“While the authorities are quick to point fingers, a deeper examination reveals a troubling pattern that necessitates a credible probe”
Altaf Hussain Wani*
Mysterious killings of seven non-local labourers including a Kashmiri doctor at the hands of unknown assailants continue to grab headlines within and outside the Kashmir valley. The killings, for all the right reasons, have evoked widespread condemnation from a cross-section of Kashmiri society.
Going beyond the political rhetoric, Kashmiri leadership across the political spectrum has denounced the killings. The assailants involved remain at large.
As usual, even before the circumstances of the case have been studied and investigations reveal clinching evidence, conspiracy theories are propagated, and fingers are pointed, allowing those in power to evade accountability for possible security lapses and intelligence failures.
Such blame games in the past have greatly hindered genuine efforts to hold responsible parties accountable and thoroughly investigate these complex and multifaceted killings, which are often intertwined with political narratives, historical grievances, and geopolitical considerations.
While the authorities frequently point fingers at unidentified gunmen or external forces, a deeper examination reveals a troubling pattern that suggests a more insidious agenda at play.
Historical Context
Historically, the region has witnessed cycles of violence, particularly during the peak of the armed struggle in the late 1990s. Notably, there were fewer incidents targeting non-locals during this time, which raises questions about the motivations behind the recent killings.
In the 1990s, the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s was used to shape up a certain perception to suit the political agenda by successive regimes while failing to address the community’s genuine grievances.
Such perceptions overlook a complex picture of the excessively militarised 1990s when more Muslims were killed and also displaced. The exodus of the Pandits also is contested over the then J&K Governor, Jagmohan’s alleged role in encouraging the displacement.
Questions were similarly raised when the ghost of terror struck the village of Wandhama on January 25, 1998, leaving 23 members of a Hindu community dead. The government, as usual, held militants responsible for the massacre and claimed that all the militants involved in the attack were killed in encounters. However, there were glaring loopholes in the investigation that were also questioned by non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits.
The Chittisinghpura massacre of 2000, in which 38 Sikhs were killed, also exemplifies the complexities of blame and accountability in Kashmir. Initially, the Indian government implicated Kashmiri militants in the killings, but subsequent investigations, including those by Amnesty International and various human rights organizations, raised questions about the involvement of Indian security forces.
The massacre occurred just before President Bill Clinton visited India, raising suspicions that it was orchestrated to manipulate international perceptions and reinforce the narrative of a terrorist threat in the region. Madeleine Albright in her book also mentioned that Clinton suspected some foul play.
Recent Killings of Non-Locals
The recent spate of killings targeting non-local labourers and civilians has further complicated the situation. These attacks have been branded as acts of terrorism, but the motivations behind them warrant scrutiny.
The larger impact of these killings is undeniable. They create a climate of fear among non-locals, thereby shrinking the economic opportunities for local businesses and students who rely on outside connections for their livelihoods.
The suspected involvement of Indian military and police officials in orchestrating violence against minorities, as suspected in the Chittisinghpura case, raises alarming questions about the integrity of the security apparatus in Kashmir. It once again comes under question in the recent case.
The narrative of external terrorism is often used to justify heavy-handed military operations and a pervasive security presence, which in turn suppresses dissent and perpetuates a cycle of violence and repression.
The present case should not be used as a pretext to repeat that folly.
The Geopolitical Dimension
The geopolitical implications of violence in Kashmir cannot be overlooked. The Indian government has long used the narrative of terrorism to garner support both domestically and internationally, without a credible probe in some of the cases.
Such framing of the situation as a conflict between the state and external terrorists suppresses calls for initiating dialogue and peace process and perpetuates violence and human rights violations.
The violence in Kashmir, particularly the targeted killings of non-locals and civilians, is a complex phenomenon rooted in historical grievances, political manoeuvring, and geopolitical strategies.
Understanding the true nature of these killings requires a fair and thorough investigation, besides a critical analysis of the narratives propagated by the state and an acknowledgment of the historical and political contexts that shape the conflict.
Only through such an examination can we hope to address the underlying issues and work towards a more peaceful and just resolution for the people of Kashmir.
*The writer is chairman of Islamabad-based think tank -Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR). He can be reached via email. saleeemwani@hotmail.com and on X @sultan1913.
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