BJP redefines ‘healing touch policy’, gave mandate to a former terrorist to contest municipal polls in Srinagar

A 48-year-old Mohammad Farooq Khan has been given the mandate by the BJP to contest municipal polls from ward no 33 of Tankoipora in Srinagar.

Redefining ‘healing touch’ policy for surrendered militants Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has outsmarted its arch-rivals in Jammu and Kashmir by giving a mandate to a former militant from Srinagar to fight municipal polls.

This recent development has stunned many in the party but state BJP Chief Ravinder Raina has claimed if any individual has returned to mainstream and willing to hold high the national flag in Lal Chowk he should be welcomed and given an opportunity to serve the country.

He said the party is against terrorists and support ‘hot pursuit’ against them.

It is not for the first time a former militant is joining mainstream politics in the state.

Even the current assembly has an elected representative, Usman Majid, from Kashmir valley who remained an active militant before donning the hat of an ‘Ikhwani’ (counterinsurgent).

“In those days joining ranks of militancy was not a taboo. Even parents didn’t object to the idea of picking up guns”, Khan said.

Former Militant is BJP candidate from Ward no 33 of Srinagar Municipal Corporation

A 48-year-old Mohammad Farooq Khan has been given the mandate by the BJP to contest municipal polls from ward no 33 of Tankoipora in Srinagar.

Speaking to reporters in BJP headquarters he narrated his long journey from the days of receiving militant training inside a terror camp in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) to becoming a BJP candidate after a long struggle.

He said at the peak of militancy I crossed the line of control and took up guns to fight ‘Jihad‘.

“In those days joining ranks of militancy was not a taboo. Even parents didn’t object to the idea of picking up guns”, Khan said.

He said while I was doing my graduation from SP College in Srinagar I crossed the line of control.

He said in 1987 Assembly elections when Mohd Yusuf Shah popularly known as Syed Salahuddin, Chief of Hizbul Mujahideen, was contesting polls I was his polling agent. He said the polls were rigged and he was declared a loser.

While I was lodged in Tihar jail I met Maulana Masood Azhar, the founder of the Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit.

I received training in PoK: Mohd Farooq Khan

After I crossed Line of control I was taken to Mianwali area of Pakistan for training. Later I received training in camps set up in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok)”.

“I was taught how to operate automatic weapons, including the AK-47. When I returned, I operated under JKLF commanders.

But I ran out of my luck on September 7, 1991, during a cordon and search operation in Munawarabad area where I was taken into custody”.

After I was arrested I was lodged in different places and I was sent to different interrogation centers that were infamous due to tortures perpetrated on militants or anyone held there.

I spent some time in Papa I, Papa II and Hotel 4 in Shivpora. Security forces tortured me and gave me electric shocks.
I was lodged in Kot Bhalwal central jail in Jammu for about six years and later I was sent to Tihar.

While I was lodged in Tihar jail I met Maulana Masood Azhar, the founder of the Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit.

Maulana Masood Azhar was released from the Indian prison in 1999 in exchange of release of hijacked passengers of IC-814 Indian Airlines flight. He was escorted by the then foreign affairs Minister Jaswant Singh to Kandahar airport.

“In jail, I was also selected as the amir (leader) of my barrack. I spent quality time reading Islamic literature. Maulana Masood Azhar was my teacher. He even used to beat me when I would make mistakes while reading the Quran.

He said I was released from prison in 1997-98.

Last month when the municipal polls were announced some of my friends contacted me and said that they are going to support my candidature in the municipal polls.

My struggle started after my release

After I was released from jail real struggle of life started. No one supported surrendered militants in the state.

To make both ends meet I started doing small jobs. I even sold ice creams, drove an auto rickshaw and also worked as a construction worker. I went to meet several Hurriyat leaders, but no one was there to help.

The police kept harassing my family and I was left completely helpless,” said Khan.

Lady luck changed everything in my life: Mohd Farooq Khan

Lady Luck changed my destiny. Soon after I got married things started changing in my life.

I was working as a welder in a shop and earned Rs 1,500 every month.

After some time I managed to open my own welding shop with the help of a former militant commander. He sponsored my instruments and other items needed in the shop.

Around the same time, I came in contact with a senior police officer who suggested me to form a group of ex-militants.

“I then formed the Jammu and Kashmir Human Welfare Association. We listed our demands from several platforms. We just wanted our dignity back, our passports our verification papers and so on. We didn’t seek compensation from the government but opportunity to earn a living,” said Khan.

In 2013 I got an opportunity to meet Rajnath Singh and gifted him a Quran.

At that time I had never thought of joining politics.

Last month when the municipal polls were announced some of my friends contacted me and said that they are going to support my candidature in the municipal polls. That is why I am fighting the elections,” he added.

Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.