Normality still far away from Kashmir remains after over 3 months
Syed Ali Safvi
Press TV, Indian-controlled Kashmir
An uneasy calm prevails across Indian administered Kashmir as people continue to simmer with anger over stripping of the region’s special status by India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party BJP. The uncertainty that gripped the Himalayan region in August has completed 100 days.
New Delhi had bifurcated the disputed region of Kashmir into two Union Territories under direct control of the federal government. The announcement was made by India’s Home Minister on August 5 and was formally implemented on October 31. The decision triggered street protests and widespread outrage that has refused to die down even to this day.
The region’s political leadership including three former Chief Ministers continue to remain either under house arrest or in detention. Shops and businesses remain closed during day time and public transport remains off the roads. Internet and pre-paid mobile services continue to remain suspended. The region’s media fraternity has held a protest in Srinagar demanding restoration of internet services. They argued that continuous ban on internet was leading to choking of journalism in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, as the region is grappling with uncertainty, recent spell of snowfall has added to the misery of people and has blocked Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting the mountainous region with rest of the world. The blockade of the 300-km long highway has hit the supplies of essentials as hundreds of vehicles carrying essential commodities are stranded on the highway for days. The region’s trade bodies have criticized the government of failing to provide all-weather connectivity to the region. The highway is awaiting construction of tunnels at several places.
Kashmir is a bone of contention between India and Pakistan. Both the nations claim the region in full, but rule it in parts.
People here accuse New Delhi of adopting an iron-fist policy on Kashmir. They believe by curtailing political freedoms and cracking down on voices of dissent, India is pushing Kashmiris to the brink.
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