‘Not counter-terrorism but collective retribution’: In Kashmir, anger mounts over mass detentions in wake of ex-soldier’s killing

“I have been briefed about reports of over 500 individuals being rounded up by the SOG in sweeping nocturnal raids across Kashmir. The number is suspected to be much higher in actuality,” Ruhullah said in a post on X. “I fail to imagine the terror of a family whose loved ones now lie in the abyss of an opaque security system. This is not security. This is punishment by exile.”

The National Conference leader, who has taken a hardline stance since the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, pitting him against his own party at times, added, “I unequivocally condemn the attack on the Territorial Army soldier and his family. Violence, especially against women and children, is abhorrent. But to punish an entire population for the crimes of a few is not counterterrorism – it is collective retribution.”

Ruhullah called for consensus between New Delhi and the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir on security operations. “The establishment in Kashmir and in Delhi need to arrive at a common denominator as far as conducting operations in Kashmir is concerned,” he said. “The use of vague, legally unsound terminology such as ‘OGWs (overground workers)’, ‘Hybrid Militants’, etc to justify human rights violations must be shunned,” he wrote.

Ruhullah said that no regime in the world has successfully governed a population by making itself the object of its people’s fear and resentment. “I strongly remind you of the moral calculus at play here – if you must rule by repression, then you have already lost your legitimacy,” he said. “If your idea of democracy is a valley silenced by fear rather than engaged in dialogue, then your democracy lies in darkness.”

On the night between Monday and Tuesday, J&K Police detained over 500 people from across the Kashmir valley.

A large number of the people detained by the police are the family members and relatives of the Kashmiri militants based in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

This is the first time that people have been detained on such a large scale following a militant attack. Police sources said the aim was to “send a message” to the militants that “such attacks wouldn’t be tolerated”.

Hurriyat chairman and the valley’s chief priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq termed the detentions “unprecedented”.

“Every such killing and causing injury to innocents is condemnable, but to target and detain in hundreds family members and relatives of those associated with militancy, because of their relationship, is harassment,” Mirwaiz said. “It vitiates the atmosphere and furthers hostility. Authorities should release these people immediately.”

Communist leader M Y Tarigami said, “While the killing of innocent people deserves strongest condemnation, subjecting an entire community to collective punishment is unjust and unacceptable.”