All the political parties who have ruled Kashmir since decades or those who are presently in power have always maintained a grave silence on all the important and fundamental questions. They have never bothered to look at the basic facts nor have they done simple fish bone analysis to understand the real situation. But they are masters at blame game. It is very easy to blame others for each and every problem and prove yourself innocent. But for how long will these tricks and excuses save them from being accountable? They have to answer people; they have to explain some answers with plain logic. This time people are not ready to buy their long fabricated stories which are not supported by common sense.
Let’s start with some basic facts such as militarization. If India has around 14 lakh armed troops then why more than 7 lakh troops (50% of the total) are stationed here just to tackle 150 militants. Is the ratio justified? Does any minister know how many army vehicles run on roads and the number of accidents they cause, and what amount of pollution do they add to our environment? Their diesel trucks emit enormous amount of smoke with soot particles. Has any traffic cop bothered to seize those heavy polluting vehicles? Do they have any idea that thousands of gallons of untreated sewage having 95% faecal matter is dumped into Jhelum by BB cantonment every day? They don’t even know that how many pathogenic microbes are in single drop of sewage and to what level Jhelum is being polluted continuously. Where is the impact analysis of drainage systems? Do they know that same water is being pumped into drinking water overhead tanks by PHE department without any filtration or biological treatment and how many people end up consuming the same untreated water?
Take a look at current situation; In every part of India there is a designated location where people can gather and register their protest. Fo example, Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and Azad Maidan in Mumbai. So is there any place in Kashmir where people can register their protests? Further, if protesters are peaceful, why fire teargas shells at the people? Do they recognize that pellet guns are not used on humans in any part of world except Kashmir? Do they even know that how many have lost their vital organs and eye sight due to brutal actions of forces? Do our rulers agree that not a single cop has ever been convicted of murdering, torturing and maiming Kashmiris?
How many have lost lives due to the mismanagement of policies? Are they aware of biased and jingoistic national media which is projecting a common man as a terrorist and shamelessly shielding the actual terrorists who maim our people? Have they taken any action against the people who are involved in threatening our truckers in Punjab and Udhampur?
The AFSPA, PSA, POTA and all other draconian laws have been misused in valley. Has any minister tried to get some data to find out what is really happening out there? Do they know that if they slap PSA on a teenager for doing nothing, what are the consequences? Do they even know that draconian laws are just further alienating common Kashmiris. One day authorities circulate emergency contact numbers and very next day, they snap the mobile services. What is the logic behind all this? Bureaucrats, ministers and administration always look at one side of coin. Why can’t they just flip this coin and try to understand what is happening on other side?
Let’s take another example of mismanagement and unaccountability. Our Chief Minister has a private office at church lane for addressing the public grievances, but if a common person goes to that office even with a positive suggestion, he is categorically told that it would take minimum of four months for a two minute meeting. Staff will note down your contact number and then the unending wait starts.Even the personal secretaries are not in office to meet people. The staff is so apathetic that they don’t understand the gravity of issues.
Take an example of state run industries such as J&K cements, silk factory, HPMC etc. Why all these are in a mess. Why can’t they make any profit. Why has corruption engulfed and consumed these industries? No one is taking responsibility of this chaos. Now the question remains, who is going to turnaround these projects and how? Optics, press conferences, rallies road shows, panel discussions and interviews are not going to solve our basic problems.
People are asking for accountability. People are asking for answers to simple questions. There are hundreds of other actions by authorities which beg for logical explanations. It is high time for authorities to come forward and talk to people. We cannot live like animals. We are human beings and we need answers please!
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