Srinagar: Over 40 days since the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A from Jammu and Kashmir, the Valley continues to remain under a lockdown with sporadic incidents of stone-pelting reported from several pockets.
In an interview to ThePrint, Farooq Khan, advisor to J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik, however said these restrictions were temporary and people of Kashmir would soon “realise” that the government’s move has only opened the “doors of heaven” for them.
He also said 90 per cent of the Kashmiris did not know what Article 370 meant. The constitutional provision was only being used by the local leadership to provoke “anti-India sentiments” in the Valley, the advisor added.
“The regional parties would reiterate it to cover up for their misgovernance. Time and again, when they had no issue to fight for or something to cover up for, they would bring up the issue of Article 370 to mobilise people,” Khan said.
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‘Won’t engage with separatists’
About separatists in the Valley, Khan said the government has no plans to engage with any of them — with many under detention or house arrest.
“We can and will engage with only people who believe in the Indian Constitution. Who have faith in the idea of India. Separatists have no locus standi and are inconsequential. They may have been encouraged in the past, but will not be anymore. Not under this government,” he said.
The advisor further said assembly elections in the region will soon be held in a democratic way. “No will be stopped from fighting an election. Not even the local leaders.”
‘Will push for transparency’
Commenting on Governor Malik’s announcement that 50,000 jobs will be created in J&K, Khan said recruitment will be done in a few months and across various sectors.
With speculation floating around that many of these jobs will be in the police force, Khan clarified that vacancies will be made available in the administrative sector too.
He also said the selection committee board will have people from outside the state. “There will be geotagging on physical tests, reports will be generated, performances recorded and a third party will ensure that the process is fair. The main aim is to bring in transparency in recruitment across departments,” he added.
‘Private sector to be major players’
Khan believes that the government’s move to bifurcate J&K and Ladakh into two union territories — under the Central government’s control — will invite private players and prove to be a game changer. The government has planned developmental projects for the region — especially in Kashmir — in the sectors of infrastructure, education, health, road and transport as well as the Railways with an aim to create avenues for employment.
“For this, we will engage corporate firms. It will ensure that the youth are not dependent only on government jobs but in the private sector too. A lot of investors have already signed up,” he said.
Addressing the concerns of local Kashmiris, who fear that private firms might destroy the Valley’s pristine beauty and pose a threat to their unique socio-cultural identity, Khan said such apprehensions were “misplaced”.
“India has a robust pollution control mechanism. Locals will know what is good for them in six months to come. The government’s move will in no way threaten their cultural identity,” he added.
He also referred to the government’s plans to procure 60 per cent of the estimated annual apple production in J&K directly from the farmers. “This will benefit over 40 lakh apple growers. The apple industry is the biggest revenue earner in the region, even more than tourism. Every apple orchard owner will now know how much minimum price he will get for his produce.”
‘Downtown has always been notorious’
While restrictions in uptown Srinagar have been lifted, the downtown area still remains under strict watch. This part of the town has witnessed several protests and incidents of stone pelting during Muharram and after Friday prayers. On 6 September, over 50 local residents were injured by pellets.
Khan said no casualty has been reported due to firing in the aftermath of Article 370. “Our main aim was to ensure that there is no loss of human life. The resentment in downtown can go on for a few more weeks, but we have to see what will benefit the public at large. The credit goes to the forces that have shown utmost maturity,” he added.
Asked when the restrictions will be lifted completely, Khan said landlines were working in the Valley and cellphones will be activated here soon.
‘No residents tortured’
Commenting on a series of allegations being made by local residents — especially from areas in South Kashmir — that locals were beaten up, heckled and even tortured by the army, Khan only said these were “a figment of people’s imagination”.
“These stories have been circulated by those who are mentors and sympathisers of terrorists. When we are so careful in ensuring that not a single death occurs, the question of torture is absurd,” he said.
Khan added that the government will “take note” if these allegations are found to be true.
“Why are these people not contacting the area SPs, DSPs or even giving direct representation to us? We promise to act if these allegations are found to be true. I am certain that all allegations are a figment of their imagination. They are frustrated and have nothing else to say,” he said.
‘India not a banana republic’
As with the allegations of torture, Khan also said rumour about 30,000 people being detained was false. He, however, confirmed that several people have been rounded up during police action after 5 August, and sent to jails across the country — including in Agra and Bareilly.
“The capacity of the Central Jail here is not more than 2,300. On 5 August, it was full. Which is why, some people had to be sent to prisons in other states. They include sympathisers and stone-pelters,” he said.
“India is not a banana republic. There have been releases too. Some people picked up initially were released later on after they were found to have behaved properly and with some bonds. More people were also arrested. So, there is not one static figure. All of them are being given a legal hearing,” he said.
On the political detentions, Khan said, “If this process was undemocratic, there are courts. People can move courts to get justice,” he said.
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Nice
90% of Kashmiris did not know what Article 370 was … stopped reading the column after that. Anyway, to address the substance of the column, what realistic hope is there that private investment will flow into Kashmir till complete harmony – not the tense absence of violence that is achieved by overwhelming deployment of force – returns to the Valley. The rest of India, led by the most developed and industrialised states, is facing a complete drought of investment. Even tourism in Kashmir will take a long time to recover.