No change in held Kashmir situation

There has been no change in the held Kashmir situation as far as the ground realities are concerned. The killings, curfews, abductions, HR violations, massive arrests, fake police encounters, rapes and the reign of terror by the Indian forces continue. The occupation forces under the cover of brutal Armed Forces Special Protection Act (AFSPA) and other black laws engage in cleansing of local people. The pleas of international human rights organisations calling for revoking the AFSPA are still ignored by New Delhi. The hard-line tactics adopted by the Modi-Duval duo have simply failed to deliver. A look at the current situation explains the ground realities more than 100 days after the killing of Burhan Wani.

First, the crowds of angry and desperate Kashmiris, subjugated by India for more than 60 years, are still protesting for their rights. The Indian forces are using all the force they have to crush gatherings and crowds. However, there is no respite for the Indian government and establishment.

Second, the Indian forces are using the maximum force to crush the freedom movement. They are using live bullets, pellets guns and tear gas indiscriminately on the agitated but brave protesters. The repressive conditions have become so bad that the world media is finally waking up to the nightmare in the valley. One western media outlet has even questioned if the Indian forces are on a mission of carrying out the world’s first mass blindings.    

Third, the home grown militants are attacking the Indian forces as before. Also, the stage show of surgical strike has miserably failed with nobody ready to believe, except for the New Delhi itself, that the Indian forces had crossed the Line of Control and attacked the Pakistan Army positions or alleged militants’ camps. On the other hand, evidence is mounting that the Uri attack was stage-managed to malign Pakistan and to stop its prime minister from raising the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly.

Fourth, India is unable to get allies against Pakistan on the held Kashmir issue. The world is simply not listening to the Indian stance on the Valley. Which country has named Pakistan for allegedly sending infiltrators to the valley? None.

Fifth, Pakistan continues to extend its full political, diplomatic and moral support to the legitimate struggle in the valley. This is causing a great headache for India as the world also listens and appreciates the viewpoint of the other side.

The indiscriminate and barbaric use of violence in the Valley shows the Indian government is under great pressure on the held Kashmir issue. The South Block is unable to douse the flames of resistance. There is no political deal to end the bloodshed. More dismal still, there is no plan on the table to end the horrors in the valley.