Fruitful move?

There have been three importance indicators that Jammu and Kashmir has been less violence prone than in any period over the last decade. For one, there has been a significant drop in violence and random attacks. Two, according to new data, there has been a significant drop in the number of militants operating in the state. And, finally, there has been a significant return to democracy in the state, going by impressive turnout in the four assembly by-elections held exactly a year ago in Pattan, Sangrama, Rafiabad and Bhaderwah.

On the face of it, it may appear that the Centre8217;s decision to withdraw troops from orchards and government buildings in the state could be seen as a response to the PDP8217;s demand for demilitarisation of the state, and that the PDP8217;s demand, in turn, is driven by electoral considerations. But a more careful reading would suggest that it is the indisputable decline in violence that had prompted this policy change. While the demand for demilitarisation has been resisted thus far, tamping down the overwhelming presence of the army in a calibrated fashion is the right step 8212; especially in apple orchards which are crucial to the state8217;s economy. According to the figures provided by the J038;K government, over half the area the army presently occupies in the state does not have legal sanction. There were reasons for this, to be sure. Through the worst years of violence, militants had taken refuge in many of these local farms and orchards and one of the reasons why the army chose to continue retaining control over these areas was to secure them against the threat from insurgents.

The Central government must now make a careful reading of the outcomes of this move. Rolling back of army presence in the state is indeed the right step. But only if there is no let-up in the level of vigilance.