'Jadoo ki Jhappi' key to 'calm down' South Kashmir

Army is giving semblance of law and order and building up confidence among the locals to open their establishments which have been shut for nearly 3 months

Blending its Operation 'Calm Down' with 'Jadoo ki Jhappi' (magical hug), Army is now foraying into the interiors of South Kashmir, giving semblance of law and order and building up confidence among the locals to open their establishments which have been shut for nearly three months.

At the break of dawn, Colonel Dharmendra Yadav, in-charge of the most sensitive Anantnag district, takes out his jeep to take a round of his 'Area of Responsibility' or popularly known as AOR. He mingles with locals, interacts with them, especially the children.

Col Yadav and his team is often greeted by the villagers and children while passing through. "No doubt they have restored some law and order in many areas of the district," says Ghulam Mohiudden, a teacher. He was encouraged by the army personnel to teach children in a makeshift school so that their education is not affected any further.

A resident of Gurgaon, Col Yadav often meets the village elders and is seen greeted by an affectionate hug which he calls a 'Jadoo ki Jhapi'.

"At times such colloquial terms do come handy for us to reach out to the civilians. I did watch Munnabhai MBBS some years back..The movie was a hit and so is the formula here," he says as a group of children surround him.

Col Yadav was part of a team of young Army officers involved in the encounter in Bumdoora village in which Burhan Wani and his two aides were killed

However, he refrains from sharing any details of the encounter, saying, "this was part of my duty and we don't share operational details. The matter is over and out for me and my team.