NEW Delhi has once again given a preferential treatment to Kashmir and once again badly let down Jammu and Ladakh. It has asked the State government to release those involved in the anti-State and anti-government activities. It has given incentives to those who attacked the Army, paramilitary forces and the State police. Also it has asked the Chief Minister to convene the Unified Command meeting to review the AFSPA and the defence-related issue. In fact, it has given everything to Kashmir.
Reacting sharply to the initiatives announced by the Centre for restoring peace in the violence-plagued Valley, Jammu-based political and social groups have termed the eight-point formula announced by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram as purely Kashmir-centric, which is aimed at appeasing the separatists and other anti-national forces.
Strongly denouncing the 8-point formula of Congress-led UPA government to break the ice of Kashmir violence, the State BJP alleged that it was totally Kashmir centric and anti Jammu and Ladakh step.
BJP State President Shamsher Singh Manhas said, “Like earlier, Centre again bowed before the separatists and anti-national elements and continue on its appeasing policy towards Kashmiri while ignoring Jammu and Ladakh”. He added, “The Union government has attempted to befool the people of Jammu and Ladakh by announcing the constitution of Task Force for these two regions while the real benefits have been showered to the Valley.”
Manhas mentioned that BJP during its recent meet with the All Party Delegation categorically raised the issue of discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh but unfortunately Centre at the helm of the affairs again snubbed Jammu and Ladakh.
Condemning the Centre’s decision to release the stone pelters and withdrawal of all cases against them, BJP State president questioned, “What message Centre and State want to give to the nation by according leniency to those who break the law.”
Reminding 2008 Amarnath Land agitation, Manhas mentioned those who participated in land agitation are still facing cases for none of their crime.
Manhas also mentioned that Centre announced to provide ex-gratia relief to the families of the deceased persons at Rs 5 lakh per person killed in civil disturbances in Kashmir but what about those who died in 2008 land agitation as they are all still ignored and denied adequate compensation. Moreover, he added transporters, traders, industrialists, etc too have been ignored who suffered losses to the tune of crores of rupees during 63 days bandh of 2008 agitation.
Alleging complete surrender of the Centre to Kashmiri leaders and State government, Manhas said, “Requesting State government to immediately convene a meeting of the Unified Command and to review the deployment of security forces and review the notification of areas as ‘disturbed areas’ is unfortunate and just to accede to the demands of separatists and what Chief Minister has been asking for repeatedly.” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is hell bent against AFSPA and even threatened to resign if the Act is not revoked. The practice is, State government acts on the advice of unified command which is headed by Chief Minister. Will this Chief Minister with his prejudiced mind against AFSPA would do justice?, he asked.
The BJP State Chief warned agitation against the total surrender of Centre and said that BJP will not allow Centre to bow before the separatists and anti-national elements.
He however appealed to the nationalist forces of Jammu and Kashmir and pro-Jammu people to come on united platform and fight for what Jammu deserves.
“We have already made it clear that entire exercise was aimed at protecting failed Omar Abdullah,” said president of the Panthers Party Balwant Singh Mankotia, while rejecting the eight-point formula. “Instead of accommodating aspirations and wishes of the people of different regions, the Centre has addressed only the agenda of the ruling NC,” he said.
While the Jammu-based Congress leaders have maintained a guarded silence on the Centre’s initiatives, the Opposition parties, namely, the BJP and the Panthers Party, have asserted to come on the streets against the “Kashmir-centric” formula announced by the Centre by succumbing before the separatists. Privately the Jammu-based Congress leaders have expressed their resentment on the formula, but they are hesitating to come out publicly.
The Centre has enacted the drama of sending an all party delegation to Kashmir which was extended to Jammu also to show that the decision on package to Kashmir has been made after the parliamentary delegation’s submission of its report to the Home Minister.
The fact is that this package was almost ready before all party meet at Delhi but has been announced now to ward off any criticism especially from the BJP. Now even if the BJP differed and have dissent voice in the delegation report after the visit, government has communists, one member party of Paswan and others on its side who are demanding more for Kashmir. They are going to the extent of revoking of AFSPA completely from the State and Rs 20 lakh as compensation to each of killed in the violence. The BJP having been neutralised, package has been announced.
People from all walk of life are feeling betrayed again for their nationalistic approach. Only time will tell how the situation in Valley turns after this package.
The problem in the Valley is not the AFSPA or Center assistance, the problem is of good governance.
