Pahalgam tragedy presents a glimmer of hope the government should seize

For a journalist who has reported on terrorist violence in J&K for over 35 years, this writer does not recall any such incident which has generated such a widespread reaction over the massacre of 26 innocent civilians at Kashmir’s well-known tourist spot.

United in grief

Clearly, the situation presents an opportunity for the authorities to work with the local people to build a strong front against terrorist violence, thus paving the way for long-term peace in the troubled region.

Although hundreds of thousands of security forces are now deployed in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the fight against terrorism cannot succeed or have a lasting solution without the support of the local populace.

Look at the institution of the Friday prayers, sometimes demonised by the Hindutva adherents. Across the Union territory, the Friday prayers was used to express solidarity with the victims of the dastardly killings of 25 Hindu tourists and one Kashmiri Muslim horseman – the local bread-earner who tried to save others.

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The All Parties Hurriyat Conference President, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, led the largest Friday congregation at Srinagar’s Jama Masjid, where he condemned the terrorist attack, saying that “the incident has shaken the hearts of the people in the valley who stand united in grief and solidarity with the victims of the terror attack.”

Unprecedented support

In meetings with a large number of shopkeepers, traders, hoteliers, and taxi operators in the last three days, this writer could feel a sense of anger and abhorrence of violence among the common people.

It is not as if the incidents of terrorist violence were not condemned in the valley earlier, but such vehemence and scale appears to be unprecedented now.

Further, the ordinary people not only showed empathy with the victims of the massacre but many of them went all out to provide help.

Since there were no security personnel in the vicinity of the killing fields – with officials reaching the spot well over an hour after the carnage – locals transported the injured tourists on their back to the nearest medical facilities. There was just no access to a motorable road to transport the victims.

Additionally, many Kashmiris opened their doors and hearts to offer food, free taxi services and guidance to the families of those killed or injured.

Helping hand

A large number of tourists are still stuck in the valley, days after the massacre. A group of Bengali tourists who had just returned to Srinagar from Gulmarg told The Federal the place was still teeming with visitors. The famous sky resort boasts of a cable car which is both the world’s second longest and second highest.

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“There are over 10,000 tourists still in the area and locals are treating them with affection and helping whichever way they can,” said the tourists.

Although hundreds of thousands of security forces are now deployed in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the fight against terrorism cannot succeed or have a lasting solution without the support of the local populace.

This is obvious to anyone who has spent any time in the valley or other parts of the Union territory or in the earlier J&K state.

Clear-cut strategy

The need of the day is to devise a clear-cut strategy to stop infiltration of terrorists from across the border, and at the same time isolating their local supporters.

But, a key fallout of the Pahalgam massacre is the opportunity that has opened up to gain the local people's confidence to support the government's fight against terrorism.

The strong and public resentment shown by the people in J&K against the act of terror provides the authorities with the opportunity to achieve their goal of fighting against terrorism – a visible opportunity which has never been very clear cut or possible earlier.

Fix security lapses

Since Friday, the authorities have intensified the crackdown on known terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Their suspected hideouts are being raided to arrest the supporters of the terror group, and at least five houses of known militants in Shopian, Kulgam, and Pulwama have been demolished.

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While tough action is needed to hunt down the LeT suspects linked to the Pahalgam attack, the security forces need to be careful not to harm innocent people, who can be of great help in identifying subversive elements.

There appears to be a noticeable security lapse in Pahalgam. No security personnel was deployed at Baisaran Meadows, the massacre spot, even though the authorities must have been aware of the fact that hundreds of tourists were visiting the place. Also, does it take officials over one hour to reach a massacre spot in the heart of a tourist land?

The responsibility for these costly lapses need to be fixed and action taken against those responsible.

Power for CM

The National Conference had swept the local elections seven months ago, forming the government under the leadership of Omar Abdullah.

Yet, he has no substantial powers as far as security matters are concerned. It is the Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, who oversees the security measures under the guidance of the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah.

Omar Abdullah needs to be included in the decision-making process since he belongs to a party which has members spread all over Jammu and Kashmir.

Harassment of students

Another area that requires immediate attention is the harassment of Kashmiri students studying in universities and colleges in different parts of the country. As in the past, this time too, several Kashmiri students were assaulted and compelled to leave their colleges in the aftermath of the Pahalgam tragedy.

Also read | Fear grips Kashmiri students amid threats in several states after Pahalgam attack

The mistreatment of innocent Kashmiri students creates a sense of dejection among Kashmiris and eventually, it works as a deterrent for their integration into the national mainstream. National consciousness must reach a higher plane of understanding than mere knee-jerk reactions against innocent students.

It is the government's duty to underscore the difference between individuals who support and engage in terrorism and those who have nothing to do with it.

Let's not waste this huge opportunity arising from the ashes of the Pahalgam tragedy.