Held Kashmir needs a political solution: India’s ex-army chief

NEW DELHI: Former Indian army chief, Gen Ved Prakash Malik, was at Sarhad College of Arts, Commerce and Science in Katraj in Pune Monday. The college has a sizeable number of Kashmiri students. He spoke to TOI’s Sandip Dighe on the current situation. 

The situation especially in and around Srinagar is messy. A large number of people are agitating and stone-pelting incidents have increased. Women taking to the streets is not a good sign. We’ve to resolve this, but we can’t leave everything to the armed forces. It requires active participation of politicians who should have a dialogue with the people, especially those who have suffered. We must rejuvenate a unified command. 

How should the army deal with it?

It’s not solely the task of the Indian army. Conflict resolution has to be done at the political level. It’s not right to place the complete burden on either the army or the CRPF. If the army is expected to resolve the Kashmir issue single-handedly, it cannot be done. A political solution is a final solution. 

What do you think about the army using a man as a shield in Kashmir?

I will haul up the particular officer for violating human rights. It should not be done, but you have to go into the circumstances. We have to investigate what prompted him to do so and then take action. 

You were in the Valley in the 1990s. Would you draw a parallel with the situation then and now?

Today’s situation is better than the 1990s. At that time, we could not hold any election in the Valley. That is not the case today. We’ve to give good governance to the people. It will make a huge difference in bringing the situation back to normal in the Valley. 

The government has failed in maintaining a dialogue with the people. Currently, the government’s interaction with the people is very little. This has affected them as there are no jobs, no education and no government support. The Centre has to play a supportive role. 

What are your views about the lack of education and jobs in the state?

Whatever we have done in this respect has not been adequate. We’ve to educate people to find jobs and we have to create opportunities for jobs. Established industries do not want to go to Kashmir. Tourism has come to halt. It’s a question of good governance so that we can revive all these activities. A large number of Kashmiri youth want to work. I can confidently say that out of 10 only one or two want to indulge in stone-pelting. The rest want to do constructive work for their families. Hence, we must provide enough opportunities. 

Has the next generation also been affected?

  Most of the times we close schools because of the Hurriyat’s demand or sometimes the government itself orders it. I feel that schools and colleges should not be closed frequently. There should be more sports activities to engage the students.