Nonsensical Killings Of Civilians In Kashmir: Oct 2021

‘Whosoever kills an innocent human being, it shall be as if he has killed all mankind, and whosoever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he has saved the life of all mankind”

In Oct 2021, apparent tranquility of Kashmir was broken with rampant targeted killing of minorities in the valley, kaleidoscoping horrendous memories of 1990’s. Within a span of few days, between October 2 and October 18, eleven civilians, including five from the minorities and non-locals, were killed by terrorists in Kashmir. Common people ranging from a middle class Kashmiri Pandit, who ran a chemist shop in Srinagar, an educationalist, to poor Golgappe wala’s & seasonal migrants from Bihar, were executed who were struggling to make the two ends.

Now the question is why are these people being targeted? Apparently, post abrogation of article 370 and after initial outpour of emotions, peace seemed to be returning to the valley. Successful local elections, stable economy inspite of Covid pandemic and overhaul of government machinery seemed to be catering to popular aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Incidents of stone pelting disappeared, even death of so called icon of Kashmiri freedom struggle Syed Ali Shah Gilani hardly stirred the emotions of Kashmiri people. Common Kashmiri seemed to be focussing and working towards his brighter future.

After so called ‘Defeat of US by Taliban’ in Afganistan, Bellicose outfits felt emboldened and backed by Spy agency of Neighbour Country funded a budding  local group which is believed to be a back end organization of the Famous Bellicose outfit has been to create unrest in the valley. Killing of minorities, non-locals under the garb of ‘RSS stooge’, ‘police informer’ and ‘traitor’ gets much more media hype then a killing of a local nationalist. At the same time killing of migrant workers, also triggers fear emotions and insecurity amongst these workers, leading to panic exodus from the valley. It is also an attempt by the Bellicose outfits to sabotage the alleged efforts of the government to resettle the Kashmi Pandits back in the valley and tell the world that Kashmir belongs to them.

But what is surprising, amidst all this is the response of the Kashmiri civil society on the recent killings. Barring a few leaders like Farooq Abdullah, most of the leader and prominent persons of the civil society have been mute spectator of the gruesome targeted killings. It was disheartening to see funeral procession of Makhan Lal Bindru, Supinder Kaur and Deepak Chand being solely attended by Sikh, Hindu community at Srinagar. Why could the majority community not participate in the protest and demonstrate their solidarity with their own Kashmiri brothers and sisters and strengthen Kashmiriyat. Is the majority of Kashmiri population indifferent to the common Kashmiri identity or if have become self centred engrossed in thier own world, neglecting the common ancestry and communal harmony of the society?

Response of killing of seasonal migratory workers is even more baffling. These migratory workers has been contributing towards the economical development of the valley and could be seen employed in  various fields such as agriculture, construction, forestry, furniture, handicrafts, transportation, hotel and restaurant to name a few  and that too at  a very meagre payments for decades. The non-local labourers come mainly from the Northern parts of India. 80% of these  migrants people do not have agriculture land and are mostly unskilled workers who work during summers in Kashmir. Most return back to their native places once winter settles in. Why should someone target these poor people, who are trying to support their family, are politically invisible and working towards betterment of Kashmir. Elders of the society should come forward and stop these mind less killings of innocents and stop being mute spectators. What if, the poor Kashmiris who move to North Indian towns and cities for selling shawls, blankets, dry fruits are dished out the same treatment?

Concrete and prompt actions of the government along support of local influencers is the need of the hour. These targeted  killing of civilians in Kashmir allegedly by the Bellicose outfits are a serious threat to the democratic fiber of the country and people’s right to life, liberty, equality and dignity. These perpetrators must be brought to justice at all cost to nip the malice at the bud and prevent the social disintegration of the Kashmiri society.