Sixteen years after militancy and terrorism started to destroy what was historically known as the “heaven on earth” there is hope in the air, and a prayer in the heart. The act of ordering reduction of troop deployment in J&K is not only an act of great sagacity but also of sensitivity to the future of the troubled state. There are many here and across the border who would want to see the decision in terms of Pakistan, or Pervez Musharraf’s “thinking aloud” and international opinion if not pressure. But the fact is that this is a purely internal issue in moving domestic peace forward. The situation in J&K has been improving though far from satisfactory. That is perhaps inevitable as long as support in moral and material terms from across the borders continues. Meanwhile, what needs to be recognised is that the democratic way of managing human affairs is working in the state. The decision to reduce the deployment of troops in the state is undoubtedly a crucial one since terrorism is far from being brought under control. It is only recently that a terrorist attack was made on the former chief minister, Farooq Abdullah, and his son, Omar Abdullah, the president of the National Conference, besides attacks on other political leaders in the state. Overall, of course, acts of terrorism have come down by nearly 20 per cent. This has been possible not only by vigorous anti-terrorist operations and anti-infiltration measures by the security establishment, but crucially by the support of the people. Building of the fence and use of sophisticated technology to assist in this process have helped.With the onset of winter, the risks — and let’s be clear, there are risks in the troop withdrawal — would appear justifiable if the move produces a positive momentum. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s initiative is essentially a response to the role of the people in helping to start reversing the violence and alienation in the state. He would, no doubt, follow this up with other policy moves before and during his visit to the state in the week ahead. Such endorsement is required in support of the policy of the elected government of having taken the process of reducing alienation, and enthusing more and more people to help restore peace and prosperity in the state. Without that, the decision of troop reduction may not have been possible. It is now up to the Hurriyat to come up with positive steps. Above all, it now places the militants and terrorists — at least those who believe they speak and act for the people — on test. Will they come out and be counted in favour of the people or continue on their destructive path?
