Hindu youths joining militant outfits for money in J&K
S.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service
Jammu, November 10
The surrender by a Hindu terrorist, Manoj Kumar Manhas, before an Army General at Nagrota yesterday has exposed the trend of even the Hindu youth joining the Pakistan-backed militant outfits in the interior areas of Doda district that touches the borders of Himachal Pradesh.
Manoj Kumar was a member of the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) that was responsible for massacre of hundreds of innocent persons in the state.
One of the reasons that the sources have put forth for the Hindu boys having joined the militant outfit is the extreme poverty in these areas. Manoj Kumar himself told media persons that he was kidnapped and given a gun by another Hindu militant, Baldev Singh.
There are reports of over a dozen Hindu boys operating as terrorists in various parts of the state.
It is a well-known fact that the ISI of Pakistan has been paying a handsome amount to those who join the militant outfits. A price tag has been fixed for every work they are assigned, including creating terror by killing innocent persons. There are reports that the ISI is also paying them a one-time cash dole according to their status in the organisation.
But the rehabilitation policy for the militants announced by the state government has also become a catch for them as it not only provides an opportunity to them to return to the mainstream, but also a financial package to earn a respectable livelihood. A fixed deposit of Rs 1.50 lakh and a monthly remuneration of Rs 2,000 each to the surrendered militant have made nearly 300 of them to surrender. As many as 210 militants have surrendered in the Jammu region in the past four years.
However, the sops to militants have created a controversy, particularly among the unemployed youth, who have started pointing out that being a terrorist was a gainful proposition as the ultras are fed by Pakistan when they take arms in their hands and then the state government provides them financial benefits and jobs after they surrender.
Take the case of Manoj Kumar, who joined militancy in May this year, but has become entitled for financial benefits by the state government by surrendering within six months. All such surrenders need to be examined thoroughly, it is being pointed out even by a section of the security forces.
The Army has launched "Operation Sadbhavana" in the far-flung areas in a bid to keep the people involved in the development process. Such steps and the rehabilitation policy for militants have made a number of militants sit on the fence and wait for an opportunity to surrender.
However, there is fear among the surrendered militants as the terrorists have started targeting them.
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