Army can’t be sitting ducks for militants

In the present scenario, an unilateral ceasefire with terrorists is not only a completely unworkable idea but also a politically ill-timed proposition. Actually, one of the participants floated this idea at the recently-held all-party meet where I was also present. In response to this, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said an all-party delegation would soon visit New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this. There could, however, be no consensus on these two propositions as the representatives of the Congress and the National Conference said they would have to first talk to their respective leaderships without whose consent they could not endorse any idea. Therefore, as such no decisions were taken.

We say, and categorically so, that if the militants stop their violent activities or carry out attacks at Army camps, it will anyway result in a ceasefire. The BJP stated this at the allparty meet as well. The second thing that we made known to all at the meet — and one in which we strongly believe in — is that the government’s move to give amnesty to about 9,000 first-time stone-pelters has been a failure. The government withdrew cases against them and released them in the hope that they will stop these activities but many of them continue to pelt stones at the security forces.

We want the government to take strong action against all these stone-pelters. Those involved in organising such activities must be dealt with firmly. As far as declaring a truce during the month of Ramzan and the annual Amarnath Yatra is concerned, it can’t work because it will be a unilateral move. Militants would continue to carry out their violent activities. If they attack an Army patrol party or a camp, do you think the soldiers should sit idle and do nothing to defend themselves? Also, the unilateral ceasefire will not only encourage militants but also provide them an opportunity to regroup and reorganise themselves. These stone-pelters don’t believe in seeking a resolution of issues through peaceful means, and you should not expect them to do any good for insaniyat (humanity). We need to be as tough against them as possible. The Army should be allowed to carry out counterinsurgency operations as per its own assessment. Those who have embraced the gun are enemies of humanity and must be dealt with accordingly. You can’t hold talks with militants and terrorists.

I feel the Kashmiri society as also the parents of these “misguided” youth should come forward and lend their support to the efforts aimed at purging this menace. The political parties too have to work towards restoration of peace and normalcy in the Valley. Dealing with militants and terrorists should be the prerogative of the Army and other security forces. They know their job and should be given a free hand to do it. The sooner the terrorists are eliminated, the better it would be for our country.