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Positive Step

7 January 2010
The events of the past few days sum up perfectly the conundrum that is Jammu & Kashmir. National security adviser (NSA) M K Narayanan's allowing that there was a case to be made for drawing down troop presence in the state was a positive step; it can be seen as an advancement of policy trends seen in 2009. The possibility of troop reduction the NSA held out was predicated on the reduced levels of violence the previous year, as shown by the fact that there had been no fidayeen attacks in the state through the year. And just about a day after this announcement, a gunbattle raged in the heart of Srinagar as terrorists fired upon civilians and security forces. Once again, the propensity of bloody-minded extremism to obstruct any attempt to move towards peace is on display.

The attack's significance is more symbolic than real, of course; it should not be taken as evidence that troop reduction in the state is inadvisable. There are reasons enough to suppose that such a move would pay dividends. As it stands, 30,000 army personnel were withdrawn last year while paramilitary presence in the state has also been reduced over the past few years. This has not resulted in a dramatic upsurge of violence; quite the reverse. Symbolism is a powerful tool and its importance to New Delhi is no less than to the extremists. Visible military presence in the state must be reduced if the siege mentality that derails the political process is to be overcome.

Nor can the lessons learned from this and previous attacks be ignored. The J&K problem has festered for decades, moving far beyond a military dimension, if it ever was just that. Troop reduction is a solution enabler, not a solution in itself. If the tattered social, religious and political fabric of the state is to be mended in a manner that will enable it to withstand extremism - both home-grown and cross-border - political engagement with all stakeholders is a must. So too is a focus on the law and order machinery of the state itself; this must be a prime focus of the Omar Abdullah administration with New Delhi's full support. It may have waned but extremist violence is by no means ended.

Come spring, the real test will begin. Cross-border infiltration is at a low every year in winter because of weather conditions. Any troop reduction is likely to be - and should be - a careful process with drawdown followed by a period of consolidation. But it must proceed. With militant capabilities seemingly diminished and healthy poll turnouts, this is an opportunity that New Delhi cannot miss.