Rising cases of stone-pelting and growing militancy in the Valley is perhaps best understood by Dr Shesh Paul Vaid. The new Director General of Police explains — in an interview to Ishfaq-ul-Hassan — just why cases of stone-pelting are increasing. Excerpts:
It is a problem of instigation. Certain people are instigating young boys who then start the stone-pelting. Soon more boys join in and the stone-pelting increases.
We have found Facebook and WhatsApp groups that have been used for mobilising crowds for stone-pelting (during encounters to help ultras escape to Pakistan). Social media is also being misused.
The videos are there. No one can deny it. If somebody pelts stones, the forces will have to respond.
I have not seen the video.
There were 214 militants at the start of the year. Around 30 to 40 militants have been killed. Now their number should be less than 200.