by N.S. Venkataraman 25/6/2018
The unrest and terrorist acts in Kashmir have been continuing for several years now. It appears that those, who want to split Kashmir from India by waging violent war with the tacit support of international terrorist outfits, have now become more bold and determined.
No country in the world can allow a situation when some insurgent groups and so-called freedom fighters carry out violent separatist movement. Every country in the world who have faced such separatist movement in the past have tried to suppress such movement with an iron hand and have not hesitated to use violence to defeat the violent separatists.
In any region in the world, the separatist movement is organized and led by a small group of motivated people with ulterior design who adopt militant means to achieve their ends. Such secessionist movements have never been launched with the concurrence of a majority of the people in the region. In the case of dictatorial government like China, it is easy to put down such separatists and eliminate the terrorists by force. However, the task becomes complicated movement happens in a democratic country like India.
In the present Kashmir issue faced by India, the government of India has no alternative other than confronting the militants adopting violent methods by using the police force and the army, as the separatists are not amenable to reason and they take an uncompromising and extreme stand. They believe in violent means, and they cannot be convinced by involving them in peaceful negotiations and constructive dialogue.
In democratic societies like India, army and police have to fight against the violent elements without exposing themselves to any accusation of indulging in human rights violations. Whereas the terrorists indulge in their violent activities using suicide bombers with least regard for human rights, police and army have to fight against them with “one hand tied,” as the police and the military are accountable, unlike the terrorists.
The militant activities in Kashmir are continuing due to the support extended to a small group of militants and insurgents by a terrorist group from abroad and with Pakistan openly supporting the demands of the separatists and continuing support to them in various ways. On several occasions, the leaders in Pakistan including the President and Prime Minister, Chief of army staff and religious leaders have encouraged separatist movement in Kashmir with tacit support, even without concealing their intentions.
In Jammu and Kashmir, in spite of militant activities, the proper election was conducted, and the democratically elected government was installed. Citizens participated in the election and exercised their franchise in spite of threat and opposition from terrorist groups, which indicate that citizens do not approve demand for separate state. However, the militants and the terrorists think that they can achieve their objectives by violent means, irrespective of the views of the majority of people.
Even though several countries in the world including USA, Russia, Belgium, UK, Germany, France have faced terrorist attacks, These countries had not hesitated to use force and kill the terrorists, when they faced terrorist attacks. It is surprising that such countries are not actively supporting India, which is facing terrorist attacks in Kashmir.
India has no alternative now other than fighting against the terrorists, who are receiving external support. India has to use all forces at its command to suppress and wipe out the terrorists in Kashmir,
In fighting against terrorism, India has to take its own decisions to protect its interests and perhaps it may be alone battle for India, as other countries including those suffering from terrorist attacks may only watch from a distance and wait to know the outcome.
Perhaps, India has a lesson or two to learn from Sri Lanka which successfully suppressed the separatist movement to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the country.