S P E C I A L   E D I T O R I A  L

J&K: a neat operation
Hari Jaisingh

TUESDAY'S early morning operation by the security forces against Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen militants in the Wazirbagh area of Srinagar was different from earlier such events on three counts. One, it showed what a determined and coordinated team of the Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force and the state police can achieve against all odds in the fight against terrorism. The operation was intelligently and professionally handled. Full marks to the officers and jawans for maintaining their cool against grave provocations.

Two, while conducting the operation with restraint and patience against the heavily armed militants who had three policemen as their hostage, the security forces took extra care to ensure the safety of civilians in the neighbourhood.

Three, what makes the Wazirbagh action specially significant is that it has frustrated the sinister Pakistani designs to disrupt the polling and smash the nearby CRPF camp. The terrorists reportedly wanted to create havoc when the crucial second phase of polling was to commence in Srinagar and Jammu.

The live Zee TV coverage of the event provided a clear picture of the complex nature of the anti-terrorist action and public response. Notwithstanding the propaganda and distorted versions which often appear in the Pakistani and western media, the Indian security forces are not a trigger-happy lot. This should silence the critics who often accuse them of violating human rights. What is distressing is that while foreign agencies shed crocodile tears, they hardly care for the blatant violation of human rights of the civilians who suffer at the hands of militants.

The establishments in Srinagar and New Delhi have no doubt committed a number of blunders during the past five decades or so. They have often been charged with rigging the electoral process. This may be true in some cases, but the allegation cannot be justified in the present election's context. The authorities this time have taken special care to ensure that the poll is not only free and fair but is also seen to be transparent and credible. Indeed, this is a tribute to India's democratic system and the role played by the Election Commission. All credit to Chief Election Commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh and his team and to all those who were put on election duty in the militancy-torn state. The electronic voting machines have also helped to run the poll smoothly. This is no small achievement.

The message is sharp and candid. The answer to the bullet is free and fair ballot. This credible approach seems to have registered with the people and that is why various militant groups and pro-Pakistan Hurriyat leaders are feeling isolated today. Equally significant is the response of thousands of voters of Soibugh village, the home place of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin. They have preferred to ignore the boycott call. These are positive pointers to the people's changing mood, clearly showing that the Kashmiris in general are fed up with the Pakistan-sponsored militancy.

The writing on the wall is crystal clear. Though Srinagar and New Delhi have still a long way to go to set the Jammu and Kashmir house in order, the people of the valley want good governance, better standards of living, better civic amenities and opportunities for socio-economic development minus the corrupt practices indulged in by the ruling clique. There is no substitute to good governance. What the people want is a responsive system and a people-friendly regime. The final verdict may be mixed or uncertain. But what is important is free working of the democratic machinery.

In the final analysis, the answer to militancy lies in providing the people a qualitatively heavy dose of democracy from the grassroots upwards. New Delhi cannot afford to have a family-centric approach in planting Chief Ministers. A genuine democracy may be taxing, but it has its own rewards. This is how the people's power will ultimately prevail over the power of the gun. It fits in well with the rest of India's political milieu.