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Burhan Wani poem poses new challenges for security forces in Kashmir

Senior security officials in the valley are currently facing a challenging job of arresting the protesters. They believe that poems such as these are being used as propaganda tool to encourage youth to confront forces violently.

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A securityman patrols a Srinagar locality as the curfew was re-imposed in parts of Kashmir on Wednesday
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A tarana (poem) eulogising Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani seems to have become a major concern for security forces posted in the most volatile parts of south Kashmir that are already witnessing pitched battles between forces and local residents. The poem titled - 'Main Burhan​ Hoon' -  a part of which was apparently written by the slain militant himself, has extra verses added to it by unknown locals who routinely play a recording of the same on loudspeakers installed in local mosques.

Senior security officials, currently facing a challenging job of arresting the protesters in the Valley that erupted following the killing of Burhan Wani, believe that poems such as these are being used as propaganda tool to encourage youth to confront forces violently. Recording of these poems have been playing in local mosques across the Valley as part of protest that erupted soon after the killing of the militant commander on July 8.

The author of the poem writes about the alleged atrocities witnessed by Kashmiri people and how Burhan is the "Son of Kashmir" who protects the Valley. Burhan Wani's father and his elder Khalid, who was also killed by security forces, also find a mention in the poem

Security officials believe that playing the 'taranas', with which Kashmiri youth seem to connect emotionally, is "adding fuel to the fire" and the fact that it is gaining popularity in south Kashmir is becoming a grave concern for forces on the ground. Using tarana's, said a senior J&K police officer, is not new to the valley and was quite a common happening in early 90s when the valley was engulfed in full scale militancy. "Loudspeakers were further used during the 2010 unrest to play recording of similar poems but this time around the problem has aggravated," the officer told dna adding that individuals are using social media to disseminate similar material.

When asked whether the poem was in fact written by Burhan Wani himself or if police was in possession of documents which indicated the same, a senior security official said, "Police had recovered some material from the militants that were killed on July 8 including weapons. Our main concern following such encounters is that the last rites are performed peacefully and without creating law and order situation in the valley. Rest seems less important as we can now see how law and order in the valley has been affected. All that security establishment wants right now is return of peace."

Irrespective of the source of the tarana, the same continues to play in parts of south Kashmir, especially in Tral, an area to which the slain militant belonged.

Basarat Hassan, a research scholar and also a resident of Tral, has first-hand experience of hearing Burhan Wani songs that are currently played from the loudspeakers of many mosques. While discussing the psychological impact that such songs or poems might have on Kashmiri youth, Basarat said that those supporting Burhan Wani will find the poem useful to understand his 'political ideas' and vision that he proposes for the solution of Kashmir dispute while bringing in a 'human angle'.

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