Former Director-General of Police Dr SP Vaid who served in Kashmir for a long time, believes that every Kashmiri should understand that their future lies in India. Speaking on completion of one year of abrogating Article 370 and 35 A to Organiser Senior Correspondent Nishant Kr Azad, Vaid said this one year has been special in many terms. Removal of the articles allowed Jammu & Kashmir to transform. Excerpts:
J&K is about to complete one year without Article 370. How do you analyse this one year?
This one year didn’t see any major Law & Order problems. People of Jammu & Kashmir expected accelerated development now that Government of India is directly ruling. The change should be perceptible on the ground in all areas of public life as promised by the Government.
Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A was just the beginning, and it allowed J&K an opportunity to transform. Now, we need to build a bridge, create emotional bonds with the people of Kashmir. This will be the most important thing to do in the coming time.
According to official data, the number of Kashmiri youths joining terrorist ranks has dropped more than 40 per cent since the revocation of Article 370. How do you see this?
It’s a good sign that recruitment of local boys have dropped. I appeal to the youth of Kashmir to shun the path of violence.
At one side the youths joining terrorist camps dropped still out of 136 terrorists killed this year, 110 were locals. In your opinion, what the Government should do to keep away the youth of J&K from joining terror camps except for the ongoing efforts?
The Government should adopt a multi-pronged approach to wean away young boys from joining terrorists’ ranks, including involving families & society at large. Involving families to wean away youths from Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is the right approach to defeat ISI’s ulterior designs.
Pakistan continues to brainwash the youth of Valley and handover gun in their hand. What can be a permanent solution?
Pakistan has been using social media to spread anti-India propaganda and instigate the youth of Kashmir. They have also used it openly to recruit militants from the Valley. That is why there is a strong need to filter the content that comes from Pakistan.
We should fight at multiple levels the psywar & social media disinformation by involving religious scholars & social leaders and education department.
Following the cold-blooded murder of Kashmiri Pandit Sarpanch Ajay Pandita by Islamic terrorists in Kashmir, you have asked for arming the minority Hindus and vulnerable sections among the Muslim community in the Kashmir Valley so that they can protect themselves against the future acts of terror. Is this the solution?
Whatever can instil confidence and a sense of security in Kashmiri Pandits for their safe & honourable return should be done. The government must explore all options to safeguard those, who have been persecuted at the hands of Islamic terrorists in the Valley for decades now.
There is nothing wrong in giving arms training to minority Kashmiri Hindus to protect themselves from the terrorists.
How do you see the India-China stand-off in the Galwan Valley and does induction of Rafael going to have any impact on this continuing crisis?
India is capable to counter China at every level. We have seen how well Indian Army dealt with China in Galwan. Induction of Rafael fighter planes is definitely a morale booster to Indian Armed forces. It will give a crucial edge to India‘s defence.
There is a lobby which is demanding for restoration of Article 370 and statehood of J&K.
Abrogation of Article 370 by Parliament is irreversible. J&K Police handled post-August 5 situations honourably & professionally. People of any place should be central to any planning for that place. A disgruntled & disillusioned population provides an opportunity for our enemies to exploit the situation. We should do everything to integrate people of Valley with the rest of India emotionally in which youth sees their bright future. A multi-pronged strategy needs to be devised to achieve that.
J&K will soon have its first cinema hall after decades of the closure of multiplexes. Will this change anything in the Valley?
Opening of multiplexes & cinema halls will be a refreshing change in Valley as people of Kashmir are deprived of any entertainment by coercion.
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