Srinagar: As the security forces have, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, continued to demolish the family houses of wanted terrorists across the Kashmir Valley, various political parties and leaders and civil society groups have criticised the heavy-handed approach. They have cautioned the government that “collective punishment” targeting entire families for the actions of individuals will alienate the Kashmiris.On Sunday, four more family houses of wanted militants and terrorists were torn down by the security forces across the Valley. In the past three days, at least 10 homes across districts of Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam, Bandipora and Kupwara have been demolished, often using explosives and the affected relatives have claimed no involvement in militancy.J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday joined the chorus that innocent people are being made collateral damage of the tough anti-terror campaign being spearheaded by the security forces post-Pahalgam attack.“After the Pahalgam terror attack, there must be a decisive fight against terrorism and its origin. People of Kashmir have come out openly against terrorism and the murder of innocent people, they did this freely & spontaneously,” Mr Abdullah posted on X.The J&K CM added: “It’s time to build on this support and avoid any misplaced action that alienates people. Punish the guilty, show them no mercy, but don’t let innocent people become collateral damage.”Mr Abdullah’s National Conference colleague and Lok Sabha member Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi alleged, “Kashmir and Kashmiris are being given a collective punishment.”Former chief minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said the Centre should tread carefully and avoid alienating innocent people while acting against terrorists.“The government of India must tread with caution and carefully distinguish between terrorists and civilians following the recent Pahalgam attack. It must not alienate innocent people, especially those opposing terror,” she said in a post on X.Ms Mufti also said: “There are reports of thousands being arrested and scores of houses of common Kashmiris being demolished along with those of militants. Appeal (to the) government to direct the authorities to take care that innocent people are not made to feel the brunt, as alienation aids terrorists’ goals of division and fear.”Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric and chairman of separatist Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a social media post, said, “While Kashmiris collectively condemn the heinous crime at Pahalgam, and it is imperative to bring its perpetrators to justice, indiscriminate arrests and videos circulating on social media of the demolition of houses and neighbourhoods are disturbing and distressing.”The cleric urged the authorities that in seeking justice for the innocent victims, they should not punish innocent Kashmiri families.Former minister and J&K People’s Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone said that there is a general feeling across the Valley that the whole family is being punished for the actions of one person.“We approached the court also and termed it as a form of collective punishment, inspired by the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, where the British were convinced of their criminality and attributed it to their ancestry,” he said, adding, “Using collectiveness to define criminality or terrorism is a curse and will never allow reconciliation and social introspection.”While referring to widespread condemnation of the Pahalgam carnage and mass protests by the people of Kashmir which, Mr Lone said, is a monumental shift in their mindset, he hoped that what has been achieved in the aftermath of the heinous carnage is understood by those at the helm and “these precious gains are not frittered away”.Meanwhile, the police said here on Sunday that in a decisive move against terrorism and acting tough against anti-national elements, two “hardcore terrorist associates” were arrested and detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in the central district of Budgam. The police identified them as Tahir Ahmad Kumar and Shabir Ahmad Ganai and said that the arrests followed sustained efforts and actionable intelligence indicating the involvement of the duo in providing active support to terrorist outfits operating in the region.The police said that by invoking the PSA under which a person can be detained for up to two years without seeking a formal trial, authorities have ensured their detention to prevent further threats to peace and public order.The police claimed that the duo were “instrumental in facilitating terrorist activities, including movement, shelter, logistical support and their continued engagement in anti-national activities and their role in motivating local youth to join banned (terrorist) organisations”.It added: “The use of PSA was deemed necessary and their detention marks a significant step towards dismantling terrorist support networks in the district.”
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