The killing of Mohd.Yousuf Parray alias Kuka Parray, a former militant-turned political leader, is a major setback to counter-insurgency operations and the peace process in Jammu & Kashmir. Kuka Parray, a folk singer in his youth who commonly used to sing at marriage parties joined the separatist movement as a member of J&K Students Liberation Front after receiving training in Pakistan. He soon switched sides and formed Ikhwan-ul-Muslmoon and became chief commander of the same as Jamsheed Shirazi. It is believed that Parray turned militia (formed, Ikwan-ul-Muslimoon) to avenge the killing of his nephew, Manzoor Ahmed, a militant who belonged to Ikwan-ul-Muslimeen, militant outfit.

Kuka Parray was a key figure in assisting the Army in combating militancy especially in his hometown Hajan on the Wular Lake. He organized a strong group of former militants, who were fed up with the atrocities of the extremist and foreign militants in the area and opposed them boldly, initiating a turnaround in insurgency in the Valley. His ruthless counter terrorist operations led to Hajan being converted in to a safe zone which continues to this day. Even, Jamat-i-Islami activists had to leave the area for their lives and could not pursue their anti-national activities. Parray was alleged to have also killed many Jamat and Hizb activists. He also earned popularity and a Robin Hood reputation by facilitating marriages of poor girls, providing security to the people and initiating welfare works in Hajan.  He also helped destitute and orphans. Analysts believe that Parray was instrumental in creating a conducive atmosphere for the 1996 assembly elections. He entered politics in the same year (1996) and won the elections from the Sonawari constituency after he laid the foundation of Awami League, a political organization. Though, he was provided a heavy security cover, but on the day he was killed, he was escorted by just a couple of policemen. He was on his way to Hajan to attend a cricket match when he was attacked and killed.

Parray had operated closely with the Army in the past. Two years ago, senior army officers attended his daughter’s marriage. He not only bravely fought militancy but also roped in many separatists into his fold. The killing of Parray is likely to discourage those who might have made up their mind to join the mainstream. Javed Shah another former militant and ex. MLC turned militia leader also became a victim of militants during the Greenway hotel encounter recently. Parray and Javed were initially close to each other but later fell apart. The killing of the duo is a great blow to the security apparatus besides having an adverse bearing on the peace process. This has been followed by a renewed spurt in militant violence, further eroding the stock of the Mufti government.

The negligence of the State to provide adequate security to those who join hands with the government to fight militancy at great personal risk is to be seriously deplored. Being local, they are of tremendous utility in combating militancy for obvious reasons. Such people should be absorbed in government employment to ensure their livelihood. This would encourage others to join the mainstream as well. However, it should be borne in mind that while mobilizing and arming the former militants as counter terrorists, they should not be made all powerful. What we need to remember is that when militants and terrorists return to civilization, they must be expected to respect the law of the land lest the very system that they are supposed to protect is destroyed from within.

Many prominent counter-insurgent commanders have been killed apart from Kuka Parray. These include Setha Guggar, Sareer Khan, Mushtaq Pal and others. It is the duty of the state government to protect those who are willing to shun the gun culture and join the mainstream. The failure of the government in this case to do so, is a serious set-back.