The Shopian case that has been causing unrest across the valley for weeks, has clearly sent strong signals to New Delhi. Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram rushed to Kashmir this week to assess the security situation. Following his meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, he promised that those responsible for the killing of the two women will be punished.

At the end of the two-day trip, Chidambaram addressed a news conference and said that the army and paramilitary forces in the region would now have clearly demarcated roles and will be withdrawn from the urban areas:

“It is our intention to redraw the lines of responsibilities. The army holds the responsibility for conventional defence at the borders and for fighting infiltration.”

Role of local police

Some experts have welcomed the announcement, while some have questioned the significance of the decision. Ajay Sahni, a security expert from New Delhi, explains:

“You see, the army has a limited role and presence in the urban areas. It is only their command presence that may be there. So this will not have any operational significance.”

Chidambaram did not give a date for the withdrawal of the soldiers, but he told reporters that the government wants to make the local police responsible for internal security, a move supported by Shaukat Hussain, a professor of law at Kashmir University:

“I think local police is well equipped to deal with the security and they have a better liaison with local people which means it is likely to cause less irritation among the population.”

Armed Forces Special Powers Act

The other critical issue that was raised during Chidambaram’s visit was the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) that gives sweeping powers to Indian security forces. Kashmiri politicians and separatist leaders had demanded the scrapping of the act, claiming it is often misused.

Chidambaram promised his government would discuss the matter:

“I would have to discuss the matter with the defence minister and the prime minister. The issue will be looked into in all earnestness.”

But many doubt if the act will be repealed for good. "The Armed Forces Special Powers Act is necessary because the armed forces in India do not have any mandate otherwise to engage in internal operation. So if the army has to be sent anywhere this act or similar legislation will have to be there," says security expert Sahni.

Infiltration

India says it boosted its army presence in Kashmir to tackle the infiltration of militants along the Line of Control that it shares with Pakistan, in the wake of an insurgency that broke out 20 years ago and has left thousands dead.

Though the Indian home minister admitted during his latest visit that there has been an overall drop in violence in the region in recent years, he maintained that the infiltration of militants has continued. According to a state government report, nearly 200 militants have recently managed to infiltrate into the region.

Author: Disha Uppal
Editor: Arun Chowdhury