The Hindu : 'External support sustaining militancy in J&K'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 22, 2002

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'External support sustaining militancy in J&K'

By Luv Puri

Jammu April 21. The Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Girish Chandra Saxana, today said the reason why normality could not be restored in the State despite the democratic dispensation was the new dimensions added to the militancy.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Saxena said there was a greater influx of foreign militants in the State. In the early 90's, the proportion of foreign militants was miniscule but, according to the latest reports, they constituted 50 per cent of the militants. They were better trained and battle-hardy. More important, these foreigners commanded the militant outfits. The rank and file had just to obey their orders. "We cannot ignore the hard fact that external support is the most important factor for sustaining militancy. After all, how did 23,000 Kalashnikovs, 4000 rockets, 5,000 grenades, 30 tonnes of RDX and over 10,000 mines come into the hands of the militants in the last 12 years,'' he asked.

He said the arch of militancy had also extended from the south of the Pir Panjal range and engulfed Doda, Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region. The hilly terrain in these areas were far more favourable to the militants. The terrain gave them an easy run and they came to the plains only when they had to strike. The militants now picked on soft targets like people living in remote corners in the hilly terrain of Jammu region.

Asked whether the village defence committees, which were set up following the series of massacres in the higher reaches of Jammu region, had served their purpose, the Governor said the plan to give arms to the civilian population was mooted so that they could defend themselves. But it was a voluntary arrangement. The people who joined the VDCs were not regular combats and they were up against well-trained men with sophisticated weapons. Being a hilly terrain, it was difficult to provide security cover to every part of Jammu region. There were areas where the nearest security picket was six hours away. However, there was always scope for refining the tactics by using force multipliers and increasing intelligence inputs.

Asked about the allegation that militant-turned counter insurgents carrying arms were committing atrocities, Mr. Saxena said the counter-insurgents were very useful for some time till the information provide by them was up-to-date. Over the years, the information became obsolete and the counter-insurgents might also develop their own agenda. "Anybody who has outlived his utility and was found involved in indiscipline should be discarded. Exemplary punishment should be given to those men. But if they are doing fine, they need to be given a chance to reform themselves." Already, a number of counter-insurgents were taken into the paramilitary and other security agencies.

On complaints about human rights violations, the Governor said that human rights were getting much attention in the formulation of a security strategy and avoiding overreaction to any situation also formed part of the training.

"Sweeping generalisations should be avoided and the impression that the troops run amok all the time is wrong. We have to understand the ground reality and sometimes the reaction is inherent in the situation," he said.

Asked if the coming Assembly elections in the State would be as peaceful as they were in 1996, he said, "We are well aware of this responsibility. The fear of the gun remains and external factors will always be there which do not want the democratic process to run smoothly. Holding the election in a peaceful manner will be a far cry. Infiltration continues... With more force-multipliers and refined security tactics, I do hope we will be able to carry on with the democratic exercise in the State with less violence."

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