Glamorizing Death

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News Kashmir Desk

 

Continued bloodshed through violence is benefiting none in kashmir. Daily we see large number of deaths, injuries, blinding, arrests etc taking place due to unaddressed political issue of Kashmir.

But it is worrisome to note that some are glamorizing death sitting as armchair analysts and offering no solution, on the otherhand by this attitude they are glamorizing death.

People getting killed in protests and near encounter sites is the latest troubing developments in Kashmir.

 

Pertinently , more than 20 civilians  have been killed this year near encounter sites_*

 

July 1: Tahira Begum and Shadab AhmadChopan of Dialgam villagein Kokernag killed by bullets near encounter site.

 

June 22: Ajaz Ahmed Malik injured in firingat encounter site in Pulwama on June 21 succumbs to injuries in hospital.

 

June 16: Mohammad Ashraf, 34, and Ahsan Mushtaq, 15, killed during clashes near encounter site in Arwani.

 

June 6: Adil Farooq killed from bullet during clashes in Shopian near encountersite in Ganowpora village.

 

May 27: Civilian killed in firing by government forces during encounter withHizbul commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat and his aide Faizan Muzaffar in Saimoo village of Tral.

 

May 14: Mohammad Hussain Dar injured on May 6 in firing by militants on a police party at Mir Bazar on Srinagar-Jammu highway in Kulgam districtsuccumbs to injuries in hospital.

 

May 6: Three civilians killed in crossfire when militants attack a police party in Kulgam.

 

April 27: Mohammad Yusuf, 55, killed after army opens fire on protesters seeking bodiesof two slain militants who attacked an army camp in Panzgam village of Kupwara district.

 

March 28: Three civilians, Zahid Rashid of Chadoora, Amir Fayaz of Wathora, and Ashfaq Ahmadof Rangreth killed when government forces open fire on civilians protesting against a siege laid in Chadoora area of Budgam.

 

Mar 14: Kaneeza, 9, killed in Kupwara after being hit ‘stray bullet’.

 

Mar 9: 15-year-old Amir Nazir killed by government forces at Padgampora village in Pulwama

 

Feb 23: A woman killed by ‘stray bullet’in exchange of gunfire between militants and army, police say.

 

Feb 12: Two civilians killed when government forces open fire near encounter site in Kulgam.

 

Every death means catastrophe for the family concerned and this unstoppable bloodshed is paining many hearts .

An eminent scholar while pleading anonymity states – “ This bloodshed is leading us no where . India, Pakistan states and people of Kashmir should adopt path of sanity to settle political issues . There are some vested interests on all sides who thrive by this business of death .The contractors who make merry by bloodshed are enemies of humanity . The intellectual poverty in Kashmir is complicating the realities for us and yielding us no results .”

The need of the hour is to stop glamorizing death in Kashmir and let peace, rationality take the center stage and voices promoting bloodshed be discarded.

Lynching Humanity

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News Kashmir Desk

The rampant shabby phenomenon of mob lynching so common in mainland India, Pakistan seems to have made its way in Kashmir as well. According to Wikipedia, Lynching is an extrajudicial punishment by an informal group. It is most often used to characterize informal public executions by a mob in order to punish an alleged transgressor, or to intimidate a group. It is an extreme form of informal group social control such as charivari, skimmington, riding the rail, and tarring and feathering, but with a drift toward the public spectacle.

In a clear incident of gruesome lynching, Mohammad Ayub Pandit, a deputy superintendent of police was stripped naked and beaten to death by a mob outside the historic Jamia Masjid in Jammu and Kashmir’s Nohawatta district during the night-long respected prayer of Ramzan on 22 June, 2017 . Pertinently, Thousands of people had visited from all over Kashmir to observe ‘Shab-e-Qadr’ (the night of power) when the incident took place  around midnight .

The historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta has always been a center of spiritual and moral upliftment and it was painful for one and all to see lynching happening at this great place and that too on an auspicious night .

Entire sane fabric of Kashmir society is shell shocked after this gruesome lynching .

Noted intellect Hassan Zainagiree in his column in Daily Greater Kashmir expressed the anger felt by society of Kashmir in these words – “ What happened in the precincts of historic Jama Masjid in the midst of Lailatul Qadar the past week is ghastly, shameful and cannot be justified. Of all the forms of violence that Kashmiris have experienced in their life, the least expected was the specter of lynching.  Unheard of, unwitnessed. But the mob lynching of DSP Muhammad Ayub Pandit stripped us from that halo. The precedent, though, ‘integrated’ us with India. We would shudder to think of it, even if, let alone a fellow Muslim, victim would be the  suspected non-Muslim.  That it was committed during auspicious night and at sacred place shows the lowest of low the perpetrators have plummeted down to. The valley, cringed in shock, is yet to reconcile the unbelievable. And we all condemned the heinous crime in strongest possible words. And that is where we strike different from the Hindutva saffron brigade who enjoy public lynching of Muslims and Dalits, and the worst, defend the indefensible. Let me state clearly—without holding myself hostage to the glory of sentiment—stripping naked the JK police officer, raining stones on him and goring him to death is  anti humanity and anti Islamic as well.  How high the provocation from the cop, how inviolable the sentiment, nothing justifies it.”

IGP Muneer Khan , while talking to news Kashmir stated -“Without doubt the act of lynching was a brutal one and nobody expected this to happen , but let me make one thing clear that the amount of condemnation from the society coupled with tears , huge attendance in funeral showed society does not approve this shameful act.”

Undoubtedly society of Kashmir has in unison defined Ayoub Pandit lynching act as lynching of human values.

Joyless Eid

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Farzana Mumtaz

Id al-Fitr is being celebrated by Muslims worldwide with much religious fervor and zest .  Pertinently, Id al-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر‎‎ ʻĪd al-Fiṭr, “festival of breaking of the fast”) and  is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). As a matter of fact, the religious Eid is the first and only day in the month of Shawwal during which Muslims are not permitted to fast. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality.

We are celebrating Eid this year in the backdrop of one after another  tragedies  that have shaken the nation of Kashmir frequently , and definitely this  time our most happy festival has  come on the occasion of grief.  The Kashmir conflict has taken more deadly turn and valley is virtually now a killing field .

Just few days before eid , three militants were killed in a gunfight with forces in an overnight encounter in New Colony Kakapora.   The killings triggered massive protests and clashes in which one civilian was killed and dozens injured. One of the dead militant was 14 year old and civilian just 22.

Sane opinion on ground zero is that intimidation and cruel measures can no longer be an answer to quell the political sentiment of Kashmir and time has come to recognize Kashmir as political problem and offer political solution. The painful situation in Kashmir has also been termed by many intellectual voices of India as a blot to “Indian democracy.

 

 

 

Mehvish Khan, a journalist stated – “It is indeed a moment for somber reflection and prayers on this Eid for lasting peace as we are facing sorrow times . We share the agony and the pain of those who have lost their loved ones and pray that the Almighty bestow His choicest Blessings on them.  We should celebrate Eid with simplicity and pray from the core of heart that peace, happiness returns to sorrow hit valley of Kashmir .”

Gulzar Ahmad, a commoner stated – “ We are celebrating the festivity of Eid in the backdrop of continuous killings .The dance of death is happening everywhere in the Valley of Kashmir . It is high time that for the sake of humanity all stakeholders start brainstorming to solve the deadly political issue of Kashmir.On this Eid the grief of pain hit valley of Kashmir has multiplied.”

Without an iota of doubt, Eid Fervor this time around is dampened in Kashmir among killings, sufferings, maiming, blinding and suffocation.

Low Class of Higher Education!

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Farzana Mumtaz

A lively and powerful  education system is the cornerstone of a civilized society and a progressive nation. In view of the crucial importance of the higher education sector for the overall development of the country, we find  it very important to highlight the most essential lacunas that are hitting the same in our state especially valley of Kashmir  , which need immediate attention in our effort to improve the status and quality of higher education and to ensure that the steps taken are the right ones.

First and foremost, the quality infrastructure is missing in higher education sector of Kashmir . Recently,  officials in the Higher Education Department stated that  around 41 colleges were sanctioned during the past eight years under various centrally sponsored schemes and state plan, however the construction work is yet to be completed on 23 Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) in the state.

Pertinently, the officials said the government has started different under graduate courses in all these colleges however the students are taking their classes in make-shift arrangements in adjacently located government Higher Secondary Schools (HSS) or rented accommodations, thus making ridicule of higher educational standards.

Lack of quality research and laboratories are also direly impacting the picture of higher education system in our part of the world. We also do not have the compact libraries as well in many higher education institutes .

Vocational Education system which is the crucial aspect of Higher Education is missing . In this regard, the lack of quality vocational courses in the premier educational institutions of the Kashmir Valley is adding to the unemployment problem of Kashmir. Even the top level colleges  of Kashmir lack proper vocational courses. The infrastructure related to vocational courses in the higher educational institutes of valley is also unimpressive and craves for uplifting.

Mehvish Khan, assistant editor Only Kashmir stated – ” The higher education system in Kashmir is in dire straits as it lags desired quality. We do not have vibrant higher education infrastructure in place as a result we are suffering immensely. The quality chain of arts and crafts, engineering , medical colleges is absent in the state especially in the valley of Kashmir. Even the present Government run degree colleges do not have the quality infrastructure that we could Bank upon .The need of the hour is to upgrade the basic infrastructure of higher education and revamp our entire higher Education system.”

Mehvish Khan adds – ” We need a concrete policy and vision to move ahead in the right direction with reference to higher education so as to achieve the desired success .

Ground realities suggest that Higher Education Sector in Kashmir is in dire need of reforms as it currently presents bleak outlook.

 

 

Toothless Tigers

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News Kashmir Exclusive

A nation, society or state cannot progress any further unless it does not have an efficient governance and accountability and to ensure the same powerful commissions and bodies are required.

As a matter of fact, most of the of the bodies, commissions constituted in Kashmir to fight corruption, ensure action against human rights violations and envisage transparency are most of the times either lying headless or for the most of times just  toothless tigers and have been thus more often than not  lying  dormant for a long time .

 

Importantly, often the case is that a number of  constitutional bodies in the state of Jammu and Kashmir  are defunct  because the government  does not appoint their heads and members. Most of the times the vacancies gets created after the term of the statutory heads and members gets expired and are not immediately filled .

Pertinently , the valley of Kashmir on account of lingering political conflict has seen many human rights abuses but most of the times headless and powerless State Human Rights Commission has in a way ensured no justice to victims of injustice.  Resultantly, the word Inquiry has remained  the most abused word in the Kashmir lexicography in the past 27 years of blood drenched history   . In the past three decades every  Government  year after year has ordered  countless inquiries  to probe the violation but these inquiries yielded no fruitful results and have met the same ill fate as was met by inquiries conducted on  previous killings and  atrocities  .

On the otherhand, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir the menace of Corruption is  eating into the very vitals of our society since long. Corruption has been termed by rationale  voices as  mother of all vices. Unfortunately, the malevolence of corruption is very much out of control in the J&K State.

After dropping a bombshell in the year 2005 by ranking Jammu and Kashmir as country’s second most corrupt state, Transparency International (TI) (a Berlin-based international corruption watchdog and a non-profit, non-governmental organisation committed to curbing corruption in various countries), had at time  dubbed the state as ‘alarmingly corrupt’ and concluded that levels of corruption have increased despite state’s disappointing ranking.Even today not much has changed and J&K is considered much corrupt .Commissions, bodies constituted to fight corruption too are toothless.

Bilal Bashir Bhat, a young journalist states – “ A society cannot progress in right direction unless it does not enforce the concept of accountability and ensure justice. All this can be ensured when we have efficient, powerful commissions and bodies who are not just paper tigers but have the power to act against the wrong elements, but unfortunately in the state of Jammu and Kashmir  the defunct nature of these commissions, statutory bodies  means lack of regulation, vibrancy, transparency in the system as a result negatives remain embedded .We need to strengthen all the commissions and bodies to move in right direction.”

The need of the hour as per opinion on ground is to ensure that our commissions, bodies constituted become powerful, enforcing, efficient and not toothless tigers .

 

GST- Kashmir Debate

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Goods and services Tax Act GST is an much talked recent Economic reform in country to revolutionize the financial system, and many believe that if implemented in Jammu Kashmir state it will integrate state economy into mainstream economy of India like never before .But it’s proposed  implementation has already given rise to heated debate.

 

 

GST will be applicable in Jammu & Kashmir only after the state assembly passes a special law accepting the applicability of CGST & IGST law.

Pertinently, The Article 370 of the Constitution grants special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Parliament of India retains the power to make laws on defence, external affairs and communication-related matters of the state. This is one of the reasons why the Service Tax levied all over the country since 1994 is still not applicable in J&K. The state levies its own taxes for services provided.

In an related Development,KashmirEconomic Alliance took a hard stance as its chairperson Muhammad Yasin Khan has asked the state government to take stakeholders from the Kashmiri business fraternity onboard before taking any decision on implementation of the “controversial” GST in the state else Valley will get dragged into another season of agitation.

In a statement, Khan said the government has been saying the GST would be implemented vide discussion at a special session in the Assembly. “We want to make it clear to the government that any such decision if taken without taking Kashmir Inc onboard will lead to a major crises and that those at the helm will be responsible for the consequences,” Khan said.

Recently Taxation, Housing, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Meghalaya Zenith M. Sangma, who is also an GST expert and attended the Srinagar GST meet held recently  while talking to News Kashmir  in an exclusive interview had stated – “GST  will be definitely fruitful for a place like Kashmir and entire Jammu and Kashmir state as it is beneficial to Meghalaya like state, as   we both are consuming states and it is quiet productive for consuming states since it is a destination based tax.”

Eminent intellect  Avinandan Choudhury in India opines recently wrote – “While for the rest of India the implementation of GST regime is of vital importance but in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, its utility in regard to the stability and prosperity of the troubled state is not clear. Anything related to Jammu & Kashmir happens to be viewed through the prism of politics given its troubled political status.

The special constitutional status given to Jammu and Kashmir by the article 370 has over the years become a symbol of Kashmiri political and economic freedom. Given the recent demand for the removal of the article 370, everything remotely influencing the Special status of Kashmir will be viewed with suspicion and GST reforms when viewed through the prism of suspicion will look like another nail in the coffin of Article 370.”

Undoubtedly, GST implementation has given rise to much debate especially among many quarters in Kashmir.

Human Shield Controversy Honour or Shame ?

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News Kashmir Desk

In an controversial move Indian Army’s Major Nitin Leetul Gogi was recently awarded with the Chief of Army Staff’s commendation card for his efforts during law and order situation . Major Gogoi came under limelight for an incident in Budgam, Kashmir  where he is said  to have ordered to tie a Kashmiri man on the hood of a jeep as a shield against stone.

Rage and anger has been witnessed in many a voices against the awarding of the said Army official, especially in the turbulent valley of Kashmir. The election day had seen lot of violence with scores of killings, injuries and arrests with poor turnout.  It is this image of human shield which brought the real storm.

Although some right wing and ultra nationalists have praised the award to Major Gogoi many a sane voices have criticized the Army for awarding Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi with the Army Chief’s Commendation Card.

Kashmiri eminent voices are openly expressing their aghast .Mir Imran, Human Rights Defender stated – “Taking human shield is first of all brazen violations of all international treaties and conventions, now rubbing immense salt to wounds the award of such army official who resorted  to taking Human shield is slap on all democratic norms .This will further create alienation in Kashmir and make Kashmiris feel an enemy nation, this is just unpleasant move. Those Who violate rights of Kashmiris are awarded by Indian state is message going to common Kashmiri on ground. This is humiliation of entire masses at the cost of a very self negative action taken by the said army officer With this move the anger against Indian state will touch sky heights in Kashmir .”

As a matter of fact, the former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command, Lt Gen (Rtd) Harcharanjit Singh Panag expressed disappointment over Army’s decision to award Major Gogoi. “IA traditions, ethos, rules & regs swept away by the “mood of the nation”! I stand by my views even if I am the last man standing!,” the  retired army commander wrote on the micro-blogging site twitter soon after news about awarding Gogoi broke.

On the otherhand, diplomat and strategic affairs expert, Krishnan Chander Singh seconded Panag and assured him that he is not alone. “You ain’t alone. Good folks remain silent. Human shields can’t be used by army of a civilized nation,” Singh tweeted.

Eminent journalist and Associate Editor CatchNews, Adiyta Menon, termed the decision of awarding the Major as losing of moral rights.  “With Army honouring Major Gogoi who used Kashmiri voter as human shield, we’ve lost moral right to criticize boycotts or lament low turnout,” he tweeted.

Undoubtedly this human shield controversy will dominate the discourse on Kashmir for years to come.

Looming Governor Rule!

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News Kashmir Exclusive

Kashmir and political uncertainty have always been linked especially since the past three decades as Kashmir conflict has taken a deadly turn .Governor rules have often been imposed in Kashmir by the Central Government to ease out the situation . Currently, with the PDP BJP Government looking an unholy alliance due to contradictory ideologies the option of Governor Rule does not look farfetched .Plus the ever worsening ground situation in shape of increased protests, killings, arrests, student agitations have made matters worse.

 

The pulse on ground from masses to analytical paradigm is that Governor rule is  in offing .

 

While talking to News Kashmir , political analyst Muhammad Tauseef , commenting on prospects of Governor rule states-”

The Government in Kashmir seems to be heading nowhere ,situation is getting bad to worse every day and turning gloomy every passing moment .No confidence building measures taken , suppression against the youth coupled with massive fear being installed in masses makes the ground very difficult for the Government .It looks now clear that if the situation further goes out of control ,governor rule looks all the more imminent. The PDP BJP alliance from day one looked unholy and with time it has proven more disastrous .”

Even the mainstream polity of the state seem to be batting for the imposition of Governor rule in the state .Just few days back National Conference President DR. Farooq Abdullah  said that Governor’s rule should be imposed in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that it is “unavoidable and imperative” to restore peace in the state. His statement came soon after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley earlier in the day.

There has been much speculation recently that the alliance between Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party is breaking down. Reports had even suggested that Mufti might be replaced by a BJP leader. Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that replacing her would not help the alliance, PTI reported.

On the otherhand many a voices are stating that Governor rule could be round the corner .

 

 

Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, writer and activist states – ” Since the past three decades  on account of violent political turmoil Jammu and Kashmir state has often seen Governor Rule being imposed , nowadays the situation is looking more heading towards the Governor Rule .From day one this Government of PDP BJP has been dismal to say the least .Masses are highly dissatisfied with present Government like anything and it seems out of this deep mess the Governor rule might be the only option available .The history of Governor rules at critical junctures makes it look highly possible that governor rule might be imposed.”

Next few weeks look all the more interesting in the turmoil hit state of Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Escalating Violence

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News Kashmir Exclusive

The strife-torn region of Kashmir had witnessed a period of relative calm for few years, but a recent spate of increased violence  since 2016 post killing of militant commander Burhan Wani which have resulted in number of civilian, police, army, militant fatalities is a grim reminder of the ever escalating tensions in Kashmir, which has been at the heart of enmity between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan since 1947 .

From every analytical paradigm of ground situation the things looks to be heading from bad to worse. Be it recent killings of policeman, Bank Guards at Kulgam or bloodbath at Meer Bazar, killing of kashmiri Army officer in India army after abduction like events have gloomed environ.

At this juncture of time, in the Valley of Kashmir, the urge for achieving honorable peace is even greater than it was ever before. The sane voices and commoners aptly suggest that peace is important because we need a better world for our next generations. Every wise voice suggests that peace is important for our survival and growth and because we can enjoy the benefits of the latest technological and scientific advancements only in times of peace.

Mushtaq ul Haq Sikander, eminent writer and analyst states – “ At present the situation seems to be heading to very pessimistic outlook with growing violence and upheavals. Since the birth of contemporary Kashmir conflict in 1947 the human tragedy has been exceptionally huge, be it in form of refugees, migrants, political dissidents or prisoners. The human tragedy has multiplied and reached to demonic proportions since the initiation of mass armed struggle in early 1990s. The violence of both sides has consumed thousands, destroyed property worth billions, maimed hundreds, orphaned and widowed thousands. The disappeared, incarcerated, half widows have added to the already escalating miseries.

 

The tragedy of armed forces and police goes unnoticed. They too get consumed without gaining any empathy or sympathy from the masses as they are being witnessed as collaborators, occupation forces and perpetrators of atrocities. None mourns about their loss as human tragedy. The distinction between Who is right and who is wrong gets blurred in the conflict, and the vicious cycle of violence continues in which innocent humans and State’s forces get consumed as cannon fodder, while the politicians, capitalists and elites with vested interests achieve their nefarious designs by keeping the pot of the conflict boiling. It is high time Kashmir issue is settled in democratic manner.”

Even commoners are worried about the worsening situation in Kashmir.

 

Gulzar Ahmad, a commoner said,” The present situation in Kashmir is terribly bad with every passing day fear and violence are growing. On larger level too, Peaceful relations among peoples and nations are threatened in the contemporary world by alienation, misconceptions, and above all by unsolved burning conflicts like Kashmir and Palestine. The only way out to root out extremist phenomenon’s and to ensure a peaceful world is to solve these burning conflicts through the medium of dialogue. “

But, ground pulse is that  all the stake holders have to take into account the aspirations of masses in to consideration while addressing the current grim situation of Kashmir .

The need of time being stressed out is that institution of dialogue needs to be revived.

Crying Kashmir

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News Kashmir Exclusive

Bloodshed, Curfews, Killings, Arrests , Pellet blindings, injuries, Shutdowns have once again defined life in Kashmir in year 2017. One after another Painful event have rattled Kashmir over past few months.

On March 28, 2017,  three civilians were killed as they  succumbed to injuries in the clashes near the encounter site in Chadoora village of Budgam district,

At least nine  people were killed in clashes with security forces during 9 April,2017,  by-election to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, which recorded a historic poor voter turnout of 7.14%.

Violence witnesses was unprecedented for a election day in Kashmir .

“

There were more than 200 incidents of violence, mostly in Budgam district, which included stone-pelting, petrol bomb attacks, setting ablaze of a polling station, some vehicles and attempt to burn another two polling booths,” Jammu and Kashmir chief electoral officer Shantmanu said.

On Monday, MAY 01, 2017 ,at least five policemen and two security guards were killed after suspected militants attacked a cash van outside Jammu and Kashmir bank’s Kulgam branch in south Kashmir

 

In The wee hours of Thursday, 04 May, 2017,  Indian army launched a Comprehensive anti-terror operation amidst incident of bank robberies, cash van robberies and snatching of rifles in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Pertinently, security forces isolated more than 20 villages of Kashmir’s Shopian district and initiated search operations.

 

“Today’s combing operation (in Kashmir) is to make sure that situation is brought under control, post recent incidents,” Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat told media on Thursday. “Banks have been looted, policemen have been killed. That is why today’s combing operation is taking place,” he informed.

The ground zero atmosphere is that pain, fear, disappointment, bloodbath, carnage witnessed in 2016 is carrying on in 2017 as well. As a result of renewed turmoil the developmental pace has taken a strong hit in Kashmir .

Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, a political analyst stated  “ The current situation in Kashmir is quiet pensive with pain, bloodbath, fear defining the daily life in Kashmir. Time has come to solve the political conflict of Kashmir according to aspirations of masses and put an end to bloodshed. It is high time that all the concerned stakeholders get together and initiate a meaningful dialogue to settle the issue once for all. Ground realities in present times lay more emphasis on solution otherwise we are heading for an era of destruction.”

Amid era of flaring emotions, bloodshed it looks the valley of Kashmir is crying.