This refers to the mode of protest in Kashmir and the way state machinery is dealing with the protesters here and elsewhere. Contrary to those Marathi hooligans who hold cultural ethos, communal harmony and state machinery to ransom and destroy public property widely, protests in Kashmir are relatively less chaotic. Take the case of any outcry breaking out elsewhere in India such as the demonstrations held in Rajasthan for quota reservation, how much public property was lost. How the army of Shiv Sena would go berserk, but how carefully state police treats them ensuring that there is no loss of life. Anywhere outside Kashmir, care is taken that protesters are not harmed. But here they use force indiscriminately. That is a moment to think for the government of J&K.
Let the state form a special group such as “Crisis Operation Group” of security personnel which should be trained and equipped to deal systematically and effectively with any uprising. Let this COG be headed by senior officers, who should be made accountable of their acts and be appraised on the basis of performance of managing the protests effectively. Also the magistrate should be given the sole authority and discretion to decide finally the use of force on public. He too is to be made accountable. Additionally revenue department can also be provisioned to do human resource accounting of the state to check violations.
Many such options can be analysed and evaluated by taking the help of the academics, NGOS, media personalities, human rights commission and civil servants to collaboratively formulate a strategy, so as to meet unrest and ensure that life is saved.
Shahid Akbar
R/oTrehgam Kupwara
Pursuing MBA
Bangalore University Karnataka
shahidmba42@yahoo.com

Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST