It is a matter of grave concern that Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) flags are being waved during protest meetings in Kashmir. Four such incidents have been reported in the past three months. Police have detained two youth and seized three ISIS flags. Investigations are on to find out if the two boys are just sympathisers of Islamic State or are they potentially involved in something that is beyond that.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and security agencies have both said that the ISIS has no presence in Kashmir. But the CM said a few months ago that a Kashmir youth based in Australia had reportedly joined the ISIS, but none had travelled from Kashmir to Syria or Iraq to join the group as yet.
The CM has called the youth waving the flags “idiots”. While time will only tell how serious the issue is, we cannot afford to have our youth lured into the ranks of the fundamentalist organisation. ISIS is known for their ability to attract volunteers. Apparently 10,000 to 15,000 volunteers are currently fighting for the ISIS. Experts say ISIS will soon overtake al-Qaeda as the most influential Islamic extremist group.
Efforts must be taken to win back the confidence of Kashmiri youth, who are disillusioned by years of strife in the Valley. Both the Centre and state government should work towards creating job opportunities and opening schools, colleges and institutes for specialised studies in Kashmir. I fully agree with Lt Gen Subrata Saha’s view that youth in the Valley have to be kept “positively engaged”. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. At a time when Pakistan is pulling out all the stops to disrupt peace in Kashmir, we have to ensure peace in the Valley at any cost. The youth have impressionable minds. Their energies need to be channelised in the positive direction. There have to be concerted efforts to secure the future of the youth and ensure their right to prosperity. Once this is done, they will be dissuaded from joining the jihad propaganda.