Like elsewhere in the country, the surgical strikes at terror launch pads in Pakistan Administered Kashmir left Kashmir agog at the prospects of a major confrontation between India and Pakistan. The continuing cross-LoC exchange of fire and the attacks at Army camps and police stations in Valley have only heightened these fears.
However, these extraordinary developments have made a little difference to the existing troubled state of affairs – albeit, the number of the protests across Valley has registered a perceptible decline on all days except Friday.
The communication blockade continues across Valley. The internet continues to be shutdown.
The reality now is that the Valley has been under shutdown for around four months. Bazaars remain closed and the streets deserted. The neighbourhoods give a ghostly feel in broad day light. Trade and tourism has been crippled with the president of the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation Mohammad Yaseen Khan saying that Kashmir loses Rs 135 crore daily. The total loss has now gone up to more than Rs 15000 crore
Similarly, the education has been worst affected. Schools are shut and the children are confined to their homes. Ironically some schools have recorded lessons and posted study material online which in the absence of internet no one can access.
The surgical strikes have only deepened the uncertainty. Nobody has a clue where the situation is heading. Far from any improvement, the situation has only gotten worse by the day. And there is no knowing when it will end. But one thing, we want this political problem to be resolved once and for all. Our people can’t keep suffering endlessly.
The post-Uri fallout has come as a serious disappointment to a majority of Kashmiris as it is seen to have nullified the three month old uprising in the state.
People expected the ongoing upsurge to lead to the centre initiating a credible political engagement with Kashmir. Nothing of the sort has happened. Instead situation has only gotten worse. The turmoil in Kashmir has been left to linger on. This topped up with Uri attack and surgical strikes has now put a full stop to all Kashmir related efforts. Uri has only set us further back.
The cross-LoC travel and the trade was started in April 2005 and October 2008 respectively as an outcome of the sustained Manmohan-Musharraf peace process through 2003-07 and were billed as the biggest Confidence Building Measure between India and Pakistan on Kashmir since 1947.
Though only a small number of the passengers travel through the bus and only a limited trade is allowed, the measures stand both as a symbolism and a reminder that an understanding is possible on Kashmir if it is pursued sustainably and with some determination. And now their surviving the latest Indo-Pak spat, when New Delhi is seeking to review the Indus Water Treaty and the Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan has lent a sense of reassurance to the people and traders of the state.
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