Jammu needs to raise its voice The Excelsior 10 Mar 17
J and K is a unique state in the country, almost a nation within a nation. Its three entities, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are each distinct in character and possess no commonality. Jammu, being a major rail and road head, located at the entrance of the state, is a funnel through which all commodities transiting to Kashmir and Ladakh pass. The other two sectors of the state are mountainous, underdeveloped and possess almost no industry, except handloom and tourism. Article 370 provides the state autonomy in administration and safeguards its citizens against outside settlers.
Jammu’s population is largely Hindu and politically it has been a bastion for non—Kashmiri parties. Ladakh comprises of Buddhists and Shia Moslems, distinct from Kashmir, where post the forced migration of Kashmiri Pundits, the population remains predominantly Sunni. Insurgency exists only in the Kashmir valley, where some segment of its population, identify themselves more with Pakistan. The writ of the Hurriyat runs is only five districts of the valley, where militancy still has local support. The last elections clearly separated the two parties which presently form the government in the state. The BJP swept the Jammu region, while the PDP won handsomely in Kashmir. The Congress won all four seats of Ladakh. The PDP-BJP alliance has been kept together by the willpower of the center and the personal involvement of the PM, which has provided the Chief Minister an almost free hand in running the state.
Challenges facing this immensely divergent state are numerous as each part of it views itself in isolation. While Ladakh seeks to be considered a union territory, Jammu desires enhanced development and freedom from Kashmir hegemony. Kashmir seeks to oppose any actions by the state to bring about normalcy and development, preferring to remain mired in the past. The main opposition party, the NC, desperate to seek power, after being routed across the state, is willing to truck with any power in the valley, including anti-national separatists, to enhance problems for the government and through it, the army battling militancy, without any consideration on the lives and future of the local youth.
No other state in the country possess such diversity and varied demands and outlook, hence remains a challenge for the coalition in power.
Development being witnessed across the country seems to have bypassed the state, mainly due to its divisive status. No previous state government ever seriously contributed to its development, willing to bide their time, misuse central funds, regain power and continue ruling the state. The NC leadership remained silent when atrocities were committed on Kashmiri pundits, Sikhs being massacred and militancy began rearing its ugly head. A clear case of ‘Nero fiddling while Rome burned’. The fact that it is a border state, with Pakistan eyeing the valley, only adds to its woes.
In addition is the ever-raging battle on Article 370. While it does empower the local resident, however has always been an impediment to growth. Major issues which need to be considered for the future of the state, is changing demography and the relevance of article 370 in present times.
Kashmir, post the forced migration of Pundits and Sikhs has a skewed demography, which makes it ideal for manipulation by Pakistan and anti-national elements. Militancy which reared its head in the late eighties has witnessed ups and downs. The violent summer of 2016, post the encounter killing of Burhan Wani and flash mob actions of stone throwing and interrupting anti-militancy operations, has cast an eerie eye on its future. It will only witness higher levels of crackdowns and enhanced force deployment as security forces battle an increase in militancy with the onset of summer. The population and political parties fiercely support article 370 and strongly resist attempts to create safe colonies for Kashmiri pundits and Ex-Service Men residents of the state, thus ensuring that the existing skewed profile of the population continues.
Jammu, the only progressive region of the state is impacted by demographic changes caused by the influx of population from the troubled valley and illegal Muslim immigration from Myanmar (Rohingya’s) and Bangladesh, as also restrictions imposed by article 370. Almost twenty new colonies of illegal immigrants have risen in the recent past, on the outskirts of the city. In most cases, they have been provided with facilities and funds, almost legalizing them. Many residents even possess adhar and voter IDs. The growth of madrassas and Masjids across the region have the locals worried.
In a release issued on 04 Mar, the relief and rehabilitation commissioner in Jammu stated that his office was witnessing a flurry of applications by people seeking to migrate from the valley, taking officials by surprise. The statement also claimed that over 1500 people, many amongst them Muslims, had submitted applications in the last ten days. Migration remains a sensitive issue amongst the local population. The mushrooming of illegal colonies and migration (legal and illegal) even raised hackles at the center, compelling the Home Minister to seek a report from the state on the subject, just last week.
The coalition government at the state has yet to implement action to reverse the changing environment. Article 370, more ideal for the valley has prevented the growth of Jammu into a major industrial hub, though militancy has reduced, with recent attacks solely aimed at security forces. However, the changing demography can open new avenues for increasing militant related activities, unless checked by local security agencies. While the Article ensures special powers to permanent residents, however impacts business. Investment is low due to restrictions imposed by the article, property prices fail to rise, as in other parts of the country and it remains a region mired in the past. Jammu is presently a market city catering for tourists, with almost no major industry to boost job opportunities to its burgeoning population, whereas its location, availability of resources and connectivity could ideally make it an industrial hub.
The government should consider amending the article selectively for the Jammu region to change the concept of development, as also implement forceful deportation of illegal migrants to safeguard its demography. A push for the same must come from the local populace, compelling the government to think and act, failing which the region will rapidly change in character and continue to lag as the rest of the nation develops by leaps and bounds.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army