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Journalism of Courage
Two weeks after a car bomb killed five people and a week after fidayeens engaged security forces in the longest-ever stand-off in Srinagar, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed claimed today that there has been a substantial decline in violence levels in the Valley.
‘‘It is true that some stray violent incidents are continuing. The infiltration is continuing. But the fact at ground zero is that the level of violence has come down,’’ Mufti told
reporters.
‘‘There has been a 25 per cent decrease in militancy violence,’’ he said, while flaunting a formidable array of numbers to bolster his claim.
Comparing the number of violent incidents this year (till August 3) with that of the first seven months last year, Mufti said that in 2004 the casualties included 1,217 civilians, 198 security men and 626 militants. In contrast, 482 civilians, 156 security men and 606 militants died over the same period this year, he said.
Similarly, the first half of 2004 saw 171 grenade and 41 suicide attacks, while the same period this year witnessed 87 grenade and 22 suicide attacks, the CM said.
According to Mufti, the credit for this dip goes to the current India-Pakistan peace process. ‘‘The present coalition government had done its best to change the situation but the credit should go to the process of reconciliation started between our country and Pakistan,’’ he said.
Besides, Mufti claimed, his government has given a sense of security to the common man in the state. ‘‘Random arrests, wayside frisking with even elders forced to raise their arms while crossing a checkpoint, and constant fear of the police are now things of the past,’’ he said.
Adding that more Valley-specific Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) would be taken, Mufti hinted at early resumption of dialogue between the Centre and the Hurriyat.
‘‘I am hopeful that the dialogue will resume soon, as the Congress-led government is serious about talking to the separatist leadership,’’ the Chief Minister said.
