HVK Archives: Another massacre
Another massacre - The Asian Age
Editorial
()
January 28, 1998
Title: Another massacre
Author: Editorial
Publication: The Asian Age
Date: January 28, 1998
The latest massacre in Kashmir is yet another proof of the
desperation across the border to jeopardise the peace process in
the Valley. Words are not strong enough to condemn the mowing
down of Kashmiri pandits who had refused to leave their village
and the only solace, if it can indeed be called that, is that the
entire Valley has united to condemn this ghastly killing. The
strength of the Valley was its secularism and it is precisely
this that the militants, and now the mercenaries, have chosen to
target and attack. The Hurriyat, the political parties, the chief
minister have all joined to condemn the incident in strong terms
with none of the extremist groups claiming credit for the
massacre executed probably, by mercenaries. It is no secret that
mercenaries hired from different countries and bearing a striking
physical affinity to the Kashmiris are now being used by those
determined to take the Valley back to the days of strife and
terrorism. This attack has been clearly motivated by the
elections, and is a desperate attempt to disrupt peace and ensure
that the people are prevented from casting their vote. That the
ghastly incident took place in a village falling in the state
Assembly constituency of Dr Farooq Abdullah tells its own story.
Further, it was the holy night of Shab-i-Qadar in the month of
Ramzan that was converted into a massacre of the innocents. Dr
Abdullah has been quick to blame Pakistan for being behind the
massacre and has again spoken of providing weaponry training to
the pandits in their camps so that they can safeguard their
lives. The fact is that it is for Dr Abdullah and his government
to provide the security and although it is difficult to guard
against terrorist attacks of this kind, sensitive village.,
should have been identified by the security forces. It has been
clear from past incidents that a major target are the Hindu
families who have stayed back in the Valley as the intention of
those claiming Kashmir to be theirs is to convert it into a
Muslim zone. A democratically elected government had come in the
way of this design, hence the offensive had been stepped up
against the innocent families. These villages should have been
provided with security. Dr Abdullah must explain why this was
not done, and why the obvious targets have been left to fend for
themselves. Even if they are trained, surely no one seriously
expects them to counter the fire of the trained mercenaries'
guns. The chief minister must immediately take steps to provide
the necessary security, after all there cannot be many villages
now where Hindu families are still residing. The National
Conference government can blame Pakistan. but these allegations
will not carry weight for those who are facing the brunt of the
violence. They want the government they have voted for to live up
to its responsibility, and responsibility here. is to ensure
security of the best possible kind. Otherwise those very
countries that Dr Abdullah has been so vocal about will succeed
in their design simply by striking sufficient terror to ensure
that Kashmir is stopped from participating in yet another
election which will return its representatives to Parliament.
Back
Top
|
