Kashmir Conflict Aftermath
|| K LEADER DESK
When world was celebrating Valentine’s Day recently as day of love and roses, Kashmir was oozing with blood of two civilians who were shot dead after protests erupted during encounter at Pulwama District. On 14th February 2016 security forces cordoned off Khanday Mohalla in Kakapora area of Pulwama after they received information about presence of 3 militants of LeT in the village. One militant Adil Ahmad Wagay of Banderpora, Pulwama, was killed in this encounter after a brief gun battle while two other militants managed to escape. Protests erupted during the gun battle in which two persons Danish Farooq Mir son of Farooq Ahmad Mir of Ratnipora, Pulwama, and the woman identified as Shaista Hameed daughter of Abdul Hameed of Lelhar village were killed. Danish, 19, was studying Electrical Engineering at Islamic University of Science and Technology in Awantipora, while the 22-year-old Shaista was pursuing MA Urdu.
The youth protested near the encounter site in Lelhar village and security forces fired at the protesters as it turned violent. Locals said that Shaista was sitting on the veranda of her home when a bullet hit her. She was shifted to District Hospital Pulwama where doctors declared her brought dead. This episode highlighted the peoples growing anger and the depth of Kashmir conflict which has reached now a point where masses now don’t fear death. When militancy erupted and violence became order of day, people in Kashmir were by and large scared but over the years trend has changed. Protesting and stone pelting as soon as encounter starts and raising pro freedom slogans, even not fearing death and engaging in dangerous situations has become new normal in Kashmir .Has the changing dynamics of Kashmir conflict, continues cycles of violence and repression made Kashmiris a nation that has lost fear of death is the burning question arising out of this very scenario. Aamir Suhail, A conflict studies expert while talking to Kashmir Leader states -“When militancy started the people used to run in frenzy manner in order to save themselves and after an incident of violence whole area used to be shut and tense for days together.
Now as the Kashmir conflict has evolved and the manner in which frustration has increased the fear of death among masses of Kashmir has gone .People now walk into encounter sites not worrying a bit and some even lose their life. Thousands of people assemble with sloganeering and stone pelting as soon as gunfight breaks out. All the factors indicate that Kashmiris have lost fear of death and even the area which witnesses violence comes back to normal immediately .The fear of death waning among Kashmiris logically implies that if political issues are not solved we would witness tsunami of violence. It is a matter of worry for one and all .It demands brainstorming from one and all.” Even those at helm of affairs are admitting the worrying nature of situation.
Recently, Senior Army commander Lt Gen Hooda told reporters during a customary press conference after Northern Command’s Investiture Ceremony – “Young recruits, who are supposed to be a part of nation’s development, are joining militancy is worrisome,’’ he said. “Youth who join militant ranks live only for six months to one year from the day of joining and it is tragic. This needs to be looked into,’’ the Army Commander added. At a time when Pampore witnessed deadly attack in which 5 Army persons got killed including two young Army Captains and wounding scores, hundreds of men and women during this encounter pelted stones on security forces. Mosques in the adjoining region played recordings that eulogized the militants. When everyone in this world craves for quality and enjoyable life the manner in which people in Kashmir faced with severe political conflict are not only bracing for death but preferring it too is a matter of serious nature . In face of serious conflict, life seems to have lost its meaning in Kashmir.
