Radicalisation of the youth has emerged as one of the most potent concerns impacting the security scenario in Jammu & Kashmir. In the first three months of this year, nearly 50 highly-educated youths have already fled their homes and joined terror groups with parents of at least 30 of them informing police about the disappearance of their sons. At least five youths are reported to have joined terror groups last week alone. Security forces are reviewing their strategy to deal with the emerging challenge. The issue also came up for discussion at the recently held Army Commanders’ conference here.

Alarm bells have already started ringing as many of the new recruits are highly educated and are swayed by gun culture and so-called ideology of the terrorist organisations. With the onset of “working season” in Kashmir Valley starting April and ending October, the security establishment apprehends that new entrants could go all out to raise the levels of violence.

Moreover, nearly 250 battle-hardened ultras, who are already present in South and North Kashmir, might try to take advantage of this situation, posing tough challenge to the security forces to maintain peace.

Highlighting the threat posed by this development, officials said here the number of new recruits may go up in the coming months. Nearly 128 youths had joined the terror groups last year and given the current trend, this year may see the total surpassing the 2017 figures. This phenomenon picked up after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in 2016. At least 88 boys that year jumped the fence while this figure stood at 66 in 2015.

The seriousness of the situation could be gauged from the fact that five youths joined terror ranks in the five consecutive days last week in restive South Kashmir. This region saw mass protests for nearly five months in 2016 after Wani was killed in an encounter in July that year. Admitting that five youths opting for the gun in the latest case was a matter of concern, officials were also worried over an Army commando hailing from Shopian also joining the Hizbul Mujahideen some days back. In fact, it was the second case of a soldier deserting the Army with the first case taking place in July last year.

Taking note of this issue, the Army Commanders held intensive discussions on growing radicalisation during the four day-long conference here last week.

They stressed that these young men must be brought back into the mainstream by carrying out de-radicalisation and collective approach that focused on convincing the youth to shun violence and gun culture.

Elaborating upon the challenge, officials said the complete working season in the Kashmir Valley will commence with the shifting of State capital this month-end from Jammu to Srinagar. Also, the educational institutions will conduct examinations while the State Government gears up for the annual Amarnath Yatra.

Apart from these activities, the apple harvest season will begin in August-September and the security forces were gearing up to thwart any attempts by the terrorists to disrupt the day-to-day normal functioning. Officials also said the Army Commanders’ conclave also focused on avoiding collateral damage during anti-terrorist operations. Death of innocent civilians during cross-fire between terrorists and security forces lead to protests including stone-pelting and bandhs thereby crippling daily life.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Monday, 23 April 2018 | Rahul Datta | New Delhi