Rising militancy drives government to lift restrictions on Hurriyat

Bilal Bashir Bhat

SRINAGAR: In a major development the government on Friday announced to lift restrictions on pro-freedom leadership following the ‘worrisome’ rise in militancy in Kashmir. The move is seen as the backdrop of the rise of militancy in Kashmir, at least 27 youth have joined militant outfits this year.

According to the political pandits the joining of militancy is a major challenge for the government, even as the Government of India appointed a special representative (Dineshwar Sharma) to deal the situation Kashmir. But the surprising fact is despite getting killed within a period of a month or two after joining militancy the youngsters in Kashmir are choosing ‘armed struggle’ in numbers particularly after the killing of Burhan Wani in 2016.

Notably, last week in a surprising development Junaid Ashraf Khan the son of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH) chief Ashraf Sehrai also joined the militant ranks.

Pertinent to mention here, on the conditions not to make any “anti- national” speech or create “law and order problem, the Jammu and Kashmir Police Chief on Friday announced that the Joint Resistance Leadership comprising of  Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik  are free to go anywhere and free to carry out their political and social activities.

The announcement of government evoked a mixed response from different shades of people, saying that the lack of political space is undoubtedly the major cause for rising in militancy, adding, it will surely aid in ending the ongoing bloodshed in Kashmir.

“The decision of Government is aimed to restore the late Mufti Muhammad Saeed’s initiative “Battle of Ideas,” states Rafi Ahmad Mir, spokesman of ruling party Peoples Democratic Party while talking to Kashmir News Bureau. He said the ‘independence’ given to the people of different ideology so that they could float their ideas positively in battle of ideas.

When asked why this statement came from the Police rather from Government front, he said, “the police is part of the government as Chief Minister herself is the head of Unified Command therefore it is not mandatory to be announced by a particular person.”

When asked any plans about the release of political prisoners, the PDP spokesman said it will be too early to comment over it.

Taking to Kashmir News Bureau, Sofi Yousuf, Member of Legislative Council (MLC) from BJP said that Hurriyat should not now think on the annihilation of the Kashmiri youth, adding, the Hurriyat should come into the electoral process. When asked will BJP oppose the move like in past he said the move is under the ambit of ‘Agenda of Alliance.

Taking to KNB, prominent socio-political leader Advocate Sheikh Yasir Dalal said the announcement should have come from the political front rather than a ‘policeman.’ He said ending house detention of leadership will yield no result until the Government of India will take tangible steps for the resolution of the Kashmir issue which is root cause of the problems including the bloodshed. He said when whole Kashmir is itself a jail with the presence of seven hundred thousand forces and  the announcement of lifting curbs seems a mere joke in reality.

From Dineshwar Sharma to Rajiv Gauba, the Union Home Secretary, both have in recent days expressed their concern about the trend of local boys joining the ranks of guerrilla outfits in Kashmir. (KNB)