More surrenders waiting among terrorist folds, government needs to incentivise more, say experts

The surrenders by Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) Adil Dar and Arif Sofi have come as a positive result to the government's recent strategy adopted in the Kashmir Valley.

Also, this is bound to make the terrorist organisations insecure. The success is being attributed to the government's approach towards handling terrorism in the violence-hit state of Jammu and Kashmir.

LeT cadre Adil Hussain Dar was captured by the security forces during an encounter on September 10, in South Kashmir's Shopian area. His two associates were also gunned down in the encounter. In a separate operation in neighbouring Kulgam, an Over Ground Worker (OGW) Arif Ahmad Sofi surrendered before the police, during an operation that also left two militants dead.

As many as 146 terrorists have been killed since January this year, the Modi Government has kept the pressure high with active operations in the hinterland. The Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have stepped up the heat on militancy in the Kashmir Valley. This is in conjunction with the sharp vigil along the borders. The policy seems to be paying dividends.

The people are also fed up with the continuous blockades and lock outs and they want to see peace returning to the valley.

"People are fed up now. They are facing the trouble and have also realized that a large number of youth have been lured or were forced by these terrorists into picking up weapons. Now these young boys are getting disenchanted with the kind of life they have been leading," told a senior army officer, who did not wish to be quoted. This officer's words get verified by the two recent surrenders. It is because of this disenchantment that there was no report of stone pelting or blockade in Shopian and Kulgam districts during the recent counter-terrorist operations.

The security forces have also made it public that they will assist the terrorists who are reconsidering to join the mainstream. Jammu and Kashmir Inspector General Police (IGP) Muneer Khan on Monday announced that such terrorists of local origin who wish to join the mainstream will be given a safe passage and rehabilitation.

"It's (the successful surrenders) a clear message to others who have been lured into all this that if they come, we will receive them with open hearts," Khan said.

"The surrendered terrorist Adil could've been killed by forces, but we preferred to give him chance to live and come to mainstream. That's why caught him alive," he added.

"There are many terrorists who are waiting for the right time to leave violence and join mainstream to lead a normal life," he added.

The onus of the success on one side goes to the relentless pursuit of the security personnel and also to the intelligence inputs, both human and the technical, which have led to the precise location and the terrorists. It is the effect of the pressure that terrorists are on the run and resorting to desperate measures like snatching weapons and robbing banks. Now, the new entrants are opting to surrender during encounters so as to escape the pressure and intimidation from their seniors.

As of now, the surrendered terrorists get an immediate grant of Rs. 1.50 lakh to be kept in the shape of a Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) in a bank in the name of surrenderee for a period of three years which can be drawn by him only on completion of three year period and subject to good behaviour. They are also given Rs. 2000/- as monthly stipend for three years after surrender and vocational training for self employment the cost of which is borne by the government.

This policy is basically for those who crossed over to Pakistan during times of peak militancy but the same can be extended to the locals who are being lured into terrorism now feel experts.

"This is the right time that the surrender policy is made more lucrative as the terrorists are under pressure," Security Analyst Major General DK Mehta told ANI.

Experst across the board feel that given the condition that is presently obtainable in the valley a human policy towards those misled into terrorism is bound to pay handsome dividends and is the best way forward. 

-ANI