Alienated youths, really?

The Budgam confrontation between stone pelters and the army speaks volumes about the looming threat from the enemies within than from those across the borders. The incident has highlighted how terror-aided miscreants are escaping the clutches of law under the garb of “civilians”. The army has exercised maximum restraint while dealing with the civilians. The unswerving patience of the army appears to have emboldened the stone pelters who are erroneously termed “alienated youths” by vested interests. That many political experts and former military officers have unequivocally highlighted that the stone throwers were on the payroll of the Pakistan Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) should set alarm bells ringing because a paid professional is duty-bound to do justice to his

job. Frighteningly, young children are reportedly recruited by the ISI to hoodwink the army. India should ensure that its Kashmir policy is not dictated by its hostilities with Pakistan. New Delhi's loatheness to engage the separatist leaders of the valley is understandable under the present circumstances. Kashmir militancy merits a bold and innovative move from the Centre in tandem with the PDP-BJP State government. The governments of the day have to mix, talk and listen to the civil society members while dealing firmly with the professional stone pelters. — Ganapathi Bhat