Sumbal (Bandipora), Aug 31: Panic has gripped this North Kashmir district as people smell revival of the dreaded Ikhwan (pro-government gunmen), as the government has reportedly approached some former members of the group to recruit youth to quell the ongoing agitation.
Locals in Sumbal and Hajin say that former Ikhwani leaders are conducting meetings and recruiting youth to revive the group to curb the ongoing uprising in the Valley. Sources told Greater Kashmir that the former leaders have been approached by the Government.
The Government approached the sons of Kuka Paray but they have refused, sources said. They further said that three former Ikhwan commanders, including Qasim Khaar and Padam Shri Muma Kanna, have started activating their associates. Confirming this to Greater Kashmir, Qasim Ahmed Ahanger alias Qasim Khaar said that Government sought his help to curb the ongoing unrest in the valley.
Khaar, a former aide of Kuka Paray, is consistently conducting meetings at his residence guarded by troopers in Sumbal village and has announced employment for the youth who are rushing to his residence in dozens without knowing the sort of employment. Commenting on the employment of youth, Khaar said, “It is the programme of Prime Minster Manmohan Singh and I am trying to implement it.”
The senior citizens in the area call this a tactics to re-engage youth for the revival of Ikhwan. “How can an ordinary man provide Government jobs to the youth? It is the revival of Ikhwan, nothing more than that.
They will prepare an army in the pretext of Government employment as they did in ’90s,” said a village elder in Sumbal.
“We are concerned over the revival of Ikhwan. We will fight it but never allow anybody to revive Ikhwan culture in Sonawari,” said the local Imam (one who leads the prayers) of Jamia Masjid.
“Government is not only trying to revive Ikhwan but to trigger a sectarian wedge in Kashmir as they are going to nurture a Shia Ikwani among Sunni population,” he said.
Ikhwan was a group of Government-backed gunmen who reportedly killed thousands of pro-freedom activists and sympathizers of militants in mid and late ninetees in the state.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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