, ask
Pakistan to vacate POK. India should ask for the implementations of the UN resolution,
which asks for withdrawal of Pakistani forces, or invoke Shimla Agreement and ask
for the unification of Kashmir.
Once Kashmir is
unified, it may be given some autonomy to protect their culture etc as an
integral part of India. New Delhi should come out with a white paper on the
reunification of Kashmir and its development as a state of India. That is the
way to stop bloodshed in the border. Without that once-for-all decisive step,
we will continue to do the fire fighting, retaliate the terrorists attack
engineered from Pakistan, diplomatically deal with the meddling and manipulation
by the vested interest within and outside the country. ---INFA
(Copyright, India
News & Feature Alliance)
New Delhi
8 April 2020
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