Government approach in Jammu & Kashmir Insurgency
India’s present response to insurgency in Kashmir is multi-dimensional. It includes:
- Military response against violence and prevention of infiltration across border areas,
- Political dialogue and negotiations with those who have given up violence,
- Economic and social developmental measures to improve the living conditions and employment prospects of the local population,
- Encouraging the democratic activity in the Kashmir
- Diplomatic initiatives towards peace which include confidence building measures with Pakistan, and international counter-terrorism cooperation with friendly countries.
Military response against insurgency in Kashmir
Indian army’s Northern Command is prime responsible for tackling terrorism and insurgency in Kashmir. Operations of the Army, police, and the paramilitary forces in the region are coordinated by a Unified Headquarters. The Paramilitary forces include the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force and Special Forces. The Rashtriya Rifles (RR) is a specially organized force to deal specifically with counter insurgency. The main aspect of Indian approach to counterinsurgency operations in Kashmir is to stop the infiltration of insurgents from launch pads and training camps in Pakistan across the LOC and the between gaps in the International Border.To plug the major infiltration routes, India fenced the LOC. The retired Army soldiers from the local villages have been organized into Village Defence Committees. India is continuously following up the modernization of its army with new equipment and training. Intelligence agencies have been organized to provide real-time information.
Political dialogue and negotiations
From 1997 onwards India is following a dual strategy of holding dialogues and negotiations with moderate groups. Till 9/11 attack, the negotiations with moderators were on slow pace but since then they have picked up.
Developmental programmes
In 2004, the union government had initiated a reconstruction plan with an outlay of Rs.24,000 crore.This was mainly in infrastructure, power and transport.The present NDA government has announced Rs. 80,000 crore developmental package. The developmental activities as part of the package include power, renewable energy, urban development, railways and roadways, health, tourism, Pashmina Promotion project welfare of displaced people, flood relief etc.
Development of democratic practices
In spite of turmoil and instability in the region, India is regularly conducting the assembly elections and parliament elections in state. And election by election, voter participation has risen consistently. The high voter turnoutwas seen as a sign that the people of Kashmir wanted peace and harmony.
Diplomatic initiatives
The 2002 attack on the J&K legislative Assembly and Indian Parliament by Pakistan-based militant groups have strengthened India’s position vis-à-vis Pakistan in convincing international public opinion that the Kashmir issue cannot be resolved without Pakistan’s action on terrorism emanating from its territory. India is also following several confidence-building measures to reactivate relations between the two countries, which had become severely strained after the Mumbai terror attack. Recently, India and Pakistan have started the process of dialogue on several issues, including Kashmir. Meanwhile, the Union government is holding talks with moderate groups in Kashmir for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue. While it is difficult to convince Pakistan to abandon its claims over Kashmir, Indian government can create a positive attitude in the people of the state with increased constitutional autonomy for the state, which might satisfy the moderate groups within the valley.
