Why propaganda must die before the terrorist

Srinagar, July 18: The rate at which educated persons are joining terror groups in the past couple of months has been alarming. One among them was Manan Wani, a PhD scholar who had joined the Hizbul Mujahideen earlier this year.

While many experts have tried to understand the reason behind educated persons joining terror groups, Wani says that it is due to dignity. He says that they do not join such groups to die, but to win. We do not feel dignity in death, but feel dignity in fighting the Indian Forces.

The Hizbul Mujahideen's media cell released a statement by Wani in which he says that India is slowly and steadily justifying its colonial rule. The long bloody conflict has turned Kashmir into one of the most politically nations in the world, he further added.

We as a nation and community must evolve and update ourselves of the new military, metal and diplomatic tactics of India as a colonial state, he further said.

He further adds that the modern era of resistance started in 2008. Since then the methods of resistance have drastically changed and have been positive as well. The tactics of suppression have also evolved, he further added.

An attempt to justify violence:

Officials say that the letter is a clear attempt to justify the violence. It is also a way of luring youth into the Hizbul Mujahideen, the official also added. Terrorists have in recent times resorted to plenty of propaganda in a bid to increase their numbers. Recently the Hizbul Mujahideen not only put out a list of 35 new recruits, but also circulated a group photograph.

This comes at a time when the security forces are cracking down on terrorists and recruitments into groups. Security officials say that while encounters would continue, it is necessary to crack down on propaganda first. Those making provocative speeches have to be booked and curbed. The action on the social media too needs to be stronger, the officials feel.

Recently the Kashmir police detained 13 teachers of a private school in North Kashmir for allegedly glorifying militancy and motivating students to become terrorists. The case is under investigation and a larger modus operandi is suspected.

Officials say that the biggest threat remains the propaganda. Terrorist funerals, material on the social media and the clarion call given by some Maulvis are all part of the problem. Hence before the terrorist, the propaganda must die says an official based out of Srinagar.

Action against portal which circulated letter:

The police on Tuesday initiated legal proceedings against a news portal for circulating a letter, which they termed as a "propaganda material", Wani. The letter was put up on the news portal, but was taken down later.

"Police have taken cognisance of the propaganda material circulated by a responsible portal involving a proscribed organisation HM (Hizbul Mujahideen)," a police spokesman said.