Epilogue

because there is more to know

www.epilogue.in CONTENTS

Prologue 3
Editor in Chief Letters to the editor 4
Zafar Choudhary
Hear & Hear
Consulting Editor Who Said What 5
D. Suba Chandran
Columns
Associate Editor Keen Eye 6
Irm Amin Baig
Ladakh
Designs & Layout Agriculture 44
Keshav Sharma
Interview 47
Mailing Address Volume 2, Issue 9, September 2008 Diary 49
PO Box 50, HO Gandhi Nagar,
Jammu IN FOCUS Stop Press
Fire 2008 Review of Media 51
Phones & email
Office : +91 191 2493136 Reviews
Editorial: +91 94191 80762 9 Jammu And Kashmir
Movies 53
Administration: +91 94190 00123 Beginning Of The Endgame
editor@epilogue.in 18 Post-Agitation
Epilogue
editor.epilogue@gmail.com Uphill Task For Jammu’s Politics, Economy
subscription@epilogue.in From the Consulting Editor 56
22 Amarnath Confrontation :
Is It Sureal ?
Edited, Printed & Published by
26 Replay Of 90’s ?
Zafar Choudhary for CMRD Still No Lessons From History
Publications and Communications
Published from ‘Ibadat’, Madrasa 28 Find The Enemy
...It Is Communalism
Lane, Bhatindi Top, Jammu, J&K
33 Our Mis-Leaders, 39 Hectares
Printed at Of Land And Seesaw Of Faith
Dee Dee Reprographix, Jammu 35 Jam-Kash Showdown
Clash Of Vested Interests
Disputes, if any, subject to jurisdiction 39 Reconnecting Kashmir :
of courts and competitive tribunals in Need For Reopening Traditional Routes
Jammu only.
41 After 2500 Cr Loss,
Eyes On Jhelum Valley Road

Price : Rs 15 For more News, Views & Analysis

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September 2008
 Epilogue
because there is more to know

Jammu & Kashmir

Center For Contemporary Studies

The J&K CCS, a non-profit institute, is engaged in research on

issues of contemporary importance involving Jammu and kashmir

ANNOUNCEMENT
For an upcoming project on people of Jammu and Kashmir, the
J&K CCS invites proposals from researchers, scholars, teachers,
journalists and other dispassionate observers of life to write brief
biographical account of the personalities listed below. It may be
noted that the list is not complete and will be continuously
updated during life of the project. Interested writers may also
suggest names of people who, they believe, have contributed to
change in Jammu and Kashmir. The biographical account
involving a critical analysis of personality, successes, failures
and contributions to various aspects of general life, shaping up
thoughts and present positioning in the public space should be in
around 2500 to 3000 words. A modest honorarium of Rs.
1000 is being offered for each submission. Any particular author
can not write on more than two personalities. Interested authors
are requested to list their choice of personality with J&K CCS
before starting the assignment so as to avoid many authors
w r i t i n g o n s a m e p e r s o n .

THE PEOPLE
Aagha Ashraf Ali • Muhammed Yusuf Taing • Prof Rehman Rahi • Syed Ali Shah Geelani • Syeda Aasiya Andrabi
• ZG Muhammad • Khwaja Sonaullah Bhatt • Omar Abdullah • Farooq Abdullah • Mehbooba Mufti • Mufti
Mohammad Sayeed • GM Shah • Mirwaiz Omar Farooq • Shabir Ahmed Shah • Mohammad Yasin Malik • Pervez
Imroz • Mian Abdul Quyoom • Nighat Shafi Pandit • Prof Hamidi Kashmiri

Contact :
J&K CCS ‘Ibadat’ Madrasa Lane, Bathindi Top, Jammu Ph : (O) 0191 2493136 , 94191 80762
email : epilogue2008@gmail.com, zafarchoudhary@gmail.com

Thus Begins The End
Zafar Choudhary
A Epilogue
round three months back a
front page story in Srinagar
newspaper and later a much
detailed report also in a
Srinagar based magazine asked, “who
says separatists are not participating in
elections?” At that time the buzzword in
Kashmir was about the forthcoming
elections. Further explaining the
argument, the story pointed out that
much of the separatist sentiment has
been consolidated by the mainstream
political parties seeking to work under
the constitutional ambit. The reference
was to Peoples Democratic Party and
the National Conference. One leading
example was given of Mohammad Yaqub
Vakil –one of the founder members of
Hurriyat Conference –who joined the
PDP and was tipped to contest elections
from one of assembly constituencies in
central Kashmir district of Badgam.
Yaqub was not a case in isolation. He
was among at least three dozen such
politicians who continued to toe the
separatist line and at the same time
prepared to participate in a democratic
exercise. A month and half later, when
Yaqub issued a statement on his
dissociation from the PDP; again he was
not the case in isolation. All those who
had been thinking on these lines stand
thrown back to the scene of 1990s. A
stage has reached in the Valley where
even the PDP and NC are now shy of
talking about elections. They are asking
for a larger debate on Azadi. This is how
New Delhi lost its plot in Kashmir in a
period of just little over two months.
Looking back at such eruption 20 years
back once can recollect how Congress
twisted the neck of democracy in 1984
(by toppling an elected government)
and then buried this institution by
P R O L O G U E
FROM THE EDITOR
rigging the1987 elections. Then it took
20 years to restore some order of
semblance. Yet no lessons were learnt.
This time around the government in
Jammu and Kashmir which triggered the
Amarnath landmine was headed by
Congress. The Government in New Delhi
is also headed by the Congress. Do we
still need to blame the Pakistan's ISI for
all this mess? The worst scenario this
time, however, is that there has been
dangerous fallout in Jammu –a place
which endured everything silently and
welcomed everyone who felt insecure
in rest of the state. All those gaps which
were required to be filled in for
achieving a larger goal of peace and
stability have been widened. The gulf
between Kashmir and New Delhi, the
gulf between Kashmir and Jammu and
more dangerously the gulf between
various sections of society has never
been as wide as it is being seen today.
When things were normal no efforts
were made to make people talk to each
other. Our present issue carries well
opinionated essays and articles on the
bloody fire which has engulfed Jammu
and Kashmir. Gautam Navlakha's lead
essay comes as an eye opener for all
those who have been rubbishing the
eruption as temporary. Syeda Afshana
gives a poetic sketch of life's return
journey in Kashmir. Interviews with the
members of Shri Amarnath Yatra
Sangharsh Samiti –which spearheaded
Jammu agitation –open a window to the
discrimination sentiment in the region. I
am afraid if New Delhi can do anything at
this stage but at least the Civil Society
can take a lead in picking up the threads.
Feedback :
Zafarchoudhary@epilogue.in
Epilogue Ø
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September 2008
because there is more to know
EPILOGUE aims at providing a
platform where a meaningful
exchange of ideas, opinion and
thoughts can take place among the
people and about the people of
Jammu & Kashmir. The attempt is to
research, investigate, communicate
and disseminate information, ideas
and alternatives for the resolution of
common problems facing the state
and society of Jammu & Kashmir and
in the context of their significance to
South Asia as a whole.
We welcome contributions from
academics, journalists, researchers,
economists and strategic thinkers.
We would also like to encourage
first-time writers with the only
requirements being a concern for and
the desire to understand the
prevailing issues and themes of life in
Jammu & Kashmir
Contributions may be investigative,
descriptive, analytical or theoretical.
They may be in the form of original
articles or in the form of a comment on
current events. All contributions have
to be neatly typed in double space and
may be sent to the address given
alongside or e-mailed to the editor.
While the editor accepts
responsibility for the selection of the
material published, individual
authors are responsible for the facts,
figures and views in their articles.

They eroded essence of 2002
2002 assembly elections in Jammu and
Kashmir were hailed and applauded
world over for their fairness.
Unfortunately what followed later was
unfair. The ruling coalition partners, the
PDP and the Congress eroded credibility
of the whole exercise for their mutual
and continuous engagement in a bitter
acrimony next five and half years. Yes
indeed, they had made 30 pledges to
the people at the time of assuming
office but they conveniently forgot to
issue a white paper while demitting the
office. Kudos to Epilogue (August, 2008
issue) for a precise but still fair analysis
of the points of coalition's Common
Minimum Program. My suggestion is that
when PDP and Congress come for votes
again, public should first seek a status
report on these pledges before
entertaining them.
Reyaz Dar
Baramulla, Kashmir
II
Nothing serious was done on the CMP
pledges. Bitter but the fact is that many
of the pledges of the duo went
unnoticed. Unfortunately none of the
two partners is willing to own the guilt
that they failed in keeping their
promises. The serious research and
analysis of EPILOGUE is appreciable to
remind us that politicians always
remain politicians.
Avenesh Dutta,
Poonch
M A I L B O X
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Mail your letters to editor@epilogue.in
Get some views from other side
also
With EPILOGUE We feel relaxed and
informed about the political and
otherwise happenings in Jammu and
Kashmir, but at the same time it is
requested that a view from other side of
Kashmir may also be carried, after all
the world knows very little about
Neelam Valley. Now time demands a
vision and voice from Muzzafarabad
also, so you can be helpful to bridge the
gap. Anyhow the last issue covering the
Ladakh story with statical figures
deserves appreciations
Zubaid Rana,
Bangalore
Thanks ! Wajahat Habibullah
The views expressed by Jenab Wajahat
Habibullah over recent happenings in
the state (in his interview, Epilogue,
August 2008) clearly signify that no
secular and informed person like him
can remain mute at this juncture,
perhaps he knows more about the state
and is worried about the present
scenario. Wajahat Sahab truly deserves
a warm appreciation for always showing
courtesy for the cause of Kashmir, surely
time has compelled him to speak up.
People like him, across the society need
to come for the sake of nationality.
Ahsan Ahmed Rather,
Advocate, Anantnag
Epilogue Ø
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September 2008
Spare labourers
It is deeply regretted that the poor
labourers from outside the state are
being treated shabbily by none other
than the so called secular voices of the
Kashmir. (Biharis on radar in Kashmir,
Epilogue, August 2008) God knows, why
they are destroying the very essence of
Kashmiriyat i.e. tolerance? A secular
society like that of Jammu and Kashmir
leaves no space for the communal and
intolerable forces that are hell bent to
spoil the progress of the state.
Mohit Sharma
Jammu University
Media should not succumb
Deeply concerned over the
developments in Jammu and Kashmir
we have been just trying to get
updates from the media. Looking at
different outlets one ends up in
confusion. One based in Jammu has
entirely different feel of things than
the one in Srinagar. And those in New
Delhi have altogether different story
to tell. It appears that all means of
print and electronic media are
somewhere under the influence of
locals and religious groups. May be
somewhere crossing the line of true
journalism. To say the least, I am
happy that Epilogue is still adopting a
balanced approach. Keep it up!
Kanhaiya Bhardwaj,
Mumbai.
 H E A R A N D H E A R

WHO SAID WHAT

'No one can airlift land from Kashmir to Jammu.

It should be given back to the SASB for the yatra
period only. It is just a matter of two months.
We should not forget that scores of locals earn
their livelihood by the yatra'.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Former CM J&K

‘If police agencies continue to use excessive
force, then it will be difficult for people like
me to continue in Parliament'.
Omar Abdullah, MP , President, National Conference
‘The recent incidents in the state of
Jammu and Kashmir are a cause for
concern. In this hour of crisis, divisive
politics will lead us nowhere'.
Dr . Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister Of India

‘India needs azadi from Kashmir as much as Kashmir

needs azadi from India'.

Arundhati Roy, Social Activists and Writer
‘We are Pakistanis and Pakistan is us because
we are tied with the country through Islam'.
'Vohra (NN; Governor J&K) is my
friend but I still feel his exit is
necessary to cool down tempers in
Jammu'.
Dr. Karan Singh, Former,
Sadar-e-Riyast, Jammu and Kashmir,

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Leader, Hurriyat Conference,

‘The current attitude of the Kashmiri Leaders of all hues

has convinced us that our own movement for securing a
‘They (Kashmiris) will neither act nor go there. Union Territory status is justified'.
Otherwise, Muzaffarabad is also our area and if they are
happy to go there let them go' Thupstan Chhewang, MP, Leader, Ladakh Union Territory Front

Leela Karan,, Convener, Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti

‘Mehbooba Mufti feels her rhetoric will

mislead the people on the Land
‘The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is Controversy but she is too inexperienced'
reminiscent of the times when a permit was
needed for a visit there'.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former CM, J&K
L.K Advani, Leader BJP

Epilogue Ø
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September 2008
 C O L U M N
KEEN EYE

Looking Back
How An Explosive Situation
Was Resolved 44 Years Back
Balraj Puri

When I read Mohammad Yousuf Shaheen's reminiscences of the mass movement in Kashmir from 27 December 1963 to 4
February 1964, for the recovery of the holy relic in a local English daily, I, too, felt like recording my reminiscences as I was
deeply involved in it and had played my humble role in resolving the crises created by it. However, I remained too much
distracted by a mass upsurge in Kashmir followed by a similar upsurge in Jammu for and against revocation of the
government order for transfer of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. Even now I would not be able to deal with all the
details of the events which I know but only refer to what I could do during those crucial days. The role I could play in the holy
relic agitation was facilitated due to my close association with its three leaders, Maulana Mohammad Saeed Mussoodi,
Ghulam Mohiuddin Karra and Mirwaiz Farooq. The first too were my old friends, the last, just entered in public life became
my admirer till his end. The three leaders led the movement in a well organized manner.

W
hile in terms of mass
involvement in the protest
movement against
mysterious disappearance
of Moe-Muqdas, there was no
precedence, it was mainly directed
against GM Bakshi and his nominee to
the post of the Prime Minister,
Shamusuddin. This was evident from the
incident quoted by Mr. Yousuf Sheikh
when Bakshi Rashid's jeep was thrown
into the Jhelum and he had to run away
to save his life. There were appeals to
the government of India, in particular to
the Prime Minister Nehru, to intervene
in the situation.
But contrary to the impression of the
author of the article, BN Mullik, the
Director of Intelligence Bureau and Lal
Bahadur Shastri did not work in
cooperation. Much damage had been by
Mullick and Home Secretary
Vishwanathan that Shastri was sent by
Nehru to repair. Even after the relic was
restored on January 1964 as
surreptitiously as it had disappeared, on
27 December 1963 the two officers of
the government of India refused to get
it identified the reason for their refusal
to do so was that two of the three main
leaders of the Action Committee were
pro-Pakistan. Mirwaiz's predecessor on the phone and asked me what was
Maulvi Yusuf was against Sheikh the hurry. I told him that there was so
Abdullah's decision in favour of much trust for government of India
accession to India and had ran away to which his ministry had squandered. He
Pakistan whereas GM Karra was leader further asked me "how"? In reply I said,
of a pro-Pakistan party Political did he want me to explain the whole
Conference. How, the holy relic was story on telephone. Then he asked me
recovered from whom, according to to come immediately.
Mullik, "was an intelligence operation
never to be disclosed." I told Nanda that Vishwanthan had
refused to get the holy relic identified
As the situation started deteriorating I by the Action Committee and had stated
rushed to Delhi to seek the intervention that anybody who demanded
of Indian leaders. The PSP, which was identification was a Pakistani agent,
the major opposition party in the thus dubbing almost the entire
country agreed to sent Nath Pai to population of Kashmir as Pakistanis.
Kashmir as it had earned some goodwill Nanda heard series of my allegations
as a vocal voice against GM Bakshi's rule. and spoke to the Home Secretary on
But he fell ill and
could not go. I sought
an appointment with
the Home Minister
Gulzari Lal Nanda but
was asked to wait till
a delegation of
Kashmir government,
who was coming to
see him had met him. I
insisted that I should
meet Nanda before
official delegation.
Nanda himself came

Epilogue Ø
6×
September 2008

phone. Then he repeated his
explanation to me. I told Nanda if the
Home Secretary had the audacity to
speak lies to him, what he would he
doing in Kashmir. Nanda called him
again but meanwhile he had left his
office. He called Mullik and asked him
to come to his room immediately I
rebutted Mullik's explanation and
asked him that on February 6, it was a
Dedar day when the relic had to be
shown to millions of people who would
gather there, if some score of people
doubted authenticity of the relic,
there would be explosion. Mullik said
"we have made arrangements to face
the explosion." To that I remarked "it is
not wisdom to first create an explosion
then try to face it." I assured both of
them that I had full trust in the
integrity of Mussoodi, the senior most
leader of the agitation, and that if the
relic was genuine he would certainly
endorse it. The other two leaders,
would never defy the decision of
Mussoodi. In course of my discussion,
Mullik said that there were certain
things that could not be disclosed in
national interest. I almost lost my
temper, and said," Nanda ji have you
called me to get a lesson in national
interest from a person who was serving
he British imperialism when we were
fighting against it." Nanda tried to
pacify me. I enlisted the support of
Jayaprakash Narayan also who spoke to
Nanda in my presence. But I was not
satisfied. I had so far avoided to
contact Nehru as he had fallen
ill—perhaps first illness in his public
life—and it was announced, on his
behalf, that he would not see anybody
till he recovered.
I wrote a "personal and urgent" letter
addressed to him wherein after
apologizing for approaching him during
his illness, I requested to entrust the
job of dealing the situation in Kashmir
C O L U M N
KEEN EYE
to a person like Lal Bahadur Shastri, a
minister without portfolio in his
cabinet. Otherwise the situation in
Now
Kashmir might take an explosive turn."
I gave the letter to Ashok Mehta, a
former socialist leader, who had
joined, on Nehru's appeal, the Planning
Telling
Commission as its deputy Chairman. He
lived in South Avenue just opposite to
Teen Murti, the Prime Minister's
The J&K
residence. I requested him to take the
letter personally to the PM and get his
reply. He could enter PM's bed room
and was able to get a favourable reply.
Stories
Shastri arrived in Srinagar on 30
January much against the wishes of
Epilogue
Nanda and officials of the Home because there is more to know
Ministry. Brushing aside the advice of
Vishwanthan and Mullik, Shastri invited
the Action Committee for Iftar and
offered dates and other things which Contact
Muslims usually eat to break their fast.
As a Kayasth of UP, he was well aware of
ABDULLAH NEWS AGENCY
customs of Islamic culture. He offered
Lal Chowk, Srinagar
to the Action Committee that he had no
objection to get the holic relic 9419074859
identified. Trust begets trust, they say.
Shastri's goodwill gesture as against
distrust of the officials, disarmed the RAINA NEWS AGENCY
Action Committee and its members
Residency Road, Jammu
offered to cooperate and send him the
list of identifiers. Which "upet
Vishwanthan and Mullik."
ABC STATIONERS AND
DISTRIBUTORS
Maulana Massoodi told the Action
Committee members that as the holy Leh
relic ws a spiritual heritage, it needed
Basirat (spiritual eye) and not merely
Basarat (physical eye) for the job of CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY
identification. Every body agreed, and New Delhi
the task was left to Meerak Shah, the
holiest saint of Kashmir in Rishi order.
On the appointed day Meerak Shah
declared "Haq" meaning right. All the OXFORD BOOK STORE
gathering started dancing with joy and New Delhi, Mumbai,
shouts of "Mubarak, Mubarak." Thus a Calcutta, Bangalore,
potentially explosive situation was
Chennai & Goa
turned into universal celebration.
Epilogue Ø
7×
September 2008

'First priority is restoration of land; discrimination
issue can be dealt with in phased manner’
Interview : Brig Suchet Singh, SAYSS
How do you define the ongoing agitation
in Jammu? There are varying versions. Is
it strictly for restoration of land to the
Shri Amarnath Shrine Board or it includes
the larger issues of discrimination
against Jammu?
Such eruptions can not been at spur of the
moment and at any petty issue. There was
an anger pent up for last 60 years which
erupted when all limits of patience had
exhausted. The ongoing agitation in
Jammu represents the popular aspirations
and anger of the people of Jammu which
has remained bottled up for the more than
60 years. People across all affiliations of
faith and politics are supporting the Shri
Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti which
has been spearheading the agitation. We
have an overwhelming support 70
political, non-political, social, trade and
even literary organizations. The core issue
before us, of course, is the restoration of
land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board but
at the same time we are seized of the
discrimination factor which can not be
ignored. The main direction of the
agitation at present is on the core issue,
and the discrimination issue too will be
dealt with in phased manner at suitable
platforms. Once the agitation achieves its
present purpose then it will keep on
adopting different modes to address the
discrimination issue.
The demands are for restoration of land
to the Board and recall of the Governor.
There is perception and expectations
that the agitation shall be called off once
these demands are met. Then what
happens to the larger issues of
discrimination against Jammu?
Look, from where did this revocation of
land allotment come? It is an outcome of
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
the anti-Jammu discriminatory mindset.
When a piece of land was allotted to the
Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, the
separatists and mainstream parties
agitated against the decision in Kashmir.
The government succumbed to the
pressure just in five days blatantly
ignoring the Jammu sentiment. Jammu
was taken for granted as they have done
over past 60 years.
Therefore, the first step towards
standing against the discrimination is to
have this land restored to the Shrine
Board. We will step by step go further on
other issues and let us hope for a positive
outcome. Now the people in Jammu are
well informed and perhaps prepared to
ask for and fight for their rights and this is
the first step but its true the way ahead is
quite difficult but not impossible.
What do you have to say to say on the
allegations of economic blockade of
Kashmir? During initial days of
agitation, various leaders of Shri
Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti and
also leaders of various supporting
organizations –including the BJP, Shiv
Sena, Tankers Association and Bar
Association –have been on record
threatening snap of supplies to the
Valley. Don't you think this put India in a
difficult situation on Kashmir as
separatists politicized the issue to
invite international attention?
This is all a bundle of lies. What to talk
about it, I think people who are
propagating this, even do not know what
does it mean. From the office of
Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir to
PMO to Food Corporation of India and
Hindustan Petroleum, all have made it
clear that there was never any economic
Epilogue Ø
8×
September 2008
blockade. The media is also being fooled
and its surprising how the media got
taken-away by this rumour without
checking the ground realities. They can
also make research and bring the truth
into light. Why no voice of economic-
blocked came from Ladakh, when the
highway is same which passes through
Kashmir Valley. It was a rumour
concocted by the political parties.
It is understood that the SAYSS, at no
point of time, made any attempt to give
a communal colour to the agitation but
still there were some unpleasant
incidents. There is an undeniable
communal tension in Poonch, Rajouri
and Kishtwar and then there is
migration of some 100 families of
Gujjars in Jammu. How do you look at
these incidents?
We are happy that at all stages we have
tried to keep the traditional communal
harmony in Jammu intact. There were
many attempts by National Conference
and Peoples Democratic Party and in
some cases even by the government to
defame the ongoing agitation; Sangarsh
Samiti condemns any step of any political
party or person that tries to sabotage the
secular social fabric in the society.
Even the Muslims are supporting this cause
of Jammu, they are a part of Samiti, if at
some places some miscreants did this
coward act, we condemn it and want a
judicial probe to bring the guilty to book.
But one thing is clear there are some forces
who never miss any opportunity to raise
conflicts and we have evidence that some
people incited by the NC and PDP were
given free hand by the local administration
to threat some particular community in
other districts of Jammu.
 I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008

Jammu And Kashmir

Beginning Of The Endgame

Gautam Navlakha

Having scored a self-goal by its acts of omission and commission it will be difficult for Indian state to
push the genie of freedom back into the bottle of indifference. Once an idea grips the imagination of
people it becomes a material force. The idea of 'azaadi' from India has truly resurfaced with a passion.
On the other hand by privileging fight against armed militancy and pretending that popular
aspirations for freedom from India had waned Indian state became victim of its own disinformation
and remained disinclined to take people seriously. Talks with Mirwaiz Omar Farooq led Hurriyet,
never popular with the people, were stalled while crackdown on dissidents rose. There was no
movement of any kind which suggested that Indian state was at all sincere about fulfilling any of
the promises and assurances it had been making. Let alone release political prisoners arbitrary
arrests of political dissidents and defenders of democratic rights, some of who were targets of
attacks, have carried on.

U
ntil recently it was claimed Of course firing across LOC did take the Indian government was itself
that militancy had petered place but Indian army's role in setting up downplaying militancy then why were
out, but that the threat of a forward post in violation of ceasefire they fighting shy over troop reduction?
infiltration remained. As a at Nowgam sector has been ignored. The former Governor SK Sinha boasted
matter of fact number of infiltration (Parvez Bukhari in the Mail Today that in 2002 there were 10 casualties per
bids has sharply declined; officially in August 1, 2008 ) As a final proof it was day which came down to below 2 per day
2001 it was said to be 2417 and claimed that non-militancy related when he departed. Whereas number of
declined to 311 in 2007. Up to May 2008 crimes have shot up! Arguably, militants operating varies from between
it was said to be 120. Indian government statistics can be manipulated. But if 150 (yes hundred and fifty)-1200.
also claimed a seventy percent decline
in militancy related incidents between
1990 and 2007, from 3500 to 1000
incidents. Firing incidents came down
from 671 to 183. Bomb explosions
declined from 1000 to just 50. Killings
of civilians declined from 914 to 153.
(The Tribune, 12 December, 2007).
However, official propaganda claims
that ISI was up to its old trick. Albeit it
was said that situation has reached
“normal level”. That people are
participating in existing political
process and shunning 'separatists'.
Besides, ceasefire was being observed
by India and Pakistan along the LOC
since November 2003 resulting in ending
mortar shelling and a fall in infiltration.

Epilogue Ø
9×
September 2008

Obviously, all this meant was that Indian
military no longer faced a magnitude of
threat which called for obtrusive
presence 24X7 by seven lakhs armed
personnel. Yet they go on expanding and
occupying land. So how do they justify
their presence? The arrogant claim is
that Indian military is here to protect
the people from “cross border
terrorists”. But when this , as per their
own claim, no longer can be sustained
then it is clear that India's enemies
remains inside J&K and who by their
very religious identity are perceived to
be real or potential supporters of
Pakistan. Therefore, suspect in the eyes
of the Indian state and a demonized
projection of the movement becomes
necessary. The perception of anyone
demanding 'azaadi' as being anti-
national and pro-Pakistani may have
been a part of disinformation campaign
but it has deep roots and it suits Indian
state to remain in the victim mode. So
much so that Union home secretary
recently forgot that by accusing
Pakistan for fomenting trouble in the
valley he was implicitly foregrounding
the incompetent role played by a
bloated and pampered security
apparatus in India. Surely if Pakistan
can bring lakhs of people out on the
roads of Indian held Kashmir there is lot
to be said for the ineptitude of the
Indian state. If this is what policy
makers want us Indians to believe then
they obviously feel Indian people are
gullible. One can not expect good sense
or 'good faith'( the mantra to wash off all
sins) to prevail under these
circumstances.
It could be that authorities feel
confident in restoring authority of the
Indian state as time passes because
livelihood concerns can come in the way
of mass mobilization. But the point is
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not how long the movement can sustain
itself. Or whether squabbling leaders
will manage to de-rail the momentum.
This could be wishful thinking on part of
the Indian state. Political mood of the
people has already been displayed. That
such mass mobilization was possible for
so many days itself shows that it can be
leader of a Jammu based transport
association Ashok Nanda told the
Tribune (August 21, 2008) that
Kashmir valley will soon face
acute shortage of foodgrains
because four out of six FCI depots
are running out of stocks.
According to him normally 200
trucks use to daily carry
foodgrains to the valley now less
than 20 trucks are plying. If this is
not a form of blockade then what
is. Worrying part of this is the fact
that this is happening when the
Indian state cries shrill that there
has been no economic blockade!
repeated. Routine life will return.
However, periodic public rallies will
continue to take place. Thus it will be
presumptuous to read routine life as a
return to normalcy. In other words this
upsurge has unambiguously displayed
the organized and self-managed
popular desire to be free of India. This
is not going to dissipate anytime soon.
The agitation which began in June over
“diversion” of forest land for Amarnath
Yatra has proceeded beyond it. The
issue of 800 kanals which brought
people out in June has been overtaken
by demand for 'azadi' caused by their
sense of insecurity at the communal
Epilogue Ø
10 ×
September 2008
attitude of the security forces and their
vulnerable dependence on New Delhi
for their physical well being. When a
State ceases to present itself as
protector of the beleaguered and
unable to ensure free flow of
movement on highways and
transportation of supplies of essential
commodities, despite extraordinary
presence of Indian army on the
highway, then fear fuelled by this
dependent relationship overtakes
other considerations. It is here that
Indian State's abysmal role, especially
of its law enforcing agencies, which
failed to stop the agitators in Jammu,
Kathua and Udhampur from fomenting
communal divide and blocking the
National Highway for nearly three
weeks, which enraged a people whose
right to life was imperiled even as their
suffering has been belittled by the
Indian state and its 'good 'people.
Economic Blockade
The report presented by the J&K police
to the all party delegation on August 10
speaks of “(a)gitation started blocking
the National Highway repeatedly with a
view to obstruct supplies to valley
including LPG, oil, petrol, diesel etc”.
And went on to say that “(m)any
incidents of attacks on Highway on
individual vehicles and supply load
carriers…(and) beating of drivers
created a sense of insecurity…”.
Deniability of the blockade by New
Delhi is astounding because it flies in
the face of people's own experience of
shortage as well of the police
department of J&K. Why is it that fruit
merchants of Delhi's Azadpur mandi say
that in the first fifteen days of August
only 124 fruit trucks reached the market
as against 814 in the same period in
August 2007? If it was not a result of
blockade then how come it took 19

days, from July 25 to August 14, for
Avtar Singh (truck # PB 08 0997)
carrying medical supplies from
Jalandhar for SMHS hospital Srinagar,? (
Greater Kashmir, August 15, 2008) Or
how come five drivers were attacked in
Kathua when they were part of an army
convoy on 17 August going to Delhi.
(Rising Kashmir, August 20, 2008) There
are stories a galore in valley press. Let
alone this leader of a Jammu based
transport association Ashok Nanda told
the Tribune (August 21, 2008) that
Kashmir valley will soon face acute
shortage of foodgrains because four out
of six FCI depots are running out of
stocks. According to him normally 200
trucks use to daily carry foodgrains to
the valley now less than 20 trucks are
plying. If this is not a form of blockade
then what is. Worrying part of this is the
fact that this is happening when the
Indian state cries shrill that there has
been no economic blockade!
Besides, if the situation is normal, and
there has never been any blockade, why
is the army out on the highway since
August 4? And why despite the presence
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of army, attacks continue to take place?
Surely their presence is unnecessary
and in fact contributing to choking
civilian traffic on the two lane highway?
Again why were Jammu's BJP leaders
publicly declaring their intent to starve
people in the valley in order to 'teach
them a lesson'? Why was no action taken
against them? Why is it that out of the
1171 persons arrested, including those
who probably lynched the two J&K
police constables, Zakir Husian and
Zafar Javed, all were given bail? It is
also important to ask why second rung
leaders of the agitation in Kashmir have
been charged with waging war, sedition
and criminal conspiracy when no such
acts were invoked against the Jammu
agitators? Why is it that out of 129 cases
registered by the police in Jammu
region none were under any draconian
law or provision?
Does it mean that agitators who carry
tricolour, but engage in mayhem are to
be treated with compassion, whereas
those who remain unarmed and
peaceful but carry green flags are
persecuted because they dare to
Epilogue Ø
11 ×
September 2008
demand freedom from India? Why is it
that out of 10,513 incidents that took
place in Jammu region 10,098 incidents
took place in Hindu majority areas of
Jammu (3758), Kathua (2270),
Udhampur (1850) and Riyasi (740)?
Does it make it a regional movement or
in fact a movement confined to
predominately Hindu areas? Is it a
regional movement that is driving
Muslims to move out of Hindu majority
areas? Is it not fear that drives them to
take this step? Is this unaided migration
not a bigger blot on India's constitutional
democracy? Is it alright to abuse the
'separatists' for migration of kashmiri
pandits from the valley even when the
Indian state provided them 'safe
passage'? But to be mute when Muslims
start fleeing their home and hearths in
Jammu driven by Hindu fanatic mobs
and hostile security forces?
So obvious is the patronage and
protection extended to the rabble
rousers in Jammu that it is astonishing
that otherwise sensitive people did not
once speak out for years against
permission granted to Bajrang Dal and

VHP to hold weapon training camps in
Jammu, which is a Disturbed Area. They
publicly display weapons during their
rallies including in Jammu city but
violation of Arms Act is condoned. Let
alone authorities even the 'good' people
choose to look the other way. They can
go and disrupt press conferences at will
anywhere in Jammu but no harm ever
comes to them. Ninety per cent of the
25,000 members of the Village Defence
Committees in Doda district, (with 60-
40% Muslim-Hindu ratio) are armed
Hindus. How many of them are members
of right wing extremist groups is
anybody's guess. But that there are a
large number with such leaning bodes ill
for the people.
Finally, the sharp contrast between how
Jammu agitators were met by security
forces and how trigger happy they were
in Kashmir drives home the hostile
nature of Indian government forces
towards predominately Muslim people.
In one go all that was being claimed
about normalcy having been restored
evaporated before the heat of people's
anger. That foundation of normalcy
were tenuous was never understood by
the charmed circle of policy and
decision makers.
So let us list two blunders committed by
the Indian state in recent times in J&K.
The Issue of Land
It requires no rocket science to realise
that involuntary alienation of land in
general, and cultivable one in
particular, will enrage people. This
turns into fury when land is acquired for
armed security personnel who maintain
an intrusive presence among civilians
designed to control their public and
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private lives, and indeed even
“transform their will and attitude” as is
the case in J&K. Publicly Indian state
pretended it was heeding the public
feeling which wanted demilitarization
when it setup a committee headed by
India's defense secretary to look into
the demand. The incongruity of a huge
presence of armed forces occupying
large tracts of land even as the number
As of now 2204 kanals , of which
1500 kanals is forest land (and
from which 800 kanals were to be
“diverted” to SASB for temporary
use) are being used for yatris in
Baltal route. This land includes
56 kanals of private land
including a graveyard. In other
words not only must SASB Act be
amended to make its membership
local but its powers must be
delimited and the yatra be
regulated with restricting the
number of yatris to one lakh.
of militants, said to be operating has
officially come down to 1200, was bad
enough. But by rejecting
demilitarization, pull back of troops,
reduction of troops etc in February last
along with the new rents for acquired
land announced by India's Ministry of
Defense ranging from 2.1 to 5 times is a
way to buy silence of the people, for
some more time. Which is all very well
except that this sends a message that
Indian armed forces are in no mood to
vacate occupation of land and they are
here for a long haul.
There are reportedly 671 security forces
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September 2008
camps in J&K (excluding those in
Jammu, Kargil, Leh, Akhnoor and
Udhampur) and these occupy 90,000
acres of farm and orchard land and 1500
buildings. But the appetite for acquiring
land continues to grow. For instance in
saffron rich Lethapora in Pampore
tehsil, where no construction is
permitted under state laws, the CRPF
has demanded 5000 kanals for its group
headquarters. Indian army is
demanding 10,000 kanals for expansion
of Army's Kundroo Filed Ammunition
Depot (FAD). Besides, Indian Air Force
which possesses 850 acres in
Awantipora has asked for 763 acres of
additional land. Army which was given
212 acres in Sharifabad in exhange for
vacating 139 acres of Tattoo Grounds
Garrison in Srinagar has taken
possession of 100 acres at Sharifabad
but refuses to budge from Tattoo
ground! In the Cattle Research Centre at
Manasbal spread over 352 acre army in
1990 first asked to set up few bunkers.
Then built barracks and laid claim to
252 acres of the land in 2005.
Furthermore, the annual Landmine
Report 2007 states that about 160 sq
kms in Jammu and 1730 sq kms land
remain mined. Speaker of J&K
Assembly recently pointed out that
3500 acres of agricultural land in his
constituency Chamb (Jammu) have
been mined and 6000 families
displaced. J&K Tourism minister told
media on October 19, 2007 about army
violated Master Plan for Gulmarg and
without requisite permission “(t)hey
have occupied 400 acres of land on
which they have raised huge concrete
structures”. (The Asian Age October
20, 2007)
Thus new rent structure may even be a
precursor of occupation of more land.
For instance, until recently the Ministry

of Home Affairs set a standard of 75
acres of land per battalion for central
para military forces. Now the MHA has
asked these forces to acquire 150 acres
of land per bn. This is being done under
the argument that this will enable
better housing facility for the jawans
and also allow these forces to set up
schools and hospitals for the family of
the jawans as well as local population.
With average size of family being 5.5
even if 100,000 soldiers bring their
families then population of such people
will go up by several lakhs. Could this be
an indirect way of demographic
transformation? (2)
Having said this let us consider certain
hidden facts which lurks behind the
rent hike. The previous levels from
which rent has been increased were
pathetically low. So two or five times
increase must be tempered by this fact.
For instance Class I category of irrigated
land the rent was previously Rs 1125 per
kanal per year, which now has been
increased to Rs 3381 per kanal. For
double cropped irrigated land the rent
was Rs 1688 per kanal and has been
increased to Rs 4087. For orchards the
rent earlier was Rs 1575 and has been
increased to Rs 10,000 per kanal.
For another the rent increase does not
take into account the loss suffered by
those whose land is thus alienated. To
get an idea one has to consider some
other figures. One kanal of apple
orchard is officially said to have 12 trees
although upto 18 is not uncommon. This
translates into 300 to 360 boxes of fruit.
The income varies from Rs 1.2 to 1.5
lakhs. As for walnut one kanal is said to
have 6 to 8 trees. Income from this
could be anywhere between Rs 4.25 to 6
lakhs. If the land is used for paddy
cultivation between 50-70 quintals is
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the norm and the earning varies
between Rs 90,000 to Rs 125,000. (One
quintal fetches Rs 1800). Thus the offer
of Rs 10,000 per kanal for orchard is very
low. Depending upon the fruit or crop it
could be less than 2 and at best no more
10% of the actual income. Thus the rent
does not compensate the farmers for
the loss of income. Put it another way
farmers or orchard owners are subsiding
the deployment of armed forces.
This by no means is all. This land also
provides employment. It is well known
that largest source of employment in
J&K is agriculture and horticulture.
Remove this land from cultivation that
much less earning and lesser number of
jobs become available. Seen in this light
the pitiable rent being offered is a
fraction of the earning and its spin off
also includes decline in employment.
Besides, even if 10% of the total cropped
area of 1,126.000 acres or 9 mn kanal in
J&K is removed from production it
means, for an economy so dependent on
agriculture and horticulture as that of
J&K, a huge loss. All these losses are not
calculated. (3)
This context of how angry people are
over occupation of their land and Indian
State's attempts to buy silence through
rent hikes provides the background in
which SASB landed itself.
Revisit Nitish Sengupta Committee
Indian state's biggest blunder on
Amarnath was to promote a Hindu
Shaivite pilgrimage as a patriotic
enterprise forgetting the constitutional
truth that all Hindus are not Indians and
all Indians are not Hindus. And,
therefore, religious affiliation is
irrelevant. Also instead of building on
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September 2008
local Muslim participation in the yatra,
including sharing one third of offering
with the Malik familes, it chose to
endorse the Hindu extremist agenda of
creating Hindu stakeholders in J&K.
In order to understand the magnitude of
the blunder committed by Indian State
let us begin by taking a look at salient
features of the Amaranath issue which
first stoked fire of resentment. Shri
Amaranath Shrine Board (SASB) set up
by the National Conference in 2000,
comprised non state subjects, presided
over by Hindu governor, saw itself as
being a sovereign body accountable to
no one and went ahead to takeover an
entire area to prepare for larger and
larger turnout of pilgrims. Under clause
16(d) of the SASB Act authorized them
to carry out 'development activity
concerning the area of shrine and its
surroundings'. Using this, as well as
Jammu High Court's pronouncement
that everything being done by the board
will be deemed to be done in 'good
faith', SASB began to make demands
which were resented. Worse they
pretended to be a body which was
virtually unaccountable to any
institution. Recall the infamous
statement of CEO of SASB on January 1,
2008 wherein he claimed that the
legislature has no authority to question
SASB or for them to answer their
queries. And yet the SASB, it is said, was
set up on the basis of the
recommendation of the Dr Nitish
Sengupta Committee (1996)? A reading
of the report makes it abundantly clear
that the committee's recommendations
were scrupulously ignored.
For instance, SASB was not tasked with
micro managing the yatra or to turn it
into an all Hindu affair from which
Muslims were to be kept away. Among

the various acts of governor SK Sinha
was to summarily discontinue the
traditional role of the Malik family as
protector of the shrine and their right to
get one third of the offering. And
instead of regulating and restricting the
number of pilgrims SASB went in to
overdrive to make it for a longer
duration and for larger and larger
numbers. Non state subjects were being
engaged for all kinds of services
traditionally performed by the local
population both Kashmiri Muslims and
Pandits.
So what were Nitish Sengupta
committees main recommendations?
Setup after the 1996 Amarnath Yatra
Tragedy in which 205 yatris and 25
porters and security personnel lost their
lives the report emphasized that “the
pilgrimage to Amarnath is not just
pilgrimage but high altitude
mountaineering” (p 54). It wanted a
minimum age of 15 and maximum of 65
for yatris. (p 55) The report repeatedly
makes the point that at this altitude,
the hazardous nature of the track and
uncertain weather number of pilgrims
and period of yatra has to be strictly
regulated. “It has to be emphasized
here that carrying capacity of this
pathway of about 32 kms (between
Chandanwari and the holy cave) is
extremely limited. It passes all along at
very high altitude, well above the tree
line and through areas with no human
habitation”. (p 5) For eight months of
the year there is snow and formation of
ice lingam, nautral stalagmite, begins
only by June.
In this sense Amarnath yatra cannot be
compared with any other pilgrimages
and the closest parallel can be drawn
with Kailsah Mansarovar in Tibet and
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Gomukh in Uttarakhand. At both Kailash
Mansarovar and Gomukh the period of
pilgrimage is restricted and the
numbers regulated. System of ceiling
on number is practiced at Vashnodevi
also where a cap of 20,000 per day is in
place. In fact Nitish Sengupta on page
52 of the report says that “(a)long with
the regulation of the total number of
pilgrims to about 1 lakh during the 30
day period, we should also regulate the
maximum number of people who can be
permitted at any point of this journey at
any given time”. And adds “we could lay
down a ceiling of 3000 pilgrims that can
be permitted to travel on any of these
sectors in a single day”. (Three sectors
are Chandawanri to Sheshnag; Sheshnag
to Panjtarani and Panjtarani to the
Cave).
It also called for restricting havans
performance at the Holy Cave since
they “pollute the purity of the
atmosphere and also constitute fire
hazard”. (p58) The report opposed
proposal for making road from
Chandawari to Sheshnag and then up to
Panjtarani motorable. Because
“(a)llowing the motor vehicles to go
into this area will not only damage the
environment of these areas, but will
also spoil the pristine scenic charm of
these mountains and valleys.” (p 60) But
SASB has gone beyond and introduced
helicopter services for pilgrims which is
a source of major concern. It was
evident that the meltdown of the
'lingam' within fifteen days of yatra this
year was contributed by presence of
huge numbers of yatris and the
helicopter services. The critical
importance of protecting the ecology of
this area can not be underplayed when
it is realized that while tourists come
and go local inhabitants depend on the
water and land for their life and
Epilogue Ø
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September 2008
livelihood. Any damage to the ecology
could prove fatal for them, which is
what pollution of Lidder river by SASB's
unregulated promotion of yatra and
destruction of the ecology of Nunwan
valley threatens to bring about.
The report proposed that
administration of the yatra should be
handed over to the department of
tourism, as is the case in every other
state of India where religious tourism
comes under the purview of the tourism
department of the respective states.
They wanted that local tentwallahs
should be allowed to offer
accommodation and dhaba owners
provide food for yatris. (p 62).
Moreover, in so far as the high powered
board was concerned the committee
recommended that the CM should be
the chairperson. The board was to
supervise the yatra and prepare
strategic plan for providing facilities.
As of now 2204 kanals , of which 1500
kanals is forest land (and from which
800 kanals were to be “diverted” to
SASB for temporary use) are being used
for yatris in Baltal route. This land
includes 56 kanals of private land
including a graveyard. In other words
not only must SASB Act be amended to
make its membership local but its
powers must be delimited and the yatra
be regulated with restricting the
number of yatris to one lakh. Or else
devout Hindus can bid goodbye to the
health of the area for posterity.
Communal Prejudice or Jingoism of
Officials
Next blunder was in persisting with a
Governor who flouted all constitutional
norms and pushed Hindutva agenda.

One person is like tree in a forest but a
constitutional position of governor and
his continuance is reflection of Indian
state's policy. Were one to go through
what former Governor SK Sinha said in
his Field Marshal Cariappa memorial
lecture on August 16, his Hindutva
proclivities are self-evident. It was his
great contribution that Centre for
Kashmir Studies, set up in Kashmir
University, uses 13th century as the cut
off date thereby history of Kashmir's
Hindu past is studied but not its Islamic
present's past. This was his
understanding of 'kashmiriyat'. And it
was his principal secretary, who
officiated as CEO of the board, who
went out of his way to insist that land
was “permanently” transferred to the
board and insisted that “as the
population of India will increase we will
have to consider further extension of
the yatra period”. (Greater Kashmir
June 18, 2008).
The fact that Indian state allowed him
to do whatever he wished was perhaps
no accident. Once a movement is
demonized, passing it off as a form of
'proxy war' being waged by Pakistan,
and underplaying the role of the Indian
state including crimes committed by
Indian security forces then next stop is
manipulating people's minds. Such has
been the nature of Indian state's
attempt to manage people's will, 'turn
it around' as the army's doctrine on
small war proposes. That killings of
209 Hindus and Sikhs and migration of
about two lakhs Kashmiri Pandits is
played up but by far the larger picture
of killings by Indian security forces
remains shrouded in obscurity in the
name of “national interest”. Not much
is ever said about the 70,000 Muslim
killings, arrest and torture of at least
60,000 persons, 33 recorded massacres,
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disappearance of 8-10,000, uncovering
of mass graves in just one Uri sector,
cross firing, encounters, custodial
deaths….. Even where relief and
rehabilitation is concerned the
promptness with which New Delhi
announced compensation for one
Kuldeep Kumar who committed suicide
in Jammu is unmatched by anything
they announced through 19 years of
war to the families of Indian
government's forces atrocities. Did one
hear of any compensation for the 34
killed and 500 injured or property
damaged by the India security forces in
just 48 hours?
In fact it is strange that despite entire
Jammu and Kashmir region being
“disturbed” whereas in Jammu security
forces waited for executive magistrate
to issue orders to open fire, in the valley
no such procedure was followed. It is
instructive that Indian army called in
4500 soldiers from 9 corps in Himachal
Pradesh because they did not want
334,000 soldiers deployed in counter
insurgency duties in the valley to be
disturbed? This sleigh of hand meant
that these 4500 troops belonging to 9th
Corps operated under magistrate's
order and not under AFSPA as in a
'disturbed' area. On the other hand, the
sorry spectacle of highly communalized
CRPF forces entering hospitals, firing
tear gas shells inside them, (a war crime
under Geneva Convention), opening fire
which targeted head and chest, non-use
of rubber bullets, venting their anger
by destroying properties on several
localities in Srinagar……and yet their
crime of excessive use of force and
violation of their constitutional pledge
did not bring Indian people out on the
streets in solidarity with those who have
suffered most and continue to suffer.
It is in the midst of this reality that
Epilogue Ø
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September 2008
economic blockade is located.
Long and short of it is that Indian state
has become its own worst enemy. There
is no point blaming Pakistan,
fundamentalists, human rights activists
and usual alibis used by the Indian state.
It is time we acknowledge that 'national
security' paranoia cannot hide the
reality that Muslims of J&K have no
confidence in the Indian state. The
march to Muzzafarabad was not a
rhetoric or a drama enacted but
something that emerged from this
palpable sign of fear and was perceived
as one way in which J&K's dependence
on India could be reduced. In any case
Jammu-Srinagar highway is an artificial
link and by itself unsuited for 21st
century said to be an era of
'globalisation'.
In this sense we are back to square one.
And just as well. Because this time
there are no militants but people out on
the streets. Indian state and India's
'good' people can ignore this now at
their own peril. Perhaps a bout of self-
criticism, good for intellectual clarity,
might be in order to ensure that at least
now six decades of obfuscation and
prevarication can be bid goodbye and
the reality of popular aspiration for
opting out of India be given its due.
Instead of fearing right of self-
determination it is time we embrace it
because this offers us the only chance of
a peaceful and democratic solution. It
offers this to every state subject across
the LOC divided Jammu and Kashmir as
well as communally polarized Jammu
and Kashmir an opportunity to make
their wishes known. It is only when we
know what people want that
substantive negotiations can ensue.
Until then the hoary resilience,
euphemism for prolonged military
 I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008

suppression, displayed by Indian state, will carry on further aggravating the

dispute. And people will continue to vote with their feet and fists against a Interview with
forced union with India which threatens their fundamental right to life. Shabir Ahmed
While one wishes wiser counsel to prevail the truth is that 61 years of
regression makes it abundantly clear that it is left to the people of India, and Shah
not the state, to force a change in Indian state's policy towards the people of
J&K.

Amidst all the claims of the Indian government that allegation of economic Things were not like till three
blockade being “bunkum” and Pakistan inspired propaganda, Ministry of months back. Why this sudden
Home Affairs has finally conceded that at least between July 31 to August 4 upsurge in the Valley?
there were “disruptions” of supplies. One should be thankful for small
mercies from the centre of obfuscation and extreme right wing People in the Valley are known
pronouncements which is what MHA has become. ( Mail Today August 19, for the patience. But patience
2008.) In fact going by the threat held out by All J&K Oil Tankers Association too has got a limit. If your
Jammu truckers will not load supplies for the valley if land issue is not understanding says that there is
resolved by August 20, 2008. (The Tribune 19, August 2008) And the fruit a sudden eruption then I must
merchants of Delhi's Azadpur Mandi have said that between 1-15 August in correct you. There was no
2007 when 814 fruit trucks reached Delhi, this year in the same period only sudden eruption.
124 trucks landed at Delhi. (The Hindustan Times 20 August, 2008). Dissent and protests
have various
manifestations and
It is worth noting that total land holding of the armed forces in India is
silence is one among
approximately 1 mn acres. Recently the Indian Planning Commission of India
them. When you talk
had wanted army to part with 2 lakh acres of “surplus” land lying with with
about the situation
62 cantonments. This request was turned down and instead the army asked
three months back, I
for an additional 2 lakh acres! The point is that neither are armed forces
would say, there
willing to part with land they occupy nor is their appetite for more land going were protests in
to decline. silence which has now broken.

Just to provide an idea of the acute unemployment the J&K government By mobilizing such huge
which dealt harshly with 5000 state roadways employees for demanding back crowd in Srinagar what do
wages (they were not paid for five months) claiming they did not have money you want to convey?
to pay them has lifted ban on filling vacancies on state employment, which
they had imposed on March 5, 2008. Thereby 30,000 vacancies of which 4978
We have not been mobilizing
for gazetted posts, 20,000 non-gazetted posts and 7000 Class IV posts will get
any crowds. People have been
filled. The point to note is that state government which time and again
coming out at their own. There
delays payment of wages to some of its employees is now going to fill 30,000
were over two lakh people who
posts. Where is the money going to come from? Thus on the one hand armed
led a march to Muzaffarabad
forces occupy cultivable land, which helps reduce food and fruit production
when we were showered with
and reduce employment. And on the other hand additional employment is
bullets. Then on August 22,
being generated in the state sector even when they do not have the money to
more than 10 lakh people
pay their salaries! The begging bowl syndrome will get strengthened. And
a s s e m b l e d a t th e I d g a h
Indian state can then go around propagating that they cover nearly 80%
grounds. There was just one
J&K's expenditure. This feeds into the myth that J&K is incapable of
announcement appealing to
meeting its own expenditure and to undercut the argument about the
come out in solidarity with the
economic viability of J&K were they left alone. Thus create dependence
issue. Elders, youth, women
and then flaunt it to rub the nose of people in the mud.

Epilogue Ø
16 ×
September 2008

and children all came out in tens of
thousands. Tens of thousands of more
people were on their way but the space
in Srinagar City was not enough to
accommodate them. There were no
speeches. There was no politics. Lakhs
of them raised their hands for their
basic political rights. This was a sort of
referendum which the Government of
India and International community
should take note of.
Referendum for what and what
political rights you are referring to?
Precisely, Azadi. People of Kashmir have
made it known that they want Azadi. We
have long been asking for consultations,
a referendum or any exercise to know
what Kashmiris want but this right was
denied to us. Now people are coming
out to let it known to one and all,
clearly and without any ambiguity that
they want Azadi.
You mean that doors for a dialogue or
now shut?
Absolutely not. Our doors are wide open
as they always have been. If anyone
shut the doors it was the Government of
India. At least now is the high time
Government of India realized urgency
of a dialogue. We are always ready to
get engaged in a meaningful dialogue.
Kashmir's case is entirely different but
there are also other places in India
where people are fighting for the
political rights. At all these places and
with all such people, Government of
India has been talking why any positive
movement on Kashmir is not there.
They try to isolate us, they project a
wrong picture of public sentiments and
then they ask us that why are we on
roads? This is not fair. Let them come we
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
are ready for talks.
What should be the contours of a
dialogue?
We have never set any conditions. The
basic thing is that there should be a
tripartite dialogue with the people of
Kashmir as a principle party.
Yo u l a u n c h e d a m a r c h t o
Muzaffarabad alleging that there was
economic blockade of Kashmir. Was
there so serious a problem? The
Governor's administration has all
along been denying any snap of
supplies except that whatever
irregularities may occur when the
situation is disturbed.
You are a journalist; check the press
record of last two months. Every new
day you will find statements which
civilized people would not issue even
for the rogue states. And then our
supply lines were completely chocked,
the drivers were beaten up, trucks were
set ablaze, and our local produce was
made to rot. What wrong did we do by
marching to Muzaffarabad. All we
wanted to do was to sell our produce
and procure the essentials. We are
more than two lakh people, unarmed
and leading a peaceful march. They
(government) applied brute force and
sprayed bullets on us. What is the
justification for this?
Now have a look at the situation in
Jammu. There is an agitation and the
region, particularly the Winter Capital
City, is burning in fire of anger.
Kashmir Muslims in general and
Kashmiri separatists in particular are
accused of hurting the Hindu
sentiments. The cancellation of
Epilogue Ø
17 ×
September 2008
orders diverting of land to Shri
Amarnath Shrine Board following
protests in the Valley have led to
tension in Jammu. What do you have
to say on this?
This is the worst propaganda we have
ever seen. Some people in Jammu are
easily and conveniently forgetting that
not they but we have been hosts of the
Shri Amarnath pilgrims. This is most
secular tradition of our Valley. Can you
trace one single incident of history
when the Amarnath pilgrims were put to
any inconvenience, harassment or
humiliation by any Kashmiri? I would
take this opportunity to convey it all our
Hindu brothers and sisters across India
that Amarnath pilgrimage is as much
sacred for us as it is for them. It is a part
of our tradition that we, every year,
organize a special welcome function on
the arrival of pilgrims to accord a
respect to their sentiments.
Then why this controversy on the land
issue?
We have not created any controversy
nor is this any issue for us. Our issue is
very clear and this has been clearly
conveyed by the people of Kashmir
last Friday. If at all there is a
controversy it has been created by
some people in Jammu and their
patrons elsewhere in the country.
Amarnath pilgrimage is a symbol of
Kashmir's secular tradition and we will
continue to make all efforts to keep it
up. You should note that the number of
pilgrims visiting the Amarnath Shrine
was highest this year. Had there been a
problem from our side or had there
been an inconvenience to the pilgrims
they would not have come in big
numbers.
 I N F O C U S
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Post-Agitation
Uphill Task For Jammu’s
Politics, Economy
Epilogue News & Analysis

The 60-day long Jammu agitation has been finally called off after the Governor NN Vohra's administration
hammered a peace pact with the agitating Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS)–a 70 party
conglomerate spearheading the agitation. The final agreement sets aside the controversial 100 acres tract of
land at Baltal and allows the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board to use it for creating facilities for the pilgrims. The land
will be put to such use for three months a year and its ownership title shall not undergo any change. When
protests had erupted in Kashmir Valley against diversion of same land to the Board, the main objection was
change of ownership status –ie from the Forest department to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. Therefore for
reaching at the final agreement to end agitation in Jammu, it is obviously seen that both the SAYSS and the
Government made some climb down from their stated positions. What leaves one confused is that fact that such
use of land (as agreed upon in the pact) has never been objected by any party in Kashmir. Finally pragmatism
seems to have dawned upon both parties concerned even though Jammu has not remained the same place again
after two months of violent protests. The losses are enormous but at a first look one finds the mainstream
competitive politics having disappeared from the local landscape.

Loosing Political Plot
It will be a tough time for the
competitive politics to resume its
normal course. Unlike Kashmir, Jammu
region has a truly competitive
mainstream politics with Congress,
National Conference, BJP and the newly
emerging Panthers Party as main
players. Bahujan Samaj Party is also
seen making significant inroads in Dalit
pockets of the region. Just ahead of the
eruption of Amarnath shrine land
controversy, the political mainland of
Jammu was ripe for the electoral
politics. Elections were just three
months away but the campaign designs
had already been put in place by the
parties. Two months of agitation has
washed away whatever the parties had
tried to build up not only in recent few
months but over past five years. Now at
this stage the lines of ideology stand
blurred between the arch rivals. For
two months all of them, out of
compulsion or will, had become more or
less constituent parts of the Sangharsh
Samiti –condemning their own parties
and criticizing their own charters.
The BJP an essential constituent of the
Sangharsh Samiti was initially seen as
the eventual beneficiary of the
agitation as it was the Congress
government accused of withdrawing the
land transfer order. Former Chief
Minister and Congress' 'hope' in Jammu
and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad was
seen in Jammu only twice in two months
–on July 17, when he addressed a public
meeting at a border township and then
on August 10 as part of the all-party
delegation constituted by the Prime
Minister to find out a solution for the
crises. Azad's being away from the scene
all these of crises not only brought down
but also smashed up the morale of local
Congress leaders. During initial days of
agitation, the local Congress leaders
tried to defend their government's
decision but as the days passed off and
the agitation gathered momentum,
they had to endorse every thing what
the Sangharsh Samiti had to say. No
other party or leader would have
addressed as many press conferences as
Congress leaders did address all these
months. Interestingly, the agenda of
their press conferences and statements
issued to media always remained
endorsing the day to day stand of
Sangharsh Samiti. When Samiti called
for the removal of Governor NN Vohra,
the local Congress jumped into the fray
as main votary of the demand. Veterans
like Dr Karan Singh, the scion of Dogra
dynasty, who otherwise visits Jammu
hardly once a year, wrote to the Prime
Minister seeking removal of the
Governor.
Former MLAs, sitting MLCs and other
office bearers of the Congress would
often walk into the office of Sangharsh
Samiti to reiterate their support even as
the party at national level frequently

Epilogue Ø
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September 2008

equated the Jammu agitation “as
dangerous” as separatist movement in
Kashmir. Prominent local leader and
MLA till recently, Raman Bhalla courted
arrest on August 21 as a part of
Sangharsh Samiti plan. However, the
veteran Mangat Ram Sharma still could
not escape the wrath. He had to take a
pillion ride with a cop to reach home
safely when a strong mob attacked his
vehicle in the city.
In Jammu region, National Conference
has much of its presence in the rural
areas than the urban space. Thus NC
leaders played little smart. They left
their plush winter capital residence to
fan out in their respective
constituencies. Omar Abdullah's speech
in the Parliament on, July 22, had given
a new direction to the Jammu agitation
when a youth committed suicide
allegedly enraged over Omar's
statement. However, father Farooq
made quite a good effort to save the
situation. After maintaining a much
required silence for a couple of weeks,
Farooq played quite a balancing act
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
between Kashmir and Jammu. Leaving
the Kashmir field to Omar, who joined
chorus with separatist, Farooq went on
justify demand of Sangharsh Samiti and
called for restoration of land to the
Shrine Board. When the agreement is
inked between Samiti and Government,
Farooq turned up as the only Kashmiri
leaders to give a “thumbs up”.
Now when the agitation has been called
off, the next battle is for the
forthcoming elections and the task
before political parties is to redraw
their constituency agenda.
Economy Suffers Rs 26,000 Crore loss
Besides competitive politics, the other
major sector which suffered a huge loss
during Jammu agitation is obviously the
local economy. The trade and industry
lobby groups have put losses at Rs 26775
Crores. Though the parameters of
calculation have not been given but
according to local Commerce and
Industries and representatives different
Epilogue Ø
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September 2008
sectors of economy the losses to
respective sectors have been as follows:
Industry, Rs 4000 Crores; Tourism, Rs
3000 Crores; Trade Rs 1100 Crores,
Transport Rs 775 Crores and Production,
Rs 250 Crores. Insurance sector is yet to
initiate a survey of loss to the vehicles
that too is reported to be running into
Crores of rupees. The Shri Amarnath
Yatra Sangharsh Samiti, during its
negotiations with the government had
put a demand for compensation to all
suffering sectors of economy. Though
the demand has been agreed to in
principle but the businessmen doubt
any possibility of full compensation.
The agreement between Government
and the Samiti concluded that a
Working Group shall be constituted
under the Chief Secretary to examine
losses to all sectors both in Kashmir
and Jammu regions. The Working
Group will have representatives from
different sectors of economy as its
members. “A loss assessment report
shall be submitted to the Central
Government for financial help”, said
the agreement.
 I N F O C U S
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Agreement

Following is the text of the joint statement issued at the press conference:

1. 'The Shri Amarnathji Yatra, which has been going on for many centuries, is a shining symbol of communal harmony and
brotherhood in Jammu & Kashmir and reflective of the State's composite heritage. The Yatris have been welcomed with
open arms by the people of both Jammu and Kashmir Divisions and all required facilities have been made available for
them. Sadly, certain decisions of the State Government relating to the Yatra created misunderstandings which led to
controversy and agitation and loss of many precious lives. Apart from the damage to property, there has been a colossal loss
to the State's economy in different sectors like transport, trade, industry, horticulture and tourism.
2. 'The Yatra to Shri Amarnathji Shrine has traditionally benefitted a large number of local residents, many of whom have
crucial dependence on this annual pilgrimage for their livelihood.
3. 'There has been no occasion in the past on which the State Government has failed to provide the required support for the
conduct of the Amarnathji Yatra. On the contrary, the extent and nature of governmental support to the Yatra has been
progressively enhancing, from year to year.
4. 'In view of the need to seek a peaceful resolution of the fundamental issues, to settle all existing doubts and clarify the
continuing responsibility of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir had constituted,
on 6 August, 2008, a four-member Committee comprising:
Dr. S. S. Bloeria, Advisor to Governor, Justice (Retd) Shri G. D. Sharma , Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Vice Chancellor, University
of Jammu and Shri B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board
5. 'The Committee held three rounds of discussions with the four-member Committee nominated by the Shri Amarnathji Yatra
Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) which comprised:-
Shri Tilak Raj Sharma, Brig (Retd) Suchet Singh, Prof. Narinder Singh and Shri Pawan Kohli
6. 'The Governor has also held discussions with the leaders of political, social, religious, academic and other organizations in
the Kashmir Valley. The predominant view, emerging out of the consultations, is that the Amarnathji Yatra, which is a
centuries old tradition of J&K's rich composite heritage, will continue to be welcomed and supported by the people of
Kashmir, in every possible way. It was also felt that while the Shrine Board could continue to use the land, as in the past, for
Yatra purposes, nothing should be done to alienate or transfer the land. While an assuring convergence of views has
emerged, the Governor is committed to continuing the consultative process to ensure against any remaining
misunderstanding whatsoever on an issue which has earlier led to serious misperceptions and grade human and economic
loss.
7. 'Based on detailed discussions and deliberations held in the recent weeks, the following framework of action for resolving
the issue relating to the use of land for the period of Yatra by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, at Baltal and Domail, has
been agreed to:-
A. 'The State Government shall set aside for the use by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, exclusively, the land in Baltal and Domail
(Compartment No. 63/S, Sindh Forest Division) comprising an area of 800 kanals, traditionally under use for the annual
Yatra purposes.
B. 'The proprietary status/ownership/title of the land shall not undergo any change.
C. 'The Board shall use the aforesaid land for the duration of the Yatra (including the period of making the required

Epilogue Ø
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September 2008
 I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008

arrangements and winding up of the same) for the purpose of user by various service providers according to its needs and
priorities.
'The aforesaid land shall be used according to the Board's requirements, from time to time, including for the following:-

i. 'Raising of temporary pre-fabricated accommodation and toilet facilities by the Board;

ii. 'Establishment of tented accommodation by private camping agencies (locals, permanent residents of the State);
iii. 'Setting up of the shops by shopkeepers (locals, permanent residents of the State);
iv. 'Facilities for Ponywallahs and Pithuwallahs;
v. 'Provision of healthcare and medical facilities;
vi. 'Setting up of free Langars by private persons and groups which are licensed by the Board;
vii. 'Facilities for helicopter operations/ parking of vehicles;
viii. 'Arrangements of security by local police/para-military forces and other security agencies as per the arrangements in place
here-to-fore; and
ix. 'Undertaking measures relating to soil conservation, land protection and preservation of ecology.

8. 'It has further been agreed that the Board shall continue to remain responsible for the overall arrangements of the Yatra on
both the routes during the Yatra period, including all arrangements as mandated under the provisions of the Shri
Amarnathji Shrine Act, 2000 A.D.
9. 'Apart from the above, the Committee set up by the Samiti had, during the course of discussions, presented a fourteen-
point “Charter of Demands” for consideration by the State Government. The main demands relate to withdrawal of
criminal cases against various persons during the period of agitation, provision of compensation to the families of the
deceased and to the injured and working out of appropriate packages of financial assistance to compensate losses of the
transport sector, trade and industry, horticulture sector, hoteliers and tourist operators. The State Government has agreed
to examine all these demands in an appropriate manner on time-bound basis.
10. 'In particular, as regards the registration of criminal cases against various persons during the period of agitation, it is agreed
that all cases of non-serious nature which shall mean bailable and compoundable will be withdrawn. The remaining cases
will be reviewed, on the merits of each case, by a Committee headed by Shri Anil Goswami, Principal Secretary (Home)
within 60 days. Till the completion of this process, no action will be taken in such cases. Also, specific allegations of
atrocities on agitators, based on prima-facie evidence, could also be looked into by this Committee.
11. 'Ex-gratia relief will be extended in favour of the next of the kin of the deceased and in favour of permanently disabled and
the injured in all cases covered under the existing rules of the State Government.
12. 'Further, a Working Group, under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary will address all compensation issues relating to both
Jammu and Kashmir Divisions and the Central Government will be approached for extending enabling financial support to
the State Government for this purpose within a period of two months. To make the exercise meaningful, one representative
from each of the affected sectors will be associated with the deliberations of the Working Group.
13. 'The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board will be reconstituted keeping in view the provisions of the Act and the past precedents.
14. 'It is agreed that the Law Department in the State Government will examine the issue of disposal of LPA in terms of the
understanding made hereinabove within one month.'

Sd/- Sd/-

(Lila Karan Sharma) (Dr. S. S. Bloeria)

Convener Advisor to Governor of J&K
Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti

Epilogue Ø
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September 2008
 I N F O C U S
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Amarnath Confrontation :
Is It Sureal ?

Anmol Sharma

The confrontation over transfer of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and the its revocation is just the trigger.
The issue is small but the problem is far larger. The office of Indian Prime Minister, as it appears now, has always
grossly overlooked the historical background and composition of aspirations in Jammu and Kashmir.

T
he public outrage these local channels
over the revocation loaded with array of
of the land transfer statistical data disparaging
order by the minority everything from disparity
government of Mr. Azad has in number of assembly
progressively merged with the seats to Badshah University
latent issue of long felt racial standing on a forest area.
bias felt by this part of the Ve r y a g g r e s s i v e t e x t
state of Jammu and Kashmir. messages underscoring
Some of the renowned p r e c i s e s ta ti s ti c s l i k e
political analysts from Jammu number of unemployment
like Dr. Jitender Singh and being more in Jammu,
Prof. Hari Om have
Jammuites giving more
rationalized this with the
taxes compared to
analogy that the
Kashmiris and advising to
overwhelming public outcry
boycott Kashmiri goods
over the Amarnath
were also disseminated
predicament is only a
before text services was
symptom of the disease of
discrimination/partiality altogether condemned at
suffered by the people in the behest of the Governor
Jammu from hukumrans in Sahib.
Kashmir. The local Cable
channels were also Watching this kind of
acknowledged by these theatrics in these channels
commentators, for precipitating reminisces one of the
the unprecedented mass churlish PTV where till today
wave, which saw conservative every evil in Pakistan is
and politically novice women easily blamed on the
folk from Jammu coming shoulders of India. These
spellbound onto the streets talks headed by the
sloganeering and beating protagonists not only are like
utensils. one-eyed wisdom of sage
Shukaracharya, where one is
The extremist politicians fascinated by his side of
affiliated to Jammu came to perception only but also it

Epilogue Ø
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September 2008

seems that they are bereft of the history
of J&K politics. Every voice emanating
in Jammu these days be it the electronic
or print media oscillates to dot the voice
of Kashmiri leaders and Kashmiri locals.
The hatred and acrimony against them
has arisen to such a level that people
have vowed not eat fruits from Kashmir
and made a bonfire of their handicrafts
on streets of Jammu.
It is utmost necessary and meaningful to
point out that the bogie of
discrimination continuously raised
nowadays by the people of Jammu is not
over-pampering of the Kashmir region
but was a shrewd ploy by those heading
successively the PM's Office. It is part of
our States history that Maharaja Hari
Singh in 1947 had approached both India
and Pakistan with a “Standstill
Agreement” as he was in dilemma
whether to accede to Dominion of India
or Pakistan or to stay independent. It
should not, also be forgotten that
Kashmiri has never been empathetic
towards India, he never wanted to be a
part of India, and they are not ashamed
to openly say it. Although, this may be
highly objectionable for a patriotic
Indian, but this is the truth we do not
want to accept.
Mrs. Gandhi had her hair pulled by some
Kashmiri girls in 1970's, and we know
what slogans they raised during India
West Indies Cricket match and the
recently held Santosh Trophy. The
biggest irony here is the fallacy of our
successive decision makers that
indulging Kashmiris with monetary
packages will make them forget
Pakistan and consequently sift their
sentiments, this political naivety on our
part was an attempt to “win” them over
which was at the cost of economic
growth of Jammu.
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
We can never, first-of-all deny the fact
that Kashmiri community has never
allowed itself to be identified with the
rest of India and culturally too their
Kashmiriyat was never part of the broad
Continental-cum-Secular-cum-Hindu
influenced Indian ethos. Second-of-all
we also have to wake up to the fact that
we have repeatedly blundered in our
brainless policy towards sensitive
issues. Just to score some more seats in
Punjab by dirty tricks, we tried to
quarantine Akalis by pitching
Bhindrenwala and the havoc it did to
India was in the shape of operation blue
star, sacrificing our women Prime
Minister and the wave of resentment by
Sikhs which we conveniently labeled
'terrorism'.
Likewise, in Kashmir, we promised 'near'
freedom in the shape of a sadar-i-
riyasat and a Prime Minister. Art. 370
was a sacrosanct cornerstone and it has
over the time been diluted to the core,
specially by Delhi Agreement of 1952
and the famous Sheikh-Indira Accord in
1975, the betrayal to the masses when
Rajiv Gandhi and Farooq Abdullah shook
hands to upset the mandate to MUF
forced them to respond in the way they
did. In return, we responded with
unparalleled HR excesses, which saw a
lakh people dead, 10,000 still missing
and what not. Army came and sat on
their orchards, cultivable lands; schools
etc, our PM Mr. Singh had openly stated
to the separatists that short of Azadi 'sky
is the limit' and at the same time we
tried to checkmate them by placing Mr.
Mufti at their back, so after all this, why
would they not protest when 100 acres
of land is transferred. May be they feel
that it is another ploy of Government of
India to grab the land way from them.
It would be a great folly on our part to
Epilogue Ø
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September 2008
think that only Hurriyat is demanding
scraping of Armed Forces Special
Powers Act (AFSPA). This draconian law
has created more havoc in Northeast
than in Kashmir. IAF has bombarded
them and used mortar shells and in
2004, the abduction and killing of
Thangjam Manorama Devi triggered
massive protests by the people of
Manipur. A group of brave Mothers shook
the conscience of the entire world by
their nude protest in front of Assam
Rifles HQ. But here in just 2 days of
Army's management on the streets, the
intellectuals of Jammu are crying foul,
so can we not just for a moment imagine
what these people in Northeast and
Kashmir must be feeling?
We as Indians connect the image of
Bharat Mata with bureaucracy of babu's
and feel that we can commit no blunder
and do not realize how alienated and
estranged minorities feel and what they
really feel about India and Hindu
Majority. The treatment to a Ladakhi
student in my class was not what mould
make a Indian proud. Very few students
would talk to him and he was a social
outcaste. When I asked him whether
Buddhists would have also protested
like Kashmiris if land was acquired in
Ladakh, his reply was they would have.
Even at the slightest provocation like
the Dera Controversy, the Sikhs shout
the slogans of Khalistan Zindabad in
Gandhi Nagar.
The dichotomy in our mindset is also
very puzzling; on one hand we have no
hesitation in arresting Sri
Shankaracharya in Tamil Nadu who
according to our scriptures is the
representative of Lord Shiva on this
earth and non-different from Him. No
Christian nation whether in Europe or in
America would ever dare to arrest the
 I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008

Pope, but we had the shameless audacity to

arrest the greatest bonafide spiritualist of New Delhi Should Explain,
Hindus.
Why Dialogue Is Stalled
We have no problem when Raj Thackeray
threats non-marathis openly to get out of Interview with
Maharashtra, but we take strong exception
when some renegade militant outfit does
Shafi Uri
Senior Leader National Conference
the same to Biharis in Kashmir. The entire
Former Finance Minister
belt of sacred town to Vrindaban adjacent to
Rajasthan border, where Lord Krishna
displayed his most enchanting pastimes has Lakhs of people are on Valley streets and
been dug up and His spots where He ate and countryside with slogans of Azadi. How do you look
played flute have been vandalized by the at this sudden eruption in Kashmir?
sand mafia but how many Hindus care?
Ask this question to New Delhi as they better know the
No one of earth can ever justify the answer. Ask them why
revocation of the land transfer but the way dialogue has been kept
and the manner in which SAYSS is handling stalled for so long. There
the most dangerous flashpoint on the face of was no sudden eruption.
the earth as per America is now a free for all Earlier there was silence
affair and the result is that we have and now there are
reawakened the Frankenstein of separatism protests. Both are equally
that was in coma for the last so many years. dangerous. My point is
that we have always been
Shabir Shah who was for 22 years and 8 saying that there is a
months languishing in Indian jails was on problem which needs to
record to say that he was open to look at be understood and
other options 'read political participation' addressed through a
besides plebiscite. The vertical split in dialogue. I had since long
Hurriyat in the shape of Hurriyat (M) and been saying that status
Hurriyat (G) had considerably taken the quo will not lead us to
sting out of separatist's and they were even anywhere. If New Delhi or
contemplating to field proxy candidates in anyone else thinks that
the coming elections. All these political wins maintaining silence on the
have gone to seed and we are not back to issue for so long will
square one but out of the game at the isolate the elements who
present moment. are now being seen as
unpleasant noise makers then I must say they are
Our best bet Mr. Azad who was appreciated sadly mistaken. The results are evident as everyone
even by a Kashmir local and was very fair to has seen over past few days in the Valley.
Jammu in all aspects was booed out here
when he resigned, which only shows the Some three months back the separatists were seen
lack of political acumen of the Dogras. We brooding in isolation. It was the mainstream
need someone to take us out of this logjam discourse that dominated Valley's political
before the heavens fall. landscape.

Epilogue Ø
24 ×
September 2008

Don't see anyone in isolation. As I
pointed out above silence is always
dangerous, what you are seeing today
is nothing but just break down of
silence. This was the worst result of
complacency. There may have been
some signs of normality but people
(in New Delhi) misconstrued this for
stability. Stability is still a far cry. You
can't go ahead without addressing
the basic issue. Yes, there are
different phases and calm is one of
them. But when there is calm that
does not mean every thing is alright.
So where is the failure?
It is obvious. It is in the breakdown of
dialogue or no dialogue at all. I am
pained at times to see why India does
not learn lessons. There are several
trouble areas in the country but
everywhere dialogue has always
remained a continuous process. Here
in Kashmir, the credibility of an
entire big hearted process has been
eroded by cryptic stalling of
dialogue. Remember then Prime
Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee
addressing the Kashmiri people
taking a cue from the famous
couplets of poet Mehjoor.
While reaching out to the people of
Kashmir with a commitment of
growing flowers of peace, Vajpayee
showed reasoning and pragmatism
when he said that a resolution of
Kashmir issue has to be sought in the
ambit of humanity and not the oft
repeated four walls of constitution.
Then came the turn of Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, who underlined the
commitment of building a “New
Jammu and Kashmir”. What
happened to all these discourses?
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
Why the dialogue broke down? There
has not been any positive movement
on Kashmir for nearly four years now.
The Government of India had three
round table conferences but there
was no involvement of separatists. It
was a nice exercise to understand
various problems of Jammu and
Kashmir but did this address the basic
issue. No, it did not. Separatists have
felt completely isolated in the
process.
What happened to all these
discourses? Why the dialogue
broke down? There has not been
any positive movement on
Kashmir for nearly four years
now. The Government of India
had three round table conferences
but there was no involvement of
separatists.
What is the way forward?
It can not be identified and
concluded here. Yes, a way has to be
found but then dialogue is the only
course to reach somewhere. The first
step forward is obvious to initiate a
dialogue and reach out to the people
with a big heart.
How do you look at the eruption in
Jammu?
Jammu agitation is based on notions.
When some people say that Valley
Muslims have hurt the Hindu
sentiments why do they forget the
secular tradition of Amarnath Yatra
Epilogue Ø
25 ×
September 2008
held by the people of Kashmir for so
many years.
The question of land transfer is a
completely misunderstood theory.
When the government has been
offering all logistic support then
what these cries are all about. You
name any pilgrimage –may it be Hajj,
the affairs of Golden Temple or the
Kumbh festival –entire logistic
support is provided by the
governments. Only the internal
religious affairs are handled by the
religious organizations. This should
not have happened like this.
But people in Jammu talk about the
discrimination meted out against
them by Kashmiri leaders.
This is in sub conscious mind. The
discrimination sentiments prevail in
Jammu ever since the popular
government took over reigns from
Maharaja's regime. My suggestion is
that let's have a debate on the
discrimination issue.
Have a look at all developmental
parameters you will find no truth in
the discrimination theory. This is not
the first agitation in Jammu on the
allegations of discrimination. We
have seen Poonch agitation.
Then Gajendragadkar Commission
and all other studies found that there
is no substantial regional
discrimination. This is the era of
transparency. One can obtain all
details of expenditure. You will find
nothing in these complaints. If at all
there is some discrimination that is
quite even in some areas of Jammu as
well as Kashmir Valley.
 I N
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Replay Of 90’s ?
Still No Lessons From History
Syeda Afshana
T
The impulses he Newton's third
Throbs of thy dudgeon Law of Motion is
Pangs of conscience applicable to
I can hear; mechanics and
Iniquitous attitude equally well to human affairs
Injustice on thy part to a large extent. Atleast,
For an unknown crime that is definitely so if seen in
Perhaps I can realize; the light of events of past few
Depth of bitterness months. The Jammu agitation
Thine indignation is an apparent reaction to
Against all revocation of Land Transfer
Perhaps I can gauge; and associated public uprising
Tears of torment over the issue in Valley. And
Tornado of aversion the Economic Blockade,
In thine eyes which is no longer symbolic
Perhaps I can see; now, is also a reaction to the
Hurt psyche protests that took place here.
Ragged sentiment Again, the economic squeeze
Pricking thou inly led to fresh protests in Valley
Perhaps I can sense; that are continuing unabated.
But perhaps The Valleyites are at the
Shackles on reason receiving end, in absence of
Thy handcuffs any other alternative open
I can't break, road link to the outside world.
I really can't. The protests, as such, in spite
Forlorn myself of their reactionary nature
Striving for survival, are inevitable and not
I can only be something that is going to
A mute spectator. have spectacular political
I can't even shout, impact, as many of us would
I can't even cry. like and love to believe. There
But perhaps have been strikes in past also
I can shut my eyes and the results have not been
Kill my conscience as heartening as envisaged by
And masses. The Hazratbal-siege,
Leave thou groaning Chrar-e-Sharief crisis, and
For all the time. Employees marathon-strike
Sorry Historians, to name some major events
I'm helpless. that triggered protests and
History is always
extended strikes, but could
A brute goddess.
not translate in to stupendous
Epilogue Ø
26 ×
September 2008
F O C U S
political consequences
except for keeping the
dispute of Kashmir alive from
time to time, in spite of their
political potential.
It is said that the greatest
lesson of history is that
nobody learns from history.
Perhaps, even far supreme
lesson is that we tend to
forget history. We need to
remember our past for making
our future better. Remember
the wave of early 1990's in
Kashmir. This period saw
mammoth mass uprising that
was subsequently crushed by
the powers. The loss of lives
because of a number of
massacres and the enormous
level of brutality in the form
of draconian military
operations suppressed the
people, creating atrocious
fear psychosis. The people
were taken aback by the level
of oppression that was not
anticipated, and for which
they were not actually
prepared. The fervor feeling
that Azadi was round the
corner could not mature into
immediate reality and, in
fact, got icy by the strategic
and ruthless maneuverings of
the ruling machinery that had
everything, from politicians,
media to statecraft at its
backing.
This situation was
exacerbated by the strangely
'action-less' attitude of
neighbouring country that
happens to be one of the
crucial party to the Kashmir
issue. Failing to capitalize on
the then popular upsurge, it
could not come up to the
expectations of the people
who had perhaps pinned “too
many” hopes on the rulers
a c r o s s t h e b o r d e r.
Notwithstanding the
diplomatic, moral or material
support that they provided,
they more or less left
Kashmiris in the lurch when
they needed them the most.
Since then, the scenario in
Pakistan has taken a volte
face, relapsing the country
further, and correspondingly
Kashmir has virtually been put
on the backburner, especially
post 9/11.
The divided indigenous
separatist leadership too was
somewhat unsuccessful in
chalking out an effective and
viable political roadmap for
the movement. Perhaps, the
dominance of gun was too
overpowering or else the
setting was such as to
relegate them to background.
Yet again the separatist
political camp did not have
much to offer other than

general strikes as reaction against
event(s). The fact remained that after
a long saga of historical betrayals,
Kashmir was out of the political-cold
storage just because of the gun factor
that had assumed a vital entry in the
landscape of resistance movement.
The era of 1990's also witnessed a total
blackout of the events by the Indian
media. Happenings were not reported
at all, and information and opinions
were not widely disseminated due to
lack of AV media outlets, not to speak of
Internet availability. Rarely any voice
from Indian intelligentsia could be
heard, and debating Kashmir, whether
in media or in any other forum, was
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
quite unthinkable.
Today 2008, down two decades of ups
and downs, combined with the
resilience displayed by the people of
Kashmir, the resistance movement has
throbbed all through, witnessing all
kinds of socio-economic and political
brunt. High point enduring that the
public sentiment is still lively. This time
around, let's hope, a pragmatic
approach, augmented by the political
acumen and vision can procure
historical results.
The pro-active response is to be
translated into a vigorous and vehement
but disciplined mobilization.
Epilogue Ø
27 ×
September 2008
Simultaneously, the contingency
planning for putting up with any kind of
crises is to be anticipated and, likewise,
fallout too needs to be outlined
radically.
Getting euphoric is welcome but
thinking and guiding masses in a well-
laid and organized way is compulsory.
Let's hope and pray history does not
repeat itself, and we are unforgettable
of its earlier lessons.
(The author is Assistant Professor at
Media Education Research Centre,
MERC, University of Kashmir)
 I N F O C U S
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Find The Enemy

....It Is Communalism

Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah

Often a thought leaves me wondering as why a country live India - second most populous in world, seventh
vast in area, rich in resources and too rich in cultural diversity - is still struggling to carve out a position and
get counted among the countries which stand as example to rest of the world. What holds India back is,
obviously, the plague of communalism.

T
he constitution of India for a moment asking why more didn't die man behind the trigger has a
promises its citizens certain in Jammu, that's not my point because predisposition to think in a particular
fundamental rights that form we continue to value & uphold the way in this part of the world. One is
the very essence of it. It is the dignity of the human life no matter inclined to think that there occurs a
utmost responsibility of all its whose. But what Iam asking is that it certain clandestine / blanket policy in
functionaries to uphold the same in case fails my senses as to how so much blood the psyche of those with the duty of law
of all of its people . The incidents of the shed can occur in such a short duration. enforcement.
past few days in the valley & the Perhaps the bullets pumped from the
preceding month or so in Jammu reflect weapons become more potent in The question haunting my mind- Is this
poorly upon the state establishment & Kashmir. Or maybe the weaponry has a behavior warranted? The answer-NO.
its functionaries. taste for the blood of the valley. Well The basic guiding principle of a public
maybe neither, it is more likely that the administrator or anyone involved in law
There appears a definite predilection in
the thinking of law enforcement
agencies & administrators. The way of
handling of the public agitations & mobs
on either side of the divide shows the
evident & questionable bias against the
valley in the minds of those operating in
both regions. Critics may term it to be a
confabulation of facts cooked up with
fictitious ingredients. But Iam afraid
howsoever strong the disapprovals may
be, facts remain facts.

Even a cursory study of the statistics of

violence reveals the obvious. It
certainly doesn't take a space scientist
to understand this ugly trend. 2 bloody
days of violence in the valley consumed
up to two dozen precious lives. In
contrast 40 days of equally virulent
violence took 6 precious lives. Iam not

Epilogue Ø
28 ×
September 2008

enforcement is to rise above petty
biases of caste, creed, color, region &
most importantly Religion. Unless that
basic premise is not employed in letter
and spirit by those with public dealings,
there is bound to be a problem in their
functioning .While this utilitarian
principle of neutrality is practiced by
many, there remains a section who does
not abide by it. That is perhaps the
explanation of why there is more
bloodshed on this side & not on the
other.
The other vital question is how in the
first did the situation turn into such a
fiasco. That again has many reasons.
The most dangerous and one that is
potentially fatal for the integrity of our
state is the mixture of religion & politics
in Jammu. What started as an
administrative issue was deliberately
maneuvered into a religious one. The
virulence & venemosity of the saffron
brigade has done its job, silently but
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
surely. The motive behind the so called
`Sangarsh` was simply to pitch Hindus
of the state against the Muslim majority
Of paramount importance is –
What & where the solution lies.
For finding a solution one has to
reflect upon the problems & to
understand their genesis and
then aim at remedial measures.
Any treatment needs to cure the
disease and not just the
symptoms. In the past we have
all been crying about the
symptoms of the underlying
pathology.
The plan was too well orchestrated to
fail. The result is that today there are
questions being raised on the secular
Epilogue Ø
29 ×
September 2008
credentials of both. It seems the past
has completely been forgotten & for
good. Let me then remind all such
elements that the issue upon which a
mountain of problems was raked up by
vested interests namely the Amarnath
yatra was a part & parcel of Kashmir's
culture.
It was a Hindu journey for sure but
Muslims never objected to it (not even
in the worst of times, I might add) .In
fact they actively participated in it, out
of their own sweet will. Likewise having
stayed in Jammu for long years I can
bear witness that I never felt any
animosity for myself or anyone of my
faith. What then possibly went wrong?
Perhaps someone needed an election
issue & something to remain in the
public eye only to capture power in far
away New Delhi. That cannot be ruled
out considering the saffron league has a
past history of such brazen acts of
molestation against the fabric of
secularism.
The bad air has perhaps gone too foul
for any sane soul to breathe in. Such
extreme polarization between the two
peoples has tarnished the secular
credentials of our state to a great
degree. Although there is a long history
of this plague in other regions, the state
of J&K was immune to it up until now,
Iam afraid not any more. The seeds of
mutual hatred have been sown & they
seem to have sprouted in no time. That
is a dangerous precedent & if not
arrested it will take a heavy toll, as it
already has.
Of paramount importance is – What &
where the solution lies. For finding a
solution one has to reflect upon the
problems & to understand their genesis
 I N
FIRE 2008
and then aim at remedial measures. Any
treatment needs to cure the disease and not
just the symptoms. In the past we have all been
crying about the symptoms of the underlying
pathology.
Any solution to the current fiasco should be
broad based. The civil society of both regions
needs to deliberate on a common ground.(And
that does not include those who started the fire
, namely vested political personalities ) .It may
seem difficult , but it is certainly not
impossible. The need of the hour is to insulate
people from the nefarious elements professing
religious hatred in Jammu. It is about time the
establishment cracked down upon "trident
brandishing miscreants" in that part of our
state.
Their role in promoting communal hatred is all
too obvious to ignore. It is also of vital
importance for the common masses in this part
of the state not to resort to actions like
destroying public property, or stoning vehicles
including ambulances . It is the duty of all of us
to prevent such elements from taking the
protests into their hands. They are in fact no
better than those forcing an economic blockade
upon us.
At the same time the high principles of public
dealing need to be strictly adhered to. The role of
the administrators & policing agencies is critical
in revival of any normalcy in the minds of people.
Any partisan or prejudiced individuals should be
purged away to restore the confidence of the
general public in the institutions. In this regard
the initiative of removing the chief of a
paramilitary force is a step in the right direction,
however more needs to be done to infuse
confidence into the minds of people.
The road ahead doesn't look too bright but Iam
reminded that " The darkest hour of the night
lies just before the dawn " . Praying for a new
dawn for all of us . . .
Epilogue Ø
30 ×
September 2008
F O C U S
Kashmiri Muslim Does
Not Tolerate Jammu
Hindus, Muslims
Interview with
Prof Varinder Gupta
President Jammu State Morcha,
seeking trifurication of J&K
The ongoing agitation is perhaps the longest in Jammu region
in last 60 years. Contemporaries say even the Poonch agitation
or the Darbar Move agitation were not as widespread as the
present one is. The premise of agitation is little confusing. The
Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti –spearheading agitation
–says the agitation is about Hindu sentiments hurt by the
shrine land controversy. The constituent units, including your
party, claim that the movement is a protest against the
political and economic discrimination meted out with Jammu
region. How do you sum up?
The present agitation no doubt is religious one, but because the
issue of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board Land pertains to upholding
the secular traditions and ethos as enshrined in our constitution
every community of Jammu region thought to support and join
the movement. Further, the people of Jammu region have
suffered because of the communal, secessionist and anti- Jammu
policies of Kashmiri leaders and they have been discriminated
against in all spheres of life and treated as second class citizens,
irrespective of their religion and caste they found in the present
agitation an opportunity to express their resentment and anger.
The present agitation is thus an outburst of common man of
Jammu against the Kashmiri leaders, against their communal and
anti- Jammu politics and against the Kashmiri domination.
The SAYSS is engaged in a dialogue with an official panel of the
Governor to resolve the impasse. The dialogue agenda,
seeking to end the present agitation, does not carry any point
like regional discrimination. The Samiti leaders are on record
saying that the agitation shall be called off only when the land
withdrawal order is rescinded, land is restored to the Shrine
Board permanently, and the Governor NN Vohra is removed.
Does this address the discrimination issue?

Though the present agitation is
confined to the land issue, but it has
provided an opportunity to the people
of Jammu region to assert and give a
clear cut signal to the Kashmiri
leadership and to the Government of
India that Jammu region should not be
taken for granted any further. If
anything is done against the aspirations
and interests of the people of Jammu
region, they would vigorously and even
violently react and oppose such a move.
It is also an assertion that wishes of the
people of Jammu region have to be
ascertained before arriving at any
solution of Jammu and Kashmir
imbroglio and they would no longer
tolerate any dictates either from the
valley or from the Government of India
in this matter. The present agitation has
boosted the morale of the people of
Jammu region for their further fight
against the Kashmiri domination and
discrimination and to achieve justice
for themselves.
For almost 20 years you have been
running a movement for trifurcation
of Jammu and Kashmir. You want
separate statehood for Jammu. What
are the bases for this demand?
The demand of trifurcation of Jammu
and Kashmir state is based on the
following bases:
a) The union of Jammu, Kashmir and
Ladakh is an unnatural wedlock. All the
three regions have their own distinct
identity and personality. The state of
Jammu and Kashmir came into being by
the treaty of Amritsar in March 1846.
The integration of three regions was
merely political and mainly motivated
by the British Indian Government's
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
desire to create a buffer between the
expanding Russian empire and their
Indian dominion. The nature has also
made these regions as three distinct
geographical identities: Jammu region
is separated from the Kashmir Valley by
Peerpanjal Mountain whereas Kashmir
is separated from Ladakh by Korakaram
ranges of Zanskar Moutain.
b) All the three regions have different
political, linguistic, social and cultural
perceptions. The interests, aspirations
and needs of these regions are
conflicting and mutually exclusive. To
keep the regions under one state during
To keep the regions under one
state during the dictatorial rule
of a King may have been possible
but it is not desirable to not
allow the people to progress and
develop as per their interests and
aspirations in a democratic
system.
the dictatorial rule of a King may have
been possible but it is not desirable to
not allow the people to progress and
develop as per their interests and
aspirations in a democratic system.
c) The trifurcation of the state shall not
only satisfy the aspirations of the
people of three different regions, but
it shall also eliminate the role of religio-
regional appeals in politics in this part
of the country.
d) The union of Jammu, Ladakh and
Kashmir regions has become counter
productive. The artificial union of these
regions has provided opportunities to
Epilogue Ø
31 ×
September 2008
the communal and fundamental
elements to feed suspicion between the
regions and thus nourish communalism
and disaffection. At present all the
three regions feel alienated from each
other and they are in reconciling
situation.
e) Jammu and Ladakh regions have
been discriminated against by the
Kashmiri leaders in all the spheres.
Their aspirations have always been
ignored. They have been dragged along
by imposing the wishes of the people of
Kashmir.
f) So long Jammu region remains part of
the present state it would not get
justice. It would not get its due
representation in the state legislature
in the Lok Sabha, in state civil
secretariat and in other Govt. services,
in the matter of development and in the
selections to the professional
institution.
g) Jammu region is facing a great threat
to its identity because of the Kashmiri
domination and because of its
secessionist and communal agenda.
There have been attempts to divide
Jammu region on communal lines and
disturb the atmosphere of religious
tolerance and communal harmony by
the Pak agents and by the Kashmiri
leaders. If the region is separated from
the valley these threats would vanish.
h) Trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir
state shall also pave a way to resolve
Kashmir issue.
If we look at some ground realities,
the discrimination story does not

hold well. Per capita development
expenditure is basic criteria to
determine the balance or partiality
in regional development. The
average annual per capita
development expenditure in Jammu
and Kashmir is Rs 901. If looked at
the regional level it works out to Rs
991.16 in Jammu region and Rs 767
in Kashmir region. Therefore,
average per capital plan expenditure
in Jammu region is more than Rs 200
higher than what is allocated in the
Valley.
The figure is fabricated and
completely false. The figure does not
agree with the Government's own
statement about the expenditure
made in the 8th and 9th plan under the
different heads. Let the concerned
authority who has supplied this
information comes out with details.
Number of assembly constituencies
and therefore the balance of
political power are skewed in favour
o f K a s h m i r Va l l e y. T h i s i s
understandable. The last
delimitation was held in early 1990s
when Jammu region got five more
assembly constituencies, Ladakh
and Kashmir got two each. That was
held during the President's rule.
Later in 2002, the then BJP led NDA
government exempted J&K from the
purview of the Delimitation
Commission headed by Justice
Kuldeep Singh. Then is it the
Kashmiri leadership alone to be
blamed for this imbalance or you can
think of some other factors also.
The last delimitation was done in 1996
and not in 1990. The increase in the
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
assembly seats in favour of Kashmir
province was four not two. In 2002 the
Parliament only put the ceiling on the
number of seats in the state
assemblies and decided not to
increase the number of seats till 2026.
The NDA govt. did not exempted
Jammu and Kashmir Government from
the Delimitation Commission. It is the
Kashmiri leadership that always
opposed any increase in the number of
assembly seats for Jammu region. Of
course, the Government of India is
also responsible which always tries to
appease the Kashmir leadership and
did not allow the increase under the
pressure from the Kashmir leadership.
In 2002 the Parliament only put
the ceiling on the number of seats
in the state assemblies and
decided not to increase the
number of seats till 2026. The
NDA govt. did not exempted
Jammu and Kashmir
Government from the
Delimitation Commission.
An average leaders or activist in
Jammu always seeks pride in
declaring himself as the most pure
Indian patriot and nationalist. Look
at from the international level,
India's position on Kashmir is always
sensitive. Had it not been like this,
Kashmir would not have been an
issue for 60 years. Demanding
trifurcation means sending across
message that the Hindu majority
Jammu does not tolerate the
Kashmir Muslims. And then look at
the present agitation. There were
the talks like economic blockade
which has consolidated the
Epilogue Ø
32 ×
September 2008
separatist sentiment in Valley and
pushed the situation to a level which
Pakistan could never do in last 60
years. Then what good the Jammu
leadership is doing to patriotism and
Indian nationalism?
It is wrong to say that Jammu does not
tolerate the Kashmiri Muslims.
Number of Kashmiri Muslims including
the Kashmiri leaders who have anti-
Jammu mindset migrated to Jammu in
1990. In spite of surcharged communal
atmosphere in Jammu because of
migration of Kashmir Pandits, Jammu
Dogras and Sikhs people of Jammu
region did not raise finger against
them.
It is Muslim Kashmir that does not
tolerate not only Jammu Hindu but
also Jammu Muslim. Trifurcation of
the state would allow all the regions
to get their aspirations fulfilled and
have the Government of their choice,
free of pulls and pressures from the
other respective regions. The
situation in Kashmir has always
remained vulnerable. It was worst in
1990. Kashmir Valley witnessed mass
protests on Shri Amarnath Land row on
and after 22nd June, 2008. There was
no economic blockade; it was Kashmiri
leadership that made the false
propaganda about the economic
blockade that was flared up by the
media and even by the Government of
India without ascertaining the facts.
This was done to sabotage and curb
the present Jammu agitation.
Government of India and the State
government are responsible for the
present situation in the valley. They
did not tackle it properly and allowed
it to take the present shape.
 I N F O C U S
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Our Mis-Leaders, 39 Hectares

Of Land And Seesaw Of Faith

Suninder Kaur

The high velocity driftage that turned a soft snowball into a deadly avalanche is the gift of our adored mis -leaders whose
actions exhibit nothing less than radicalism. The state which has been in cringing position for last two decades was again
clinched in a confused motion. The course of normalization been put into a topsy-turvy standing by creating a havoc. The
tumultuous disorder was been provoked for the formation of a vote maze in which the makers themselves got stuck. The
labyrinth which was made to grab ballots at the cost of bullets in the intricate streets of the valley was thought to carry some
people to power but it just led things to the perplexity.

A
bungled state order was used temperature of air in the valley rose up that has been used by yatris for more
as a bow to shoot out cautions, to the degree which blew masses to the than 200 years before the formation of
threats, blames & historical Lal chowk including every Shrine Board the whole picturesque
indictments. The order was to small or big street of the valley. Oceans town of Pahalgam used to look like
administer the expediency of Amarnath of humanity in a single tone incessantly Shivlok & all Kashmiris used to cherish it
yatris by transferring the right to use of demanding for the cancellation of without any problem. No one ever
800 kanals of forest land temporarily to botchy transfer order of land. A grave complained of pollution of any sort or
Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. It spoke for mockery bewildered a common degree, nobody used to reproach that
momentary diversion of right from state Kashmiri who got blinded by the wheeze the peaceful affair of 40 to 50 days of
to the board which got over estimated to see that same land & even more than pilgrimage can turn Chandanwari or
by sham as well as the real
separatists who could not
stop themselves from
advising to all stake holders
i n K a s h m i r ' s e c o l o g y,
environment, identity and
culture that Kashmir is going
to be exploited and Israel
type colonies of Hindus are
being set up at Baltal. The
s y n c h r o n i z i n g
misinformation move was
adhered by each and every
pitched voice of Kashmir. All
protuberant antagonists and
even supporting partners of
state government; restive to
rebuke and make an issue
out of no issue for securing
pro-party slogans. The
culpability game served as a
thermal plant by which the

Epilogue Ø
33 ×
September 2008
 I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008

Sonamarg into a Hindu terrain. This year exhibited by restraining media & because no such uproar is justifiable
when the toll of devotees was ever bringing sms services at halt. The for few trucks of Hazaratbali the only
highest, the serene Chinars were again opinionated arrogant actions were kind of apples ripened in the month of
made to hear vociferous cries of wailing pertinent by imposition of indefinite August in Kashmir. This bizarre and
valley. The huffy state of things curfews, disrespecting a dead body, uncanny tactic was used for
encompassed angles of communalism & putting the rituals at stake; assaulting blackmailing and menacing Delhi as it
hemmed in several attacks on yatris. journalists furthermore exhilarated has been the strongest weapon of
the young hot blood for a stiff claim of separatists.
The influence of exigent demand being nothing less than land. The utilitarian
very impelling persuaded the approach been adopted by Jammu. The whole hullabaloo got the blood of
government to revoke the transfer of Notwithstanding the economic losses dozens of people spilled over for the
land order creating one side of pseudo attacks on some body's
t h e d e l i c a t e s w i n g i n g Yeh saazishen dishaon ki yeh sazishen hawaaon ki, faith and other's identity
oscillator down The state again inculcating zilch. Now it is
on the edge of emotional Lahu luhan ho gayi zameen yeh devtaaon ki, high time to stop this haywire
division for the rescinded Na shankh ki sadayen hain na ab sadaa azaan ki, outré. It is a matter so
order was been felt as a squall delicate that if one side is up
at faith & credence of Nazar meri zameen ko lagi hai aasmaan ki, the other side is ruined unlike
Jammuites. People along one Hai darbadar ye log kyon jale hain kyon makaan. a traditional seesaw. A sea
side of Pirpanchal jubilant at void created by this outlandish
the cost of resentment of
Yeh kis ne aag daal di hai naram naram ghaas par, grotesque needs to be filled.
those on the other side who Likha hua zindagi yahan har ek laash par,
turned indignant at the unjust A soothing sound is to be
motion. People of entire
Yeh takhat ki ladaai hai, yeh kursiyon ki jung hai,
echoed across the whole state
Jammu region again felt the Yeh begunah khoon bhi siyaston ka rang hai, which is to be produced by a
precedential step-motherly huge clap in which one hand is
lakir khinch di gayi dilon ke darmiyan.
treatment by a cogent to be of a Jammuite & other of
demonstration of playing with a Kashmiri. Only such music
belief. The apoplectic feelings of hundreds of crores in industrial can bring back peace and rest
got stimulated to a mass movement, sphere, education being at a in this geologically, linguistically
the ire of which even turned down the standstill, common man facing the diversified state. The loathsome
republican scenario of the state. The scarcity of basic amenities---naught a degeneracy can be ceased only by
irresistible wrath & unstoppable hurdle in the fissionable fashioned means of the anticipation of common
impulse could not stop the youth from movement. Again a heed was given in masses when they will firmly start
crossing rivers, destroying property, the Valley of whimsical economic believing that this kind of vileness can
assailing security forces defying their blockade, there being none at ground drag the state to the noxious and misty
rage. Such persons invite openly to be level. The volumed, fallacious spells of darkness. All this is possible
dubbed as communal fanatics& recognizable voices trying to beat when people across both sides of
zealots.+ against the bushes by describing the Jawahar Tunnel will start realizing
people of Jammu to be monomaniac that they are merely being used like
The role of administrative agencies inhibitants of two and a half tyrannical the pieces on the checkered board
proved to be demonic which aired the districts. The fruit season in Kashmir with the object to checkmate the
curb of basic democratic rights viz of usually starts in mid September but opponent king. Such piqued
speech & expression, right to know, the traders on the prick force got depravities need to be comprehended
right to move. Except for this the spurred for bullying to move to PoK. rationally and a serious thought to be
autocratic tendencies were been The plea taken was obnoxiously false given to this;

Epilogue Ø
34 ×
September 2008
 I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008

Jam-Kash Showdown
Clash Of Vested Interests

S Zafar Mehdi Safvi

The horrible fears have after all come true. Alas! MK Gandhi's "glimmer of hope" was not to last any longer. It's
Jammu versus Kashmir no-holds-barred showdown. Regional and religious sentiments, coupled with parochial and
chauvinistic interests rule the roast currently, while the grand old edifice of Kashmiriyat has been reduced to
rubble. The superior concepts of secularism, communal amity and brotherhood have been nipped into the bud.

T
he state which had stood the
harsh tests of time, remaining
unaffected by the mad
communal frenzy even during
Partition days has ultimately fallen into
the vicious trap of vested interests, who
have always been hell-bent on
tarnishing our rich social and cultural
fabric and out to disintegrate state on
sectarian lines. Regrettably their
iniquitous and wicked designs managed
to hit the arrow bang on this time. Such
a long-standing and bloody impasse has
been unprecedented in the long
chequered history of Kashmir, eclipsing
even the bigger legendary Hazratbal
controversy of bygone period,
aftermath of Maqbool Bhat's execution
in 80's and outbreak of secessionist
movement in early 90's. Precious lives
have been lost, and incalculable
collateral damage reported. More
significantly, the notions of communal
harmony, inter-religious tolerance,
brotherhood, and peace have failed the
litmus test, and stand shaken. 'Jam-
Kash' unity has suffered a brutal blow,
almost beyond repair. And, pitiably
enough, we gave in so cheaply to the
impious designs of our enemies and
enemies of our state.
Who actually pulled the trigger to this
mess? "It was started by Sangh parivar,"
notes veteran political commentator
Balraj Puri, reminding that now "neither
politicians nor administration can
control it. It has become a popular
upsurge". (Mail today, 9/8/08). Puri
puts the blame squarely on saffron
brigade for triggering this gory
cauldron. Now as the ground reality
suggests, it has snowballed into a full-
blown communal war between two
warring sister provinces and more
importantly between two communities.
It is assuming alarming proportions
with each passing day.
It's no more about Congress versus BJP
turf wars or BJP vs. Kashmiri regional
parties; its more about Jammu vs.
Kashmir face-off across political and
communal spectrum. Many slender lines
have got blurred, as prides are at stake.
Many Congress and NC leaders from
Jammu are openly throwing their
weight behind saffron forces like BJP,
RSS, VHP etc, even if that means
flouting the party lines and annoying
high commands in 10 Janpath and Nawai
Subh complex respectively.
Similarly in Kashmir, politicians from
mainstream arena are rather
audaciously humming the separatist
tunes, and pledging support to their
every move. Notwithstanding their
chalk-and-cheese ideologies and
political affiliations, they have all
assembled under same umbrella
currently, to show their solidarity with
people. Never mind their petty political
gains, brazen vote-bank politics,
obviously with eye on the upcoming
Assembly polls in state.
But amidst this entire din, no one
bothers to reason out whose pride is
actually at stake, and who stands to
gain from this whirlpool of brutality and
anarchy. To crack this "Da Vinci code",
lets trace the sequence of events that
led us to this impasse.
Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) was
constituted on Feb 21, 2001 by J&K
govt, for the smooth conduct of
Amarnath yatra. It carried out its task
admirably, without any fuss for many
years. Then after a long while, all of a
sudden, a novel bug struck then
Governor S K Sinha (also chairman of
SASB). Earlier he asked for extension in
yatra duration, which was granted.
Then he wanted huge mass of Govt land
for construction of facilities for yatris.
This time he got it terribly wrong. But,
he was adamant on getting the deal
inked IN SASB's favor. So after constant
persuasion by SASB, backed
enthusiastically by Sangh brigade, state

Epilogue Ø
35 ×
September 2008

govt had permitted SASB use of
forestland on May 29, 05. Not by a sheer
co-incidence, Shrine Board's CEO was
Governor's personal secretary, and
Forest Deptt's principal Secretary was
CEO's wife. CEO's wife in capacity of
being Principal Secretary of forest
department had granted permission to
SASB on May 29, 05 to use forestland for
pilgrimage. But as eminent civil rights
activist Gautam Navlakha notes," It was
not in accordance with provision of J&K
Forest Conservation Act 97, so state
govt later withdrew the order"
(Economic and Political weekly, July 26,
08). Later SASB moved the court and
Division bench of High Court stayed the
withdrawal. In between, Governor
Sinha, also then chairman of SASB shot
the letter to deputy CM Muzaffar Beigh,
seeking 400 acres land for Amarnath
Development Authority. On June 03,
Govt eventually but hastily transferred
100 acres land to SASB. Even though
Beigh later publicly admitted to have
been "blackmailed" into giving his
approval. (Indian Express, July 16,08).
Then, on June 17, Governor's notorious
Principal Secretary and SASB CEO kicked
up a storm by declaring land "diversion"
as "permanent". It drew scathing
criticism from all quarters. More
importantly it brought the two
estranged Hurriyat factions together,
and they found the time apt to bury
their hatchet and leave all differences
aside for the cause of motherland.
They constituted a joint coordination
committee and vowed to fight tooth and
nail against what they termed "land-
grabbing" by Govt. They launched a stir
across valley with main thrust on the
environmental impact that the
controversial land-transfer deal would
have. Soon, as tempers ran hot and
high, pent-up sentiments came into
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
play. However their actual argument
merits serious consideration.
Amarnath Yatra has never faced any
threat from any section of Kashmiri
society, nor from militants. In fact
Kashmiri Muslims have stood by Hindu
Yatris through thick and thin for
decades. So yatra isn't the cause of
worry, but granting huge chunks of land
and paving way for more environmental
hazards certainly is. As any
environmentalist or ecologist would
approve, it poses grave challenges to
the ecology of the area, which is the
Then, on June 17, Governor's
notorious Principal Secretary
and SASB CEO kicked up a
storm by declaring land
"diversion" as "permanent". It
drew scathing criticism from all
quarters. More importantly it
brought the two estranged
Hurriyat factions together, and
they found the time apt to bury
their hatchet and leave all
differences aside for the cause of
motherland.
route to some top tourist destinations.
As Naulakha stresses, " Environmental
damage caused is enormous. Yatris
defecate on the banks of Lidder River
and throw tones of non-degradable
items like polythene, plastic bags, into
the river, resulting in deteriorating
quality of water". He also points to the
threat it poses to local inhabitation
there, "Also, threat to local inhabitants
from crowding of ecological fragile area
where they have to compete to retain
their access and rights to resources,
Epilogue Ø
36 ×
September 2008
both water and land" (E&PW, 26 July
08).
Hurriyat leaders in the meantime
managed to mobilize the tremendous
support of Kashmiris, and thus a mini-
revolution kicked off in valley against
"land-grabbing" by govt. It was a kind of
strand that pulled together farmers,
laborers, students, lawyers, activists,
businessmen, employees, and you name
it. Violence erupted soon after, leading
to deaths unarmed protestors. As valley
was already on boil, Jammu began its
tryst with counter-stir. Azad Govt,
caught in catch-22, finally decided to
revoke the deal in favor of voices in
Kashmir. But not before, its ally PDP
already sealed his Govt's fate. Hopping
mad by the Volta-facie of govt on land-
transfer deal, saffron forces in Jammu
resorted to extreme steps—blocking the
Srinagar-Jammu highway, and cutting
the essential supplies to valley. With
economic blockade, they virtually
declared war against Kashmir. Situation
took ugly turn in Jammu when one of
the agitators committed suicide, out of
desperation. Jummuites went berserk
thereafter, attacking local Muslims and
Kashmiri truck drivers at will, besides
razing down Mosques and other Muslim
structures. Police virtually gave them
free hand to commit grave communal
crimes. RSS's Tilak Raj Sharma, who
spearheads Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti
called it a "do-or-die agitation", whose
final outcome would be "trifurcation of
state into neat communal
compartments of Hindu Jammu, Muslim
Kashmir, and Buddhist Ladakh" (Mail
Today, Aug 09, 08). At centre, Hindutva
veterans resorted to their customary
vitriolic and venomous campaign
against Muslims. LK Advani gave a green
signal to saffron cadres at a rally in
capital, exhorting them to launch an

agitation against "anti-Hindu" mindset
of UPA govt. He asked them to gear up
for "do-or-die agitation" and support the
"courageous" people of Jammu.
Terming the wanton communal
carnage in Jammu by saffron fanatics
as act of "courage", it didn't even
provoke so-called civil rights activists
in capital to give him a mouth-ful. And,
coming from a prime-ministerial
contender, it says a lot about the
hyped-about plank of secularism in
this largest democracy.
Things spiraled out of joint when
separatists after getting an unlikely
supporter in PDP called for
"Muzaffarbad march" to protest against
economic blockade by Hindutva
fanatics. Scores of protestors were
killed, including a senior Hurriyar
leader Sheikh Aziz, when police and
paramilitary troops resorted to
indiscriminate fire on protestors. But
People defied curfew call and braved all
odds to turn up for the march.
Separatists from Mirwaiz to Sajjad Lone
vehemently denounced the economic
blockade of valley by Saffron forces in
Jammu, terming it an "act of war".
Social and trade organizations and
student unions like JKCCS, CCIK,
KHAROF, Trade Union Centre, KU
Students, and Kashmir Pandit Sangarsh
Samiti fully backed the "Muzaffarabad
chalo" call by Separatists. Though
politicians at Centre called the
economic blockade as 'myth", it didn't
mask the truth, which eventually made
its way into international community. It
was apparent with New York Times
running a headline " deadly force used
to halt march in Kashmir" on Aug 12.
Other widely read foreign papers like
Guardian, Washington Post; L A Times
followed the suit.
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
Now as the situation prevails on ground,
it looks due for a long haul. Deep
religious fault lines have developed,
sectarian split has widened and the
virus of regionalism has spread its
tentacles all across. Every politically
correct actor has determinedly tried to
cash in on this crisis to reap petty
political dividends ahead of Assembly
polls. In Kashmir, PDP has been a vocal
cheerleader for anti-deal lobby
represented by Hurriyat. But, its also
pertinent to note that it was PDP leader
Things spiraled out of joint
when separatists after getting an
unlikely supporter in PDP called
for "Muzaffarbad march" to
protest against economic
blockade by Hindutva fanatics.
Scores of protestors were killed,
including a senior Hurriyar
leader Sheikh Aziz, when police
and paramilitary troops resorted
to indiscriminate fire on
protestors. But People defied
curfew call and braved all odds
to turn up for the march.
and then Forest minister Qazi Afzal,
who had given thumbs up to the land-
transfer deal, and that would not have
been possible without the blessings of
Big Boss Mufti. Besides him, other
signatory was senior PDP leader
Muzaffar Beigh, then Azad's deputy.
Beigh says he was 'blackmailed", while
party boss Mehbooba goes a step further
saying, his ministers "misled the party"
on the details of deal. Cheap talk this!
National conference may have played
second fiddle role in this anti-deal
rhetoric but its leaders Omar Abdullah,
Epilogue Ø
37 ×
September 2008
Rahim Rather have been vocal about
party's stand. But their maverick patron
Senior Abdullah had ruffled many a
feathers when he demanded return of
land to SASB, although soon following it
up with a corrigendum. Omar
meanwhile has stepped up the tempo,
threatening to resign from Parliament in
case violence against Kashmiris doesn't
end. The same person who declared
himself in an emotional outburst to be a
proud Indian in parliament not too long
ago is today questioning the claim of
New Delhi that Kashmir is India's "atoot
ang". Customary Double-speak this!
Congress finds itself in a precarious
situation. It is the chief protagonist in
this reality-show. Siding with Jammu
people at this juncture would mean
annoying the Kashmiri vote-bank (if
there is still any!), and standing by
Kashmiris would be aka inviting wrath of
Jammu voters (The traditional bastion
of Congress). So Azad and company have
decided to refrain from swimming in
troubled waters.
Separatists meanwhile have made
maximum out of this stalemate. They
have shot back into limelight and struck
emotional chord with hyper-
sentimental Kashmiris. Leading the
charge from front in these trying times,
they have rightfully emerged as
torchbearers of the movement. It has
also refreshed the memories of early
90's, when young boys would daringly
pour out on streets in defiance of
draconian norms. More importantly the
present cauldron has managed to break
the ice in separatist camp, with two
estranged factions calling peace with
each other. Azadi chants are again
reverberating in air, international
spotlight is back on Kashmir, popular
support in valley has swung back in

favor of separatists. Mirwaiz faction
seems to have made peace with militant
outfits, Geelani though has emerged as
an unlikely hero, and Yasin Malik has
again shown by example why he is
different from rest of the flock. Lastly
Shaheed Sheikh Aziz has given fresh
fillip to the freedom movement, and
further strengthened the resolve of
those who fight for it.
In Jammu too, politicians of all hues
across party lines have vowed their
support to pro-transfer deal agitation,
spearheaded by Saffron brigade. These
include prominent leaders from
Congress, Panthers Party and N.C. But
the potent force remains Saffron lobby
represented by BJP, RSS, VHP, Bajranj
Dal, et al. They have cashed in on this
crisis to regain the lost ground in
Jammu, and wipe away Congress from
the region ahead of Assembly polls.
They have unleashed a reign of terror on
Muslims there and resorted to grave
crimes, which is not unlikely of them.
Double standards have again been at
play. While in Kashmir protestors were
beaten with disdain for breaking the
orders, and fired on indiscriminately,
and even faced raids at nights (in
Downtown areas); while in Jammu,
agitators were literally given free hand
to indulge in mindless violence. Hence
little wonder, just 2 were killed in
Jammu in 20 days of chakka protests,
while the toll has crossed 30 in valley in
just a week. In valley not even a single
case of attack on local Hindus and
pandits has come to fore, while in
Jammu, local Muslims have gone
through hell in last few weeks, forcing
them to migrate to safe places outside
the region. These hindutva fanatics
have played havoc with the rich cultural
and communal fabric of our state. As
Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
president Sanjay Tickoo maintains, land, and removal of army from Jammu
"Amarnath Yatra is being used as a tool which didn't find favor with delegation
by some elements in Jammu to fulfill members. As of now, return to normalcy
their own interests". That merits a looks a distant dream. With no solution
serious thought. in sight, and no camp willing to budge
even an inch from their stands, the
Centre meanwhile has gone pitifully crisis is due for a long haul. Hope the
bang in hammering out a solution to this better sense prevails. Because, while
crisis. Govt's trouble-shooters are politicians only stand to gain from this
cooling their heels elsewhere. Govt had bloody cauldron, it's the pride and
dispatched Art of Living guru Sri Sri Ravi honor of state and its people that is at
Shankar as peace emissary, to discuss a stake. God save my troubled land
Separatists meanwhile have Author studies at Jamia Milia Islamia
University, New Delhi. Feedback at
made maximum out of this armaan.journo@gmail.com.
stalemate. They have shot back
into limelight and struck
emotional chord with hyper-
sentimental Kashmiris. Leading
the charge from front in these
trying times, they have rightfully
emerged as torchbearers of the
movement. It has also refreshed
the memories of early 90's, when
young boys would daringly pour
out on streets in defiance of
draconian norms.
way out of the current crisis with
Hurriyat hawk SAS Geelani. But he went
back dejected, as expectedly. Arya
Samaj leader Swami Agvinesh also came
calling on the septuagenarian leader,
and hailed Hurriyat as " sole
representative body" of Kashmiris. That
must have created flutters in New
Delhi. All part delegation from center
headed by Home Minister Shivraj Patil
spent two grueling days trying to
hammer out a solution but in vain. It's
reported that Sangarsh Samiti's
@01912493136
demands-3r formula led to failed talks…
removal of governor, transfer of Baltal
Epilogue Ø
38 ×
September 2008

Reconnecting Kashmir :
Need For Reopening Traditional Routes
Prof Noor Ahmed Baba
O
ne of the dimensions of
Kashmir issue has been the
fact of the Kashmir being
pushed to a status of
secluded periphery by the 1947 political
development. The division of Indian
sub-continent, de facto division of
Jammu and Kashmir and the placement
of its two parts under the actual control
of two different and hostile states, and
the resultant hardening of borders,
pushed the valley of Kashmir and its
surrounding regions to a number of
social, psychological, political and
economic disadvantages. During 1947-
48 the Jammu and Kashmir got divided
between what is known as Indian and
Pakistani controlled Kashmir. After 1962
Chinese aggression the former princely
state of Jammu and Kashmir is
practically divided into three parts. Out
of the total of 222,236 sq. km of what
used to be Jammu and Kashmir till 1947,
Pakistan holds 78,114 sq. km i.e. about
35 percent of the territory. China with
42,735 sq. km holds about 20 percent of
the territory. Not many people know
that what is shown as Indian territory in
maps is not what India actually holds.
India controls only 101,383 sq. km i.e.
only about 45 percent of the total
territory indicated on the Indian maps.
These developments not only did
separate different parts of the state
from the surrounding countries but
different regions within the state and
even on each side of the Line of Control
were cut off from one another.
It needs to be noted that Kashmir for
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
last five thousand years of its history has
remained at the crossroads of
civilizational interface and a meeting
point of Chinese, Central Asian, Indian
and Persian civilizations, cultures and
economies. In addition to its links with
North and more particularly North
Western Indian sub-continent, it has
had close trade and cultural relations
with places in the present day China,
Tibet, a number of cities in Central Asia,
Afghanistan, Iran and via silk road even
to Europe.
Traditionally Kashmir remained
connected to these places at different
points through routes passing Ladakh-
Tibet; Ladakh-Xinjiang (Eastern-
Turkistan); Kargil-Skardu-Gilgit and
beyond; Bandipora-Gurez-Chilas-Gilgit;
Srinagar-Muzaffarabad-Rawalpindi
connecting to road and rail networks in
different directions within British India;
Punch-Rawalakot and beyond into
Punjab from different directions. Most
of these routes moving to North would
link the state to areas that are known
today, Afghanistan, Central Asian
States, Xinjiang province of China,
Tibet and through linkage on silk route
to more countries. Most of these routes
including the two surfaced roads and
one railroad connected with the
transportation network of the State to
areas that went to Pakistan. The
Muzaffarabad, the only all-weathered
road in preparation Kashmir, ran west
from Srinagar along the Jhelum valley
through the Baramulla pass, and south
Epilogue Ø
39 ×
September 2008
to Rawalpindi to meet the railroad
crossing within the Punjab. Before
partition this road carried the larger
part of the state's traffic in men and
material. Most of the tourist flow to the
state came from this route.
Thus the 1947 developments pushed
Kashmir center to a sort of isolation and
seclusion. The division of Indian sub-
continent and de facto division of
Jammu and Kashmir and the placement
of its two parts under the actual control
of two different and hostile states, and
the resultant hardening of borders
reinforced by hate and conflict, pushed
the valley to a number of social,
psychological, political and economic
disadvantages. Almost all of its major
connecting points were blocked and
Jammu and Kashmir became dependent
on a highway that had never been
considered reliable in comparison to
roads and connections that historically
connected Jammu and Kashmir with
rest of the world. This seclusion had a
lot of emotional and psychological
implications for the people of Kashmir,
the families divided on two sides of the
Line of Control (LoC) was in itself a
human tragedy.
This has been the one the greatest
disadvantages that Kashmir has
suffered because of its post 1947
political placement. This disadvantage
has also been shared by its surrounding
regions like Kargil and Leh and Poonch-

Rajouri which continue to suffer
communication disadvantage. The
partition and the de facto division of the
state secluded the state, regions within
the state and even regions within each
side of the LoC. For example Punch city
prior to 1947 was on about five hours
run from the Srinagar via Rawalakot and
Uri. But because of the LoC road travel
distance between Punch and Srinagar
has become practically a minimum of
two day run.
The disadvantages of political
uncertainty and impact of on-going
conflict on the place created its own
predicaments and problems of serious
nature for the people of Kashmir. The
fact to be noted is that about 82 % J&K
borders are with China, Pakistan and
Afghanistan and only about 18 % of
these touches the Indian main land.
Much of this narrow stripe touches with
mountainous Himalayan barriers in the
Himachal with no possible motor-able
link to Kashmir. Out of this connecting
strip, in terms of topography, only about
its 2% touching Punjab at Akhnoor has
been worthy of developing a road or rail
connectivity to Jammu part of the
state. This point referred to Chicken
Neck surrounded by Pakistan has
remained a vulnerable point of defense
for India.
The national highway, 1A, which links
the Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of
India passes through this stripe.
Connecting the valley of Kashmir
through Jammu has also remained and is
likely to continue to be a problem. With
all the improvement this highway
between Jammu and Srinagar still works
only as fair weather road creating lot of
inconveniences for people of Kashmir
particularly during winter months and
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
the rainy season. Recent threat of its
blockade in Jammu has exposed its
other risks for the Valley. Compared to
Muzaffarabad road it is less secure and
also lengthier to carry goods to centers
of trade. Even though it is not generally
realized, this fact has socially and
economically marginalized the people
of the Kashmir valley. Because of this
fact people of Kashmir have always
remained nostalgic about the
Muzaffarabad road. That is why its
reopening has figured as important CBM
on Kashmir in different official and
nonofficial meetings between India and
Pakistan. It is in this context opening of
bus service on the route on April 2003
made a sense. It was expected to
gradually lead to conversion of this road
to a full-fledged trade route giving
Kashmir traders an additional option.
One expected that in the context of
changing character of Indo-Pak
relations, the process is taken further
and this route known also as Jhelum
Valley Road becomes functional for
frequent travel of people and free flow
of goods across, removing the
psychological barriers between two
divided parts. It is this development
that is going to have tremendous
positive impact on the economy of the
people as this route has tremendous
economic advantage for the
transportation of goods and services to
the outside world, because of the
relative advantages of security,
distance and smoothness.
Unlike the existing unreliable and fair
weather road joining Kashmir with India
via Banihal, "Srinagar-Muzaffarabad
road is considered to be safer, shorter
and more stable. This route will
particularly be helpful to fruit growers
Epilogue Ø
40 ×
September 2008
and the handicraft sector in the state.
For fruit growers time and freight cost
of the supply to markets will be
considerably reduced. For, example for
apple growers at Sopore distance to
Delhi is more than a thousand
kilometers and truck load of apple on an
average takes three days to cover
distance to Delhi. Compared to this
Sopore to Rawalpindi is only 250 km and
can be covered in about six to seven
hours time. Compared to Bombay-Port,
where the Kashmiri traders presently
take the goods, the Karachi port is
about 1200 Km nearer to Kashmir. As
against the distance of 3000 kilometers
between Bombay and Srinagar, Karachi
is only 1800 kilometers away from the
valley. Karachi in turn is nearer to
marketing places in the Gulf and
Europe.
Hence allowing the trade through
Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route will make
Kashmiri goods more competitive in the
international market. Indian
government has been trying to link the
northeast to Southeast Asia to remove
its seclusion. Government of India has in
principle agreed to open this route as
well. There has been understanding
with Pakistan on the issue. It needs to
be expedited. Traveling should be
simplifies and frequent. Mechanism for
full-fledged trade initiated with no
further delay. Significantly even the
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has
hinted at opening of more roads and
extending them from travel of people to
vibrant trade activity across even to
central Asia. Therefore, the reopening
need to include Punch-Rawalakot
routes as well as other links that
traditionally connected different
regions of Greater Kashmir with the rest
of the world.
 I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008

After 2500 Cr Loss,

Eyes On Jhelum Valley Road

Bilal Hussain

The Valley has suffered a whopping cumulative loss of over Rs 2500 crore in the ongoing protests. The protests started over
the 100 acres of land transfer to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), which ended up in the 300 Kms Srinagar-Jammu
highway blockade -only operational road link connecting Kashmir with the rest of India- for over three weeks. Although the
whole issue is purely political in nature but it has adverse affects on the already distressed political economy of the Jammu
and Kashmir. The economic blockade has not only affected the business of J&K but to certain extent has affected other
states exporting goods here and multinational companies as well.

T
he business in Jammu and
Kashmir suffers whopping loss
of over Rs 1500 crore,
Associated Chambers of
Commerce and Industry of India
(ASSOCHAM), highest body of the
Chambers of Commerce of India, said on
Aug 13. However, the Valley business
chamber and industrialist believe that
the losses reported by the ASSOCHAM
are on much lower side.
On the contrary to ASSOCHAM report,
according to the estimates by the two
apex business bodies of Valley, Kashmir
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(KCCI) and Federation Chamber of
Industries Kashmir (FCIK) the
cumulative losses to the Kashmir is over
Rs 2500 crore due to the continuing
protests.
"If the agitation goes on, the economy of
the state will suffer major jolt as people
who had lined up over Rs 5000 crore
worth of investment for fiscal 2008-09
will depart to the neighboring states of
Punjab, Haryana and Himachal
Pradesh", ASSOCHAM said.
As per its estimates, the state witnessed
increase in investment proposals from
around $200 million in 2001 to more
than $2.3 billion in 2007, a 10-fold
increase. This investment would have
crossed the Rs 5000 crore mark this
financial year. Jammu and Kashmir,
otherwise, was poised to attract fresh
investments volume of Rs 28000 crore
by 2012, including export orders of
around Rs 13000 crore. ASSOCHAM said
this would have created 2.5 million
jobs.
Fruit Industry:
Horticulture, one of the major
contributing sectors to the state's gross
domestic product (GDP), has badly been
affected by the enforced economic
blockade forcing the fruit growers and
traders to look for the Jhelum Valley
road option to Muzaffarabad (other side
of LoC). President, Federation Chamber
of Industries Kashmir, Shakeel Qalander
said that the fruit industry has suffered
a loss of over Rs 400 crore. According to
him the production of fruit in this
season is over 20 per cent of total
produce in the Valley. "Till date we
would have disposed of not more than
Rs 100 crore of the fruit through local
and other means," he said.
The blockade has stopped fruit growers
to export their produce to outside
Valley. "This used to be the peak time for
exports of fruits to outside," said
president New Kashmir Fruit Association,
Bashir Ahmad Bashir. The fruit industry
of Kashmir estimated at over Rs 2500
crore annually is in a serious jeopardy
following the enforced economic
blockade. "There's no alternative other
than Jhelum Valley Road," former
President Kashmir Fruit Growers
Association, Imtiyaz Ahmad said.
President Kashmir Chamber of
Commerce and Industries, Dr Mubeen
Shah, said, "It is our right to seek
markets for our produce and nobody
should have any objection for it," he
said.
"In view of the shortage of drugs,
essential commodities and mounting
losses to the business community in
general and apple growers in particular,
we demand that government should
think of alternative arrangements of
transportation of goods through
Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road," said Dr
Mubeen shah. Earlier, the traders,
business chambers, industrialists,
political and religious organizations of
Kashmir let by the two jointly given a
call for "Muzaffarabad Chalo" to counter
the blockade.
Tourism Industry:
The hoteliers, travel agents and other
allied traders associated with tourism
have suffered enormous losses due to

Epilogue Ø
41 ×
September 2008

the continuing protests.
The oldest and famous travel agency of
the state, Shiraz Travels, Director, Nazir
A Bakshi said that in the first half of this
year we have around 4 lakh tourist
present in the Valley. "The losses to the
tourism industry in totality would be
around Rs 700 cr in the two month of
unrest," he said.
According to him there very few
cancellation but large cancellation are
expected within days, tourist have
started making queries. “This is the
total failure and ignorance on part of
the government. In good early days
these kinds of situations used to take
place but government used to reassure
tourist, hoteliers and travel agencies,
which has not happened till date," he
said.
Government should come out with dos
and don't for the tourist, agencies,
hoteliers and other's associated with
the tourism industry, he said.
While sighing a relief Bakshi said that
luckily none of the tourist has been
harmed till now. We are great full to
people for their corporations, he adds.
Chairman Travel Agents Association of
India, TAAI, (Kashmir chapter) Nasir
Shah said that lots of cancellation have
already started from the general tourist
and few of them have postponed their
visits. Those who are present here are
leaving before their scheduled
departures.
Government's indifferent attitude has
suffered the tourism industry in the
Valley.
In my 30 years of career in travel
business, I have first time seen world
famous Dal Lake locked up. There were
not even one single joy ride in the Dal
Lake," he said.
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
It is a stand still position in the Valley
and as a result the tourists are forced to
remain in their hotels, Nasir adds.
The hoteliers blame government for
losses they suffer from the ongoing
protests. "This year we had got bookings
for full hotel rooms for three months in
advance. But the government's decision
of land transfer has financially dented
us," said an hotelier.
The tourist mainly foreigners have
cancelled their trip to the Valley on the
wake of the turbulent condition in
Kashmir. "I had booking for tourists from
Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia. But all
of them have cancelled their booking
and I have suffered huge losses due to
their cancellation," said an owner of a
local travel agency.
Handicraft sector:
President, Kashmir Chamber of
Commerce and Industry said that the
business fraternity has suffered huge
losses over the ongoing protests over
the economic blockade to the Valley.
"The loss suffered by the business would
be much higher than stated by the
ASSOCHAM," he said. "The handicraft
industry including carpets would have
suffered a loss of over Rs 300 crore. "
Trader's loss:
The annual volume of trade in the Valley
is over Rs 30000 crores, said Qalander.
"We have monthly trade volume of Rs
2500 cr in the Kashmir." The 20 per cent
of the business volume make a gross
profit loss of over would be Rs 500 crore
for a month, which according to him is a
loss to local traders suffered due to
continuing protests.
Chairman, Kashmir Traders Federation
Jan Muhammad Koul said the Valley
imports food items worth over Rs 30000
annually. "We must focus on native
Epilogue Ø
42 ×
September 2008
produce and should consume them in
bulk," he adds.
Manufacturing Industry:
The business volume of the raw material
based industries in the Valley on
monthly basis is over Rs 1500 crore. "On
an average the manufacturing industry
has daily volume of over Rs 50 crore,"
Qalander adds. The gross profit loss to
the sector is over Rs 300 crore, during
the same period.
Agriculture and service sector:
The losses in the agriculture sector
would be around Rs 100 crore, an agri-
economist. Likewise the losses to
service sector excluding the tourism
industry would be over Rs 200 crores, it
includes Information technology sector
in the Valley, said a software engineer
Audil Hussain.
Print Industry:
The print industry of Kashmir is under
threat due to the continuing blockade of
Srinagar-Jammu highway. The industry
manages an annual turnover of Rs 200
crores in the Valley alone.
The economic blockade has affected
over 350 printing units, employing
thousands of youths. President, Kashmir
Printers Association, Mukhoor Gowhar,
said that the highway blockade has
affected the printers' business the
most.
"The printing industry is basic for all
other sectors," he said. Local
newspapers too are running short of
newsprint. Some newspapers have
stopped printing and most have reduced
the number of pages to ensure
continuity.
On an average 8 trucks of paper arrive in
the Valley daily. According to Gowhar,

government hospitals require huge
printing supplies in the form of OPD
tickets and other forms. "Till date we
have managed to supply tickets and
forms to hospitals without any break but
now we are running short of supplies,"
he adds.
Other industrialists associated with the
trade say the paper industry is of utmost
importance and government should
ensure supply to printers. The price hike
of over 15 per cent in paper industry has
already affected their business in the
Valley. "We were still struggling to
manage after recent price hike and now
the economic blockade has dented us
financially," said an industrialist.
According to Gowhar, the government
departments have started cancellation
of orders to the local printers.
"Government in these tough times
should stand by us. Instead they are
threatening us by cancellation notices,"
he said. The association said the
government departments are planning
to outsource the work to outsiders.
"Outsourcing would mean huge loss to
the unit holders and government should
restrain them from doing this," said a
unit holder.
Presently the printers fear cancellation
of orders from Kashmir University,
banks and hospitals.
The prevailing situation demands
thorough media coverage and the print
media are doing its bit. "Paper supplies
to the newspapers should be ensured at
all cost," said president, Federation
Chamber of Industries Kashmir, Shakeel
Qalander. "It is unfortunate on part of
the government," he adds.
Vetoing outside items:
Consensus seems to be building among
the local traders in Kashmir on banning
imported food items from other states.
I N F O C U S
FIRE 2008
Traders and businessmen have jointly
called for vetoing brought in items and
encourage consumption of apple and
other indigenous food items locally.
The economic blockade has affected
the fruit industry in the Valley. The
blockade has strained the growers, fruit
traders, business persons and others to
consider other viable solutions to
sustain the fruit industry of the state.
"Locals should consume more apples
and other indigenous fruits grown in the
Valley. This would ensure the market for
the fruits locally and would minimize
the dependence of fruit industry
outside the state," said Imtiyaz.
Former President Kashmir Valley Apple
Growers and Dealers Association,
Ghulam Mustafa said, "It is high time to
open all possible routes connecting
Valley to outside world."
Most of the people in the Valley were of
the opinion that the public should use
apples instead of chips, and soft drinks
in the marriages, get-togethers and
other functions and parties.
Consumption of apples locally apart
strengthen local economy would
improve public health believe medical
doctors. "An apple a day keeps doctor
away, which is true and we must do that
in our lives," said Manzoor Ahmad, a
resident of Budgam.
The apple from valley besides being
supplied to all parts of India is also
exported to countries like Bangladesh,
Nepal, and Srilanka. This year fruit
growers in Kashmir were expecting
more turnovers but the highway
blockade has badly affected them
economically. "Fruits have shorter life
span. We fear 90 percent of fruit in
trucks would be rotten by now
amounting to huge losses," said a fruit
grower.
In response to the economic blockade
Epilogue Ø
43 ×
September 2008
an emergency meeting of Valley
industrialists under the chairmanship of
G M Bhat, President Industrial
Entrepreneurs Association, which was
held in the industrial estate Zukara to
discuss the effects of the said blockade
on the industry and people of Kashmir.
“It was resolved that we would
completely boycott the outside state
products," Bhat adds.
Formation of Kashmir Economic
Front:
Recently the business community of
Kashmir Valley has jointly formed a co-
ordination committee, Kashmir
Economic Front, to look into the
economic aspects of the valley arising
out of the economic blockade.
Representatives of Kashmir Hotel and
Restaurant association, Kashmir traders
and manufacturers federation,
Houseboat owners association, Kashmir
transporters federation, Kashmir flour
mills association, and many other have
jointly formed the front. On Saturday
the front has decided to march towards
Muzaffarabad on 11th August 2008, to
export the local produce. Earlier, pro-
freedom leaders, Syed Ali Shah Geelani
on Aug 9, had said that fruit-laden
trucks from all corners of the Valley
would begin their march towards
Muzaffarabad.
Futuristic views:
The commoners in general and
businesspersons in particular in the
Valley are no more considering Srinagar-
Jammu highway safe, reliable and
enduring route, they have already
started demanding of all-weather and
sustainable route for trade purposes.
Although, there were talks going on at
high level of opening Jhelum Valley road
leading to other side of Kashmir for
trade purposes but the people are so
eager and demand immediate opening
of the route.