Odd today, pragmatic in the long run
Col Ajay K Raina, SM
Governance and administration models put into practice in the erstwhile state of J&K since 1947 have not only been unusual or debatable but have also been found wanting in many respects. No other single federal unit (read state) has twin directorates for every important department anywhere in the world. One main reason for the continuation of such a flawed set-up has been the inherent flexibility in this system to enable the power centres in Kashmir to not only neglect Jammu and Ladakh provinces but also siphon off funds from Jammu to Kashmir even when the central rule was in force. Making intelligent use of noting sheets that reflect a love for Oxford English, all such acts stand justified and filed for posteriority in dust-laden cupboards in the secretariat. In short, this jugaad of keeping unrelated regions together has resulted in the neglect of two and increased money-power in the third. Even within Kashmir, there are noticeable disparities. Fortunately, Ladakh is now on its own, trying to find its feet and demanding a few things as per the locals’ aspirations. Jammu, however, continues to be a sacrificial goat.
A recent article justifying the need for the statehood for Jammu, published in this newspaper, aptly summarises the need of the hour. In plain and simple terms, Jammu can’t be left ‘out of the battle’ any longer.The public opinion in the Jammu Province is now strongly in favour of such a reorganisation, a few influential voices here and there notwithstanding. Having dealt with and having dwelt in the security sphere for over three decades, the considered view of the author is that while Jammu needs to be a separate state, such a decision in itself may not be able to bring in a resolution that needs to be looked at from a long-term perspective. In a democracy, crippling a populace or overloading another doesn’t work. A people-centric approach is a must. The point in the succeeding paragraphs considers varying geographies, a set of distinct demographics and, above all, the security needs of Jammu & Kashmir.
At this point, I would admit that some would find it weird, especially those stuck with the idea of J&K State as it existed before 08 October 1947. The Dogras are proud of our ancestors who created and defended our territory with blood and valour. However,much has already changed, with Aksai Chen and PoJK under illegal occupations and Ladakh now a separate political entity. In other words, much water has flowed in Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus over the past seven and a half decades.
A commonsense approach to tackling terrorism is to isolate the affected area and gradually reduce the impacted area. In simpler terms, this means isolating the Kashmir Province sandwiched between the Pir Panjal and the Great Himalayan ranges and taking suitable military action to reduce the size of the area where terrorists can operate with impunity. The successes of Operation All Out and many more campaigns during the preceding years are attributable to such an approach. However, the geographical location, terrain, and gaps in deployment south of Pir Panjal have seen many nasty encounters in recent months. The proximity of the Rajouri-Poonch area to the Line of Control (LC) enabled our adversaries to relaunch a terror campaign in that area once the Valley began to see a degree of normalcy.
Considering the foregoing, the importance of a viable buffer zone between LC and vulnerable areas comes to the fore. If an unbroken buffer zone is created between the LC and the Valley, the challenges for the incoming terrorists will multiply. When translated on the ground, a belt running from Naushera to Gurez via Poonch, Uri and Karnah, based on geographical features, i.e., the Pir Panjal Range itself in the south and Shamsabari Range further to the north and finally to the northwest, can do the trick.
A look at this 5,000 sq km belt reveals a few vital facts. Firstly, the population here is a healthy mix of multiple faiths, and there is virtually no history of communal rioting or anti-government stone-pelting programmes. Secondly, the belt is underdeveloped but holds massive potential for international tourism with higher reaches in two ranges, offering endless possibilities for adventure sports, camping, and spiritual retreats. Thirdly, geographical barriers are high enough to isolate Kashmir Valley from the LC. Thirdly, the populace living across the Shamsabari Range have historically been of non-Kashmiri stocks, and the Pahari belt of Poonch-Rajouri does have its own unique characteristics that are different than other parts of the Dogra belt, political and administrative factors notwithstanding. It is through this belt that a terrorist has to travel to reach the heartland in Kashmir and the Doda-Kishtwar area.There exists an ecosystem of overground workers who make this possible. Despite an overt peace, this belt plays a significant role in the transit of the terrorists and associated logistics.Finally,there is the long-pending issue of the settlement of the Kashmiri Pandits. Many experiments in this regard have failed to achieve the desired results.
A fresh approach to resolving the issue, thus, would involve the following:
-Reorganisation of J&K into the UT of Jammu (for at least five or ten years, after which statehood MUST be given; please see the map) bounded by the Nausherawali Tawi and LC in the west, Ravi River in the east, the existing International Boundary in the south, and Pir Panjal in the north. Two parliamentary seats to start with until revised nationally.
-A Frontier region of mountain dwellers from the Nausherawali Tawi up northwards, keeping south and west/north of the Pir Panjal Range and Shamsabari Range, respectively, all the way to the easternmost part of the Kishanganga Valley. One Lok Sabha seat and a nominated seat in the Rajya Sabha. Interestingly, even before 1947, while Jammu and Kashmir had districts, Ladakh was called Frontier Region.
– UT of Kashmir between Pir Panjal in the south, Shamsabari Range in the west and north and the Great Himalayan Range in the East, except an area in the foothills of Pir Panjal towards the northern slopes, with two parliamentary seats.
-Kashmir Pandits’ Homeland encompassing the government lands in the Badgam-Shopian-Kulgam districts, with the locals resettled if need be-one parliamentary seat. It could be a UT or an administrative entity with a different name.
The above proposal is not sacrosanct. However, some vital steps need to be taken, especially for the Frontier Region. The area should be developed on the lines of European lands hugging the Alps. Once a nature conservation plan is devised, the area should be opened to national and international investors. There should be no restriction on Indian citizens buying lands in designated areas. Ex-servicemen and cops may be given incentives to settle in the belt. Police should have an all-India representation. The assumption that by placing the police of a UT under the central government (as applicable to the UT of J&K today), things would change may not be the correct one. A local SHO or even a senior functionary can’t ignore the instructions from the CM’s office, even if Delhi may be controlling the police.
Such a reorganisation will achieve a few things:first, Kashmir will be isolated from the LC (read Pakistani influence); second, an even distribution of power among the population will be achieved by breaking the culture of allowing a small geographical and population segment to hold the sway over everyone else;and third, the development of the regions that have always been neglected and wilfully ignored.
To some, such a map will appear to be an ugly thing to look at; to others, this may hold the key to long-lasting peace. Here, it may be mentioned that while PoJK, with a population of six million, may come to India by itself, such an arrangement will allow the government to handle the influx and merger of such a large population through a long quarantine or a similar process while ensuring that no direct mixing with the existing population of J&K happens suddenly. What may appear weird today may also be the most pragmatic thing to do. A pinch of salt harms no one.
(The author is a military historian, a published author and the founding trustee of the Military History Research Foundation ®, India.)
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