JAMMU: Co-convenor of the Professional Cell of J&K BJP, Dr. Varinder Sharma, today sought a thorough probe into the allegations of some chosen J&K politicians having an alleged nexus with militants and cultivating terror for votes, particularly in Kashmir Valley. He said, now that the cat is out of the box, this matter must be probed to the core and those into this muck exposed. He was referring to the statement of DGP, J&K and also warned those gunning for him to desist from targeting a police official for the simple reason that his statement might have hit the bull’s eye.
Addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the recent statement made by the Director General of Police (DGP) Jammu and Kashmir, R. R. Swain that has sparked a major uproar among regional political outfits in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Varinder Sharma stated, "The issue raised by the politicians, who were not specifically named by the DGP, regarding the alleged nexus between politicians and militants or their supporters, needs to be thoroughly investigated through a fair and impartial inquiry”.
It is crucial to identify those hiding behind a façade who pose a greater threat to the nation than foreign mercenaries fighting a proxy war on our soil, he said, adding that DGP R. R. Swain had claimed that Kashmir-based political parties have been “cultivating terrorist networks for electoral benefits,” which has led to significant backlash from local politicians. In response to his statement, some politicians have even called for Swain’s immediate dismissal.
Dr Varinder Sharma said that Jammu and Kashmir has suffered greatly due to this nexus, and now that the issue is out in the open, no one should have any reservations about bringing such connections to light. Swain’s comments had come just hours before a militant attack in Doda, which had resulted in the deaths of four army soldiers, including a captain, and a member of the J&K police.
The BJP leader said that police officials during a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Jammu, Swain claimed there was “overwhelming evidence” linking mainstream leaders in Kashmir with militancy, as Pakistan had “successfully infiltrated all important aspects of our civil society” when J&K was a state. The DGP had further alleged that before the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, governments in J&K led by Kashmir-based mainstream parties “sabotaged investigations” into suspects allegedly involved in the “facilitation and financing” of militant recruitments.
Swain had accused Kashmir-based political outfits of working for Pakistan and its spy agency, the ISI, Dr Varinder Sharma said adding that while Swain did not mention any specific names, some political observers linked his comments to PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, known for visiting the homes of militants killed in encounters. He added that local politicians instead of accusing the DGP of being political must introspect. The police official was mentioning instances like the 2009 Shopian case, where two women had died of drowning but some politicians had tried to frame as a case of murder and rape.
Dr. Sharma emphasized, "Rather than accusing the DGP, what is needed is introspection by these political parties who are well aware of their past actions. The separatist leaders of Kashmir have always tried to push their agenda through political means or by using them as their tools. It is high time for these parties to reflect on their actions and the implications they have had on the region."
