The Day After

On Monday, after the PM's meeting with the APHC leaders, the PMO statementhad promised a "time-bound review of those held under the Public Safety Act(PSA)". And the day after saw the arrest of Asiya Andrabi, thehead of the Dukhtaran-e-Milat (Daughters of the Islamic Nation) and her eightparty members under, well, the PSA.

The sheer timing of this arrest, and invocation of PSA, leaves one wondering.Asiya Andrabi, the veiled right wing Islamic fundamentalist, has been in thenews for some time because of her party's 'moral crusade' against what she andher party term as 'social evils'. In her latest 'clean up operation', she andher band of followers would barge into restaurants and public gardens and 'lecture'the couples present on how they should behave as per the edicts and ethics ofIslam.

Although Asiya and her ways have always come under heavy flak from liberalsin Kashmir, this time there was some appreciation for her because she chose tobe non-violent in her approach. During their brief 'raids' they also visitedsome houses in Srinagar where flesh trade was going on, but instead of anyviolent action, or any threats, she is reported to have only 'lectured' thegirls. One could differ with her, but at least this time around the gestureseemed unobjectionable, and the change in approach noticeable.

The raids by her moral brigade continued for a few days before the policetook Asiya into custody for "taking the law into her own hands". Buton Tuesday, barely few hours after the Prime Minister's announcement, the stategovernment invoked the draconian Public Safety Act (PSA) against her and eightmembers of her outfit. She and her colleagues have been packed off for two yearsfor allegedly carrying out "anti-national" activities.

Andrabi, who had already served a jail term in early 90s for her allegedlinks with militants and in hawala transactions, was also involved in a campaign toforce Kashmiri women to use veil outside their houses. SSP Srinagar, MuneerKhan, maintains: "We welcome public assistance in curbing social evils andimmoral activities, but the job of enforcement remains with police. We will notallow anybody to take the law into own hand". Fair enough, but the way thiscurrent case been handled, particularly its timing, raises more than a feweyebrows in the valley.

First and foremost, it has taken the fizz out of Prime Minister'sannouncement, and also dented the credibility of the APHC moderates who hadwelcomed the PM's initiative. Secondly, questions are being asked about thesense and sensibility of this whole operation.

Earlier, last year, another separatist leader Hashim Qureshi had launched asimilar action against so-called 'evils'. While Asiya only 'lectured' the women,Hashim's goons had ransacked restaurants and thrashed everyone including younggirls -- one of the girls had her hair chopped off with a knife. Hashim and hismen had been let off even without a warning.

Apart from the sheer absurdity of the police action, there are some otherglaring inconsistencies. According to the police, Asiya was arrested inChanapora area of Srinagar, which falls well within the Municipal limits ofSrinagar. But charges against her were framed in Budgam district. Also most ofthe charges framed against Asiya can be termed as flimsy. Sample: "Youhave been visiting families of martyrs (those killed in security force actions)to express sympathies with them". Or: "You have been criticisingmoderate Kashmiri leaders and opposing the ongoing peace process".

If such 'crimes' can attract provisions of Public Safety Act, then why Asiyaalone, majority of Kashmiri leaders and political activists should have beenarrested, including the ruling PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.After all, Mehbooba toohas been visiting families of those killed in violence, including the militants,to express sympathy with their families.

The invoking of PSA also means that there is no bail for Asiya. Asiya'sarrest has already had its repercussions in the valley. While all the separatistgroups have vocally condemned Asiya’s arrest, the detractors of the Mirwaiz-ledAPHC have been given a tailor made case to ridicule their talks with the PrimeMinister. The recent developments have also put the Mirwaiz into a precariousposition. Everyone here in Kashmir remembers the elated response Mirwiaz gave tothe television channels after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The recentarrests seem to have cut short the celebrations.

The buzz in some circles is that some people in the government were not veryhappy with the amount of importance the APHC was getting in Delhi and thatsomething had to be done to balance out the effect of victory. In the eyes ofpolitical observers, Asiya's arrest has also stripped the PDP led government ofsome credibility.

It was the PDP that had in the past always campaigned against the use of lawssuch as the PSA. In fact, some have even accused the PDP of coming to powerthorough militant goodwill. But today, the PDP seems to be losing friendseverywhere. The policy to rehabilitate militants through surrender has fallenflat on its face, the police is yet to be reined in fully (although I must addthat there has been change for the better), SPOs -- read, government sponsoredgunmen -- are back in business and the Army continues to function like anautonomous unit.

If Monday brought hope, it was because of the PM's seeming sincerity. It isimportant that announced policies and plans are implemented, that what New Delhipromises is delivered For doves to prevail over hawks, that is the bare minimum,be it in Sri Nagar, Islamabad, or even New Delhi.. Asking Hurriyat to jointhe mainstream and negotiating with them on one day and embarrassing them thenext does not seem like a good idea.