Imtiaz Gul
India continues the siege and consolidation of its control over Kashmir since August 5, 2019 abrogation of Article 370 and annexation of Kashmir under its control. Taking cover of the new domicile law, the defense establishment is raising the so called Village Defense Committees.
These committees mostly comprise non-locals who are primarily the armed cadres of RSS. Large number of these militants – disguised as Kashmiri pundits -and government officials already there.
The government is trying to settle these non-Kashmiris from other areas into Kashmir in order to neutralize potential unrest by Kashmiris in case of a war or limited hostility with Pakistan. Most areas close to LoC have mostly been purged of locals, or populated with non-Kashmiris, who actually are the RSS cadre.
What is the possible motive: in case of a confrontation-induced exodus, these RSS militants might also be pushed into Azad Kashmir in the garb of displaced Kashmiris for subversive activities.
The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A and accompanied by high-handed treatment of almost entire Kashmiri political leadership has followed a particular pattern.
Kashmiri observers fear that a possible conflict – even though limited- may be part of that pattern, with the ultimate objective of stoking trouble in Azad Kashmir. And this might happen through the RSS cadres that are now being domiciled as native Kashmiris and settled in conflict-prone areas, a legitimate excuse to flee into Azad Kashmir with a hidden agenda.
Is Pakistan watching out?
