Mission interlocutor

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Farzana Mumtaz

 

 

In a major development, the Centre few  weeks back  appointed Shri Dineshwar Sharma, former Director of Intelligence Bureau, as the Representative of Government of India to initiate and carry forward a dialogue with the elected representatives, various organizations and concerned individuals in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The development was seen as a deadlock breaking move with reference to painful situation of Kashmir prevailing since long.

 

When  Sharma was appointed as Interlocutor it was stated that he will initiate a sustained interaction and dialogue to understand the legitimate aspirations of the wide cross sections of society, particularly the youth in Jammu and Kashmir and communicate them to the State Government and the Centre.

 

 

I will try my best,” Sharma told reporters when asked if he would go an extra mile to meet the Hurriyat Conference leaders.

The Joint Resistance Forum, a conglomerate of three prominent profreedom  organisations—the hardline and moderate factions of the Hurriyat Conference and the JKLF—had announced that they would not meet with the interlocutor  and termed  his appointment a “time-buying tactic” of the Centre.

CPI-M MLA Yusuf Tarigami   told the central government’s special representative Dineshwar Sharma that peace in Jammu and Kashmir can only result out of “genuine and meaningful parleys”. Pertinently, addressing a joint press conference with Hakim Yaseen, leader of the Peoples Democratic Front (PDF), and Ghulam Hassan Mir, leader of the Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN), after they met Sharma, Tarigami said peace cannot be made a pre-condition for a dialogue process.

 

 

 

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had an advice to offer for interlocutor. We discussed the prevailing situation in the state as also steps that can be taken to make his visits to the state more meaningful,” Abdullah said in a post on microblogging site Twitter. He told media persons that he hoped that Sharma acts on his suggestions “as waiting for people to come and meet him won’t yield results”.

 

 

Bilal Bashir Bhat, member JKYJA and Editor in Chief Only Kashmir speaking on the development stated – “The interlocutor step was a step in right direction but the lack of homework from the government ruined the beginning of this otherwise good move. Giving confused signals and reducing the prestige of institution of interlocution forced many sane voices to stay away from the process and thus also desired results were not achieved .One hopes the next time interlocutor comes here it would bear fruits and a proper homework would be done .All parties of dialogue being serious in the process is the only way ahead to resolve Kashmir tragedy.”

The hopes are pinned that Mission interlocutor gains desired momentum.

Untying Knots

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Farzana Mumtaz

The political temperatures , overall situation is heating up in already tensed Valley of Kashmir over talk of striking down of article 35 A and also with Supreme court accepting the plea in this regard . Article 35A of the Indian Constitution is an article that empowers the Jammu and Kashmir state’s legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and provide special rights and privileges to those permanent residents.

From polity to news studios it has given rise to war of words.

 

 

National Conference President, Farooq Abdullah, who chaired the all parties Opposition meeting on Article 35-A warned that the scrapping of the article will “create a revolt far greater than Amarnath Land row”.

“It was very important to discuss the issue of Article 35-A and its implications on the state, and all its three regions-Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, so that people understand as to why we are against its abrogation, which gives us the basic right and scrapping it will take away that basic right from us,” Abdullah told reporters at his Gupkar residence after chairing the all party meeting.

 

“Abrogation of Article 35 A will create a far greater revolt than Amarnath Land row, on which people rose overnight,” the former chief minister warned.

“It is a state subject law which should not be eroded at any cost,” he said.

“We have decided that we will take the issue to the people as a united front. All parties in Jammu, Kashmir or Ladakh will try to make people understand effect of abrogation of the Article on the state. Abrogating article will affect all the people. We will go t before the people and create awareness among them about its impact. People are the masters,” he said.

He said that it (state subject law was implemented) was done in the Maharaja (Hari Singh’s) time to prevent others coming in to dilute their culture.

 

 

In a related development blaming Article 370 of the Constitution for creation of a “separatist emotion”, the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP said recently that the time has come for the people of the state to say goodbye to it and also Article 35 A.

Both these articles, instead of being beneficial to the people of the state, have done a great damage and hamper progress and development, claimed J&K BJP spokesperson Prof Virender Gupta.

“The time has come when the people of Jammu and Kashmir should say goodbye to Article 370 and ask the Government of India to revoke Article 35 A,” he said.

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The voices within Kashmir are quite worried with overall repercussions that debate or any possible abrogation of Article 35 A  would have on the overall scenario of Kashmir.

Ajaz War, Journalist and editor in chief Kashmir Media Watch states – “ The passions are already evoked due to debate on striking down of Article 35 A with the impression in Kashmir valley that remaining autonomy of Kashmir is being taken away .Saner heads should prevail otherwise the situation could turn into disaster which does not augur well for anyone.”

GST Is Beneficial For Consuming States : Zenith M.Sangma

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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 talked to News Kashmir  in an exclusive interview  with Rameez Makhdoomi and Farzana Mumtaz.

How beneficial will be GST for a place like Kashmir?

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.

What were the main decisions taken in GST Srinagar Meet ?

Some important decisions were made. Mostly we decided what tax rate will be imposed on different commodities and also on services .We have also advocated that in our states for products like raw areca nut ,Dryfiz  no tax should be imposed but for sin goods heavy tax should be imposed.

With states having right to have own GST law, wont it create chaos by one central law and many state based GST Laws. Your take?

There is conflict in certain issues, but through debate, threadbare discussion  we will resolve the issues facing GST .

Many critics state GST is import preferential and thus it will hit make in India initiatives?

It is a good question and in this regard I want to state that the rates would be fixed in a such a way that import commodities do not get the undue advantage .

A state like Jharkhand, Bihar have different financial structures as compared to Assam, Meghalaya .How will GST Cater to this facet?

Yes it is true and especially the manufacturing states would be initially losing for few years due to GST and in this regard amendment has been made and constitutional provision is made that for five years Government of India will compensate such states.

Will GST be a different from VAT experience ?

When we work out the overall features it looks GST would be a good experience . In a state like Meghalaya we would be gaining in most of sectors.

Have you recommended any reforms in GST ?

Yes we have recommended reforms- for example in Handloom sector as we have lot of weavers working in handloom sectors and for statistics vise North East accounts for  more than 50 percent of handloom and weavers in India so in this regard products made by weavers themselves will have zero tax .

How do you find the position of Congress in Meghalaya amid rise of BJP allover India ?

The ideology of Congress is very strong  and grass rooted in Meghalaya and it is slated to do well again in upcoming general elections .

What has been impact of rising Cow politics on State like Meghalaya?

The rise of right wing politics has been felt in Northeast India , but we do not like this beef ban and nobody can dictate us what to eat. Without beef our people cannot servive.

Your Message to Youth ?

Youth are the future of nation and if we do not pay attention, focus to youth issues we will face lot of problems and we have to teach youth how to be more productive. We in Meghalaya are embarking on many programmes to help youth in grooming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Muzzling Media

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Farzana Mumtaz

In contemporary times, media is considered as the fourth pillar of the state all over the world; first and foremost British Member of Parliament Lord Macaulay had given this important status to the media . Pertinently, Media  plays  an important role in changing and influencing the thoughts of the people. Media has a great power to influence what we think about things happening.

Unfortunately, in the conflict ridden Kashmir especially since past three decades Media has been at receiving end especially from men in uniform, unknown gunman and unruly mobs. To add to woes, censor and restrictions have made the job of Media tough in Kashmir.

Just recently, prominent photojournalist Touseef Mustafa was manhandled by police .Pertinently, he works for the International Agency ‘Agence France Presse’ (AFP) and told media that police stopped them when they tried to enter inside Hurriyat headquarters at Hyderpora, where a joint meeting of Resistance leadership was underway.

 

“As police arrested Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yaseen Malik and tried to bundle them into police vehicles, we as part of our profession and duty clicked photographs. To my utter surprise, a police officer stopped me and tried to snatch my lens. When I resisted, he manhandled me. The behavior and action of the said police officer was uncalled for,” Mustafa said.

Last year only media during unrest faced tremendous wrath and restrictions. As a result The Editors Guild of India had condemned the “unwarranted muzzling” of the media in Jammu and Kashmir

In a statement, guild president Raj Chengappa, general secretary Prakash Dube and treasurer Seema Mustafa  had stated : “The Editors Guild of India strongly condemns the efforts by the Jammu and Kashmir government to gag the media in the state… It is extremely unfortunate that the state government, under fire for its poor management of the law and order situation in the Valley, has sought to shoot the messenger..”

The statement had quoted reports regarding police raids on newspaper offices and harassment of journalists. “We are also aghast to note that the media censorship will continue, for a minimum of three days if not more. This is a direct assault to the freedom of the press in India and the guild strongly condemns this unwarranted muzzling of the media. The Editors Guild of India requests the state government to immediately lift the censorship and refrain from any action to intimidate the press,” the statement added.

Ajaz War, President Jammu and Kashmir Young Journalist Association , while speaking on the issue stated – “The misuse of power for muzzling the media has, unfortunately, been a routine than an exception in Kashmir valley . Smart, fair, independent journalism is essential for a democracy to function well so muzzling of media in Kashmir should stop.”

In nutshell, media is facing tremendous perils in Kashmir.

 

Water Scarcity- Mother HelpAge showing way in Kashmir

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Farzana Mumtaz/ Rameez Makhdoomi

 

As 1.2 billion people live in areas of water scarcity, Inhabitants of several areas of Kashmir  are facing acute water shortage from past several years now . Pertinently, once water resource rich Kashmir owing to depleting resources due to havoc played with environment and other factors has to now crave for a drop of water especially during summers.

But Kashmir’s own organization Mother HelpAge is coming to rescue and showing the way in this regard. Over the past few years the organization has made tremendous strides to help people in water scarce areas by digging wells for them and imbibing in them water saving skills.

As a matter of fact, Mother Helpage was established in 1994, after the death of Mrs Jamilah Gul Nasti, the mother of Dr. Sohail Nasti (the founder of Mother Helpage Worldwide). During its early years, the foundation operated in Indian administered Kashmir where from the Nasti family originally belongs.

Coming back to topic the Mother Helpage under its project Safe Water  has been able to set up to supply safe water in Kashmir and Jammu by supplying safe water filters in community centres, delivering 16,000 litres of safe water via tankers, and installing wells which can cater for a full village of 100 families.

In support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals , Mother HelpAge aims to install 3,000 wells at the end of 2020, providing clean and safe drinking water thus to over 650,000 populace in Jammu and Kashmir.

Considering the fact that Groundwater is a very vital source of water for the people worldwide. According to the statistics, listed on the website of the Central ground water board, J&K has 2.70 BCM(Billion Cubic Meters). And the net Annual Ground Water Availability is 2.43 BCM. The rational voices are calling on Government all stake holders to tap this vital groundwater potential and have in this regard lauded Mother HelpAge in helping constructing wells.

Statistics speak for themselves . In 2016 alone Mother HelpAge got 7 Borewells, 80 Community Wells and 492 Tubewells installed.

Ali Mohammad, a farmer said, “It is a well known fact that water is life. Groundwater is used for drinking water by more than 50 percent of the people in the globe, including almost everyone who lives in rural areas. We applaud Mother Helpage for not only providing filters in number of areas but also constructing hundreds of wells so that people get reprieve. It has been a evolutionary step from the organization.”

Certainly, Mother Helpage is leading the way to safeguard Kashmir from scarcity of water in present and  future.

There are no boundaries to humanitarian work: Dr. Sohail Nasti

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Having travelled, served in more than 150 countries Dr. Sohail Nasti , doctor turned pilot  and eminent philanthropist is a personality of great caliber, dynamic nature who has made Kashmir proud .Pertinently, one among the world’s highest paid professionals.

In an exclusive interview with the News Kashmir, Dr. Sohail Nasti talks to Rameez Makhdoomi and Farzana Mumtaz .

 

Tell us a bit about your early life and especially childhood days and academic life?

 

As a child I was a kind of naughty kid.  We have a highly educated family with 30 Doctors in family. My parents are quite knowledgable so competition was always high and we have had quite a vibrant literary atmosphere at home.

 

So we can say that your bright child?

The words like bright come into picture once you grow up especially after teenage, so I would say that I was under kind of good guidance of my parents and excelled well in studies.

 

How did the transition happened from Doctor profession to pilot, which seems quite interesting?

Well at my time I was the only rheumatologist  outhere in Kashmir. My post graduation research topic happened to be “ Post Trauma related bone inflammatory diseases” and this took me to conflict zones like  Iraq, Afghanistan. What happens in a conflict zone is that tremendous amount of stress leads to bone decay and after witnessing this much of pain and trauma I began to take interest in aviation and became a rescue pilot for UN related missions and US army at a time when world was stigmatizing Muslims as terrorists post 9-11 attacks. I took the challenge and considering my Disaster specialty I made the decision to train as a pilot.

 

Where from philanthropy idea came ?

Basically, I had since teenage this inception to mitigate the human sufferings and be an agent of positive change for humanity .I joined bigger platforms so that I could do it in a better way .

 

So, what motivated you to start Motherage Helpage  ?

I started this after I lost my mother and took a pledge to do something good for suffering humans and accordingly it  evolved as we currently work in more than 20 countries to help people in need via different projects.

 

You have also met the legend of humanitarian aid Abdul Sattar Edhi, share that experience with us?

I was invited by Imran Khan to visit Pakistan  .Imran Khan has been my mentor apart from his political career  .And when I was in Pakistan I was  invited   to Karachi  by late Edhi sahib after hearing about my passion towards philanthropy; so I visited Karachi  where I met great Abdul Satar Edhi, May Allah flourish his eternal journey.  I was 20 years old when I met him. He advised me to be humanitarian worker from  conscience and never keep money a concern  and his acknowledgment of my aspirations  was great boost for me.

 

As an analyst what have you found is ailing the Middle East ?

I would like to say based on my personal experience that present day Muslims are more emotional than being clinical and we are divided. It is easy to manipulate us  via propping up of sectarian differences. From Iraq to Yemen, Palestine to Egypt Middle East is burning due to these facts . Also, big powers rather than investing on positive things like human index development, innovations .property development are investing in drugs and weapons.

The playground of these activities unfortunately happens to be mostly Muslim lands and with ever increasing  greed of bigger powers to extract gold, minerals and other natural resources the Muslim lands became more vulnerable .Until we don’t understand our duties and take a wisdomful path we will continue to suffer.

 

You come from South Kashmir and since you have study, vision on narcotics and drugs how big is the problem there?

The narcotics and drug related problem is huge in South Kashmir as it is pinnacle of the narcotic supply  . The problem is cultivation is happening there and youth are acting as courier of these illicit substances. I have spoken to the Police department  and we are launching narcotics unit there. Different unpleasant, harmful  substances are used by youth as drugs there .South Kashmir has bore huge brunt of conflict so accordingly drug issue has augmented .

 

What are the main projects of mother helpage going on ?

We are focusing on youth development initiative and provide them means of education, sports so that to bring them out of stress. In this regard, we have development projects with education ministry like school refurbishment, safe drinking water and work on narcotics and drug issue.

Overall, we want to work on community development and not going into that whatever political problems,  future we have .We as motherhelpage are determined  to work for community development in the state.

 

Do you believe we in Kashmir are just after constructing palatial houses and not travelling much?

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taught us to travel so in order to learn. We in Kashmir and some other areas of world are having this drawback of falling to trap of false ego and not evolving due to lack of travel. Travel shapes our personality positively and even at larger level due to concentrating less on travel, knowledge and research we Muslims since hundreds of years have not produced a quality scientist, researcher or historian  .

 

You also provide assistance to Rohignya refugees ?

Yes we have supported  them since last five years in Jammu and provided them relief especially in winters – on and off basis .We also provide relief to poor Pandit families, Hindus  in Jammu .There are no boundaries to humanitarian work and I work, reach to people  irrespective of religion and race.

 

Has Kashmiri Diaspora failed in its duty towards Kashmir?

Yes overall Kashmiri Diaspora has failed and limited itself to tokenism and as a person who has travelled more than 150 countries I have found Kashmiri diaspora has limited itself to mere photo sessions and not given back much to its land.

 

 

 

 

WCD Ministry Second All India Women Journalists’ Workshop Ponders on Important Issues

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News Kashmir Desk

Recently, on 21 November, 2016 ,over 100 top women journalists from across the country, representing various media organizations came together on a single platform at the second ‘All India Women Journalists’ Workshop’ organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in association with Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in New Delhi . The first ‘All India Women Journalists’ Workshop’ was held in June  year 2016 .

Pertinently,  workshop was inaugurated by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi . Minister of State, WCD , Smt Krishna Raj was also present along with other senior officers of the Ministry.

 

Women journalists from print, electronic and online media from the length and breadth of the country including small and regional media organizations participated in the conference.

 

Addressing the journalists, Smt. Maneka Gandhi said that the workshops are being organised by the Ministry to empower the women journalists so that they can act as agents of change especially in matters pertaining to women and child development. The effort of the Ministry is to connect to the journalists from the grassroots to make them active participants in the process of change, to receive feedback from them and also to receive ideas from the grassroots which will benefit the women and children, Smt Maneka Gandhi added. Journalists should also try to highlight success stories and find role models to enable the Ministry to give recognition to genuine people, especially to women contributing to community building in the field, she said.

Ms Farzana Mumtaz, Editor –in –Chief News Kashmir, who has experience of 17 years in the field of Journalism  represented Kashmir in the conference. She highlighted the role of women in journalism and their contributions to the noble field and how despite all odds women have shined in the field of journalism . Farzana Mumtaz called for upholding ethics of journalism and duty of journalists to emerge as voice of voiceless.

On the occasion , Ministry of Women and Child Development threw light how ministry is taking different steps to help women and children especially those who are in pain and facing different problems and how ministry via its centers is helping to end violence and other discriminations against women and children in the country.

Among the core  purpose of the workshop was  to sensitise the women journalists and through them the entire society on gender issues .

2017 Hopes

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Farzana Mumtaz

2017 (MMXVII) will be a common year starting on Sunday (dominical letter A) of the Gregorian calendar, the 2017th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 17th year of the 3rd millennium, the 17th year of the 21st century, and the 8th year of the 2010s decade.2017 has been designated as: International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations.

As the New Year has started the people in pain hit valley of Kashmir  are hoping that year 2017 would usher an era of Justice, Peace, Prosperity, Hope to the suffering hit environs of Kashmir . Pertinently year 2016 was quiet rough for Kashmir as death and destruction made life of many families a lifelong hell.

One cannot deny the fact that there is something remarkable about the New Year that people find brings forth new lease of hope.  Pertinently, the end of one year can mark an ultimate point, a place at which past events can be gently put to one side – gone but not elapsed – and eyes can look to the future.

Bilal Bashir Bhat, a young journalist while talking to News Kashmir on the topic states  – “ As the new year has dawned we need to remember that on the front of challenges, we are bestowed with many. We have faced tough times since several decades now on account of unresolved political conflict of Kashmir. We have been facing much bleak outlook.  It is also true that unsolved Kashmir issue and turmoil like situation is among the one of the main reasons behind these bleak situations.

We are very well aware that the year 2016 scripted numerous heart rendering, painful and distressful stories in Kashmir.  2016 civil uprising in Kashmir which erupted aftermath the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani attracted many countries and international organizations to speak up of against the sufferings and victimization on the people of  Kashmir. Hope 2017 brings end to our sufferings.”

On the otherhand, on new year eve  renewed positivity can be enjoyed and many people see it as a time when they can reassess their life targets.  What was impossible to grasp in December can, in January, be reachable again.

Manzoor Ahmad, a student stated – “ We are hopeful that year 2017 brings some good news to Kashmir and it brings smile back on the faces of Kashmiris as we have faced lot of tough times . One can only keep hope alive that 2017 would be better as a year for Kashmir.”

As 2017 has been declared the year of sustainable tourism it would be interesting to note how authorities develop picturesque Kashmir into a destination of sustainable tourism destination for entire world.

For the moment, 2017 is filling Kashmir with an aura of what can be dubbed as cautious optimism.

Wounded Kashmir

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Farzana Mumtaz

2016 was a very rough year of Kashmir owing to about 100 deaths, hundreds blinded in 2016 agitation post militant commander Burhan Wani killing.

When Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti, who has stepped into the shoes of her late father Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, was sworn-in as the first woman chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir , heading the coalition government with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April  5, 2016 it gave rise to lot of optimism and hope.

But, the series of protests and unprecedented agitation  started with the killing of Burhan Wani, a militant commander of the Kashmir-based Hizbul Mujahideen, by  security forces on 8 July 2016 at South Kashmir’s picturesque resort of Kokernag. After his killing, anti-state  protests started in all 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley. Protesters defied curfew with many causalities and injuries.

 

Curfew was imposed in all 10 districts of the valley on 15 July and mobile services were suspended by the government. Mobile and internet services remained suspended for many weeks this year.Kashmir valley remained under 53 days of consecutive curfew which was lifted from all areas on 31 August, however was reimposed in some areas the next day.

Some also dubbed the year 2016 as the year of dead eyes in Kashmir. A story by Newyork times described the pain in these words –

“Since mid-July, when the current wave of protests against the Indian military presence started, more than 570 patients have reported to Srinagar’s main government hospital with eyes ruptured by lead pellets, sometimes known as birdshot, fired by security forces armed with pump-action shotguns to disperse crowds.

The patients have mutilated retinas, severed optic nerves, irises seeping out like puddles of ink. “Dead eyes,” the ophthalmology department’s chief calls them.”

Mir Imran, human rights activist states – “Year 2016 wrote its own story of suffering and pain for the browbeaten Kashmiris. The state forces violated human rights with brazen impunity. Thousands injured, hundreds blinded, thousands in jails , about hundred civilian deaths clearly suggest that all what is wrong with the human rights situation in Kashmir. Undoubtedly, the year 2016 memories would be one of pain and suffocation for the masses of Kashmir. 2016 happenings urge us to settle the political issue of Kashmir for larger good of humanity.”

In nutshell, the year 2016 made Kashmir a synonym of suffering and wounds.

 

What Next? (Hurriyat restricts shutdown to two days)

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Farzana Mumtaz

Recently, the joint resistance leadership   issued a new protest calendar in which there would be full-day relaxation on five days.

Pertinently, Kashmir has seen almost continuous shutdowns since July 8, 2016, when Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan wani was killed in an encounter.  First four months of agitation had almost seen nonstop shutdowns, as about 100 civilians were killed and more than fourteen thousand injured and hundreds blinded by infamous pellet guns .

As a  matter of fact, the move to restrict shutdown to few days comes after much pressure was mounting since sometime on the Hurriyat to relax the existing calendar which had brought the usual chorus of  life to a grinding halt. “The leadership feels that a sustainable long-term strategy based on proactive initiatives, programmes and sustainable modes of protest is the way forward. We want maximum public participation and implementation, and minimum costs for the people,” a statement issued by the joint Hurriyat leadership said.

 

On the otherhand, the online world is abuzz with debate on the relaxation in protest calendar  with some praising the move and some criticizing the same  .

 

Nasir Khuehami, a young journalist wrote – “#Hurriyat taken off 5 month long shutdown calendar, Now announced winter vacation For kashmiri protesters from tomorrow till July 8, 2017. #Happy#winter #vacation for all protesters and #Hurriyat leaders.”

The curiosity on ground zero is as to what could be the new options of resistance or protest in hand for pro freedom leadership with new year 2017 about to come . In wake of  mammoth economic losses due to months of unprecedented shutdown looks like Hartal calls might be limited as we move forward .

Importantly, many are seeing a radical shift in the protest calendar as a part of adopting to long term strategy and also recognizing the fatigue of people.

Bilal Bashir Bhat, a Journalist, while talking to News Kashmir stated -” The new protest strategy seems to be formulated after seeing the ground reality as shutdown was losing its impact and especially continuous shutdowns were proving excessive for masses. Looks like we will see a long term strategy from pro freedom leadership wherein the duration of shutdowns would be limited but calendars would be issued continuously and made  reflect the public mood .Also, the coming times would offer much curiously and surprise as to what will happen next. 2016 has been definitely a very tough and painful year for Kashmir.”

With reduction in protest calendar, onset of winters, new year about to come , memories of civilian killings the question as to “What Next “ remains in minds.