While the Omar Abdullah government ‘remained inactive’ during September 2014 floods in J&K, Indian army got a way paved, to prove themselves as ‘saviors’, trying to de-bug their infamous relations with the local population.
Role of Indian army in the rescue, relief, relocation and rehabilitation missions earned them praises across the country. The ‘humanitarian assistance’ provided by the troopers in floods, again failed to hail them as saviors, following many after-episodes.
People hit to the streets again, in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district when four people allegedly became victims to army’s fury including a mother of seven.
// It occurred during a search operation by Army’s 14 RR, in Zabn Gujjar Basti in Chuntimulla area of the district. Ever since the killing of Sub-Inspector, Altaf Dar in October, last month, the people were continuously ‘harassed’ by the army. In cordon and search operation, army personnel thrashed a mother-son including three other men.
To protest against the high handedness of army, locals had carried the injured men to the town where tear gas shells were fired to disperse the crowd. Massive protests had erupted after the protesters had succeeded in reaching the town and blocking the road, in which many other civilians were also injured.
Hundreds of episodes like the one, never flunk to induce a visible fear and insecurity among people, effects being more amplified among the countryside people who feel sandwitched between militants and their chasers.
While conducting operations, promulgating stringent rules of engagement to minimise collateral damage and no loss of civilian life has been a continuous failure irrespective of exercises like Lt Gen Ata Hasnain’s “Jee Janab” and other Sadhbavana programs.
Jee Janab was an effort of mannerism whilst respectfully keeping with the traditions of people while as Sadhbhavana schemes by army aim to maintain cordial relations with people.
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A similar case had happened in south Kashmir’s Shopian area not long ago, when army under Operation Sadhbhavana had distributed medicine among the people and the very next day same people were beaten to pulp in a crackdown.
Meanwhile, after the Bandipora incident people sharing their macabre tales of horror say that they feel like being imprisoned in their own homeland, with ever increasing insecurity.
A local resident wishing anonymity vented fear: “We are the prime unfortunate ones who are victimised from both the sides, army wins, militants get killed and we are the ones who lose hard earned belongings, militants escape, army loses and our houses get demolished.”
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A senior police officer confirming the Bandipora incident said that investigation has been launched into the matter and that the guilty would be punished.