Students in Kashmir Valley boycott classes, hit streets demanding ‘Nizam-e-Mustafa’, Azadi from India

[dropcap color=”#008040″ boxed=”yes” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]T[/dropcap]he entire Kashmir valley is once again on the boil ahead of peak summer season. The security situation on ground zero is quite ‘worrisome’. The street protesters, chanting slogans of ‘Azadi’ are gradually multiplying and turning more lethal.

The students while responding to the call boycotted their classes and held protests at and outside educational institutions in Srinagar, Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Baramulla, Ganderbal and Bandipore districts.

On Monday thousands of students across Kashmir valley including a large number of girls, jumped in to participate in the street protests against security forces. They raised slogans in the memory of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani while seeking ‘Azadi’ from India and Indian armed forces. To give final push to the ongoing street protests a students body had called for boycott of classes in support against the police action on students of Degree college Pulwama on Saturday.

Fresh clashes erupted on Monday soon after students took to the streets to protest against “brutal use of force”. The students while responding to the call boycotted their classes and held protests at and outside educational institutions in Srinagar, Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Baramulla, Ganderbal and Bandipore districts. The security forces fired hundreds of teargas shells and swung bamboo sticks to disperse the protesters, leaving over two dozen of them injured.

In Srinagar, several students of Government Women’s College at Moulana Azad Road fainted after the police fired tear and pepper gas shells into the protesters.

The security situation was not too bad till the announcement of Parliamentary by-polls. But suddenly it took an ugly turn in the run up to the campaigning for by-polls to two Parliamentary seats.

[dropcap color=”#008040″ boxed=”yes” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]O[/dropcap]pposition parties led by National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah added fuel to raging fire with their fiery speeches and provoking unemployed youth and others to corner the ruling dispensation.

Now even after the declaration of results the anger on the streets of Kashmir is not showing signs of dying down.

They also lend support to stone pelters claiming they were pelting stones to earn ‘Azadi’ for their Nation.

The anger among the local residents was manifested in the complete boycott of by-polls.

Srinagar-Budgam Parliamentary seat, won by National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah witnessed the lowest ever voter turn out of 7.14 percent.Election for another seat of Anantnag was deferred till May 25.

During the poll violence eight protesters lost their lives during clashes with security forces. This was the flash point and separatists buoyed by the total boycott encashed on the opportunity to spread more hatred against the Indian forces. These protesters were opposed to the idea of holding elections and were participating in the protests outside polling stations.

Now even after the declaration of results the anger on the streets of Kashmir is not showing signs of dying down.

Digital Terrorism gaining currency?

Coupled with this ‘digital’ terrorism is also taking centre stage with several videos showcasing manhandling of security forces and stone pelters making way to the social networking platforms. This recent game started with the video of CRPF personnel attacked by local residents going viral. This was followed by another controversial clip where a local youth was found tied to a jeep and convoy was seen moving through the rural pockets of Budgam escorting poll parties and security personnel.

While the entire government machinery is grappling with the idea of containing protesters and on the other end the protesters are innovating and doing every thing possible to embarrass the ruling dispensation.

The anger is diverted towards both Prime Minster Narendra Modi and state Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for not reaching out to the masses and keeping the promise of initiating a dialogue process towards resolution of the Kashmir issue.

Advisory for Policemen?

Even policemen in Jammu and Kashmir are not safe. The Jammu and Kashmir police has issued an advisory to its personnel to avoid visiting their hometowns “for the next few months”, following incidents of attacks by militants on their residences and family members.

The advisory issued by the police headquarters referred to the recent incidents in the valley where terrorists, and anti-national and anti-social elements have cause damage to the life and property of police personnel.

“In view of these unfortunate incidents, police personnel, particularly from south Kashmir, are advised to exercise extreme caution while visiting their homes. They should preferably avoid visiting their homes for thhe next few months as their personal security is of paramount importance,” the advisory said. It advised all the heads of various formations to brief their officers and men regarding the threat so the life and property of police personnel were secure.

The advisory follows over a dozen incidents of attacks on families of police personnel in Kulgam and Shopian in South Kashmir. The family members of police personnel deployed in anti-insurgency operations were threatened and asked to persuade the uniformed men to quit service.

Militants on the prowl?

[dropcap color=”#008040″ boxed=”yes” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]L[/dropcap]awlessness on the streets of Kashmir valley has also emboldened unidentified gunmen in the region. In the last 48 hours these gunmen found their way inside the secured houses of political workers where they were forces to chant anti-India and pro-freedom slogans. Holding them by gun point these gunmen even forced them to seek forgiveness from the public for being a part of mainstream politics. They then record their statements on video via their mobile phones, before releasing them on social media.

In another similar video, a visibly shaken man with grey hair can be seen seeking forgiveness from Muslims for his participation in political activities. The man, identified as Wali Mohammad Bhat, is a political worker of ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

These gunmen, believed to be militants, have periodically released such videos recently.

In a video clip, recorded by gunmen armed with AK-47s, Bashir Ahmad Wani, a trade union leader, can be seen saying that he is no longer associated with any political organisation. Sweating profusely, with tears dripping from his eyes, he can be seen saying, “From today, I am not associated with any political organisation or traders federation. Today, the situation is not such that we can be associated with any organisation,” Wani said, in the video shot at his home.

Wani is then asked to raise slogans: ‘Nara-e-takbir; Yanha kya chalega?, Nizam-e-Mustafa; Azadi is our right’. On carefully listening to the video, the suspected militants can be heard whispering the words from behind the camera. Currently, Wani is hiding in his house, fearing not just humiliation but public ire as well.

In another similar video, a visibly shaken man with grey hair can be seen seeking forgiveness from Muslims for his participation in political activities. The man, identified as Wali Mohammad Bhat, is a political worker of ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). “I am asking for forgiveness from Muslims. I’m giving up my association, if I had any, with any organisation because it’s dirty politics,” he said, struggling with his words.

“Keeping in view those who have lost their lives, the struggles of their families and those who were blinded, I’m asking for forgiveness for my mistakes,” Wali said in the video, with an AK-47 seen dangling in the background.

Power hungry Mehbooba Mufti clinging on to the ‘hot seat’

Former Chief Minister and Working President of National Conference Omar Abdullah Monday labelled Mehbooba Mufti as ‘power hungry’ who is desperately clinging on to the seat despite failing on all fronts.

Omar also claimed as long as PDP-BJP will remain in power, the state of Jammu and Kashmir will only see ‘destruction’.

“The present dispensation has failed to control the situation and till they (PDP-BJP) remain in power, the state will witness only destruction,” Abdullah told reporters in the state assembly.

Referring to the recent advisory issued by the police headquarters cautioning policemen to avoid visiting their homes for some time Omar told reporters, “it has happened for the first time that police had to issue such an advisory, asking cops not to go to their homes. Policemen cannot go home to meet their families. So, what more proof is required that situation is out of control?”

“This Government has failed to hold peaceful Parliamentary polls. The Lok Sabha seat itself left by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is still vacant and has not yet filled,” he added.

“In the present situation, there is only ‘darkness’ around, nothing else. Despite such a situation in Kashmir valley, Mufti is holding the chief ministerial chair and it is ‘shameless’ for her”.

Swamy comes to the support of the Army

In an interview to British Broadcasting Corporation (Hindi) Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy came to the support of the Armed forces, saying that those who are inciting the mobs are terrorists and they need to be dealt with a firm hand.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.