It's the '90s again: militants appear at protest marches, evoke awe, admiration

QUICK PILL

Times are changing

• For the last 15 years, militants in Kashmir had fallen out of public favour
• But over the last few months it seems that they are back and how
• Militants have been turning up at protest meets and addressing crowds

More in the story

• What are the security forces doing about these militants?
• What does this say about the situation in Kashmir?

On Tuesday, two unidentified masked militants surfaced at a protest rally in the village of Koimoh in South Kashmir.

They were clad in pheran, the traditional long, Kashmiri cloak called, probably to hide their arms. At a local ground, the protesters were told to stop and sit down. And to their delight, the militants appeared before them and addressed the gathering.

"We have chosen a tough path and will remain steadfast till we achieve martyrdom. We gave up our comfort for this," one of them told a charged crowd.

"Our request to you is that if you cannot join us, please don't betray us".

As he said this, many among the gathering broke into sobs and raised pro-Burhan and pro-independence slogans.

"We urge you to carry forward this struggle with dedication and sincerity," the militant said and also called upon the people to spread their message.

Awe and admiration

As they were leaving, people jostled to shake hands with them. Some kissed them in a show of respect and love reminiscent of the '90s.

The militants had to make an effort to break free from the crowd and request people not to follow them on their way back to their hideouts.

However, it is not the first time that the militants have appeared at protest marches over the past one month.

At Burhan's funeral, his successor Sabzar Ahmad Bhat alias Mahmood Gaznavi was present as a part of the huge congregation.

Similarly, on Sunday, Lashker commander Abu Dujana surfaced at a massive rally at Kareemabad village of South Kashmir's Pulwama.

A masked Dujana stood in the front row as prayers were offered at the local 'Martyrs' Graveyard'. He was flanked by other masked associates.

And as the prayers ended the people fell over each other to catch a glimpse of Dujana, some trying to hold his hand, others kissing him. Later, the crowd accompanied him to safety.

The heroes

It is evidently clear to everyone that the militants, who for a better part of the past fifteen years had run out of public favour, are again the heroes in the Valley.

Their intermittent appearances at protests and overwhelming public support has been a source of fresh concern for security agencies who can't but watch the development from the sidelines.

"There is little we can do about it. Militants appear when there is a huge crowd. How can you separate a militant from the mob," said a police officer. "We have to wait for the crowds to disperse."

Strength in numbers

However, apart from Dujana's presence, the Kareemabad rally was significant for its own sake.

Thousands of people from South Kashmir areas of Tral, Pulwama, Shopian, Pampore, Awantipora and Budgam areas assembled at the prayer ground at Kareemabad.

Many of them were carrying Pakistani flags and placards with pro-freedom slogans written on them.

There was no stopping the procession despite the strict curfew in place. Authorities had no choice but to allow the march as the attempt to stop it would have led to fresh bloodbath.

In an exuberant show of support for the Azadi movement reminiscent of the early '90s, a large number of the people proceeded to Karimabad on foot, shouting pro-freedom, pro-Lashker, pro-Hizbul Mujahideen slogans.

People also came aboard mini-buses, load-carriers, trucks, cars and motorbikes.

Along the way, the youth had put up hoardings with pictures of Burhan, and his slain associates Naseer Pandit, Aafaq Bhat and other fallen militants.

The graffiti on the walls read: "Mujahids (militants) are our heroes, Pakistan Zindabad". Pakistani flags were also hoisted at several areas. The big banners with pro-Azadi slogans hung from trees.

Local people had also organised community kitchens (langars) where youth were seen serving eatables, Tehri (salted yellow rice dish), water and juice to the visitors.

Standing united

In a show of unity, the rally was addressed by the religious preachers from all Islamic sects - Sunnis, Shias, Deobandis, Barelvis, Ahli-hadith and Jamaat-I-Islami.

In their respective speeches, the preachers paid tributes to the militants and civilians killed in recent firing and called on people to put up a united front against New Delhi.

The family members of the slain militants also addressed the gathering.

Jamaat-i-Isami spokesperson Advocate Zahid Ali urged the people to "rise above sectarian affiliations and resist New Delhi together to achieve Azadi".

Similarly, Shia cleric Ghulam Rasool Noori said that New Delhi has always been trying to fuel sectarian discord in Kashmir to fulfil its "evil designs".

"We have to defeat it by uniting for one goal which is to seek freedom from Indian occupation," Noori said.

Edited by Jhinuk Sen

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