Issue No. 601
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29 August - 4 Sept. 2002 Issue No. 601 International |
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Recommend this page | ||
Kashmir on the brink
Escalating violence threatens to disrupt the forthcoming Kashmiri elections. Sudhanshu Ranjan reports from New Delhi
In spite of India's 55th independence day celebrations on 15 August, the Kashmir imbroglio remains as intractable as ever. The state of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a renewed spate of violence, following the announcement of the state's election schedule, which is divided into four phases. There was a brief lull in violence when Indian armed forces mobilised along the Line-of-Control in the wake of the 14 May Kaluchak massacre. This lull, however, was short- lived. Now the Indian government faces the challenge of supervising free, fair and peaceful polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
This will be a hard feat to accomplish. Kashmir's Pro-independence Hurriyat Conference has already announced it is boycotting the elections, and Pakistan-based militants are hell-bent on sabotaging them. During one attempt, they attacked Rajiv Nagar, Jammu, butchering 27 slum- dwellers on 13 July. All of them were Hindus. While most of the nation was celebrating India's cricket successes, a gang of extremists were gunning down civilians.
India's Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani had to face hostile and belligerent crowds when he visited the site of the massacre, the following day. A few days later, the terrorists attacked sleeping Amarnath yatris (Hindu pilgrims going to a Shiva shrine at Amarnath), killing nine.
The government's failure was too glaring to be glossed over. Unable to derail the election process, militants struck again on 24 August in the Jammu region killing 12 Muslims in three separate incidents. It was the first major attack after the first phase of the polls. It also coincided with US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage's tour of South Asia. Pakistan President General Pervez Muharraf's description of the coming Kashmir election as "farcical" only confirms the failure of US Secretary of State Colin Powell's earlier mission in the region. Powell urged the Pakistani government to cooperate fully in creating an atmosphere of peace for the elections. Musharraf was told in no uncertain terms that Pakistani- backed militants in Kashmir must desist from terrorist acts. Musharraf has apparently dismissed Powell's directives.
Every day members of the ruling Hurriyat National Conference are being killed. Far from being hounded, the Islamist Jaish-i-Mohamed and Lashkar-i-Toiba now feel comfortable enough to warn the Pakistani government that dissidents are planning attacks on government targets. Judging by the Kashmiri police's information, nearly 50 militants have recently sneaked into Kashmir.
In New Delhi, Powell made a fervent appeal to Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to allow international observers to monitor the elections. "A credible election cuts to the heart of Pakistan's strategic interest in this Indian state," he told the press at the conclusion of his Indian visit. The remark suggested that the only practicable solution to the Kashmir problem is to make the Line-of- Control the international border.
New Delhi's reaction was choleric. India reiterated that it was totally opposed to any international monitoring. India also accused Powell of trying to promote the US as a mediator in the Indo- Pakistani dispute.
Sensing India's belligerent mood, Armitage admitted that infiltration was going on in Kashmir, but he fell short of blaming Pakistan for it. Speaking to reporters in Islamabad on 24 August, following his discussions with Musharraf, Armitage said, "I can say nothing has changed from the assurances I was given last June when I was here. There are some obvious infiltrations across the Line-of-Control, but our friends in Pakistan assured me it is not something sponsored by Pakistan."
New Delhi, however, has made a significant concession to allow envoys from various embassies to visit Kashmir and assess the situation in the troubled state, in the run-up to the elections. At least four teams of diplomats have travelled to the Kashmir Valley in recent weeks. "Those participating in the elections are very brave people. They are taking a big risk," commented James Carrick, first secretary at the Canadian Embassy in New Delhi.
On Independence Day, Vajpayee acknowledged that some mistakes were made in the past. He did not elaborate, but assured that these mistakes will be rectified. He also assured people that the elections would be free and fair. But the government has failed to persuade the Hurriyat, or any opposition groups to contest the elections.
However, the buzz over elections subsides in the Kashmir Valley. Here, the entire separatist camp, including those who had been making pro-poll noises, has boycotted the elections, while the opposition lacks the muscle to put up a tough fight. Nevertheless, the Kashmir Committee, headed by eminent jurist and former law minister, Ram Jethamalani, has succeeded in bringing the Hurriyat and some other separatist leaders to the negotiating table.
The committee demanded the postponement of elections to give more time to these leaders. The Election Commission and the central government have both rejected the demand. Advani categorically said, "I don't think the postponement of polls would ensure wider participation because it is clear that there are elements under Pakistan's influence due to financial reasons or fear. They will not participate."
Ensuring free and fair elections is the biggest challenge now facing New Delhi. If a truly representative government assumes office, it will be a big step in the fight to stamp out civil strife in Kashmir.
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