KASHMIR and IDPs

K.N. Pandita

Public disturbances during 2010 that resulted in some youth fatalities and, consequently, stigmatized law enforcing apparatus in the State, became catalyst to a random media survey of about 1300 youth from six districts of the valley. Under Home Ministry’s sponsorship the Institute of Research on India and International Relations (IRIIS) conducted the survey of impact of print and electronic media on Kashmiri youth in 15-35 years age group in January 2011. Recently the Institute organized under the chairmanship of State Chief Minster, a panel discussion at India International Centre, New Delhi on some notable findings of the survey report. Interventions made by three panelists representing the media came after the IRIIS delegate made power point presentation of the survey.  Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

Review of national security scenario by country’s top brass has focused on counter infiltration measures and terror funding exclusively in Jammu and Kashmir. Now the Ministry of Home Affairs has with it extensive as well as intensive input from all intelligence sources on security scenario in Jammu & Kashmir. The review has essentially taken into account various parameters of assessing comparative decline in militancy related incidents during 2011 in the State. Noting that the assessment of security top brass has to be given due credence for policy formulation process, there could be other factors as well contributing to gradual downslide in militancy related incidents. Foremost are a slew of new strategies adopted by the army in countering infiltration at vulnerable sites into our side of the LoC.   Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

“The fact that numerous infiltration attempts have been foiled successfully should not lull us into complacency”, roared the GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt-Gen K T Parnaik while addressing the forces during his recent visit to defence positions in Akhnoor-Poonch sector. His visit had the twin purpose of updating on defence preparedness of his troops, and reviewing ongoing counter infiltration operations in both sectors. The strategy of accelerating counter-infiltration operations all along the LoC at vulnerable points is the brainchild of our legendary Commander of Northern Command. Nailing the infiltrators down at the entry point is the successful strategy of anti-militant operations in Kashmir. It has paid dividends, and in the words of the Commander “the enemy is at run”. But that does not mean the forces will be complacent about the task they are asked to perform. The enemy, too, has its proxy war strategy, and all challenges have to be met.   Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

“Word impossible is in the dictionary of fools”, said Napoleon Bonaparte. The will to do is the most powerful weapon one can wield. When there is no will to do, hundred and one pretexts can be carved. Leadership gifted with power to do will inspire, motivate and get the things done. That is what the Chief Minister has done in past few days. Is he a changed man? Has he got inspiration from the unseen? Has he the gift of the gab?  Is he poised to be the messiah of the poor, deprived, helpless and needy people? Will he be able to pull Kashmir chestnuts out of fire? New questions are coming up and new assessments are made about the next three-year tenure of Omar Abdullah.  Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

Democracy is something more than just empowering people. In deeper meaning, it is sharing the pleasure and pain with the people. To feel and demonstrate that the elected leader is part of the vast humanity despite the unique position he occupies, is what endears a leader to the people. The taste of pudding is in eating. Our experience is that once a person is catapulted into a position of power, he begins to feel he is a superman much above the reach of ordinary human beings and that the entire system should sustain his self-created aura. It is a state of mind for an outstanding leader to feel and act that he is one among the people. George Washington, the celebrated President of the US, once passing through a village on his horseback found that some people trying to haul a log needed one more hand to make it go. He alighted from his horse and put his shoulder to the log and it was hauled. Continue Reading…