16-July-2024-Special-Article

RISE IN MILITANCY IN JAMMU 

The Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has witnessed a notable increase in militant attacks since mid-2021. This shift from historical patterns raises concerns about security vulnerabilities and regional stability. Several factors contribute to this resurgence of militancy in the region. 

Reasons for Rise in Militancy in Jammu 

• Strategic Shift: 

• Zero Terror Policy in Kashmir: The strict anti-terror operations in the Kashmir Valley have forced militants to shift their focus to the Jammu region, where they find it easier to operate. 

• Troop Movements to Ladakh: In 2020, perceived low militancy in Jammu led to the redeployment of troops to Ladakh following the Galwan Valley clash with China. This left gaps in security that militants have exploited. 

• Strategic Importance of Jammu: 

• Jammu serves as a crucial gateway to the rest of India, making it an attractive target for militants aiming to disrupt normalcy and create fear. 

• Geostrategic Considerations: 

• Proximity to the Line of Control (LoC): The closeness to the LoC provides militants easier access from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, facilitating infiltration and logistical support. 

• Terrain: Recent incidents indicate a deliberate effort by militants to establish footholds in hilly and forested terrains across districts like Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi, which provide natural cover and make it difficult for security forces to track and engage them. 

• Economic Disparities: 

• Lack of Development: The lack of economic opportunities and development in remote and border areas of Jammu creates fertile ground for the recruitment of local youths by militant groups. 

• Recruitment: Economic hardships and unemployment make local youth susceptible to the lure of militancy, promising monetary incentives and a sense of purpose. 

• Political Alienation: 

• Perceived Political Alienation: Certain communities in Jammu feel politically alienated, exacerbated by historical grievances and administrative challenges, which can foster sympathy or support for militant ideologies. 

• Lack of Human Intelligence: 

• Aging Informants: The locals who provided information decades ago are now in their 60s or 70s, and the security forces have not nurtured relations with the younger generations. This highlights a significant gap in human intelligence gathering. 

Historical Reasons for Militancy in Jammu and Kashmir 

• Eroding Credibility of Political Parties: 

• Ineffective Governance: The credibility of political parties has been undermined by ineffective administration, corruption, and poor developmental outcomes, leading to public disillusionment. 

• Increasing Trust Deficit: 

• Excessive Force: Incidents of excessive force by security personnel have deepened the mistrust among the population, creating a rift between the people and the authorities. 

• Support from Pakistan-Sponsored Terrorism: 

• ISI Involvement: Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) provides financial and ideological backing to anti-India groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), sustaining the militancy in the region. 

• Controversy over 1987 Election Rigging: 

• Election Rigging Claims: The Muslim United Front (MUF), a coalition of radical groups, claimed election rigging in 1987. This controversy led to increased insurgency and loss of faith in democratic processes. 

• Unemployment: 

• High Unemployment Rates: Elevated levels of unemployment and limited opportunities drive youth towards militancy, as they seek alternative means to earn a livelihood and gain respect. 

• Radicalisation: 

• Religious Radicalization: Increasing religious radicalization and communal propaganda exacerbate instability, leading to a rise in extremist ideologies. 

• Glorification of Gun Culture: 

• Media Influence: The glorification of militants who achieve instant fame, recognition, and respect encourages a militant culture. Social media and mainstream media also contribute to this glorification, making militancy seem attractive to disillusioned youths. 

Challenges in Dealing with Rise in Militancy 

• Geographical Terrain: 

• Infiltration Points: The 192-km international border (IB) in Jammu and the 740-km Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir are potential infiltration points. Despite security measures, militants may exploit tough terrains and forested areas along these borders for infiltration. 

• Infiltration Routes: The recent attacks in Kathua suggest a revival of old infiltration routes, complicating security efforts. 

• Community Relations: 

• Trust Deficit: Building and maintaining trust between security forces and local communities is essential for intelligence gathering but remains a persistent challenge amid historical grievances and demographic diversity. 

• Village Defence Guards (VDGs): Efforts to revive VDGs to counter militant threats are complicated by past allegations of crimes committed by VDG members, making community cooperation difficult. 

• Intelligence Gathering: 

• Accurate Intelligence: Gathering accurate and timely intelligence is difficult due to the presence of local sympathisers and the use of sophisticated communication technologies by militants. 

• High-Tech Militant Operations: The challenge lies in facing high-tech, well-trained militants who adeptly cover their tracks by using locals’ phones and apps like Telegram to evade detection by police and security forces. 

• External Support: 

• Cross-Border Support: Allegations of cross-border support from Pakistan, including weapons supply via drones, underscore the external dimensions influencing local militancy dynamics. 

• Communal Fault Lines: 

• Demographic Diversity: Jammu’s demographic diversity, with a mix of Hindu, Muslim, and other communities, has historically been vulnerable to communal tensions during periods of heightened violence. 

• Stoking Communal Fears: Recent incidents, such as the killings in Dangri village and targeted strikes on specific communities, indicate a deliberate strategy to stoke communal fears and divisions. 

Steps Taken by Government to Deal With Militancy in Jammu and Kashmir 

• Revocation of Special Status: 

• Article 370 Abrogation: The government removed the special status and privileges of Jammu and Kashmir for closer integration with India. 

• Shimla Agreement (1972): 

• Peaceful Resolution: India and Pakistan committed to resolving differences peacefully through the Shimla Agreement. 

• Confidence-Building Measures: 

• Improving Relations: Efforts like bus services and trade routes aim to improve relations and reduce tensions. 

• 2015 Ufa Declaration: 

• Dialogue Resumption: The Ufa Declaration marked the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan, aimed at addressing contentious issues. 

• PARVAAZ Scheme: 

• Economic Support: The scheme provides subsidies for air cargo transport of perishable goods from Jammu and Kashmir, boosting local economy. 

• Himayat: 

• Youth Employment: Training and placement program for unemployed youth in Jammu and Kashmir to improve employment prospects. 

• Udaan: 

• Skill Development: Industry initiative for skill development and training of youth in Jammu and Kashmir to enhance employability. 

• Nai Manzil: 

• Education and Employment: Program for school dropouts or Madrasa-educated youth to provide mainstream education and employment opportunities. 

• USTAAD Scheme: 

• Skill Upgradation: Upgrade skills and training of minority communities in traditional arts and crafts to preserve cultural heritage and improve livelihoods. 

• Panchayat-Level Youth Clubs: 

• Youth Engagement: Engage youth in development and recreation activities to reduce militancy by providing positive outlets and opportunities. 

Way Forward 

• Border Security Measures: 

• Enhanced Surveillance: Strengthening border surveillance and fortifying vulnerable points along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) to curb cross-border infiltration. 

• Data Analysis Investment: Investing in data analysis software to better interpret information collected through surveillance systems and identify infiltration patterns. 

• Technological Advancements: 

• Advanced Equipment: Deploying advanced surveillance technologies, drones, and night-vision equipment enhances operational effectiveness and real-time monitoring of militant activities. 

• Legal and Political Frameworks: 

• Strengthening Legal Measures: Strengthening legal frameworks against terrorism financing and ensuring robust mechanisms for prosecuting suspects are essential for effective counter-terrorism operations. 

• Dedicated Courts: Fast-tracking terror cases through dedicated courts to ensure speedy justice and deter future attacks. 

• Community Engagement: 

• Socio-Economic Initiatives: Initiatives aimed at socio-economic development, youth empowerment, and fostering inter-community dialogue are essential to mitigate local support for extremist ideologies. 

• Educational Programs: Investing in education initiatives that promote tolerance and counter extremist narratives while also encouraging inter-faith dialogue and community engagement programs to foster social cohesion and address grievances that extremist groups exploit. 

• Diplomatic Outreach: 

• International Cooperation: Diplomatic efforts to address cross-border implications of militancy, coupled with international cooperation on counterterrorism, can help disrupt external support networks. 

• Regional Security Partnerships: Building partnerships with regional security organisations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for a collective approach to counterterrorism. 

• Policy Review: 

• Continuous Adaptation: Continual review of security policies and adaptation to evolving militant tactics are necessary to maintain proactive security measures and minimise civilian casualties. 

• Information Sharing: Promoting information sharing and best practice exchange between security forces and counter-terrorism experts while also ensuring civilian safety by adopting standardised operating procedures (SOPs) that minimise collateral damage. 

Conclusion 

Addressing the rise in militancy in Jammu requires a multifaceted approach, balancing security measures, community engagement, and international cooperation. The government’s initiatives aim to integrate Jammu and Kashmir more closely with the rest of India while countering the underlying causes of militancy through development and empowerment programs. Enhancing border security, fostering community trust, and leveraging technological advancements will be crucial in tackling this challenge effectively. 

Mains Question: 

1. “Discuss the recent rise in militancy in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir since mid-2021, analysing the underlying causes and challenges in addressing this issue. (150 WORDS)