Misguided J&K Youth Supporting Terrorism

MICHAEL VAZ, Merces

THE unrest in Jammu and Kashmir has continued to be the most volatile issue since Partition in 1947 dividing united India into two independent dominions of India and Pakistan. After the initial unrest that had rocked parts of North India, there was peace and harmony in the region and Kashmir was the favourite tourist destination for many. However the separatist movement became volatile in the valley in the late 1980s and to India’s dismay the situation is only going from bad to worse. Though initially the demand from groups like JKLF was for an independent Jammu and Kashmir, the later motive has been to separate that state from India and merge it with Pakistan. The Indian governments over the years have been parleying for peace with the neighbour but the hardened military in Pakistan has its own agenda of disruptive activities. We are well aware of the former diplomat and noted journalist Kuldip Nayar who died recently and whose death was condoled even by our Prime Minister saying that he was a frank and fearless writer. Through his columns he relentlessly touched on the Jammu and Kashmir problem and struggled for harbouring peace in the region hoping for good relations with Pakistan. But our efforts for peace has been dented by Pakistan with unending terrorist activities, insurgency and worst of all proselytising the youngsters from India to join the terror groups, wanting to merge J&K with Pakistan. We have seen how highly qualified youngsters have left everything to join such outfits. Just a couple of days ago Haroon Abbas Wani, an MBA graduate from J&K having a good job joined the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist organisation. His respectable family has been shattered and embarrassed and has been pleading with him to return. Even the Indian military has affirmed its cooperation if he expresses to come back, but will he ever repent and relent? The sad thing is people are getting easily brainwashed.