Intifada In Kashmir

Azadi is the song of Kashmir valley

Peace in Kashmir valley seems an illusion, the moment we think its calm, violence erupts. 2008 Shrine Issue and 2009 Shopian Case are its examples; nothing is changed in 2010 too. When tourists started flaunting Kashmir valley early this year, June brought even worst.  Recent deaths of civilians have erupted an Intifada (used for Palestinian uprising), where youngsters have replaced armed militants through  unarmed street-protests by stone pelting mobs taking on security forces in a stunning display of misplaced bravado .  These incidents are resulting in deaths of both locals and security personals, with former at a greater loss.  Alleged death of Tariq Ahmed, a nine year old child who went outside to call his elder brother,  from CRPF bullet escalated tension even more.  Despite of Curfew since last two weeks, youngsters are getting involved even more actively in these violent stone-pelting incidents and CRPF is feeling the heat too. Organized mobs are vandalizing state property and attacking security personals. Separatist leaders have been arrested and kept away from participating in protests.  Recent Indian Home Ministry statement which says Lashkar-e-Toiba is behind these incidents, further infuriated mobs. Locals says “they want Aazadi, they want army to move out of Kashmir, CRPF is killing our people and this government statement offends the sentiments of Kashmiri people” .  But security forces also has to say “what will they do if they will be attacked and faces a prospect of getting killed, they have to fire in self-defence” .

This scenario poses a mind-boggling dilemma for both the state and central government. It is more than just a law and order problem. This crisis is an expression of people`s frustration over government`s failure to show progress on Kashmir Issue. People think that there is no truth in CBMs of govt, they are just time-buying exercises. Unfortunately , this vacuum between people and government is filled by Separatist leaders .

This street rage should be a clear signal to Delhi that Kashmir is on the edge and it must understand talks with Pakistan alone cannot be a panacea for Kashmir Crisis and have to find some sincere ways to connect with people of Kashmir before it’s too late.