Shafiq Mir
Already divided and confused on various political theories, ideologies and slogans, the Kashmiries have been engulfed with an other confusion. And this latest confusion has been added by the armed forces working in Kashmir by doing a good work during the recent devastating floods in Jammu Kashmir which the Kashmiries had never expected from them. On seeing the appreciation for army by common people, even the separatist forces have been left confused that how to fight it back and keep their grip continue on the masses . As per government claim, about 1 lakh and 80 thousand people have been rescued by army and other central forces during the floods in Kashmir. And there is no denial to the fact that from September 7th to September 14, 2014, there was no civil government of the state insight any where particularly in Kashmir valley . Even this fact has been acknowledged by chief minister of the state Mr.Omar Abdullah , that at least 3 to four days had no contact with his cabinet colleagues, Director General of Police and Chief Secretary . He even went on saying that his government was literally adding that he doesn’t know whether any government in any part of the world had drowned in the floods . In such a situation, if there was any hope around and that was only the men in uniform from Indian armed forces . On one hand they themselves including their families and installations were badly hit by the floods, on the other they began their rescue operations before any request was made to them by the civil state government . In this situation, for the first time, the Indian army got a chance to present their human face before the common Kashmiries which they had almost lost in the past two decades particularly in Kashmir . However, army’s this latest performance has generated a debate among the masses . And this is first time that Indian army has got large number of debaters in Kashmir speaking from their side .
Imtiaz Ahmed, a friend of mine, residing in Bemina Housing colony, said that the latest face of Indian army has forced many Kashmiries to rethink over their previous opinion about Indian army . Imtiaz Ahmed , a former separatist camp activist, said that the latest human face of Indian army has created a new debate among the Kashmiri masses and confusion for the separatist forces that how to fight it back . He says, “ a debate has begun over the role played by Indian army during the floods . And there is no doubt that major chunk of Kashmiri population has started openly appreciating the role of Indian army during the floods”, he said adding that it is not easy to reject this new development in Kashmir for any of the ideology. “ Even our separatist leaders have been left short of words that how to fight back the confusion created by army by doing apparently a good work”. He is not alone who speaks like this, there are hundreds of such people who while narrating their horrifying stories of flood say that it was only army which finally rescued them.
Though, there are allegations of “pick and choose” as well saying that army rescued either tourists or VIPs, however, such allegations were leveled in Srinagar city alone, but the larger section of the rescued people from all over the state speak very high of army . This is perhaps for the first time in the past 25 years of turmoil in the state of Jammu and Kashmir that the Indian army was being discussed among the common Kashmiries for a positive reason . The ground reality also suggests that the role played by local volunteers which included youth in majority can not be ignored and side lined . though, the local volunteers didn’t attract any headlines in the Indian national media . In some cases, the local volunteers were seen carrying their rescue operation independently and in some cases they were seen working shoulder to shoulder with the Indian army , NDRF and other security forces rescue teams . It is also said that about two dozen or more CRPF men trapped in a hotel in Srinagar were rescued by local volunteers alone. When back to their homes, while narrating the horrifying stories of Kashmir floods, large number of non locals have also appreciated the role played by local Kashmiries with them during these devastating floods .
Most of the observers are of the opinion that the scale of good will Indian army has earned in Kashmir only in a weeks time, it could not manage even 10% of it in the past 25 years despite all efforts . Even thousands of crores of rupees were spent by army under its operation Sadhbhawana which was only aimed to manage good will among the masses for army . Looking at Kashmir floods as “ blessing in disguise”, the observers say India has got a chance to rebuild the shattered faith of Kashmiries with its system and forces operating in Kashmir. The role played by army has not only silenced the separatist forces for the time being even other local political parties including National Conference and PDP who have been speaking against army in the past two decades to gain a sympathy of a particular section are in dilemma what to say now when a lager section of public mood seems to have changed . And their silence itself speaks that they have nothing to say against them for the time being at least . Though it would not be correct to say that army has undone all the 25 years of negatives in its credit, but it can be safely said that army has definitely created a debate in a major chunk of population in the state with its fabulous performance of a week in the state of Jammu and Kashmir . And the common Kashmiri has been forced to give rethink to its previous ideology about India and its forces . However, it is yet to be seen that how much time the army and India’s policy makers can maintain this good will created in floods.
Impacts….
Social Impact…This is first time in the past 25 years of turmoil that the people were seen helping each other with out caste, color and creed. On one side , the Kashmiri Muslims were seen rescuing the families of Kashmir pundits and other non locals from the floods and on the other hand, the Kashmiri pundits out side the state were seen arranging boats and other rescue materials for the Kashmiri Muslims trapped in floods . And this nature’s fury has brought the communities closer to each other .
Political impact…. There is no doubt these floods will definitely have political implications in future and the flood victims will definitely ask this question from the political parties about the role they played during the floods .
Economical Impact…. As per the rough estimates about 6ooo crores of rupees loss of property has occurred in Srinagar district alone during these floods which includes Government property as well .
( The author is a senior journalist and Chairman All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference.)
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