Combating the ongoing violence in Jammu and Kashmir

The lack of consensus on the ongoing violence in J&K is evident from the fact that even after more than three decades we have yet not been able to accurately discern its real character and it’s still referred to as militancy’ by some.

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CONFUSIONS GALORE

Though a lot has been said and written about the more than three-decade-old ongoing violence in Jammu and Kashmir [J&K], but thanks to incident-based presumptions and hastily drawn conclusions, the larger picture is unfortunately lost sight of. This creates a confusing situation- when terrorist activities are minimal, those in power jump the gun and not only announce its imminent demise but even start forecasting the specific year in which J&K will become "terrorism-free."

Conversely, when terrorist activities increase, opposition parties have a field day blaming the government for inability in curbing and its failure to win over the "hearts and minds" of the local population. In this blame game, politicians often lose both their sense and sensibility, and by invariably dragging-in the security forces into their shameful slugfest end up creating an unhealthy environment.

NATURE OF VIOLENCE IN J&K

The lack of consensus on the ongoing violence in J&K is evident from the fact that even after more than three decades we have yet not been able to accurately discern its real character and it's still referred to as "militancy" by some. Militancy implies use of confrontational or violent means in support of/or to achieve any objective.

Terrorist groups, their sponsors and sympathisers try to justify ongoing violence in J&K as an "armed struggle" against an allegedly "oppressive regime." However, even a greenhorn can discern that violent acts by these armed groups are aimed at creating mayhem and intimidating locals rather than achieving an ideological objective.

There's no need to undertake an extensive study to determine the actual objective of the ongoing violence in J&K, as both its sponsor and proxies have themselves made unambiguous admissions regarding its real intent.