BSF bid to break shackles of militancy in Valley

JAMMU, MARCH 3: It has finally dawned on the security forces that pro-activepolicy alone is no road to everlasting peace in the state. Str...

JAMMU, MARCH 3: It has finally dawned on the security forces that pro-activepolicy alone is no road to everlasting peace in the state. Strengtheningcultural ties and camaraderie between its people alone can wipe out thetears of violence. Sending the message loud and clear was the group of 40children, from remote and border areas of Jammu region, who today returnedback from an “All India Tour” sponsored by the BSF.

Most of them residing in the border areas claimed of being given animpression by the militants there that attitude of Indians towards Muslimsis very bad. But, now after their return from the tour they have realisedthat it is nothing, but a sheer propaganda launched by the militants againstthe country to corrupt young minds by impregnating them with venomousthoughts against other religions.

“It was heartening to see brotherhood among Hindus and Muslims in Mathura.On one side the bells at the Lord Krishna temple were tinkling, the sound ofwhich used to get interspersed with the azaan from a mosque, adjacent to thetemple. Without any hindrance people were offering prayers. That time Irealised how these militants feed us wrongly saying that Muslims in otherparts of India are not even allowed to go for namaz,” said Mohammad Munshi,resident of Rajouri.

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Ever since the onset of the militancy in early nineties, the compositeculture of the state was held at ransom by the handful of gun-wieldingforeign elements, who from time to time have targeted a particular communityto foment communal tension in the region.

U C Chabra, Inspector General, BSF, Jammu, while having a chat with thereturned students informed, the idea behind such tours is to make theseyoungsters interact with the people in the other parts of the state and tryto break the shackles created by over one decade of militancy.

Braving militant threats, the youngsters from remote and militancy infestedareas like Gool, Mahore, Darhal, Kandi, Kontranka and Mendhar participatedin this 15-day long tour.

It was through this tour all of them got an opportunity to fulfill theirwish of travelling in train and aeroplane. “My joy had no bounds when wewere told by the accompanying BSF officer that they will flow us to Jammu ina BSF AVRO flight,” said Sarfaraz Ahmad, from border district of Rajouri,who has not even seen the Jammu city.

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During their entourage the youngsters visited Jama Masjid, Red Fort, HazratNizamudin, Old Delhi Fort, India Gate, Parliament House and Taj Mahal.But, it was not the beauty of Taj that fascinated most of the youngsters,but their meeting with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that gave themnew confidence.

Mohammad Ashraf, student of 9th standard from Gool, with glitter in his eyessaid: “Vajpayeeji said this country is yours and you have to take care ofit. He also shaked hands with us.”