Srinagar : The continued Indo-Pak border tension has resulted in killings, destruction of residential houses and large scale displacement of population, especially those living near the LoC and International Border. Indian and Pakistani leadership should respect the 2003 truce and stop sacrificing the innocent people on both sides of the border for narrow political domestic considerations.
The political leadership of both the countries should come out of their narrow cocoons and see REASON in the face. It is in the interest of lasting peace in the region, a process of credible dialogue must be initiated. Neither war hysteria nor jingoism can serve the interest of the region as a whole. De-escalating tensions and replacing heated rhetoric with a productive discourse is the demand of the day.
The present crisis in Kashmir has assumed tragic dimensions and the sufferings of the common people are likely to get worse in future. Any government can not afford to sit on the wall and transfer its responsibilities to police and forces. The first and foremost thing, the government should and could do is to recognise the political essence of the ongoing unrest and explore all possible ways and means to initiate a credible process to resolve it without any further dilly-dallying. For this to materialize there is no alternative to an immediate structured and sustainable dialogue with all the stakeholders. There should be no shying away from those who may have ideas diametrically opposite to the official stand on it. At this point of time, there may not be any out of box solution too; but the sincere and sustained dialogue could open new vistas and it is quite possible that the parties may reach to a mutually acceptable way forward or resolve to work it out in a peaceful atmosphere.
History is witness that neither war, covert or overt, nor any form of violent means has proved of any help in the resolution of the issue and has instead complicated it further and brought untold miseries to hapless people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the people living in Kashmir valley and all the border areas of the State. As such dialogue alone is the way out and any meaningful engagement among the stakeholders should be unconditional. It is also imperative for the government to create a congenial atmosphere for the dialogue and this involves an end to all repressive measures and dealing with the protesting youth with utmost restraint.
While continuing opposition to every form of repression, the mainstream and separatist political platforms need to come forward and play a constructive role, atlaest in alleviating the sufferings of the helpless masses. Can the political groups of all shades exonerate themselves from the responsibility of safeguarding the future of our young generation? Does the burning of schools and depriving our children of education in any way help the interests of the people of Kashmir? The continued closure of schools and destruction of infrastructure can only benefit those vested interests who want to disarm our youth from shaping their future. Can’t all of us without indulging in blame game contribute a little towards the overall welfare of our younger generation, whose future is at the brink of disaster?
The government must stop indiscriminate arrests and repressive measures and take concrete steps without any further delay for rehabilitation of the victims of state violence, besides provide compensation under SRO 43 to all those civilians killed & injured. Immediate steps must be taken to release those arrested particularly juveniles and students, enabling them to pursue their studies. Cases of those arrested under draconian Public Safety Act (PSA) must be reviewed for their immediate release. A time bound judicial probe must be ordered to identify and punish those responsible for excessive use of force against civilians. Withdraw use of pellet guns and restrictions on all means of communication like mobile internet. Waiving of interest on loans availed from financial institutions by artisans, transporters including three wheelers, sumo, Taveera etc, Shopkeepers, growers and orchardists.
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