Rumours in Valley: Bulbs and SIM cards ‘help’ nab militants
An increase in militant deathsacrossKashmir hasgiven rise to rumours that intelligence agencies have “enrolled” common devices such as electric bulbs and SIM cards in their crusade against rebel elements.
According to sources, it began with unverified reports that residents of South Kashmir were smashing subsidised LED bulbs being distributed by the government under the Ujala scheme.
There was a widespread belief that they were fitted with “micro chips that could track down militants the moment they enter a person’s house”. Some even claimed that the bulbs — distributed at ₹20 against the actual market price of ₹250 — were fitted with surveillance cameras.
According to another rumour, a separatist leader has asked Kashmiri residents to boycott a mobile company that’s distributing “free SIM cards” — equipped with inbuilt technology capable of tracking militants — across the state. However, the leader has denied issuing such a statement.
Rumours like these are nothing new in Kashmir. Last year, its residents were left shuddering over rumours that hundreds of children had died after being administered polio drops .
“Once, in the 1990s, rumours arose that security agencies had dumped poison in the main reservoir that supplies water to Srinagar. Masjid authorities told residents to not drink its water,” said Sheikh Abdul Rashid, a retired government servant.
In the 80s, unsubstantiated claims were made about Valley’s children being kidnapped by outsiders. “Angry residents burnt a foreign tourist to death, claiming that he was trying to abduct a child,” said Altaf Hussain, a former BBC correspondent.
DIG SP Pani refused to comment on the rumours because it was “not a law-and-order issue”.