News Kashmir Desk
For some years , the strife-torn region of Kashmir had witnessed a period of relative calm, but a recent spate of violent protests since last year and continuous upsurge in violence which have resulted in number of civilian, militant, soldier fatalities is a bleak reminder of the ever worse situation in Kashmir, which has been at the heart of enmity between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan. The every week upheavals have crippled the economy of Kashmir; tourism is in shambles; the academic calendar has been badly disturbed and above all the common man is hit hard both sentimentally as well as economically.
At this juncture of time, in the Valley of Kashmir, the urge for achieving honorable peace is even greater than it was ever before.. Every sagacious voice suggests that peace is important because we can enjoy the benefits of the latest economic schemes, technological and scientific advancements only in times of peace.
In a significant political development related to peace and prosperity in Kashmir , it is learnt that in a bid to restart the political process in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre is planning to invite “all shades of opinion” including the Hurriyat Conference. The Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government has announced appointment of Dineshwar Sharma, former Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB), as interlocutor for Kashmir. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while making the announcement on 23 October, stated that Sharma will initiate a sustained interaction and dialogue to understand legitimate aspirations of people in Jammu and Kashmir.
Bilal Bashir Bhat, a young Journalist and Editor-in-Chief Only Kashmir News Portal states – “ Kashmir is drenched in bloodshed and engulfed in tragedies and the masses of Kashmir are calling on all the parties related to the institution of “Dialogue” to make any future talks process a result oriented as the experiences of past have simply been harsh and haunting. On a larger level peace in South Asia can be achieved when we also acknowledge the importance of having intra-regional dialogue, tourism and increased exchanges, particularly among the youth and civil society . The sane voices and commoners aptly suggest that peace is significant because we need a better world for our next generations”
After going through the bloody history of conflict, the realities call upon both Indian Government and separatist leaders to initiate a meaningful dialogue over the Kashmir so as to prevent further dance of death and destruction.
On the other hand of the spectrum, worsening scenarios urge upon the both governments of India and Pakistan and also the separatist leadership of Kashmir to walk the talk on the Kashmir issue in order to secure a affluent future for the region, as unsolved Kashmir continues to be a nuclear flashpoint and an paragon of human tragedies.
