Media hype puts question mark on security of Rukhsana
With every TV channel showing Rukhsana Kauser cocking the AK-47 rifle on Tuesday, it was quite clear that no thought was given to protect the identity of the girl, who can be on the potential hit list of the terrorists operating in the area.
AFTER THE hype over how a humble Gujjar girl killed a dreaded terrorist in a remote hamlet of Jammu and Kashmir, concern is now growing over the safety of Rukhsana and her family, who hogged the media limelight on Tuesday, for her brave act. With every TV channel showing her cocking the AK-47 rifle on Tuesday, it was quite clear that no thought was given to protect the identity of the girl, who can be on the potential hit list of the terrorists operating in the area.
Senior National Conference leader and former J&K chief minister Farooq Abdullah hit the nail on the head, while speaking to reporters, when he said that the life of the brave girl could be in danger with the kind of media hype being created in the aftermath of the incident.
In the past, militants entrenched in the area are known to have struck for revenge and killed innocent people branding them as informers. Sources said Rukhsana could be their prime target in view of her brave act of killing a top militant, who hailed from Pakistan.
Although the Jammu and Kashmir government has assured that security will be provided to the girl and her family, but people, who have an experience in dealing with such situation are not enthused. An insider said that the attention lasts only as long as the matter is boiling and gets media space after some time the people prefer to move on.
This, however, leads to disaster some time as the family of the girl would need security, if they want to live in the same area.
This problem could have been averted, said an official on the condition of anonymity, if the identity of the girl was kept under wraps. But this did not happen as everyone wants a good story, he asserted, “The government, the media and the security forces all want such stories as this boosts their claims of how people are turning against terrorism,” although this can lead to potential dangerous situation.
A Jammu based media person, who has covered such incidents in the past admitted that going overboard with such stories could do potential harm. Although the bravery of the girl should be lauded and she be rewarded but her identity could have been kept secret, he added.
Meanwhile, the Gujjar community to which the girl belongs has demanded that highest gallantry award of the country should be bestowed on the girl.
Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation urged the Union government to come forward and recognise this rare, unmatched and extraordinary act of courage and bravery of the fearless young Gujjar girl from a tribal nomadic Muslim family who overpowered one of the top terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In the past, militants entrenched in the area are known to have struck for revenge and killed innocent people branding them as informers. Sources said Rukhsana could be their prime target in view of her brave act of killing a top militant, who hailed from Pakistan.
Although the Jammu and Kashmir government has assured that security will be provided to the girl and her family, but people, who have an experience in dealing with such situation are not enthused. An insider said that the attention lasts only as long as the matter is boiling and gets media space after some time the people prefer to move on.
This, however, leads to disaster some time as the family of the girl would need security, if they want to live in the same area.
This problem could have been averted, said an official on the condition of anonymity, if the identity of the girl was kept under wraps. But this did not happen as everyone wants a good story, he asserted, “The government, the media and the security forces all want such stories as this boosts their claims of how people are turning against terrorism,” although this can lead to potential dangerous situation.
A Jammu based media person, who has covered such incidents in the past admitted that going overboard with such stories could do potential harm. Although the bravery of the girl should be lauded and she be rewarded but her identity could have been kept secret, he added.
Meanwhile, the Gujjar community to which the girl belongs has demanded that highest gallantry award of the country should be bestowed on the girl.
Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation urged the Union government to come forward and recognise this rare, unmatched and extraordinary act of courage and bravery of the fearless young Gujjar girl from a tribal nomadic Muslim family who overpowered one of the top terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
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