Attacks and killing of some Sarpanchs and Panchs is an important subject under close consideration of the Central and the State government. The proliferating threat has forced no fewer than fifty elected members of the institution to tender their resignation to the government. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, the Chief Minister has, for the first time, publicly reacted to the attacks of the militants on Panchs and Sarpanchs in the valley and said that his government will take all necessary measures to protect their life. The Chief Minister has made some revelations which have a bearing on the ground situation. His admission that some MLAs and bureaucrats are opposing devolution of power on the Panchs is confirmation of the view of many seasoned analysts who have been reflecting on the targeting of Panchs for some time. The MLAs are feeling that in reviving the Panchayat Raj system Omar Abdullah government has created a parallel centre of political power in the State which will reduce there sphere of influence. Therefore to protect their self interests, they are opposing the entire institution. Likewise, the section of officials that has developed nexus with intransigent political leaders in one or the other form is motivated by self aggrandisement. The third element that is alleged to be playing a role is of those candidates who were defeated in election as Panchs and Sarpanchs. Thus we find that apart from the physical threat posed by militant organizations to the elected members of the Panchayat, there are other forces at play in this game. One may not rule out that the militants find this conflicting situation conducive to their nefarious designs.
The masses of people in Kashmir shall have to understand that the efforts of the government, like reviving Panchayati Raj institution, is for the benefit of the people and a positive step towards empowering them. Opposing this institution or trying to demolish it, means depriving the people of its benefits. Therefore the people have to decide whether they want empowerment and a say in the development of the state or not. Is not the Wullar barrage scheme in the interests of the people of the valley? Who is harmed by disrupting this scheme? The CM is very right in posing questions like these. If there is an upsurge of sorts among the people for ultra nationalism and Kashmiriyat, it should also get reflected in their approach to various beneficial schemes and projects of the government.
The government has not so far accepted the resignation of about fifty of the Panchs. The reason is simple. Government feels that these resignations have come in just because the concerned have been handed over threats and since they are defenceless, and unable to meet the challenge to their lives, they had no option but to resign. The government is seized of the situation and the CM has said in unambiguous terms that this challenge will be met even if more forces are to be deployed. That is what the government has to do. But it has to be said that the government cannot provide security to each and every Panch. It will naturally concentrate on more vulnerable persons and segments and arrange a collective security for them. There could be many ways of floating collective security in vulnerable areas by involving local people who are seriously inclined to have a peaceful environment and are opposed to gun culture. However, it is also imperative for the government to take serious view of those who are covertly or overtly involved in weakening the institution either for personal vendetta or for self aggrandisement. Their acts of subversion should be taken into account and legal action should be taken against them for indulging in treasonable activities.
Amendment 73rd and 74th to the Panchayat Act of the Union government is raked up in various political circles. The PCC chief has written to the CM that these should be implemented. But the State government has certain reservations. This should not be made an issue and aspersions should not be cast on each other. The coalition government as well as the opposition are fundamentally very supportive of revival of the institution of panchayats in the State. If the State government feels that it can bring amendments to the State Panchayat Raj Act on its own, there should not be any objection to it. Since the constitution provides the jurisdiction to the state to bring in appropriate amendments, let it be so. There seems no reason to make it an issue and adopt confrontational stance
In final analysis, there is much weight in the argument of the CM that militancy has considerably come down when compared to previous years and this asks for revised policy towards the situation. The dynamics of social institutions is that pragmatism has to be taken recourse to when political-social and environmental changes take place. Governments need to keep pace with these changing situations. It is this philosophy that drives the State government’s response to the new situations developing on the ground. No sensible democratic government wants even the slightest curb to be imposed on the freedom of the people.
Follow our WhatsApp channel