Army Chief General Bipin Rawat’s direction to treat crowds hindering anti-militant operations in Kashmir as “overground workers” has invited sharp reactions from political parties and separatists.
The National Conference (NC) on Thursday described General Rawat’s remarks as “belligerent” and “merciless.” “The trend is worrying and alarming signs of the sense of alienation and disenchantment in Kashmir. The need of the hour is to understand and acknowledge the deep sense of isolation in Kashmir and deal with it with statesmanship and magnanimity,” said NC leaders Junaid Mattu and Tanvir Sadiq. The NC leaders warned that “aggressive, hot-headed statements would fuel local militancy in Kashmir.”
Independent MLA Engineer Rashid asked New Delhi “to see and analyse Kashmir situation beyond General Rawat’s remarks.” “New Delhi has miserably failed to consolidate its constituency in J&K,” said Mr. Rashid.
JKLF chief Yasin Malik claimed that the Army chief’s remark “was an open invitation to youths to pick up arms.”
Hurriyat faction chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani termed Mr. Rawat’s remarks “an apparent threat to carry out killing spree of civilians.”
“It reflected arrogance and stale thinking,” said Mr. Geelani. “The Kashmir issue is not a law and order problem,” he added.
‘Tyrannical mindset’
Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said it was “unfortunate” and reflected a “tyrannical mindset.”
Lashkar-e-Taiba local chief Mehmood Shah described the remarks as “India’s defeat, dejection and frustration.” “It is an open threat and acceptance of defeat,” said Shah.
