A popular regime headed by Mehbboba Mufti though obliged to show all tendencies of populism is like previous popular governments unfortunately continuing the policy of curbs on religious and human freedom of the people to silence the voices of critics in Kashmir valley known to be a super sensitive conflict zone in the whole world. Unfortunately the curbs have been imposed to boil down the tempers of anger against last year’s civilian killings on the first death anniversary of a top commander of the top militant outfit Hizb ul Mujahideen. Interestingly the popularity of the slain militant commander shown by the people on his first death anniversary has become a huge challenge for a popular government led by Mehbooba Mufti who claims to have come to power on the strength of public representation . A grim reminder to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is that though the cries of the people against the use of pepper guns in mob control policing during civilian unrest last year were heard in parliament the highest law making body of the country but neither the Union Home Ministry nor the state government headed dared to concede the demand of the opposition for a judicial investigation into civilian killings . What hurts the angered people of Valley are the continuing curbs on their movements day in day out and lame excuses Mehbooba government takes for imposing curbs are the law and order apprehensions. Ironically there is no end to even curbs imposed by the government to deny the people the right to offer Friday prayers and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti herself does not understand that curbs on Friday prayers being tantamount to curb the religious freedom of the people does not suit a government claiming to be a popular regime committed to respect the free will of the people.
To further the prospects of peace and reconnect her government with the people at the grass roots it has become imperative for the Mehbooba government on religious and human freedom of the people in Srinagar and others troubled parts of the state.
Shedding tears on the floor of the assembly like a milk sulking child on the floor of the state assembly won’t help Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to cool down tempers in valley, but she will have to take some bold initiatives like blanket ban on the use of pepper guns in mob control policing and stringent actions on paramilitary forces responsible for perpetuating intolerable excesses on civilian population in the aftermath of killing of militants in encounters. Till yesterday Chief Minister was claiming that curfew was being used as a safeguard measure to avoid any loss of life or property, but now when hundreds of people including uniformed men and the innocents have been injured due to use of pepper guns and other pro-active policing methods Chief Minister has no reason to defend her actions. Better for the Chief Minister not to continue the policy of restrictions, curfews and use of pepper gun to thwart attempts of street violence in Kashmir either on the death anniversary of a popular militant commander like Burhan Muzaffar Wani or in the aftermath of civilian and militant killings. To further the prospects of peace and reconnect her government with the people at the grass roots it has become imperative for the Mehbooba government on religious and human freedom of the people in Srinagar and others troubled parts of the state.
