Jammu and Kashmir-Security Perspective

Law and order – direct control of Union Government.

• Need of the move:
  • Continued fragile situation in Kashmir.
  • Ascendancy of the Taliban in Kabul.
  • US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Changed security situation in Jammu and Kashmir:

• Scrapping 35A
  1. fuelled concerns – Suspecting demography change of Kashmir
  2. Furthering the efforts Pakistan via state sponsored terrorism in JK
  3. Chance of Perpetual Violence
     • First extremist terrorist attacks and then our military responds and then perpetuating the same.
  4. Separatists menace.
  5. India – China relations: Since, OBOR running through Kashmir region.

Measures needed on security front:

There is a need for sustained and coordinated efforts of public outreach involving all the key stakeholders.

1. State:
   • Non-violent methods to achieve political aspirations.
   • Strengthen Democracy : Conduct elections as soon as possible.
   • Empowerment of Local Governments – grassroots level.
   • Harmony between Ladakh and J&K.
   • Socio economic development via various governmental schemes.
   • Recruitment Drives to employ the youth.
2. Security Forces:
   • Mass Engagement for perception change. For example, Army’s Operation Sadhbavana.
   • Direct outreach: conduct of public meetings in areas where the reach of the administration had become marginal. For example, Awami Sunwai’s of the past.
3. Religious heads:
   • Involvement of local clergies: seek its cooperation in messaging the youth and others.
4. Non-State Actors:
   • Engaging the non-state actors through interlocutors, Tier-2 diplomacy.
5. Media:
   • Help in shaping the views and opinions of people towards opportunities available in India.
   • Spread the message of peace and harmony.
   • Exploitation of social media, as much as the countering of online propaganda of radicalization.

Measures needed on economic front:

1. Effective implementation of employment-oriented schemes and programmes.
2. Tourism: For Income supplementation for locals.
   • Create high quality international standard infrastructure.
   • Leisure Tourism in Kashmir valley.
   • Pilgrim Tourism in Jammu and Ladakh.
3. Human resource development through education and health.
4. Encourage traditional economic activities.
   • Agriculture (including Horticulture)
   • Food Processing
   • Handicrafts and Handlooms
   • Livestock and Poultry farming 
5. Ensure diversification of the State economy
6. Produce products of high value demand. For example, bio aromatics, medical herbs, organic specialty vegetables etc.
7. Adequate thrust to Horticulture in J&K.
   • The state enjoys monopoly in certain fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants
   • Market it in rich and export markets.
8. Promote handicrafts by increasing shopping arcade in their existing properties and organizing handicraft expos in various parts of the country exclusively for J&K handicrafts.

Conclusion:

This opens up potential opportunities for development-led economic growth in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.

Refer Article 35A also.