The killing of three Hindu youth in Billawar, Kathua, has exposed dangers that exist for the community in Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu has become new centre of uncertainties for the community where it supposedly dominates the demography and geography.
All aspects of these killings and the overall threat it has cast on the Hindu community members living in hills need a thorough study. It will be a mistake to read it as one odd incident. There was a deep calculation behind the abduction and execution of Varun Singh, Yogesh Singh and Darshan Singh, showcasing the vulnerability of theirs and their community in the upper reaches.
NEWS ANALYSIS
This particular incident has two critical dimensions. One, it has been executed in remote hilly area, which has been a scene of ambush on the army vehicles few months ago. Four soldiers were martyred in this general area in July last year. The nature of the ambush demonstrated definite presence of highly trained terrorists and the local support base. That’s what is called terrorism’s ecosystem.
Second, this incident of brutal killing of three Hindu youth, intended to spread chaos and confusion in the area , and by extension to all other hilly areas where Hindus live .This is repeat of the terrorists’ strategies of 1990s when they would target the Hindus in upper reaches with a sole idea of dominating the hills, forcing Hindus to flee their homes. In 1990s, and also in the first few years of 2000s, a substantial chunk of the Hindu population migrated from hills to plains, to gain an alternative sense of safety in camps away from their homes and villages.
But the repeat of the same old strategy is much more dangerous than it was in 1990s. Those were times when the security forces were overstretched. They had to fight terrorists almost everywhere in the Kashmir valley, which had become a hotspot of terrorism, and also to prevent infiltration from across the Line of Control and border. Let it be stated that the Central governments during that point of time were confused; didn’t know how to handle the situation.
Today, terrorists are on the run. Kashmir Valley is largely free of terrorism. In Jammu region, too the security forces had achieved tremendous successes. The number of terrorists, mostly Pakistanis, was brought down to double-digit. And, if such incidents that shake the confidence of the people happen in the times of near-normalcy, these indicate more threats to the community.
There can never be a distinction between victims of terrorism on the basis of their religious affiliations , but one thing should not be forgotten that when the Hindus in the Union Territory of J&K are killed that conveys many more thing than just adding to the statistics of terror victims.
Hindus in J&K were given a sense of safety and security in the recent years, thanks to the extraordinary efforts in implementing counter-terrorism strategies, because any harm to the community had portents of inflicting insecurity in the community as also broadcast of a negative message across the country. It should be understood in the context that Kashmiri Hindus or Kashmiri Pandits sought refuge in Jammu region after they were forced to migrate by terrorists and their sympathizers in the Valley in 1990s as they felt safe in the region If that is reduced to a concept and perception of yesteryear; it is bad for the national narrative about Jammu and Kashmir.
The circumstances demand that Hindus should be protected at all costs, whatever it may take to do so. The deployment of forces , strengthening of Village Defence Guards are critical part of it , but what is more important is that intelligence network should be strengthened and the villagers should be educated and trained to neutralise potential dangers.