In the third part of the Kashmir issue series, we focus on the the steps being taken by the Government to address the issue and the way ahead. (The first part of the series analysing historical causes behind the Kashmir unrest can be found here. The second part of the series which explains the contemporary issues can be found here.)
Steps being taken by the Government to address the issue:
1. Special Industry Initiative (SII J&K) ‘UDAAN’
The Government of India has launched the Scheme Special Industry Initiative for Jammu & Kashmir “Udaan” in the nature of a partnership between the corporates of India and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Scheme is being implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
The Programme aims at providing skills and enhancing employability of unemployed youths of J&K who are graduates, post graduates or three year engineering diploma holders.
2. Schemes like ‘Nai Manzil’ and ‘USTAAD’
Nai Manzil Scheme is an integrated Education and Livelihood Initiative for the Minority Communities. The scheme aims to benefit the minority youths who are school-dropouts or educated in the community education institutions like Madrasas, by providing them an integral input of formal education (up till Class VIII or X) and skill training along with certification. The scheme covers the entire country and was launched in Jammu and Kashmir on 20th January 2016.
The USTAAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) scheme aims to preserve rich heritage of traditional arts and crafts of minorities and build capacity of traditional artisans and craftsmen.
3. People to People Contact Across LoC (Confidence Building Measures)
- Cross LoC Travel
A fortnightly bus service was started across LoC in 2005. Taking into account the good response to these Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) from both sides of the LoC, the fortnightly bus services on both the routes were converted into a weekly service in 2008.
- Cross LoC Trade between J&K and PoJK
- Upgradation of Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) Sites at Salamabad and Chakan-da-Bagh
4. Protection of Human Rights in J&K
The Security Forces are under instructions to respect the human rights of all people and work steadfastly with a humane face while performing their day-to-day operational duties. Every reported case of alleged human rights violations is taken serious note of, and investigation is done promptly in a transparent manner.
The way ahead:
The problem with our handling of the Kashmir issue is that we look for solutions only when there is trouble. But once the trouble subsides, the issues are kept on a backburner. There is therefore a need to look for sustainable political solutions some of which could be:
1. Repeal or at least amend AFSPA
Even a symbolic and geographically limited revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) would signal the right intention of the Indian state to the Kashmiri people. A token beginning, at the least, should be made to set the stage for a gradual process of AFSPA revocation
2. Release political prisoners.
3. Institute a broad based inquiry into extrajudicial killings in Kashmir.
4. Open a result oriented dialogue with the Valley’s dissidents to discuss the larger political questions. If the Indian state could strike a peace deal with the Naga insurgents, why not Kashmir?
5. Kashmir needs political engagement along with economic uplift.
6. While it is necessary to take stern action against terrorism and insurgency, such action should not adversely affect civil liberties and human rights of people.
7. Public awareness and involvement is critical. Integral to any move towards betterment is better educating the public and creating more opportunities for people from either side of the border to interact so as to decrease the rift that has emerged between civilians in India and Pakistan.
8. The world today is far more concerned about Pakistan’s role as an incubator of terror. The world knows that if Pakistan has its way in Kashmir, it will give a huge boost to terror. Therefore all that remains to be done is addressing the grievances of Kashmiris and winning back their confidence.
Conclusion:
No democracy would easily permit secession of any of its parts, and no democracy can afford to ignore for long the wishes of any of its people. With terrorism engulfing the region and the Islamic State waiting at the gates for an opening, India can ill afford not to pacify its domestic insurgencies.
Addressing the true elements of the conflict involves striving for justice, truth, peace, mercy and ultimately reconciliation.
Truth relates to acknowledging the past, the rights and the wrongs, the decisions made, actions taken and their consequences on all involved. Justice and mercy are then integral to providing closure to grievances that arise from these truths, in the form of legal retribution, simple acknowledgment of wrongdoing, mercy for Kashmiris who joined the militancy by recognizing the concerns and circumstances that led them to turn violent and assistance to the people to help them rebuild their lives and livelihoods and move forward. Peace is related not only to a ceasefire but also to the re-establishing of relationships across the various borders that this conflict entails and provide the integral basis for long term reconciliation.
Quotable Quotes
“When a state resorts to violence against its own citizens, it is confessing that it no longer has the strength and power of legitimate authority to command the compliance without coercion”
“The problem with violence is that the end to which it is directed is always in danger of being overwhelmed by the means it justifies”
