Ishfaq-ul-Hassan 

Srinagar: Fight against crime has got a major boost after Islamic clergy joined hands to fight against the evils which have plagued the conservative Kashmir society.

Sinking their differences, nearly 200 imams, scholars and muftis have met under the banner of Majlis-e-Ithaad-ul-Milat and decided to identify and isolate the criminals in the society.

“We are witnessing a new wave of crime in Kashmir which was otherwise known as abode of saints. Drug addiction, rape, molestation, liquor consumption, suicides and social degradation are on the rise. There needs to be a movement against such crimes,” said Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah, president of Jamiat-e-Al Hadees.

According to official figures placed in the assembly, there were 250 rape cases registered in J&K in 2006. Another alarming trend has been the high rate of drug use among the rural youth of  the valley. A survey conducted by the government psychiatry hospital here reveals that 17% of rural youth are affected by the use of drugs.

The clergy have decided to hold seminars, deliver sermons in mosques and have a public contact programme to create awareness which could help in isolating the criminals in the society. “We do not have power to take direct action against the criminals. But we can help in bringing awareness through our religious sermons,” said Shah.

What have added an important dimension to the whole drive is the proposal by the grand mufti of Kashmir to revive the moholla committee which will keep an eye on criminals and help in eradicating the social evils.

“There used to be moholla committees earlier which had a task to keep criminals at bay and help in preserving the social values in their areas.

Now we have proposed to revive such committees again which could act as a deterrent against the criminals”, said Mufti Bashir-ud-din, grand mufti of Kashmir.

Mufti also said the parents too need to be sensitised about the growing drug addiction of students in schools.

But police had a guarded reaction to the proposals. “Anybody who wants to cooperate with us is welcome. But those people who want to make political statements of social problems by such action will be discouraged”, said Mohammad Subhan Lone, deputy inspector general, central Kashmir range.

Source : DNAIndia