Sliding into trouble

Leaders of the Ladhakh Buddhist Association, who are organising a week-long protest against the devolution of greater power to Srinagar, say they will be better off with Union Territory status.

Abdullah’s timing suggests sheer political expediency rather than genuine conviction. That he has chosen this juncture to press his claims is very revealing about his motives. No doubt, proper form was observed by obtaining recommendations from a committee but the committee was not broad-based enough to inspire total confidence. Significantly, its recommendations were withheld for more than a year. There are two reasons, both linked to the government’s poor record in office. One, the release of Hurriyat leaders from jail presents Abdullah with a political challenge from regional forces such as he has not had to deal with for some time. Two, elections in a year’s time necessitate a strong political platform. With nothing else to show for itself, the government has decided to make a pitch for autonomy. It may suit the National Conference in the run-up to the elections to be seen to be battling the Centre but it also risks arousing popular sentiment within the state which could become unmanageable.

It would be less of a masquerade if the autonomy demand were moored to the present, instead of the past and to practical needs, instead of raw emotions.It will be surprising if any good comes out of the political games in Srinagar. Meanwhile, with the Army anticipating a fresh influx of militants 3,000 of whom are training in camps in Pakistan and POK, it looks like a continuation of terrorist violence and counter-measures for Jammu and Kashmir.

In the midst of all this the Centre’s peace initiative consisting of the release of some political prisoners and talk of political negotiations appears dismayingly to have ended as suddenly as it started. A DD channel for and about J&K is a good idea but the Centre seems to have gone on holiday after that. More and bigger ideas are urgently needed to prevent conditions getting worse.