Epilogue May2009

Epilogueb e c a u s e t h e r e i s m o r e t o k n o w

Jammu and Kashmir’s Monthly Magazine

NowTellingThe J&K Stories

RNI : JKENG/2007/26070 ISSN 0974-5653

Jammu, May 1, 2009 / Vol 3 / Issue 5 || Price Rs. 30 || Postal Registration No. JK-350/2009-11 || www.epilogue.in

LS ELECTIONS 2009Separatists Swear by India

VIEW POINTBalancing Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh

Abdul Rauf Mir

Anil Dhar

Choudhary Ilyas

Ejaz Ahmed Khan

Ershad Mahmud

Ezabir Ali

Gul Wani

Sardar Amjad Yousuf

Tahir Aziz

Tashi Gyalson

Uzera Shah

Zafar Choudhary

Assortment of Ideas

Jammu andKashmirMoving Forward

Economic Reconstruction Agency under the financial assistance of Asian Development Bank has launched several schemes to augment the water supply in Srinagar city. The various schemes with a cumulative storage capacity of 39 MGD include Rangil water supply scheme, Nishat-Doodhganga water supply scheme and Nishat-Dalbund water supply scheme which will cater to the drinking water needs of the population of about 10,93,995 souls of Srinagar city.

Scope of Works Total Storage Capacity Population to be benefitted (souls)

Rangil water supply Scheme 10MGD 294000

Nishat Doodhganga water supply Scheme 21.5 MGD 614132

Nishat Dalbund water supply Scheme 7.5MGD 185863

Areas to be benefitted

Khulmulla, Zakura, Owantabavan, Bakshipora,Tengpora, Muj-Gund, Parimpora, Lawayopora, Shalteng, Colonies on Right and Left side. National Highway, Left side of National highway Bypass (Bemina, Muminabad, Firdousabad, Tengpora(left), Right side of National highway Bypass(Hamdania colony, Khumani colony (partly), Nundreshi Colony, JVC)


Jawahar Nagar, Kralpora, Natipora, Rambagh, Nowgam, Rajbagh, Gulshan Nagar, Gogji Bagh, Solina, Chanapora Colony, Budshah Nagar, Allochi Bagh Part, Bagh-e-Mehtab, Tulsi Bagh, Wazir Bagh, Lal Mandi, Hazuri Bagh, Amira Kadal, Shivpora, Rajbagh and Magarmal Bagh, Lal Chowk, Maisuma, Abiguzar, Kral Sangri, Karapora, Brein, Patnta Chowk, Sonwar, Buchwara, Gupkar Road, Ram Munshi Bagh, Athwajan, Mahraja Bazar, Sari Payeen, Lal Mandi, Jawaharnagar (partly), Basant Bagh, Bar Bar Shah.


Saida Kadal Bridge, Zinsha Masjid, Rainawari Chowk, Soorateng Chowk, Shiraz Chowk, Nowhatta, Naidyaar, Hasibhat, Chowdary Bagh.

Epilogue Ø 1 × May 2009

B R I D G I N G T H E I N F O R M A T I O N D I V I D E

F O R T H E M O N T H O F M A Y 2 0 0 9

Taking J&K Closer to WorldBringing World Closer to J&K


29Volume : 3, Number : 5

ISSN : 0974-5653

RNI : JKENG/2007/26070

www.epilogue.in

The present issue is a summit of

ideas originating from all regions of

J&K. Writers decided to share their

opinions at a workshop they

attended together at Bangkok in

ending March.

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Nov. 2008

ELECTIONS: CHALLENGE 2008 e have brought out three issues on assembly elections 2008 and the November Wissue was first in the series. Elections were being held in the backdrop of a worst

separatist and communal agitation in state. With a commentary on the prevailing political and security atmosphere, the November issue carried a complete backgrounder on the past elections.

Dec. 2008

HUNG ASSEMBLY n the middle of elections our small team of staffers along with some 30 volunteers Itraveled across the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir to gauge the public

mood. The conclusion was that there will be a hung assembly with NC as largest party, PDP second and Congress third. Looking at the pages of our December issue one can see all parties have come up with same number of seats as we had predicted except the BJP.

Jan. 2009

Feb. 2009

Mar. 2009

Apr. 2009

MANDATE : collectors issue, the special number on our second anniversary came as fastest Apossible, yet professionally correct work, on J&K elections. Result were declare

on December 28 and our issue carrying complete elections analysis and elections trends at constituency level was out before the government was sworn I.

AGENDA FOR OMAR GOVERNMENT :he coalition government of National Conference and the Congress headed by TOmar Abdullah Omar Abdullah took over on January 5 but it did not declare a

shared agenda. Epilogue's February issue put together opinions of well meaning people from across the country setting out an agenda for Omar Abdullah government

CONNECTING J&K

onnectivity is a major issue in J&K and people in many areas taunt the Cgovernment saying that roads were laid in remote areas only because they close to borders. Our March issue looked at the connectivity via roads, rail and air to bring to the fore the missing links.

TREADING FAILURE

s world watches keenly the new unfolding developments in Pakistan, our AConsulting Editor D Suba Chandran travelled to the troubled country to bring fresh perspectives for our readers in April Issue.


www.epilogue.in

Editor Zafar Iqbal Choudhary

Consulting EditorD. Suba Chandran

Associate EditorsIrm Amin BaigTsewang Rigzin

Art EditorKeshav Sharma

Research OfficerRaman Sharma

Mailing AddressPO Box 50, HO Gandhi Nagar, Jammu

Phones & emailOffice : +91 191 2493136Editorial: +91 94191 80762Administration: +91 94190 [email protected]@[email protected]

Edited, Printed, Published and Owned by Zafar Iqbal Choudhary. Published from : Ibadat House, Madrasa Lane, Near Graveyard, Bathindi Top, Jammu, J&K - 180012 and Printed at : DEE DEE Reprographix, 3 Aikta Ashram, New Rehari Jammu (J&K)

Disputes, if any, subject to jurisdiction of courts and competitive tribunals in Jammu only.

RNI : JKENJ/2007/26070ISN : 00974-5653Price : Rs 30

CONTENTS

Prologue 5

Note Book7 Essential Entries 6

OpinionTaliban Terror 10B. Raman

LS Elections 2009Hanging around same issues 12Maulvi v/s Abdullah : Action Replay 12By India, these separatists Swear 14Ladakh's smallest and 15highest polling stationsPolitics : from streets to ballots we 16must tolerate the change of heartsSushma Mahajan

War on TerrorNew Af-Pak Strategy : 48Old Wine in a New BottleM Shamsur Rabb Khan

View PointJammu, Kashmir, Ladakh 51In Quest of Regional BalanceSahil Showkat

ColumnRecollecting Marrah’s Liberation 54‘...I forgot what fear is’Manisha Sobhrajani

Special StoriesMust See in Jammu 56Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani MuseumA. K. Khanna

Stories of ChangeFinancing Transport Sector 59Sajjad Bazaz

LadakhUnemployment on the Rise 61Tsewang Rigzin

MediaThe Kashmir Jigsaw 62Sevanti Ninan

IN FOCUSJ&K Moving Forward

J&K Moving Forward18 ...but there are Wheels within WheelsZafar Choudhary

A frame work for conflict24 Resolution in KashmirTahir Aziz

Revisiting General Musharaf’s Ideas26Formulations on Jammu and KashmirDr. Gul Mohammad Wani

A New Hope29Anil Dhar

Keeping hopes alive for Kashmir settlement30Ershad Mahmud

Images of Kashmir in Pir Pangal Region32Abdul Rauf Mir

Peace via voiceless people;35A Northern Areas PerspectiveEjaz Ahmed Khan

Remember Past only to Focus on Future38Tashi Galyson

Peace in South Asia :39Kashmir can be Bridge between India, PakSardar Amjad Yousaf Khan

Unheard Traumatized Voices41Let’s pray no more Khatoons, Naseemas and Shafiqa are added to painful history ofKashmirEzabir Ali

Kashmir Conflict and its Impact43Ilyas Choudhary

Sufferers must play their roles45Uzera Shah


Assortment of Ideas

Jammu and

KashmirMoving Forward

Jammu and

KashmirMoving Forward

Epiloguebecause there is more to know

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NEW DELHI

L

From the EditorRP O O G U E

t is often said that the solution of Peoples want many things more but that legend has it, the difficulties in coming

Kashmir issue should better be does not mean that governments are to terms with each other's perceptions

left to the people of Jammu and ready to settle down for anything or did not last for more than 30 minutes.

Kashmir alone. But is there any every thing for peace. While Towards the end of workshop each Iidea of what the people of Jammu understanding these limitations in view participant appeared eager to go home,

and Kashmir want. This can be known of the geo-political realities that shaped e x p a n d t h e c o n s t i t u e n c y o f

only when they have the opportunities up in the six decades after partition reconciliation and have lines of divide

to meet and talk. While there are there has to be an initiative driven by blurred –as soon as possible.

b a r bed ba r r i e r s a nd l im i t ed the people to guide the governments. Unfortunately the situation is not as

opportunities of contacts between two With regional differences running deep simple as that but it can be made one.

sides of the divide, the channels of into blood of the people such initiatives The workshop was in a close room.

communication are not so free even on and the desired common approaches Participants are back home and coming

t he e i t he r s i de s . The re a re are often difficult but not impossible. across obv ious d i f f icu l t ies in

psychological barriers. Differences Many of us had heard that when two implementing ideas they conceived and

within the regions are fast widening and natives of J&K, one belonging to Indian agreed upon with their colleagues in

there are no attempts to bridge them side and other from Pakistani side are Bangkok. But there is no question of the

up. Perhaps this suits the official allowed to sit together for half an hour urge slowing down. The present issue of

establishment but this can't bring any it takes a maximum of 30 minutes for Epilogue is a reflection of that strong

peace. Peace, it is again said, is too them to conclude that there is conflict urge of cooperation and friendship as

important an end to be left to the at all. At a small scale this phenomenon participants of the workshop drawn

governments alone to achieve. There has been seen after launch of the trans- from all parts of Jammu and Kashmir (on

has to be an initiative by the people to Kashmir-LoC bus service. Many myths both sides of LoC) have made a

guide a way to their destiny. Here again fell and realities took over the thinking. beginning by contributing their articles

is an important question. Can It was a similar experiment at a recent to this special issue. This is just a

governments, in New Delhi and workshop on Kashmir organized by a beginning. In coming months and years

Islamabad, leave the destiny of Jammu London based institute Conciliation the magazine will go on to expand and

and Kashmir to the people alone? No. Resources at Bangkok. The beauty was strengthen this constituency of forward

There has to be an official conflict that participants were picked up from looking people to inspire those who are still

resolution and reconciliation process in all regions of state on both sides of LoC caught in the web of a flawed history.

place but necessarily supplemented and with a 'scientific balance' of regions, Meanwhile, my thanks are due to the

guided by aspirations of the peoples. sub-regions, faiths, cultures to Conciliation Resources for such a

Peoples on both sides of the Line of accommodate as many identities as meaningful exercise of bringing Jammu

Control had always wanted to meet possible in J&K. there were absolutely and Kashmir together –though a small part

each other but a communication link no lectures at all. Participants were of it. I am sure this constituency grows.

Feedback :(bus services) was established only made to interact with each other in a

[email protected] the governments agreed for that. proper framework of interaction. As the

J&K : Simple in 30 Minutes

Zafar Choudhary


N O T E B O O K

7 Essential Stories


here is good news for Jammu and The census has been conducted in The census was initiated to identify TKashmir - an increase in the collaboration with the Wildlife threats to the species and formulate a

population of the endangered stag Institute of India, Dehradun, and the strategy to save them. The hangul is

called hangul. According to a census Wildlife Trust of India, New Delhi. characterised by impressive spreading Hangul is an endangered species of conducted by the state wildlife antlers of the adult male and its rich deer found in Jammu and Kashmir, department, the estimated population brownish red coat. Female hangul do mainly in the Dachigam National Park is now between 201 and 234, compared not have antlers. and adjoining areas. The estimated population is now to 117 and 199 in March 2008.

industrialists had also added salt everal reasons debase the state S to the wounds of Industrialists.economy mainly includes “Industries could only survive setback in tourism due to terror when Govt, offers incentive to it threats and apprehension of as man power, raw material and Taliban presence in valley. The almost everything has to be local handicraft industry like; imported from outside the state”, Paper Mache, Carpet Weaving, said industrialist and president Namda Sazi, Wooden Crafts and industries association Jammu Anil other technical trade have been Suri. He said that goods ones worst affected by the non-deliver are not getting expected availability of sales outlets, latest package causing disappointment technology, marketing scenario, to the industrialists.packing problems and many more. Initiating trade across LOC with People prefer to leave all these not proper homework to facilitate trades choice to do something new

industrialists with the banking and the currency provisions of which they could earn livelihood smoothly. finally turned out as a mockery. “Govt. does not show keen Not only this but the industrial sector of the entire state has interest to back state industries as exported goods could not reached to halt as industrial policies lack, loan facilities, fetch adequate returns” said president chamber of subsidies electricity and outside state investors. Besides 90% commerce and industries (CCI) Ram Sahai.of manpower is unskilled and the skilled staff is being Transport industries which are directly dependent upon the imported from other states on high rates.Tourism Sector has suffered a lot last year due to two Fruit industry is also suffering for one or the other reason months long agitation. The Apprehension of Taliban every year. Militancy and Regional clashes forced fruit presence in Valley force Tourists to cancel their bookings, growers to suffer huge losses and the people dealing with which cause serious concern to transport operators, the trade are highly disappointed, cold storage facilities, hoteliers and other allied traders. Govt. has to do a lot to road connectivity, agents who lack marketing skills and develop confidence among all the sectors involved in neglect by the Govt. to extend helping hands to fruit Business and trade as already it (Govt.) is under the growers.influence of Code of Conduct and did nothing for the last Special Economic Zone (SEZ) remains the only way out to more then four months. People Expect that young Chief save these industries. The Direct marketing at National and Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah will open Pandora box soon after International markets could also provide sign of relief to the the electioneering ends on May 16th, provide Sign of relief business cadre of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Govt. of India for which they waited a lot.taking back its promises announced earlier in favour of

ECONOMY

Crafts, industries crying for help

WILDLIFE

Endangered stag population on the rise

Manali, Mulden, Pang he ambitious and strategically crucial project to link T and Jarapa.mountain-locked Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir The rail link is with the rest of the country by train has moved a step closer crucial for the to fructification with the Railways finalising the feasibility country's defence report in this regard.security. India has The first rail link is proposed to be between Leh and been beefing up Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh and six passenger trains and infrastructure along nine goods trains are planned on the 498 km-long section.

"The feasibility report of Leh-Bilaspur rail link project is the Chinese border

almost ready and it will be submitted to Railway Ministry in Ladakh region and

shortly for scrutiny. After the scrutiny, the report would be has reopened several

sent to the Planning Commission before being sent to forward landing

Parliament for final approval," said a senior Railway Ministry bases to ensure

official involved with the feasibility study. faster supply lines The project is strategically crucial as it is part of India's for troops posted in efforts to improve infrastructure in the border region difficult terrain.It is considering that China has already built a rail link to Tibet. estimated to cost China has also improved connectivity with Pakistan via the about Rs 45 crore per Karakoram highway which runs close to the Indian border. km to construct the The proposed Leh rail project came up for discussion at the rail line in the Army Commanders' Conference here recently in the context section. There would of improving supply lines along the border like China has also be provisions for done. attending to any According to the study, the Leh-Bilaspur project, which is accident along the estimated to cost about Rs 22,000 crore, 6,000 passengers route.are expected to travel daily in the section, once the line is Two sites have been proposed along the 498-km long route operational. for setting up facilities for accident relief trains.On the freight front, the feasibility report has taken into Trains are expected to run at 65 km per hour in the section, account the possibility of carrying 3.92 million tonnes -- according to the study.mostly food grains, steel, sugar, oil, iron and cement -- in a Beside troop movement, the rail link would give a boost to year. tourism in the area.However, only two passenger trains are The proposed Leh-Bilaspur rail project will have 20 stations expected to run during the winter since the mountainous including Chhibbrin, Sundar Nagar, Bhangrotu, Mandi, Kullu, area sees heavy snowfall in the season, said the study.


CONNECTING J&K

Rs 22,000 Cr rail project for Leh

between 201 and to an official statement. great significance as this is the only "The increase in population is being 234, compared to survivor of the red deer group in the attributed to the effective measures 117 and 199 in Indian subcontinent. The species is which include protection and control March 2008. The placed under Schedule I in the Jammu on poaching taken by the department, male-female ratio and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, b e s i d e s t h e i n v o l v e m e n t o f and female-fawn 1978, and the Indian Wildlife independent volunteers, researchers, ratio have also (Protection) Act, 1972. It is also listed students and NGOs," the statement shown an upward in on the International Trade in said. swing in the current Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Conservation of this species assumes census, according Fauna (CITES).

N O T E B O O K7 Essential Stories


n Asian regional seminar at Leh, has aims to share this information with the water is needed, water will not be Awarned of adverse effects of people from Central and South Asia, to there, there will be drought. Even the

climate change in cold regions. The improve livelihood for people from UNDP report and reports of other global

four-day seminar was organised by the Hindukush, Himalayas and Pamir," said agencies say that the Himalayan

G r o u p E n e r g i e s Re n e w a b l e , Vincent Stuffer, Country Director, glaciers will shrink in the next 50 to 60

Environment Solidarities, a recognized GERES, India. years if we keep polluting the The objective of the seminar was to share internat ional French NGO, in environment," Dr. Balaji, District Forest strategies, expertise and field partnership with the European Union, Officer, Leh and a participant at the experience on energy and climate change G T Z ( t h e G e r m a n Te c h n i c a l seminar.issues to formulate a series of concrete Global warming could wipe out large Cooperation), ADEME (the French recommendations in terms of policy and areas of glaciers in the Himalayas and Environment and Energy Management methodology and to initiate a community surrounding highlands, threatening Agency), and the Foundation Ensemble.

It was attended by representatives from of practice among the key players of the livelihoods across much of Asia.Ladakh is geographically important India, Afghanistan, China, Tibet, region. Scientists predict that at the because, when the glaciers start Tajikistan and Bhutan. The conference present rate glaciers in the Himalayas melting areas such as these would be focused on i s sues concern ing will shrink within the next 50 to 60 years.

"Ladakh region has many glaciers and first affected. Mountain areas are adaptation strategy choices, which they are feeding many of our rivers like particularly affected by climate change have become important for people the Ganges and the Brahmaputra. If as relatively small changes in living in mountains areas.

"Its important because these glaciers these glaciers melt due to climate temperatures have severe impact on

will melt within 20 years, and people's change during summer seasons, there water supply, agriculture-based

livelihood will collapse. This seminar could be unexpected floods. And when livelihood and infrastructure.

n the initiative of Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) social works and activism. This year the awards were OYouth wing, under its newly elected president Mr. conferred among one individual and two societies. Among

Tsewang Thinles, a grand celebration of the 118th Birth them are Lama Sangha Sena, President Mahabodhi Society,

Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Leh for his contributions for the people of Ladakh specially

was held at the historic Leh Pologround on April 14 to pay the underprivileged ones through various humanitarian

homage to the Architect of the Indian Constitution. projects, the Lamdon Social Welfare Society for having With enthusiasm and devotion thousands of people and a excelled in education for the last nearly three decades and galaxy of prominent personalities including the heads of the Ladakh Vision Group for producing feature films based different religious and social organizations, the on relevant and prevailing social issues such as preservation intelligentsia, members of LBA and students of various and promotion of cultural values, eradication of social evils, institutions took part in the Ambedkar Jayanti and paid rich and helping poor and needy people. tribute to Babasaheb by offering white scarf khatak to his MC Bhagat, District Superintending Engineer Leh who is also

portrait. the President of Ambedkar Foundation J&K State was the Speakers on the occasion highlighted the role of Dr. chief guest on the occasion while the President LBA, Mr. Ambedkar to bring about reforms to uplift the weaker Lobzang Rinchen was the guest of honor. sections in India who were suffering from caste It is pertinent to mention here that Ambedkar was born into

discrimination. a poor untouchable family of Hindu community in 1891. LBA has constituted Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar Awards to be Having spent his whole life fighting against social conferred to organizations and individuals having excelled in discrimination, Ambedkar 1950s converted his faith into contributing towards betterment of the society through Buddhism.

ENVIRONMENT

Climate change warning from Ladakh

REPORTS FROM LADAKH

Ambedkar remembered in Leh



pening the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks Ocase in court, special public prosecutor Ujwal

Nikam said there was a clear indication that the

strike was a criminal conspiracy hatched in

Pakistan with the help of experts, aimed at

capturing Jammu and Kashmir.Nikam said before designated court judge M L

Tahilyani that the attack was launched under a

criminal conspiracy to wage a war against the

country and weaken it economically by targetting

the financial capital.Nikam said that the findings were based on

confessional statement of Mohammad Ajmal Amir

Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist captured during

the attack, recorded by additional chief

metropolitan magistrate, and the investigations

conducted in the case. Nikam said that Kasab's confession clearly shows

that that the attack was absolutely impossible

without involvement of some trained

professionals.''According to Kasab's confessional statement, he

and the nine other terrorist, who were killed

during the attacks, had first undergone arms

training, including handling of AK-47, for 21 days.Then they had again undergone a 15-day arms

training at Muradabad hills in Pakistan by Abu

Hamza, which also included ways of deceiving the

intelligence agencies. In September 2008, during

ramzan, they were taken to Karachi by rail and a

Hakeem (Muslim physician) trained them on sea

transportation, maps, Global positioning system

and also how to misguide the Navy officials,'' Mr

Nikam said.He said, ''They were trained about rocket

launchers and satellite phones. The whole training

was done to make them ''Jihadis''. During their

training in Karachi, an unknown person came to

oversee the preparations and Rehman Lakhvi

introduced him as Major General, but did not

disclose his name. The terrorists were also told

that the people training them were the Major

General's men.'’

TERRORISM

Mumbai attack planned to capture Kashmir?

irst day in top chamber of civil secretariat, on January 9 when the Fyoungest Chief Minister Omar Abdullah talked about his '100-day'

model to set tone for governance in next 69 months, his plain, crisp and

sweet talk was highly appreciated by his bureaucrat audience but the 100-

day model still remain an illusion as the National Conference-Congress

coalition completes three months in office. Widely respected and read London based Sunday Observer has noted that

39 years old Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister has a vision though he has

had only 100 days in office. When Omar Abdullah moved into office of

Chief Minister there was very little to doubt about his experience as he

was a Union Minister ten years ago but the difference millions, particularly

youth, had hoped is yet to show though hopes are still intact as its been

just 100 days. Jammu and Kashmir is a difficult state to keep the promises and translate

the visions, the one like Omar has, but there are few things which need to

come from top and percolate down to bottom. Vision and agenda is one

such thing which the leadership sets and team follows. In his first meeting with the administrative secretaries on January 9, Omar

Abdullah told them “to formulate agenda for the first 100 days of the

coalition Government to set the tone for the governance for the six years

of its tenure”. Bureaucracy in Jammu and Kashmir is quite obedient and

faithful to the political leadership but talk in the secretariat next day was

audible: “if bureaucrats had to set agenda in 100 days to be followed for

next six years then they were doing it well in the Governor's

administration”.This is nothing to dispute the Sunday Observer's opinion that Omar

Abdullah has a vision but if he had wanted to put in place in 100 days a

model of governance for next six years then Jammu and Kashmir probably

lacks the climate for such an experiment. Administrative secretaries are

still sifting through the previous files to formulate a plan which they or

their predecessors did years back. A handout issued by the National Conference has today listed a dozen odd

projects –like Srinagar airport and the Kashmir rail-line –to underscore

efficient governance of the coalition but understandably some of these

projects were initiated during the times of previous generation. Omar

could have done wonders but if the operational conditions were out of

Jammu and Kashmir. The first and foremost spoiler in the way of Omar translating his vision was

apparently an uncomfortable alliance with an arrogant partner and wide

gaps between party and the government. Chief Minister's first month in

office (or out of office) went off in generating appreciation of people and

places in the new system and the second month got consumed up in

managing the Rajya Sabha elections. The third month saw huge politics of

Legislative Council elections and then came the Lok Sabha elections which

currently have the dust kicking in the air. The National Conference

handout rightly puts it: “and this is just a beginning…”

GOVERNANCE

Omar's 100 days lackluster


AT L I B A N T E R R O R

Opinion


“The heavily-forested Kupwara is not the 30 well-trained terrorists-cum-insurgents sprawling urban Mumbai. Encounters from the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) within forests have nothing in common into J&K. This group, which has been with encounters with terrorists described as a "Taliban group" to entrenched inside urban buildings and distinguish it from the earlier infiltrators going on a shooting spree in crowded who belonged to the Lashkar-e-Toiba public places in a big city such as Mumbai. (LET), is well-trained and has shown a But there are disconcerting similarities capability to keep our security forces between what happened in Mumbai engaged in conventional style battles. between November 26 and 29, 2008, and between what has happened during the If the media reports of the way the new last five days in the Kupwara area-- infiltrators are fighting are to be believed, simultaneous, well-orchestrated attacks what we are seeing is reminiscent of the on multiple targets, whether static or infiltration of a re-trained and better-moving army patrols, a skilful use of hand- trained Neo Taliban of Mulla Mohammad held weapons and gadgets such as GPS Omar into Afghanistan in 2003. The re-systems, suicidal and not suicide trained Neo Taliban showed a remarkable terrorism, strike, stay and fight tactics capability for mixing conventional style instead of the hit and vanish tactics and an stand and fight battles and suicide or ability to keep the encounters with the suicidal terrorism. The US-led NATO forces security forces going for a long time in in Afghanistan are still struggling to order to make an impact on the local grapple with the re-trained Neo Taliban population and the international infiltrators from their sanctuaries in community through dramatic media Pakistan.reports."

The use of the word Taliban in describing -- Extract from my article dated March the new batch of infiltrators into Northern 25, 2009, From Mumbai To Kupwara J&K can be confusing. The Pakistani media

refer to the anti-India terrorist

organisations, which consist largely of hile the Government of Dr Punjabis and Punjabi-speaking Kashmiris Manmohan Singh has maintained (Mirpuris) from Pakistan-Occupied Wits usual silence on what has been Kashmir (POK), as the Punjabi Taliban and going on in Northern Jammu & Kashmir to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), (Kupwara, Uri and Baramulla areas), there which consists largely of Pashtuns, as the have been worrisome reports in the media

about the infiltration of one more group of Pashtun Taliban. The TTP consists largely

B. RAMAN Author is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai

The 'Taliban' Infiltration

The goal would be to strengthen those experts close to Obama who have been saying that a solution to the so-called Kashmir problem should be the starting point of any effective fight against terrorism emanating from the Pakistani territory


of the Mehsud and Wazir sub-tribes of the Pashtuns. Next to

the Punjabis, who constitute about 75 per cent of the Pakistan

Army, the Pashtuns constitute the second largest number in

the Army-- about 20 per cent. They are recruited from both the

North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the Federally-

Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)-- with the Mehsuds and the

Wazirs constituting the largest single group of Pashtun tribals

recruited into the Army from the FATA.

When the Pakistan Army tried to annex J&K after Pakistan

became independent in 1947, it first sent into J&K Mehsud and

Wazir tribals who projected themselves as local Kashmiris.

Initially, the Pakistan Army totally denied any responsibility

for their depredations, but ultimately it accepted that the

tribal infiltrators were from the army. These infiltrators

managed to occupy some parts of J&K which were constituted

into the POK.

As a reward for their services, many of these Mehsuds and

Wazirs were allowed to settle down in the POK after their

retirement from the Army. When Ayub Khan wanted to occupy

J&K in 1965, he again sent the Mehsuds and the Wazirs into J&K

and tried to project them as indigenous Kashmiris. If Lal

Bahadur Shastri, the then Indian Prime Minister, had not

retaliated by ordering the Indian Army to enter the Lahore

area thereby creating panic in the Pakistani army, these tribals

from the Pakistani Army posing as indigenous Kashmiris would

have probably occupied Jammu and even Srinagar. After the

war was over, Ayub Khan had these Mehsuds and Wazirs from

the Pakistan Army re-settled in POK. During the military

confrontation between India and Pakistan after the foiled

terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament on December 13,

2001, Pervez Musharraf used to say that there were 150,000

ex-service-men re-settled in the POK, who would put up a

fierce resistance to any forays by the Indian Army into the

POK. These ex-servicemen largely consist of Punjabis,

Mehsuds and Wazirs.

Against this background, the new group of infiltrators into

J&K could be either members of the so-called Punjabi Taliban

or members from the families of Mehsud and Wazir re-settlers

in the POK who are being referred to by the locals as the

Taliban, meaning the Pashtun Taliban. In the past--in 1947-48

and in 1965-- the infiltration of the tribals was a prelude to a

regular invasion by the Pakistan Army. This time, the objective

of the infiltration seems to be to strengthen the claims of

some non-governmental and governmental experts close to

the administration of President Barack Obama, who have been

saying that a solution to the so-called Kashmir problem should

be the starting point of any effective fight against terrorism

emanating from the Pakistani territory by the Pakistan Army.

yed Moinullah Khan, a Pakistan-based militant who was Sarrested by the Indian Army, disclosed that militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir have no links with the Taliban. “People of Taliban are in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They don't come to this side. Each outfit a has separate training centre of their own. Nobody belongs to Taliban in this, they have their own training centre and setup and those organisations, which work in Kashmir have their own setup. These setups in Kashmir have nothing to do with the Taliban and they don't work along with the Taliban," Syed claimed.Syed, Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, was brought before the media for the first time.Shah confessed how he received imparted intense training before infiltrating into India from the Gurez Sector along with 30 others. "I was trained in a jungle in a place called Mansehra in Jammu and Kashmir. There is a place named Sunar in the border area of Kashmir and we entered via that route. In totality there were people belonging to four terrorist organisations, who infiltrated Kashmir, including Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and PPR," Shah said. When asked about the motive behind him becoming a terrorist, Syed said, "Kashmiris come to Pakistan and claim that they are being illtreated, they are not given passports, the Indian Army has captured their houses and that they are misrespected. So they tell us to come along with weapons and we come here in the name of jihad. This is my motive behind becoming a terrorist." However, he added that on arriving he saw there was no kind of disrespect towards Muslims. "On arriving here, I realised that people are involved in their own work and I did not see any kind of restrictions in the lives of Kashmiris. Everyone is living their lives in full freedom and is doing their own work. There is no need of jihad as such over here," Shah said.Shah informed there was not a set target or mission for any outfit."There was not set target or mission given to us. We were just sent to attack. It depends from the commanders as to where they send us and for what; we have no say in it. We have three types of training. One is for 21 days, one is for 30 days and the third one lasts for 3 months." Syed also informed that he had met the Hizbul Mujhahideen commander."The commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, who came to Gurez Sector, to talk about jihad, from that time onwards I, wanted to get into this. I met that person and took the address of the training centre and landed myself there. The one who becomes a commander is the person who spends almost 4-5 years in the area," Syed added.

TERRORISM

Captured ultra takes Taliban buzz out

AT L I B A N T E R R O R

Opinion

LESL E C T I O N S 2 0 0 9

Campaign Trail


h e n S h e i k h M o h a m m a d WAbdullah bulldozed his political opponents with the Indira-Abdullah accord in 1975, his Plebiscite Front rebel Sofi Mohammad Akbar vanished into oblivion in hometown Sopore and the Jamaat-e-Islami veteran Syed Ali Shah Geelani had already neutralised his own image of a revolutionary leader by participating in the dubiously held Assembly elections of 1972, Shia Muslim cleric Maulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari had little competition to grab the opportunity of emerging as Sher-e-Kashmir's arch rival in Kashmir's political landscape. Over two other competitors---Shameem Ahmed Shameem and Abdul Gani Lone---Ansari had the advantage of hailing from the core of Central Kashmir as also being the spiritual leader of a sizable votebank. Thus, he qualified well for an attack by Sheikh's cubs while filing his nomination papers as an Independent candidate against Begum Akbar Jehan in February 1977.Maulvi had remained a Member of Legislative Council since 1973 but he shot into veritable prominence when National Conference (NC) jihadis roughed him up and snatched away his Qarraquli on occasion of filing his nomination for Srinagar-Budgam in the Lok Sabha elections of March 1977. Then widely circulated Srinagar Times carried one of Bashir Ahmed Bashir's popular cartoons on Ansari's headgear next day. In a few days, Ansari put up a 30,000-strong show on the spacious Gole Bagh---where High Court and Legislature Complexes came up years later---in front of the Civil Secretariat. He slammed Kashmir 's legendary political icon with his loud roar and gave his widely revered spouse a tough fight. Still, he had to be content with just 87,000 votes

BATTLE FIELD SRINAGAR

Maulvi v/s aising the same issues in almost the achieve it,' senior National Conference Rsame pitch in their election leader Ali Mohammed Sagar said at an

campaigns, the National Conference and election meeting here.But PDP president Mehbooba Mufti holds the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the National Conference responsible for busy accusing each other of deceiving the invocation of the AFSPA in the state, the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The rival parties are promising greater which has since 1989 been battling devolution of powers to the state terrorism which has left over 47,000 through the autonomy slogan of the people dead.

'It is the National Conference which in National Conference and the self-rule the very first place got the AFSPA to slogan of the PDP.

'They have copied our autonomy Kashmir. Now they are talking of its document and are now calling it self- repeal to deceive the voters,' Mehbooba rule which is meant to deceive the Mufti told an election meeting of her people,' says Farooq Abdullah, the party in Anantnag.

The India-Pakistan peace process is National Conference president and another issue which tops the election former chief minister, who is contesting campaign of the two parties in the from Srinagar.

Abdullah's long time political rival Mufti valley.'In our rule, there was a general sense of Mohammed Sayeed, the PDP patron, security among the people. The cross-unequivocally criticises him.

'He (Abdullah) passed the autonomy border bus was started and the India-resolution in the state assembly and Pakistan peace process began to ease then allowed it to be trashed by the tensions between the two neighbours,' central government in 2000. The Mehbooba Mufti said.

The National Conference counters by National Conference has never been saying very few people even today use serious while fighting for the rights of the cross-border bus service to the people here,' Sayeed said at a rally in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered south Kashmir's Anantnag district, a Kashmir and the pace of cross-border strong bastion of his party.

Voters feel confused, says the editor of a trade between the two parts of Kashmir leading daily newspaper here. has not picked up at all.'They are confusing the voters on all 'How many people have actually used fronts. But what the voter does would be the bus or traded goods across the known only after the results are out,' he border? These still remain photo said, not wishing to be identified. opportunities which the PDP wants to The rival parties also speak of encash,' said a senior National withdrawal of armed forces from the Conference leader here.populated areas and repeal of the Armed Both parties are promising roads, Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), but healthcare, employment and economic continue to blame each other for having packages to boost the valley's shattered done nothing concrete towards economy.

'They (National Conference) didn't do it achieving this.'We got an army camp removed from then, they shall not do it now,' said Mufti Bomai village near Sopore town within Sayeed.

'How much did he do during his tenure?' less than a month of coming to power. pat comes the retort from the National The PDP always made emotive issues of Conference's south Kashmir candidate army withdrawal from populated areas, Mirza Mehboob Beg.but actually did nothing on the ground to

DISCOURSE

Hanging around same issues


Nobody had an inkling of the split when Even as NC lost some segments in the against Begum's whopping 2.10 Lakh.Ansari made another dramatic Assembly elections in 2002 and later Alongwith all of his ilk---Maulana turnaround and returned to his much PDP's Tariq Hameed Qarra dealt it the Masoodi, Ghulam Mohiuddin Qarra, abused detractor Mufti Sayeed's camp first major blow in Batmaloo in 2004-05, Mirwaiz Farooq, Abdul Gani Lone etc in 2005. He resigned as NC's MLA and it has swept the polls fully in the etc---Ansari joined Murarji Desai's contested the by-elections in 1996 but Assembly elections of 2008 in Srinagar ruling Janata Party next month. At the lost to Farooq Abdullah's brother, Dr and lost only three of the 15 segments.end of an electrifying campaign in the

In 1998, Congress candidate Aga Syed Mustafa Kamal. In 2008, he, however, Assembly elections of June 1977, only Mehdi (also an influential Shia leader) managed his victory from the same two of JP candidates---Lone in secured only 74,000 against Omar segment by defeating NC's Abdul Handwara and the Mirwaiz-nominee Abdullah's 1,45,000 votes. In 1999, then Rashid Shaheen. Abdul Rashid Kabuli---were returned

Even as nobody from NC removed Independent Mehboba Mufti got just in the Valley as NC swept the polls. It Ansari's Qarraqulli in ensuing polls his 18,000 votes in Srinagar-Budgam was obviously in recognition of his election fighting came full circle after against Omar Abdullah's 55,000. And defeating Ansari in Pattan that Sheikh 32 years in April 2009 when, for the first notwithstanding its loss of power in Abdullah inducted Abdul Rashid time, he jumped into the arena to 2002 Assembly elections, NC's Omar Shaheen as a junior Minister in his directly take on Sheikh Abdullah's son, Abdullah trounced PDP's Ghulam Nabi government. Farooq Abdullah. Still suffering the jolt Lone Hanjoora with a margin of 23,000 As his vengeance refused to die down, of the defeat of the Assembly elections votes. Ansari successfully uprooted the NC

With the big fight unfolding between of 2008, PDP and Mufti are obviously candidate and romped home in Pattan Farooq Abdullah and Maulvi Iftikhar, banking on Ansari's sectarian base in in the Assembly elections of 1983. In both have certain advantage in the Srinagar-Budgam in the current Lok league with his former patrons in current elections. PDP has managed to Sabha elections. Congress---notably Mufti Mohammad

The Central Kashmir constituency of get back its estranged Shia leader, Aga Sayeed--- he played a key role in Srinagar-Budgam-Ganderbal has been Syed Mehmood, who has functioned as engineering a split in NC, dismissing NC's invincible bastion whether in a Minister in Dr Abdullah's government Farooq Abdullah as Chief Minister and power or in opposition. While Dr Farooq for two terms, last fortnight. However, getting Ghulam Mohammad Shah Abdullah scored his first victory here given his second successive defeat in installed as head of the government in when nobody stood against him in the Budgam, his base is no match to that of July 1984. Lok Sabha elections of 1980, NC's Abdul the NC MLA Aga Ruhulla who has been In the backdrop of Rajiv-Farooq Rasheed Kabuli slammed a crushing returned for his second term with a Accord, Ansari made a dramatic defeat on then Chief Minister Ghulam massive vote of nearly 20,000. Both somersault and outsmarted all in the Mohammad Shah's son, Muzaffar Shah, have influence of varied proportions in state politics in becoming Farooq in 1984. With all available resources, five other segments of Shia base in Abdullah 's bosom fr iend. This Shah got a paltry 61,000 votes against Srinagar-Budgam. association showed spectacular Kabuli's 2,64,000. Again in 1989, NC's Even as Ansari is resilience in surviving M o h a m m a d S h a f i B h a t w e n t expected to get the all kinds of hostile uncontested. lion's share of Shia weather. Even as In 1996, Ghulam Mohammad Mir v o t e , P D P c a n Ansari won as an Magami, a Shia leader from Budgam obviously find an Opposition Congress district, managed a victory over JD's a d v a n t a g e i n candidate in Pattan in Farooq Andrabi with a margin of less nothing less than a 1996, Farooq Abdullah than 2,000 votes, thanks to a sectarian turnout of around inducted him as a divide in the low turnout polling. His 20 to 25 percent as Minister in his Cabinet. real advantage was NC's absence from a sectarian divide In 2002 he was once the Lok Sabha elections. Thereafter, could benefit it again returned from NC's Omar Abdullah has continuously o n l y i n t h a t Pattan, though NC lost retained this all-important seat for his situation. the power to Mufti's party in 1998, 1999 and 2004 elections. - AHMED ALI FAYYAZPDP.

Abdullah: Action Replay

LESL E C T I O N S 2 0 0 9Campaign Trail


percent people participated in the in the last over two decades include hampions of 'Azadi' in yesteryears, C Assembly elections in J&K---71% in Maulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, Sajjad Gani Lone and Ghulam Jammu and 51% in Kashmir valley. Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Nizam-ud-din Rasool Shah alias Imran Rahi, are among Sajjad's own sister, advocate Shabnam Bhat, Abdul Haq Khan, late Bilal Lodhi 13 candidates of different political Lone, as also a senior ideologue in the (all PDP), Mohammad Akbar Lone (NC) affiliations in fray in the North Kashmir PC, Engineer Sheikh Abdul Rasheed, and former Forest Minister Ghulam Lok Sabha constituency of Baramulla-contested the Assembly elections from Mohi-ud-din Sofi. Sofi was among over Kupwara while swearing by God to Kupwara and Langet segments a dozen members of PC who had uphold India's sovereignty and integrity. respectively. Even as Ms Lone lost to contested Assembly elections of 2002 Chairman of a faction of late Abdul Gani the NC candidate, Mir Saifullah, and came to be widely known as Lone's mainstream-turned-separatist Engineer Rasheed defeated all of his Sajjad's “proxy candidates”. Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Conference

It was Sofi's and his other colleagues' rivals including NC's incumbent, (PC), Sajjad Lone, took oath in the participation in the elections that Sharief-ud-din Shariq, and PDP's name of God for bearing true faith in caused the first split in Hurriyat in former MLA, Mohammad Sultan the Constitution of India and upholding 2003 when hardliner Syed Ali Shah Panditpuri. the sovereignty and integrity of this

Those who have earlier deserted late Geelani took a tough stand and sought country. After PC's 19-year-long struggle Mr Lone's PC and become MLAs or MLCs PC's ouster from the amalgam. for Kashmir's 'Azadi' (freedom from

India) and seven years after his father's

assassination over the speculations of

his participation in the Assembly

elections of 2002, Sajjad Lone has

finally stood up as a candidate in the

Indian Parliamentary elections in

Jammu & Kashmir.

In a news conference on April 11th,

Sajjad had announced his participation

in the elections with his argument that

Kashmir's separatist leadership could

not afford to continue as a slave of its

ostrich-like stand on the democratic

exercise in which majority of the

Kashmiris had participated by choice.

He had, nevertheless, sought to justify

it as “a change in strategy” and claimed

that his ideology (of Azadi) was not

going to change. Interestingly, Sajjad

had outsmarted all of the Kashmiri

separatist leaders and taken the lead

role in running the anti-election

campaign in an attempt to ensure “total

boycott” to the Assembly elections in

October-December 2008.

However, in total rejection of the

separatist leadership's call, nearly 61

CHANGE OF STRATEGY ?

By India, these Separatists Swear



he 4- Ladakh Parliamentary constituency, comprising of TLeh and Kargil districts, is going to poll in the last

phase of Lak Saba elections on May 13th 2009. A total of

1,52,391 voters would exercise their franchise in the

forthcoming Lok Saba Election in Ladakh of which 74,475

are male voters, 73,922 are female voters and 3,924 service

voters.

According to the Returning Officer, 4-Ladakh Parliamentary

Constituency, Mr. Ajeet Kumar Sahu, 239 Polling stations

have been set up in Leh district while as 237 Polling stations

established for Kargil district. Polling Station No: 157-

Chuchot Gongma having 1324 voters is the largest polling

stations and Polling station No: 171 Thukjey Gonpa having

only 6 voters is the smallest polling station of Ladakh

Parliamentary Constituency. The Polling Station No: 181-

Anlay Fu situated at a height of 15,000 ft above sea level is

the highest polling station of this constituency.

The Kargil Assembly segment has 57,105 voters with 28,629

male, 28,476 female voters and 348 service voters.

Likewise, the Zanskar Assembly Segment has 20,397 voters

including 10,258 male voters, 10,139 female voters and 259

service voters.

Similarly, Leh Assembly Segment has 62,504 voters including

30,281 male voters, 29,566 female voters and 2657 service

voters. The Nubra Segment has total of 12,373 voters which

include 5,909 male voters, 5,804 female voters and 660

service voters.

For Ladakh Parliamentary Constituency 158 Polling

Stations set up in Kargil, 79 Polling Stations in Zanskar,

183 Polling Stations in Leh and 56 Polling Stations in

Nubra segment.

Sources say that 7 Polling Stations in Karigl Segment

would be covered through Helicopter service, 7 Polling

Stations in Zanskar segment and 6 Polling Stations in Leh

segment would be provided Helicopter service to lift

Polling Staff and Polling Materials. In case of non

clearance of Kargil Padum road, Elections materials and

Polling staff for 49 Polling Stations of Zanskar segment

would be airlifted. From Kargil, likewise in the case of

non clearance of road another 6 Polling Stations of Leh

segment would also be provided Helicopter service.

ELECTIONS 2009

Ladakh's smallest and highest polling stations

Creation of the Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar factions in

Hurriyat was the result of this particular development.

A prominent constituent of the separatist conglomerate,

Hurriyat Conference, since 1993, PC has been struggling

for J&K's separation from India and creation of an

Independent, sovereign state. Al-Barq came to be known

as PC's “guerrilla wing” in 1990 as most of its cadres had

been late Mr Lone's associates.

Even after Sajjad has jumped into the election

bandwagon and his turnaround has evoked bitter

reaction from several militant and separatist political

groups, his elder brother, Bilal Gani Lone, is continuing

as Chairman of the PC faction which has been a Hurriyat

(Mirwaiz faction) constituent since 2003.

Those who filed their nomination papers in Baramulla

today, included Ghulam Rasool Shah alias Imran Rahi of

J&K Awami National Conference (ANC), who had

operated as a senior commander with Hizbul Mujahideen

for several years before his historic meeting with then

Home Minister of India, S B Chauhan, in March 1996. A

resident of Diver Anderbug village of Lolab valley in

Kupwara district, Rahi was functioning as Hizbul

Mujahideen's “Deputy Chief” when he had initiated a

dialogue process with the Goverenment of India

alongwith nine other militant leaders, notably late Bilal

Lodhi (then Chief Commander of Al-Barq), Firdaus

Sayeed alias Babar Baddar (then Chief Commander of

Muslim Janbaz Force) and a Muslim Mujahideen leader,

late Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone.

Rahi had later participated in the Assembly elections of

2002 from his home segment of Kupwara but got only 366

out of 34,093 valid votes polled in the constituency.

Firdaus Sayeed was inducted as MLC when he joined Dr

Farooq Abdullah's NC. However, he has not remained

associated with any party politics after his term ended

several years back. - AHMED ALI FAYYAZ


Even after Sajjad has jumped into the election bandwagon and his turnaround has evoked bitter reaction from several militant and separatist political groups, his elder brother, Bilal Gani Lone, is continuing as Chairman of the PC faction which has been a Hurriyat (Mirwaiz faction) constituent since 2003.


Masoodi, Afzal Haq, Ghulam Qadir and hen Peoples Conference Mir from Pulwama. According to Ali leader Sajjad Lone, son of W Mohammad Naik, only question of widely respected moderate boycotting or contesting elections was separate late Abdul Ghani Lone filed whether the party members should take nomination papers for Baramulla-oath of Indian Constitution or not. The Kupwara Lok Sabha segments, it was plea in favour of contesting the like politics of streets, ultimately, elections, in words of Ali Mohammad coming to the politics of ballot. After-Naik was that the party leadership reactions should never be, in any way, a should not hesitate taking oath or reflection of the pattern followed by allegiance to the Indian Constitution co- separatists and others including the considering the historical fact that the Centre and the State Government leadership –Mohammad Afzal Beg –when during the days of Plebiscite Front did not hesitate to take the oath of (1955-1975). It was a group led by Ali allegiance to the Maharaja during days Mohammad Naik –the general secretary of diarchic system, then, why to of the Plebiscite Front, Kh. Mubarak hesitate to do the same few years later? Shah, Haji Subhan, Ghulam Mohd. Bhat

who broke away from the party and The Plebiscite Front leadership in fact, successfully contested the state had condemned the contesting of assembly elections of 1967. Ali Mohd. elect ions as 'contrary to the Naik and Ghulam Mohd. Bhat were the fundamental principle of the Front' and members of working committee of the had 'exhorted those who had any idea of Plebiscite Front. The total number of entering the election arena, to revise the expelled group was 40 (members) their decision and keep away from and the leader of the expelled group elections. It was only by boycotting the had expressed hope of the revision in elections that Indian Government. be the stand of rank and file of the made to understand that Kashmiris Plebiscite Front vis-a- vis elections. demanded an urgent solution to the' Others breaking away from the party future status of Kashmir'. But were Abdul Rashid Kabli, Shabbir

SUSHMA MAHAJANAuthor is a Research Scholar at University of Jammu

Politics: from streets to ballots We must tolerate the change of hearts

Separatist leader Sajjad Lone's participation in the ensuing Lok Sabha (Indian Parliament) elections in

Jammu and Kashmir may have raised many eyebrows but it should be seen as a welcome step towards

better way of understanding and achieving goals. The political space Sajjad will get after the results,

would be the right democratic platform to express his voice. He would be able to represent his 'class

of nation' and see the compatibility of his dreams in the Indian setting.

LESL E C T I O N S 2 0 0 9

Opinion


apprehending more cracks in the party contests were held, the congress plight the Congress supported

arising out of the 'once for all' attitude secured 61.5 percent, the Front 27.2 candidate had to face at the hands of

on the part of the leadership and after percent and others three percent. In the Plebiscite Front supported- Shamim

being convinced of the futility of the uncontested seats numbering 2309, Ahmad Shamim-as independent

boycotting the elections, the Plebiscite the Congress got 73.9 %; the Front 23.9 candidate during Parliamentary

Front decided to contest the elections % and others 2.3% elections a year ago. The nomination

to 'prove to the world how popular the papers filed by the supporters of the

Plebiscite Front was in Kashmir' It may Plebiscite Front were rejected on the When Indira Gandhi dissolved

be noted that it was after the collapse ground that they were 'anti-national'. Parliament in December 1970 and called

of the civil authority in Pakistan that But the 'expelled group' of the for elections in March 1971. Sheikh

Beg announced at a press conference in Plebiscite Front had six nominees in Mohd.Abdullah decided to stand and

Srinagar that the Plebiscite Front would the field. A few candidates enjoying advised the Plebiscite Front to contest

reconsider its decision to boycott the support of the Plebiscite Front the elections. When he was about to

elections if dates were extended by contested the elections. This included leave New Delhi for Srinagar on 8

three months in 1969. But the election Mirza Arif Beg; a close relation of the January 1971, a bomb was allegedly

commission turned down the request. President of the outlawed Front, Afzal

'An election within the framework of the Beg, Mufti Mehraj-ud- din and aged

Constitution', pointed out the Syed Afzal Jalali. Even the party was

commission in its reply to Beg, r e p o r t e d t o h a v e s t r e t c h e d

'cannot be used as a device to subvert clandestine support to the Jamaat-e-

that constitution. A candidate who Islami candidates. The fact, however,

has made and subscribed an oath of cannot be denied that the local papers

allegiance to the constitution to had carried last minute appeals from

uphold the sovereignty and integrity Mirza Mohd Afzal Beg and Ghulam Mohd

of India, and the party by whom he Shah for 'non-involvement in the

h a s b e e n s e t u p , c a n n o t elections which went unheeded

constitutionally, legally and morally Although, the Plebiscite Front could

say or do anything in the course of an not participate formally in any of the

election campaign and propagate elections the state conducted, its discovered on his plane and the flight which may tend to disrupt the massive victory in the civic polls gave was cancelled. The next day, he and sovereignty and integrity. It was legitimacy o the stand of the Front that Afzal Beg were served orders however, on June 14, 1969 that the it had stronghold over the minds of prohibiting them from entering Jammu Plebiscite Front declared formally Kashmiri people.and Kashmir. Then the Plebiscite Front that it would take part in elections. was declared unlawful; many of its In the subsequent presidential poll of The political space Sajjad will get after members were arrested and offices August 1969, the Front members took the results, would be the right were closed. To make doubly sure, the a different stand and announced democratic platform to express his State Assembly passed a law declaring their decision to participate in the voice. He would be able to represent his that members of the Front could not elections. But, the Front sought to 'class of nation' and see the stand for elections. With no opposition introduce extraneous issues and compatibility of his dreams in the Indian in the field, the Congress did well in raised religious slogans to disrupt the setting. The amalgam of Hurriyat Kashmir, helping Indira Gandhi to gain a age-old unity of villages whereby Conference including both 'the two-thirds majority in Parliament The several Front leaders and supporters moderates' and 'the extremists' and the ban on his entering Kashmir was lifted in sought to intimidate their opponents political representatives of different June, well after the elections were through violence and rowdyism. And the streams should learn to tolerate his step over. The Congress government did not results show that the Front lost heavily in the right direction. Violence is never want to take risk considering the bad to the Congress. Of 2361 seats for which a tool to resolve any issue.

The political space Sajjad will

get after the results, would be

the right democratic platform

to express his voice. He would

be able to represent his 'class of

nation' and see the

compatibility of his dreams in

the Indian setting.

LESL E C T I O N S 2 0 0 9Opinion


Towards lasting peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir, it is very important to move

forward and keep moving on. But which way to move is the most important question.

The official establishment often gets complacent by leaving things around status quo as

the best possible way of moving (in fact, not moving, at all) forward. This approach has

proved most perilous. There is a fresh and live example which strongly suggests all the

reasons for concerted, serious and sustained engagement on Kashmir. In 2007 and till

early 2008, Jammu and Kashmir appeared close to any of the most peaceful,

progressing and politically stable places in India or anywhere else –militant violence

lowest in 20 years, senior separatists and Pakistan's leadership talking of creative and

out-of-box solutions, dozens of second rung separatists formally joining the

mainstream ranks in view of upcoming assembly elections, lakhs of domestic and

foreign tourists overcrowding the hotels and meadows of Valley, chieftains of Indian

industry rushing in huge investment proposals –with all these developments, the

Kashmir policy desks (wherever they are) had enough reasons to have the course of

bilateral dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad nearly abandoned or slowed down

and those elements in Kashmir (and elsewhere) who believe there is a conflict,

isolated. The peaceful and promising political environment in Jammu and Kashmir

literally suggested a lull before the storm. But it all crumbled at the spur of a moment. A

small and completely misunderstood administrative order on a piece of land (for a

Hindu shrine) had the State on fire as much as the United Nations Secretary General

remarked: “we are watching the situation with concern”. (For years all diplomatic

energies are pumped in to prevent such statements.) The distance between New Delhi

and Kashmir appeared longest of the history and the gulf between Srinagar and Jammu,

perhaps, widest ever. Keen observers of Kashmir expressed their fears, in newspaper

columns and TV debates, of Valley slipping out of (Indian) hands and Jammu replaying

holocaust of 1947. As a 'deeply concerned' Prime Minister Manmohan Singh rushed in

an all-party team of top Indian political leaders to pacify the situation (which they were

not able to) there was a sudden realisation that conflict in Jammu and Kashmir was

much more serious than viewed at from policy desks. Moving forward is therefore most

important for peace in South Asian region and effectively tacking the scourge of

terrorism also.

ZAFAR CHOUDHARY

J&K Moving Forward …but there are Wheels within Wheels

J&K Moving ForwardSA S O R T E D I D E A S


the main problem keep on assuming regions shaped into five –Kashmir Valley,

t wont be an overstatement to say dangerous proportions. Civil society Jammu and Ladakh (on Indian side) and Ithat Kashmir conflict is today one of engagements have not brought any Pakistan administered Kashmir and

the most complex living conflicts in the significant results for two reasons: the Federally Administered Northern Areas

world. And what makes it more civil society institutions are not very (on Pakistani side). Over past six

dangerous is the official conflict vibrant in J&K and wherever they are, decades aspirations and identities have

resolution mechanism which overlooks the engagements and discourses are shaped in a definite manner and

a range of dimensions while engaging in sub-regional specific while the fact is adopted rigidity. The state response and

one aspect. As a result the offshoots of that Jammu and Kashmir is a mosaic of approaches too have remained

multi-cultures and different to individual areas on both

mult i -asp i rat ions sides. What can be seen as an important

where differences in aspect of the dangerous complexity of

o p i n i o n s a n d Kashmir issue is the fact that there are

aspirations run deep at least five sets of well shaped up

into blood. Taking a opinions and aspirants and may be five

ringside view shows times more loosely knit stands –all rigid

Jammu and Kashmir a and driven by own reasons. Kashmir

large homogenous conflict is not limited to the Kashmir

mass embroiled in a Valley alone. There is no way of looking

historical conflict. At at the conflict by seeing just one or two

a closer look one gets of the five regions in isolation. It is the

to see a multitude of question of ultimate destiny of all five

conflicts within the regions; the level of sufferings in one

region. region may though be more or lesser

than the other.

Looking at Kashmir

issue only in context For arriving at an understanding of

of partition of India Kashmir issue so as move for a course

and related events of reconciliation it is important to

from 1947 to 1952 know the dominant aspirations. This is

will not serve as any the most difficult part. There may be

g u i d e t o t h e some elements of shared interests

understanding of between Kashmir Valley on Indian side

issues in the present and Pakistan administered Kashmir on

environment. At the the other side but this is not what the

time of division, other three regions –Jammu, Ladakh

there was a princely a n d FA N A – a g r e e w i t h . A n y

State comprised of majoritarian solution based on the

several sub-regions dominant aspirations in any particular

hav ing l i t t l e i n region will find resistance from the

common with each others. Things can be easily

other but strongly understood on the Pakistani side but

knit together under there is a dangerously complex sub-

Maharaja's autocratic regional scenario on the Indian side

and sole authority. which is largely dealt with in this

Post-division, these article to understand deep running

Kashmir issue: Any definitions

J&K Moving Forward

SA S O R T E D I D E A S


differences between three regions. not there as prefix. to underline sensitivity of Kashmir

issue, few members from Jammu could What should be the exact framework of

not resist interrupting him as they seeking a resolution of the Kashmir

lodged a strong protest with the issue? Should it (the formula and

Speaker. “This is not Kashmir Assembly. solution) come from New Delhi and ourism is one of the mainstays of Why is the Minister obsessed with Islamabad or the people of Jammu and Jammu and Kashmir economy Kashmir? He should properly name the Kashmir? India and Pakistan deciding Tand a majority of tourists are state as Jammu and Kashmir”, the destiny of Jammu and Kashmir in

actually pilgrims (visiting two leading lamented the members. “I correct one of their ongoing closed door Hindu shrines of the country) who break myself, honourable Spaeaker”, said a meetings can never resolve anything. Of off to the hills and slopes after paying taken aback Baig as he continued his course it has to be worked out by New obeisance at the shrines. Months of speech with an added emphasis on Delhi and Islamabad but a way forward summers see an increased influx of 'Jammu' while referring to Jammu and has to come from the people of Jammu tourists as lakhs from the Indian Kashmir State. A little later in the hour, and Kashmir. And a solution coming from mainland head towards Jammu and a member from Nobra constituency, Jammu and Kashmir can be a 'Jammu Kashmir to escape the summer heats. It sitting in the last row, invited Baig's Formula', a 'Kashmir Formula' or a has often been seen in the months of attention to Ladakh. Seven years down 'Ladakh Formula' as in the given regional June and July when temperature in the line, Baig is found getting extra-differences it cant be a formula for Jammu is usually between 42 and 46 cautious while talking about Kashmir or resolving Jammu and Kashmir which is Degrees Celsius and in Valley it is well Kashmir issue. Now he always says the endorsed by any significant number of below 30 Degrees Celsius the tourists State of 'Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh'. people in all regions. People in three take out warmer clothes as they reach Differences between three regions of regions of the State (on India side) do closer to Jammu knowing little that the state on Indian side of Line of not look at anything with the same Jammu in this season is as hot as any Control are much deeper than this. angle. other part of Indian mainland is. This is Jammu and Kashmir is perhaps a classic how Jammu and Kashmir is known to a case of wheels within the wheels. In November 2002, a new government in majority beyond its boundaries. Jammu and Kashmir headed by Mufti Geography and whether apart, people Mohammad Sayeed convened first outside have very little knowledge of the session of the legislative assembly. emotional diversities. A peep inside tells Muzaffar Hussain, the new Minister for a different story. Two years back when Law and Parliamentary Affairs, grabbed first shopping mall came up in Jammu, it hen Prime Minister Manmohan all attention of legislators and press

S i n g h c o n v e n e d t h i r d was named as 'Kashmir Square'. The idea with his eloquent speeches laced with Wroundtable conference on was to attract a part of the average daily deep sense of history and vision. In an Jammu and Kashmir (first two were held influx of around 30,000 pilgrim tourists atmosphere of pin-drop silence in the in 2006) on April 24, 2007 to discuss the who come to visit the Mata Vaishno Devi House, Legislators would love to listen recommendations of the Working Shrine. Around same time a first ethnic Groups constituted by him, the to Baig with rapt attention and end up Kashmiri restaurant came up in the separatists and many others trashed the convinced with his arguments 'for the

whole exercise. They had a reason to do town which was named as Kashir moment'. Such was the prowess of Law so. The people who sat with the Prime Lounge. Last year when Amarnath land Minister's oratory skills backed with Minister around the roundtable were all row agitation broke out, the Kashmir knowledge. That was Baig's first those who, more or less, endorse New

Square owner had to rename his mall as experience in legislative assembly. An Delhi's view point on Kashmir. There was 'City Square' and the Kashmir Lounge has no voice from those who have Oxford graduate, Baig was until then a been renamed as 'Jammu and Kashmir reservations with the present system leading a lawyer at the Supreme Court

and have sought to challenge the same Lounge'. Movement is still on for of India. As he would often refer to the on various grounds. The exercise changing name of 'Radio Kashmir', the approaches of Nehru and Patel (Sardar without participation of separatists can official broadcaster and the last thing Vallabh Bhai, first Indian Home Minister) be described as incomplete but not

named after Kashmir where Jammu is

Perceptions and Sensitivities

Issues and Engagements

J&K Moving Forward



meaningless. Interesting were the view a three dimensional issue: With and sub regions. points when recommendations of four External, Federal and Internal of the five working groups made public. dimensions. Jammu and Kashmir is comprised of "Eyewash", this is the one word most of The External dimension involves the three distinct regions clearly identified the Kashmir experts and the people who

engagement between New Delhi and and separated on the basis of have reservation with the system used Islamabad, inter alia Pakistan's geography, topography, demography, to describe voluminous reports. diplomatic offensive, export of the culture, language and aspirations. The elements of terrorism into Jammu and most unique region in this state -Ladakh They are right in doing so. The most Kashmir, covert as well as overt political has never been at ease with Kashmir and important of the five working groups support to separatist sentiments in therefore a demand for separation from studying the Center-State relations is Valley, lobbying in Islamic world etc. Jammu and Kashmir and independent yet to submit its report to the Prime

status of Union Territory has been there Minister. The four working groups which The Federal dimension, which is often since 1947. The movement for have finalised the reports have nothing described as international dimension as separation from Jammu and Kashmir specific in their recommendations situation actually prevailing within state and creation of a Union Territory which can become part of the larger Jammu and Kashmir is grossly ignored, reached a all time high in 2002, when Kashmir solution. There is nothing at all is about the spirit of the instrument of Leh units of all political parties were which can satisfy, even by a smaller accession, autonomous status of the unanimously dissolved and the local extent, the separatists or Pakistan on state of Jammu and Kashmir, provisions leadership cutt ing across the Kashmir resolution. A document which of the Article 370 of the Constitution of ideological and party affiliation formed does not address the larger political India, Delhi Agreement of 1952 and the Ladakh Union Territory Front issue is often trashed. However, seen Indira Sheikh Agreement of 1974/75. (LUTF). The LUTF candidates won with the eye of a common man, the

assembly elections unopposed and working groups, perhaps, have been the The th i rd, most cr i t ica l and uncontested as there was complete first ever organised study to understand continuously ignored aspect of the unanimity for the creation of Union the prevailing issues which concern the conflict in Jammu and Kashmir is its Territory. In a bid to arrest the majority in Jammu and Kashmir. Even internal dimension. In fact the peoples sentiment of separation from Jammu though many of the issues have not been are continuously in conflict among and Kashmir, the state government, in dealt with deeply and implementation themselves and with the state. consultat ion with New Delh i , of the recommendations still can be

empowered the Ladakh Autonomous seen with doubt (as recommendations Hill Development Council (LAHDC) to of many empowered groups are still the extent that LAHDC Chief Executive gathering dust) an analysis of the has more financial powers than the smaller but serious problems have for Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. A the first time taken shape of an official

t will be no exaggeration to say that classic case of a "State within a State". document for consideration at the the regional conflict within Jammu The J&K CM has authority of sanctioning highest level. Iand Kashmir is far more serious than a project or contingency to the upper

the level of conflict between state and limit of Rs two crores. But that too has the centre. Even after the State of to be ratified by the cabinet when it Jammu and Kashmir is granted greater meets next. However, the LAHDC chief autonomy as advocated by the largest has the powers to sanction a project of political party of the state -the National Rs five crore without any administrative he problem in Jammu and Conference or Self Rule as demanded by Kashmir has often been described approval from the state government. the Peoples Democratic Party the Tas the one with two dimensions: With this huge empowerment and

internal and external. Having conflict will not end. Rather, settling political concession it was thought that understood that the conflict involving the power conflict between New Delhi the sentiment of separation from the Kashmir is live and present, now is and Srinagar will bring to the fore the state has been arrested. Interestingly perhaps the time to understand that it is underlying conflicts among the regions the LAHDC administration and the LUTF

Regional and sub-regional unrest

Alternative Understanding

J&K Moving Forward



leadership says that empowerment of too sharp. Cutting across the political well. Issues and aspirations in Jammu

the LAHDC is the first step towards and ideological differences, there is a and Ladakh regions have never been the

creation of Union Territory for Ladakh. strong movement in Doda district for same as those in Kashmir Valley.

This throws an important question on creation of Chenab Valley Autonomous Therefore, there has to be a different

the regional and sub-regional conflict. Hill Development Council. The twin treatment for different identities.

Ladakh region again is comprised of two frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch

distinct areas identified as two too have been campaigning for separate The kind of identity crisis and ethnic

different districts and administered by development council as the fruits of conflict that prevails in Jammu and

two different authorities. LAHDC-Leh i n f r a s t ruc tu re and i ndu s t r i a l Kashmir is arguable nowhere else in the

country. There are five major cultural and LAHDC-Kargil. It is only the Budhist development are concentrated around

and linguistic identities in the state -dominated Leh district which is the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar Kashmiri Muslims, Hindu Dogras, Gujjar spearheading the demand for Union alone. As already explained above, if Muslims, Pahari Muslims, Kashmiri Territory. The Shia Muslim dominated three distinct regions of the state do not Pandits and Budhists. In a population of Kargil district has been opposing this find a common ground with each other, ten millions, the Kashmiri speaking vehemently. Both districts together the conflict can never find a resolution. Muslims constitute less than one third. constitute the Himalayan cold desert of Ironically in the political description at Ladakh, they remain isolated from rest national and international level every of the country for nearly eight months a one belonging to Jammu and Kashmir is year due to hostile whether and described as a 'Kashmiri'. In this

geographical conditions but people backdrop there is a strong movement or understanding Jammu and from each entity do not see each other for identity across the state, as people Kashmir the identities and eye to eye for their differences on the in Jammu and Ladakh refuse to identify Faspirations will have to be Union Territory status. their interests and aspirations with

understood first. The discourse of Kashmir alone. Then there is a serious

separatist politics exists only in parts of The third distinct region and country's identity conflict between Gujjars and Kashmir valley while the state extends gateway to Jammu and Kashmir -the Paharis of Jammu region and two to vast regions of Jammu and Ladakh as Jammu region comprising six districts

has always opposed autonomy and is

now protesting against the demand of

self rule. In this region, for several

decades there has been campaign

against autonomy and a demand for

abrogation of Article 370 of the

constitution of India through which

Jammu and Kashmir enjoys special

powers in the Indian Union. However,

since mid 1990s, voices are being raised

in Jammu region for a separate

statehood. A Jharkhand type of

movement is taking shape here with the

formation of parties and groups like

Jammu Mukti Morcha, Jammu and

Kashmir Nationalist Front and Jammu

Statehood Front. The BJP and its allied

groups are fully supporting such

movements.

The conflict at the sub-regional level is

Identity and Cultural Conflict

J&K Moving Forward



districts of Kashmir Valley -Baramulla this accumulating dissidence can

and Kupwara. Caste based and ethnic rupture for the worst. The mainstream political leadership in conflict has become an order of the day Jammu and Kashmir, from time to time, in these areas. The list of identity has underlined the need of restoration A major cause of discontent in Jammu conflict here is not exhaustive as there of greater autonomy, which means and Kashmir is the centralisation of are other smaller conflicts also. devolution of more powers from New powers and administrative authority.

Delhi to Srinagar as a means of conflict While Srinagar's unease with New Delhi

Different ethnic and cultural groups in over more autonomy has been an resolution. But if conflict has to be

Jammu and Kashmir have their own evident "struggle" for fifty years but resolved honestly, this power, or the

definite identities and aspirations. The little is known about the quantum of existing powers, need to travel to the

separatist sentiment, that now has not power the State shares with the people. people in regions and sub-regions from

only the national but also international In fact, the majority in Jammu and Srinagar. If power remains concentrated

concerns, prevails among a particular Kashmir has no role at all in the in few hands, as it is today, the conflicts

cultural and linguistic group that does development process. will never be resolved.

not make the majority. With a focus on

this particular sentiment, the At present, Jammu and Kashmir aspirations of the majority are not only p r e s e n t s t h e w o r s t c a s e o f completely ignored but they are also extermination of grassroots institutions espite al l the historical not recognised and identified. This of governance. For example, the differences and conflicts of trend has a potential for alienation Panchayats were dissolved in 1977 as Dopinion, there are strong basis among those who form the mainstream the government wanted to empower for moving forward. The framework of groups and such alienation is now them through a constitutional moving forward has to be evolved like showing. Thus, there is an imminent amendment and therefore fresh climbing a ladder. Instead of jumping to need of making a detailed account of all elections were proposed to be held. the top for an eventual fall down, the ethnic, cultural and linguistic identities That process could not take place for need is to make well defined steps from in Jammu and Kashmir, discuss their next 24 years. It was in 2000-2001 that the bottom. The first step can be issues and aspirations. Recognition of National Conference government initiation of dialogue at the regional different identities will help understand headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah level and resolution of those smaller the core issues and can actually simplify conducted the Panchayat elections. It is issues which do not have to be the process of conflict resolution. important to note here that the despite necessarily put to final resolution of

state-wide violence, killing of over a Kashmir issue. Dialogue between hundred political activists and chopping Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Ladakh off the ears and noses of eight women regions in first phase and the Pakistan who were contesting the elections, the administered Kashmir and Northen Panchayat polls held after a staggering Areas in the subsequent phase is gap of 24 years saw massive public important for treating Jammu and participation. Such huge public Kashmir as a single entity with shared

lienation of masses from the par t i c ipat ion and enthus ia sm aspirations. Until these distinct regions mainstream system has its roots underlined the urges and aspirations for draw closer, settle their differences and Aalways in the denia l of restoration of powers to the people agree to operate as equal partners,

democratic rights. A denial of right to through grassroots democratic there will never be a stable basis upon franchise to some in Kashmir valley institutions of governance. Ironically, which relations with rest of India, or on makes the protest audible at however, seven years down the line, the other side of the Line of Control, can be international level. But looking deeper, Panchayats were never formally satisfactorily tackled. More than it is it comes out that the State has no constituted and powers were never required between New Delhi and mechanism at all for involving people in devolved to the democratically elected Islamabad; there is an urgent need of a a democratic decision making process. bodies. This can be seen as derailment sustainable dialogue between all five There is a big distance between the of democracy and has created deep regions of Jammu and Kashmir. To begin State and the people. Left unattended, alienation among the masses. with, there should a multi-level

Moving Forwards

Denial of Powers

to People at

Grassroots

J&K Moving Forward



processes are the principles that are ike many other protracted equally applicable to Kashmiris and the conflicts in the world, the conflict L governments of India and Pakistan.in Kashmir has taken almost every possible dimension. The long history as

An inclusive framework: well as the ethnic, linguistic, religious

The stakeholders in Kashmir – broadly and geographical diversity of the

the people of Jammu and Kashmir and stakeholders living in various regions of

the states of India and Pakistan - are yet the disputed territory make it difficult

to articulate a broader framework that to comprehensively capture the

accommodates divers i f ied and complexity of the Kashmir issue. From

competing claims. In other words there a conflict resolution point of view,

is a need in Kashmir for a common moral however, there are certain bigger

vision. This does not mean that all aspects that are fundamental to the

should agree on one particular political contemporary analysis of Kashmir and

solution, rather it means that the therefore must form the basis of any

process of achieving differing political framework of peacebuilding in this

aspirations in Kashmir should be region. For the reasons of brevity, this

inclusive and democratic, where article briefly outlines some of these

diverse groups feel that they have equal aspects below:

opportunities for achieving their

desired goals.Noviolence as a political tool:

All stakeholders must realize that the

Non-zero-sum understanding: use of violence has not worked in

People of Jammu and Kashmir need to Kashmir. It has in fact brought more

realize that in order to achieve their miseries. The only way forward in

political aspirations they need the resolving Kashmir is through a non-

support of the people of India and violent approach. Until and unless the

Pakistan. In other words the resolution protagonists completely reject violence

of the Kashmir issue should not be seen as a political tool, any hope for peace

at the expense of the interests of the will remain elusive. The rejection of

Indians and Pakistanis. It should be a violence and pursuing political goals

win-win for all.through peaceful negotiations and

TAHIR AZIZAuthor is a consultant with conciliation Resources based in London. He originally belongs to Pakistan administered Kashmir.

A framework for Conflict Resolution in Kashmir

The Kashmir situation deserves consistent and concerted engagement to gradually contain and ultimately eradicate the cycle of the political violence perpetrated by the state authorities and the militants. Building peace in Kashmir will enhance regional stability and help address the conditions that incubate terrorism.



Faith in internally-driven change: to gradually contain and ultimately conflict. In other words, the

eradicate the cycle of the political stakeholders will need to get This is by far the most important aspect

violence perpetrated by the state empowered with a vision of making the that needs constant emphasis. It is a

authorities and the militants. Building change possible. Nothing can be more wide held perception among Kashmiris

peace in Kashmir will enhance regional relevant to capturing this vision than that the situation will only change when

stability and help address the the civil society in Kashmir. Pakistan and India will change it or when

conditions that incubate terrorism. the world powers (especially the U.S.)

The above mentioned principles seem will facilitate this change. While the

easy on paper but their practical importance of all these actors cannot be

achievement is a gigantic task. overlooked, the truth is that more than

However, the overall situation basically a n y b o d y e l s e K a s h m i r i s a r e

fundamentally relevant to their

situation and hence it is they who need

to have the confidence of initiating and

leading a change to their problems.

But this understanding of public peace

activism is not meant here to undermine

the primacy of the official peace

process between India and Pakistan; it

must be seen in the spirit of

complementing these official talks.

The insights from contemporary peace

processes show that sustainable peace

can only be achieved through involving

wide sections of society, thus

broadening public stake in the peace

process. This is because, quite often,

when the agreements transpire after

the official peace negotiations, that

mostly take place in a secret and

closed-door environment, the public

masses watch in a daze of disbelief as

they learn of the concessions their

leaders have made which they, the

constituency, will be obliged to fulfil.

While the leadership is highly involved points to one thing: without a broader in the creation of shared space vision and without change in people's (sometimes having years of confidential hearts and minds, peace is not possible talks to adjust to the idea of in Kashmir. Fundamental change in the cooperation with “the enemy”), the approach of all stakeholders (the people are expected to shift Kashmiris, Pakistanis and Indians) is instantaneously from a mentality of necessary to incrementally achieve defensive victim to peace-loving peace in Kashmir. There is no simple citizen. magic that can make the whole

situation change and bring about a The Kashmir situation deserves political settlement to the Kashmir consistent and concerted engagement

The insights from contemporary peace processes show that sustainable peace can only be achieved through involving wide sections of society, thus broadening public stake in the peace process. This is because, quite often, when the agreements transpire after the official peace negotiations, that mostly take place in a secret and closed-door environment, the public masses watch in a daze of disbelief as they learn of the concessions their leaders have made which they, the constituency, will be obliged to fulfil.

Now

Telling

The J&K Stories


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J&K Moving Forward



Pakistan feels insecure but why the his year's theme at 8th India larger India does so. Prof. Stephen Today Conclave was “Challenges T Cohen – widely respected expert on of Change”. General Musharaff South-Asia argues that the world's most former President of Pakistan, in his intractable disputes are psychologically dinner keynote address spoke on “The paired minority conflicts. It is only for LOC must be torn down like the Berlin this reason that earlier on in a seminar wall”. He believed that 21st century is on South-Asia in the University of the century for Asia but the question is Kashmir; I had argued that South – Asia can we South-Asians be part of it? He needs to be looked at more as region of attributed his pessimism to continued regions rather than as a region of states. India-Pakistan hostility. He felt Regions are more natural and confident that we moderates must historically more deeply planted. The guide the events and not allow state–centric paradigm with excessive extremists to create obstacles in the obsession with national interest has way of peace. We have to head for a vandalized the social and economic life solution on Kashmir. I had given a of the people of sub-continent in formula which could form the basis for particular and that of South–Asia in moving forward and taking it towards a general. solution. It is in this sense that a need is

felt to revisit his formulations after

General Musharaf's formulations on General Musharaff has vacated the

Kashmir need to be studied in the political scene in Pakistan. Needless to proper context of global architecture of mention all conflict resolution power evolved in the aftermath of 9/11. formulations in any part of the world It also needs to be analyzed in the are contextual and grounded in existing context of changing power dynamics in realities. The Jammu and Kashmir South Asia. The formulations also constitutes no political exception. evolved in a bilateral context. The W h e n d o g s f r o m d i f f e r e n t composite dialogue began and back neighborhoods meet they smell each channel diplomacy was in operation. In others tail. India and Pakistan have April 2005 Delhi summit declared peace done it so often in the post-partition process as irreversible. Further the era. One of the great puzzles of India – unilateral cease fire was declared on Pakistan relations is not why smaller

Dr. GUL MOHAMMAD WANIAuthor is a Political Scientist teaching in the department of Political Science University of Kashmir

Revisiting General Musharaf's Ideas

Formulations on Jammu and Kashmir


General Musharaf's formulations on Kashmir need to be studied in the proper context of global architecture of power evolved in the aftermath of 9/11. It also needs to be analyzed in the context of changing power dynamics in South Asia.


the line of control. In a way these Minister also endorsed it when he stated As per estimates provided by Gautam

formulations were also the by–products that a strong Pakistan is in India's Navalkha sometime back there are: 66

of Indian states inflexibility purely interest. For India the only way to bns of RR, 56 bns of BSF, 50 bns of CRPF,

because of the fact that India has never engage Pakistan and to emerge as a 30 bns of CPMF, 5 bns of Ladakh Scouts,

suffered defeat on the Jammu and major regional power is to consolidate 15 bns of J&K Light Infantry, 25 bns of

Kashmir issue. This notwithstanding the the region and emerge from it. Deeper J&K Rifles, 7 bns of Territorial Army, 1

fact that Indian state's moral position is engagement with Pakistan is a political bn of Ikhwanis, 64,000 JKAP, 23,000

seriously compromised on Kashmir. In a investment for India. Lately Stephen SPOs, 25,000 Home Guards and 200

fundamental way Khan Gaffar Khan's set Cohen has advised India to liberate Village Defence Members. The socio-

of questions raised earlier after India's itself both from Kashmir as well as economic implications of the huge

independence are as provoking today as Pakistan in order to stake claim for a presence of the state too have been

these were then. He wanted to know as regional power status. This has become examined by experts and government

to “whether Indian leadership has important for another reason also as far authorities. Officially 681,839 Kanals of

fulfilled all the promises it made to the as China's observer status in the South land have been occupied by security

people of Kashmir and also whether Asian regional Co-operation framework forces, out of which 3,10,184 Kanals are

people of Kashmir have abided by the is concerned. Be it noted that China's un-authorized. In view of the fact that

promises they made to India”. trade with SAARC countries is more than de-militarization is a very sensitive

that of India. issue and very important from the point

of view of human security certain In the immediate analysis what had sensible suggestions have emanated prompted General Musharaf to put forth The above context does provide a wider which should factor into any decision the set of formulations on Kashmir is to perspective in which one can examine taken on it. First, de-militarization as look for an explanation both within and four components of General Musharaff's an issue should not be politicized by without South Asia. South Asia and more formulation i.e., de-militarization; groups and political parties. Second, particularly indo-Pak equation is a self-rule; porous borders and joint independent voices like that of strategic microcosm of clash of management.Mubashir Hassan and Kuldeep Nayer, emotions. In the contemporary world that India and Pakistan need to reduce order the western world displays a De-militarization will take the army to the trust deficit should also be taken culture of fear, the Arab and Muslim the 1989 position i.e., back to the into account. More importantly civilian world are trapped in a culture of barracks. General Musharaf believed spaces having no militant presence humiliation and much of Asia displays a that the military should be out, security need to be immediately vacated. Half a culture of hope. In its approximation to should be done by the people and dozen innocent people having fallen to South Asia one can suggest only one military should be garrisoned in a few the bullets of CRPF or police men in change—a culture of fear and arrogance places. He also claimed that de-recent weeks at Bomai and Haigam that the Indian state displays in its militarization can be done by steps. suggest that AFSPA needs to be scraped dealings with Kashmir. Having said all Earlier he talked of some good image and accountability of forces ensured. this I have no intention to join the projection in a few districts of the The Omar Abdullah government needs category of prophets of doom. There is valley. Some political groups within to fulfill the promise of strengthening an articulate yet small section of people Kashmir ranging from main-stream to the State Human Rights Commission. in India's security and strategic the separatists have over a period of establishment which believes in time taken strong position on excessive

meaningful engagement with Pakistan. Self-rule:presence of security forces in Kashmir. They argue that ignoring Pakistan is Self-rule too like de-militarization is It also becomes clear if we only look at neither desirable nor feasible. No subjected to many interpretations and the disproportionate presence of forces country can really be great if its explanations in and outside the state. on the ground which of course is an issue backwater is in mess. Pakistan has General Musharaf claimed that while not of consensus but subject to varied proved to be a bold bulwark for the autonomy creates confusion self-rule assessments. There are round about 45 defence of India from the North West means people will govern themselves. brigades of army which means from time to time. Even the Prime He said let the people on both sides anywhere between 160,000 to 180,000.

SA S O R T E D I D E A SJ&K Moving Forward


meet and debate. The Indian position is where it is associated with assertions of one can safely conclude that greater

that self-rule will be considered when or qualifications of state sovereignty. people to people contacts and porous

Pakistan presents it in a format. Within Many conflicts in the world are borders need to be given preference till

the J&K state the National Conference themselves about the demand for and peace constituencies in all parts are

claims that self-rule is akin to its resistance to self-rule. Though self-rule expanded and people develop a vested

greater autonomy formulation. The is the way-out that would eliminate the interest in peace. Porous borders and

Peoples Democratic Party which sources of ethnic, territorial conflicts more confidence building measures are

recently presented its report on self- entrenched into notions of sovereignty necessary in view of the fact that

rule feels that Art. 370 as adopted in yet the challenge is how successfully historically Indo-Pak relations have

1949 is self-rule in essence. It also talks sovereignty is fudged, diffused and been quite accident prone. Musharraf

of a grand reconciliation between India fragmented. It is only for this reason that claimed in his speech that during his

and Pakistan on issues of self-rule. Prof. A.G.Noorani claims that, “experience time the trade list of importable items

Abdul Gani Bhat of Hurriyat Conference has amply demonstrated the futility of a to Pakistan increased from 200 to 1400

(M) says that “we interpret the proposal New Delhi-Srinagar accord without a which had equal beneficial impact. He

in the context of sentiments that are prior India-Pakistan accord on it. also believed that sincerity, flexibility

fast changing”. He said that and boldness are needed to improve the

“Kashmiries will have their own prime environment. He hoped that India has to The joint management mechanism is Minister, President, Supreme Court and show magnanimity and humility as the ultimately dependent upon how much Election Commission”. Needless to major power in the region. Let no one distance India and Pakistan are able to mention that both autonomy and self- ignore the sane words of Charles travel together. Unless trust deficit is rule are most sought after and resisted Darwin: it is not the strongest species not transformed into trust surplus the devices for conflict resolution world that survive the most intelligent but the chances of a grand reconciliation are over. Self-rule becomes contentious most responsive to change.minimal. It is only for this reason that

SA S O R T E D I D E A SJ&K Moving Forward

JAMMU & KASHMIRPOLITICSBUSINESSVIEWS & NEWS

CULTURESTRATEGIC AFFAIRS

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he valley of Kashmir which was for larger people to people contact, and described as the “High School of Hindu larger interaction been the civil societies and TScience” by eminent Islamic Scholar, Al primarily the youth.

Beruni, in early eleventh century & of which a Time has come to move forward. A renowned linguistic expert & writer, Sir multipronged strategy based on innovative George Grierson writes that “from this valley

have issued masterpieces of history, planning and broad based execution is romance, philosophy & fable”, and also most required at present. The winds of change eloquent teachers of Saivism & Sufisism”. have made their impact. People of Jammu Today it is known as the valley of turmoil and and Kashmir especially the separatist has been so for nearly two decades now. elements have begun realizing the futility of

protracted violence and indifference. The It is a pathetic perversity of history that the recent happening in Pakistan is an eye-opener descendants of the ancient architects of the for one and all, especially for those who have Kashmir 's universally acknowledged been abdicating peace and advocating multifarious glory are today witnessing the violence for the last two decades. disintegration and dematerialization of their own century's old inheritance & ethos some of What people of Jammu and Kashmir need them the destruction of their own roots in today is economical freedom and not political their soil of ancestors. independence. The Govt. both at the Centre

and the State and moreover the Govt. of India The turmoil in the valley has engulfed the and Pakistan need to take a lead in promoting whole state and even the part of it on the infrastructure investment and economic other side of the divide. Kashmiris in general development.have felt alienated, the Pandits uprooted and the people of Jammu discriminated. Even In a recently concluded international their bretheren on the other side of the line workshop for conflict resolution in Jammu are aggrieved. All this has resulted by what and Kashmir, held at Bangkok and attended by has been happening between India and

a cross section of civil society of Jammu and Pakistan from the bloody days of partition and

Kashmir on both sides of the divide, it was felt continues even today, only changing the

that return of peace and conflict resolution in patterns with the changing times.

Kashmir is of utmost importance.

Even though the people of the state in all On a broader scale it was felt that any action walks of life yearn for peace, yet it is a little to bolster democracy in Kashmir would also far away. The people of Jammu and Kashmir help to undercut the rationale of unrest in on the Pakistan side also want more Kashmir and thereby help to rid Pakistan of interaction and exchanges in trade, cultural the incubus of religion-based terrorism.activities and people to people contact.

The civil society in the sub-continent should The positions of the Govt. at every level have make significant contributions to the process been dismal. No attempt has been made to of restoring peace in Jammu and Kashmir and end the mental distances between the people ultimately help the Govt. of India and and the communities, physically living apart. Pakistan to find a lasting solution to their No sincere attempt, by the Govt. has ever

been made to create a congenial environment conflict over Kashmir.

ANIL DHARAuthor is a Kashmiri Pandit Political and Social Activist now based at Jammu

A New Hope



solution of Kashmir problem. Both the he Mumbai carnage reversed the ruling and major opposition parties of 5-year old composite dialogue T Jammu and Kashmir used every process between India and occasion to impress upon New Delhi to Pakistan. Conversely, the Bus Service resume the stalled talks with Pakistan between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad over Kashmir. and the trade route across the Line of

Control (LoC) have not only been intact

but also making some progress. The mainstream parties also realized Amazingly, local authorities decided to that without addressing the broader open Poonch-Rawalakot route for two dispute over the future status of Jammu days a week instead of once a week and Kashmir lasting peace and stability recently. Despite the lack of adequate could not be achieved. This political trade facilities this move has the consciousness bridged the ideological potential to double the ongoing trade gulf between separatists and the between two parts of the divided mainstream parties to a greater extent. Jammu &Kashmir state.

In past, both Islamabad and New Delhi

used to suspend progress on Jammu and

Kashmir whenever any tension rose. The

inhabitants across the 740 km long LoC

had invariably been worst victim of this

rivalry. Fortunately, this time it remains

largely peaceful. Isolated events of

skirmishes along LoC were not allowed

to spawn constant occurring. Islamabad

and New Delhi deserve credit for

showing remarkable restraint even

during the height of hostility.

The last year state elections in the

Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir

also underlined the significance for the

ERSHAD MAHMUD Author is Islamabad based security analyst and hails from the Poonch district of the Pakistan administered Kashmir. He can be reached at : [email protected]

Keeping hopes alive for Kashmir settlement

Despite height of tourism between India and Pakistan, a key confidence building measure - Cross-LoC bus and truck service - in intact. While New Delhi and Islamabad deserve credit for restraint, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have strongly conveyed that they would like to continue their efforts for peace and cooperation.



The widespread desire to seek early people were being killed he could not Afghanistan. Kashmir has been linked

solution of the conflict is considered as resume the dialogue process between with other conflicts in the region

a positive sign to restart triangular two countries. particularly with the Afghanistan and

negotiations between New Delhi and terrorism at large.

Islamabad, Delhi and separatists and Some observers believe that after finally between Islamabad and Kashmiri elections the Indian government may A number of negative and positive stakeholders. restart peace process and particularly developments are taking place in the

refocus to expand the scope of region in tandem. The robust people-to-

On the other side, the ongoing national confidence building measures in Jammu people contacts and other socio-

elections in India also lured major and Kashmir. However, the increasing political ties between Pakistan and

contestants particularly the Congress diatribe against the 'dubious' role of Indian had created a large constituency

and BJP to adopt a tough line about Pakistan's secret services in 'war on and to some extent had transformed the

Pakistan to grab Hindu extremists' vote terror' and Washington's ever-increasing traditional discourse over Pak-India

bank. The competitive Indian politics thickness with New Delhi offset relations from zero sum game to

scuttled the progress achieved during Pakistan's security establishment. cooperative mode in recent years. In

the last five years. In the 2004 Indian wake of the Mumbai attacks the peace

national elections both Congress and lobby has been marginalized and hawks

BJP were championing India-Pakistan took the centre stage at the two side of

harmony and cordial relations but now Wahga border.

their election's flagship is to fight

against terrorism or Pakistan. It is time for this lobby (people-to-

people) to come up with new ideas and

Relations with the Pakistan also figures redirect the Pakistan-India relations

in the Indian political parties' election immediately after the Indian national

manifestoes. The key opposition party elections. A section of the media and

BJP says that if it gets power it will several political actors had done a great

resume peace talks with Pakistan only deal of damage to the peace process. It

after Islamabad dismantles the can be undone with the greater civil

'terrorist infrastructure' on its soil. society intervention and the positive

Without that there can be no media role.

comprehensive dialogue with Pakistan.

The BJP leadership has persistently Fortunately, both India and Pakistan had Additionally, the India Afghanistan been accusing the ruling alliance and arrived a broader understanding over proximity and Washington' complicity particularly the Congress for being soft Kashmir settlement and had already with it also sent negative signals to on Pakistan and making unnecessary garnered the support inside Jammu and Islamabad. concessions to Islamabad.The ruling Kashmir. Besides, both the governments

Congress party also appears tough have proposed a number of positive Traditionally, the Kashmir issue had towards Pakistan. It demands that steps for building cooperation between been the bone of contention between Pakistan has to come up clean on two countries. The bus service and the two neighboring countries but now a Mumbai before the resumption of Pak- opening trade routes are the bench marks number of other issues have come in the India peace process. Recently Pakistan's of the positive forward movement. way and rather have taken the center foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Further, institutional cooperation stage. The alleged Indian support for offered the resumption of peace between two parts of Jammu and Baloch insurgency and terrorist process with India but the later declined Kashmir was also envisaged and, in fact, networks in Pakistan's tribal areas has the offer and said that until Mumbai some good news was around the corner pitted both the countries against each attackers were not brought to justice but tragic attacks of Mumbia seized the other. It also has put a dampner on India would not restart the dialogue. opportunity. Now, Srinagar and Pakistan-US relations and has the Likewise, Indian Prime Minister Muzaffarabad can again try to capitalize potential to wrest the stability of Manmohan Singh also said that if his on these available avenues.

It is time for this lobby (people-to-people) to come up with new ideas and redirect the Pakistan-India relations immediately after the Indian national elections. A section of the media and several political actors had done a great deal of damage to the peace process. It can be undone with the greater civil society intervention and the positive media role.

J&K Moving Forward



ew people living in Jammu and distance of only one or half day. But due

Kashmir know about the to clousure of Haji Pir and Soi Maidan Fhardworking, skillful and simple roads, people now have to travel

Kashmiri people living across Pir Panjal hundreds of kilometers to meet their

range in Jammu region. But besides the own relatives on other side of the range.

National Highway and some broken So it seems that the provincial

forgotten roads and linkages, which boundaries have become a barrier

connect the valley of Kashmir with between them and mother Kashir

these regions, there is a much stronger (Kashmir) and they are now distanced

bond which, many don't seem aware of, from their language & culture.

that connects the people across. This

bond lies in the shared similar culture, District Rajouri:

tradition, practices and language which In 1965 Rajouri was made a separate makes all the hearts beat in unison. district. It is of great importance due to

passage of the historic Mughal Road

Presence of Kasmhiri people across the though this district. Cahng Sarai,

Pir Panjal range can be seen right from Fatehpur Sarai, Suz Sarai, Thon Sarais of

Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Ramban, Mughals are some historic places here. Kishtwar up to Tehsil Billawar, Basohli Cahng Sarai is 22 km from Rajouri and Ramnagar areas. Not only this, but where Mugahal Emperor Jahangir died across the borders of J&K, 60 to 70 while coming from valley and some villages of Himachal Pradesh are mortal remains of his body are buried Kashmiri populated. here. Thanamandi here is considered as

centre for Kashmiri culture. Tehsil

District Pooch: Buddhal and Darhal which are

Twenty miles from Poonch is located connected to Banihal, Kulgam and

Mandi Sarai where 80% of local Shopian though Mong hal and Hoon hang

population are Kashmiris and are passes are also considered rich in

considered as colourful centre of Kashmiri culture. Although there are

Kashmiri culture. About four miles from less Muslims in Noushehra tehsil, still Mandi is located Qila loher kote, a there is cultural dominance of Muslims historic place where the famous and Kashmiris in the district. More like Mohammed Gaznavi was defeated by other areas of pir panchal except some Kashmiris now known as Lohran. In areas of Banihal and Bhaderwah there is Surankote, half of the population is of less or no cultivation of Rice as Kashmiris. It borders with Uri, compared to potato, beans, maize etc, Baramulla and Budgam and is at a So at some places people take rice only

ABDUL RAUF MIR Author is a peace and development activist associated with Action-Aid International. He works in Banihal area of Jammu

Images of Kashmir in Pir Panjal Region



once a day, usually at dinner time. influenced by the life style of the Gujjri. Similarly Gool area is 80%

Kashmiri tea is common among the people of valley. Nature has made Kashmiri speaking. More like other PPR

Kashmiris and Gujjars of the areas. Banihal a cold desert and handed it to areas there are lot of shrines of Sufis

More like Kashmir valley there are a fast blowing chilly winds and in the and saints in this district also. Moulana

large number of famous and holy shrines name of the state same wind has swept Syed Abdullah, Alam Shah Sahib, Shah

of Sufis and saints in the whole Pir Asra and many more. The same

panchal area region. Rajouri is famous practices are followed by the devotees

for holy Shardra shrief Shrine, Kishtwar which are seen in the valley like

famous for Hazrat Shah Asrar sahib's organizing Khatme Sharif (special

shrine similarly there are many more prayers) on special days, Shab Khwani (

holy shrines in the entire pir panchal full night prayers), celebrating Urs, tying

region. It is noticed that the way people threads of faith on the window sills and

practice their religion is more like that rejoicing in the spiritual aura and seeking

of people doing the same on holy shrines fulfillment of both worlds. The faith is

in Kashmir valley. Common link unflinching and strong which helps the

between Kashmir's Baba Reshi shrine in people endure the hardships in life and

Tangmarg and holy shrines in this Pir seek the true meaning of existence.

panchal region can be seen by the way

people practice their religion in these Doda:

holy shrines. Moreover the langar khana Doda district is another example of

(mess) arrangement in Baba Ghulam Kashmiri culture in the region,

shah sahib shrine is all made on Kashmiri Bhaderwah which is called as Chotta

pattern. Kashmir is very closely related to

Kashmiri culture. There is very large

Chinab Valley: number of Kashmiri speaking people in

Without consideration of three the whole district who also speak their

districts, Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar regional languages like Bhaderwahi etc. away the identity of this region and the imagination of a complete Kashmiri Hindus living in this area very simple restricted it between Jammu and culture is incomplete. Majority of and hardworking most of them can Kashmir by the name of “and” 90% Kashmiri population of Pir Panjal range speak or understand Kashmiri language. population of Banihal Tehsil living in live here. Banihal and other areas like Bhalesa area of Doda is considered as more than 85 villages speak either only Gool, Marwah and Warwan etc are more rich center for Kashmiri culture in this Kashmiri or both Kashmiri, Poogli and close to Kashmir valley and thus district.

Doda district is another

example of Kashmiri culture in

the region, Bhaderwah which

is called as Chotta Kashmir is

very closely related to Kashmiri

culture. There is very large

number of Kashmiri speaking

people in the whole district

who also speak their regional

languages like Bhaderwahi etc.

Hindus living in this area very

simple and hardworking most

of them can speak or

understand Kashmiri

language.

J&K Moving Forward


Kishtwar: Kashmiri culture is also found in large Jammu region but all over Jammu and

Kishtwar another district of this region number of villages in Ramnagar like Kashmir some prominent names are

is also very rich in Kashmiri culture. Panara, Lodra, Bandool, Jakher, Rasa Javidani, Kamgar Kishtwari,

The district is very rich in Sapphire. Basantgarh, Chanter, Kadu, etc. Same Jabaz Dolwal, Margoob Banihali,

Kishtwar is an example of brotherhood is the case with Malhar area of Tehsil Tavoos Banihali, Waif Bhaderwahi,

and harmony between the people of Billawar. In Basooli Tehsil there are Shahbaz Rajouri and Mushtaq Faridddi

this region and Kashmir region, various examples of Kashmiri culture there are many more who have worked

evidence of which are fond in the in following villages of Bugan, and who are working toward

history when after leaving Kashmir, upliftment of Kashmiri language and

Yaqoob Chak was helped by Raja culture in the region.

Bahadur Singh of Kishtwar and later

married his sister Shankar Devi with The reason for detailing the above

Yaqoob Chak giving him the status of facts is to bring to light the

brothr in law. Kishtwar is also famous commonalities in the culture and

for its hot springs like Atpaddar, lifestyle of the Kashmiri people across

Chatroo, Marwah, Dacchan and Polark. the state of Jammu & Kashmir, many of

As I have the privilege to travel to all whom now live a scattered existence.

the blocks of these three districts from Much has been talked about people to

Dacchan to Paddar and from Gandooh people interaction, and sharing of

to Ukheral and Gool. Dacchan, Marwah cultures and knowledge etc across-

and Kishwar are nowadays being LOC & countries. But it is very ironic

connected to Kokernag from Margan indeed that we often forget to know

Top and Sinthan Top respectively which more about people within the same

is at a very small distance. Ishrat State, who are so close to us both

Kashmiri (writer) has described geographically and with whom we

following regions of Kishtwar where share a common identity. There is a

Kashmiri culture is still very rich, these need for more interaction and

are Dacchan, Nagsaini, Dryal, communication amongst these people.

Kishtwar, Sarwa Sarthal khas Kishtwar, This would generate increased

Marwah, Warwan, Paddar and awareness and facilitate better

Bonzwah. It is famous for the presence interaction amongst them which will

of various Sufis and Saints and the holy eventually go a long way in developing

shrine of Hazrat Shah Asrar Sahib is and seeking issues of common interest

very famous. and survival in the long run. For the

conservation of the fast diminishing

Although casts of Kashmiris in whole Pir cultural ethos and identity, a renewed

Panjal region right from Poonch-Rajouri interaction and opening/renewal of

to Kishtwar and Banihal are more or the the connecting linkages with the

less same. Except a few almost all the people of the Pir Panjal and the people

Fatehpur, Dlang, Dohty, Dagar, Badra, casts are present in Kashmir valley eg. of the valley is essential. This would

Bikhai, Tappar, Poad and Banjal. There Wani, Mir, Khan, Sihekh, Lone, Rather, generate more sensitivity and sense of

are some great poets and writers who Nayak, Giri, Shan, Malik, Bhat, Tantry, belongingness among these Kashmiris

have contributed to the Kashmiri Parray, Ganaie, Khanday, Manhas, as for them it is really high time to stop

culture across the Pir Panjal region and Katoch, Gang, Goni, Mugahal, Tak, ignoring each other , or stigmatizing

their contribution is everlasting Beigh, Lohar etc are found in this region and start embracing one another with

towards the development of Kashmiri and more or the less same casts are the common bonds of brotherhood,

language and culture. Not only in found in Kashmir valley also. spiritualism and love.


The reason for detailing the

above facts is to bring to light

the commonalities in the

culture and lifestyle of the

Kashmiri people across the

state of Jammu & Kashmir,

many of whom now live a

scattered existence. Much has

been talked about people to

people interaction, and sharing

of cultures and knowledge etc

across- LOC & countries. But

it is very ironic indeed that we

often forget to know more

about people within the same

State, who are so close to us

both geographically and with

whom we share a common

identity. There is a need for

more interaction and

communication amongst these

people.

J&K Moving Forward



Neither Kashmiri nor South Asianhe Northern Areas is situated in

the extreme north of Pakistan. It Prior to the British colonization of the Tis the most glaciated area in the Gilgit region in the late 1800s, the

world - outside the polar caps. Having a people of the western Karakoram

Mountains had closer social and cultural rich but distinct culture in its lap,

linkages with the people of Central Asia Northern Areas is inhabited by five

and Afghanistan than with the vale of major ethno-linguistic communities,

Kashmir or the Punjab.and three different Muslim sects (Sunni,

Shia, and Ismaili). Administratively, this

region falls under the administrative Only with the establishment of the

control of the Federal Government of Gilgit Agency, did the British construct

Pakistan. It is a landscape dominated by the Gilgit Road, linking the town of

high rising mountains, plateau, glaciers Gilgit with Srinagar. The British also

and valleys, with the Hindu Kush, lesser constructed the Indus Road, linking the

region with the Northwest Frontier and Himalaya, Karakoram and Pamirs

the Punjab. However the political converging to form a huge mountain

representatives of the region had mass.

submitted legal petition in AJK High

court about constitutional status to Strategically the region is one of the become either part of AJK or Pakistan most important units in the context of but in vail. The political leadership has greater Jammu and Kashmir, bordering the view that at least they should be both China and Afghanistan. Northern given representation at any forum like Areas – with a population of around 1.5 Kashmir committee, Kashmir council million people – is scattered over a and in the process of dialogue on territory of 72,496 square kilometers. It Kashmir dispute.presents a rich mix of cultures,

languages, plants, animals and

Neither Part of Azad Kashmir nor habitats. In the recent times

comparatively easy access to the region Pakistanhas brought about dramatic changes in NA is historically comprised little kingdoms social, economic, and political fields of ruled by Rajas, Mirs and Chieftains; it was the region. As a result the realization for partially annexed by the Dogra regime still-illusive constitutional status has of Kashmir by middle of the 19th accentuated. century. In 1935 the British acquired

EJAZ AHMED KHANAuthor is Media & Development Communication Expert associated with (PEN/Publishing Extension Network)Gilgit, Northern Areas, Pakistan. He can be reached at [email protected]

Peace via voiceless people; A Northern Areas perspective

Strategically most important region in context of Greater Jammu and Kashmir, the Northern Areas is not finding due space in any dialogue.



Gilgit Wizarat for 60 years. However, in region and is not officially recognized as old Indus Road and transformed it into

November 1947, the people liberated part of the constitutional territory of the Karakoram Highway, with extensive

the area and acceded to Pakistan. Pakistan. As such, the region does not technical, financial, and construction

have any representation in the National assistance from China. With the opening

Assembly nor does it have a democr- of the KKH in 1978, dramatic changes in Fo l lowing 1947, the Pak i s tan atically elected leadership, as in AJK. the region have occurred.Government through the various local

rulers administered the Northern Areas,

formerly known as the Gilgit Agency. In addition, the Northern Areas has During the 1990s, the region witnessed

Only in the 1970s were the local rajas limited local governance. The Federal a huge increase in tourism, providing

and mirs retired and formal Pakistani Minister for Kashmir Affairs and the many economic opportunities to the

bureaucratic agencies established. Northern Areas, who is appointed by the people of the region. However, since

Prime Minister of Pakistan, rules the 2001 tourism to the Northern Areas has

region. In the 1990s, a Legislative all but disappeared.In Azad Jammu and Kashmir the council was created, that is known government of Pakistan established a today known as the Northern Area's quasi- independent government, One of the biggest impacts on the Legislative Assembly. However, the including a president and prime economy of the region is the “China Assembly has no independent minister. The Northern Areas was never Border Trade” – many local traders legislative power.included in such an arrangement nor has travel back and forth to the western

the region ever had its own Chinese province of Xinjiang importing

democratically elected political a variety of Chinese manufactured The Karakoram Highway and representatives. goods into the Northern Areas and to the Integration into Pakistan

rest of Pakistan.For a long time the ancient Silk Route In compliance with the UN resolution on provided the only significant link to the Kashmir and as per the constitution of The KKH also provides an avenue of outside world. In the 1970s the Pakistan, the Northern Areas is a disputed trade with the rest of Pakistan, government of Pakistan upgraded the

J&K Moving Forward



intensifying cash crop production and and earlier tourism (which since 2001 belonging to different religious and

the providing of forestry products has deteriorated). These NGOs offer ethnic groups in Gilgit have successfully

(leading to serious problems of lucrative packages for a good number of worked in different ethnic communities

deforestation). people working for the uplift of their in the Northern Areas.

communities.

A Civil Society Perspective: Prospects for PeaceOne of the negative impacts has been The current status of the Northern Areas Emerging Civil Societythe creation of economic disparities in is in limbo, having weak voice in Only since the 1978s has the Northern the region, creating a class of political processes. The continued Areas been connected with the rest of development professionals who are conflict between India and Pakistan has Pakistan through the construction of the separate from the mass rural very detrimental impact on the people Karakoram Highway. Following the population. of the region who are operating without opening of the highway a number of

basic rights.international NGOs started working in The second negative impact has been the region. The Aga Khan Development the pacification of what was a very Network is the largest organization with From the perspective of the people of vocal and active movement in the 1970s dramatic impacts, particularly within the region, there are few possible for the right of self rule. NGOs provide the Ismaili community. solutions offering alternatives to the an economic path, distracting people's current situation.attention from the issue at hand. The S ince the 1990s many o ther ultimate result was that no real international NGOs have been working Representation like FATA within leadership could emerge and prosper as in the region, including IUCN, WWF, Pakistan' National assembly and Senate.the gap was filled in temporarily by the European Community, and various UN Annex to Azad Jammu and Kashmir. NGOs, offering religious figures to step agencies including UNDP, UNICEF, Setup like Azad Jammu and Kashmir, in. A sectarian strife then turned into a UNFEM, and UNAIDS. As a result, many with own President and Prime Ministerdeep-rooted issue of the region, local NGOs have come up to facilitate undermining any collective move for development work, capitalizing on the At least representation in the Kashmir the rights.investment of funds from international Council, chaired by PM Pakistan

donor agencies.A Civil Society Perspective:

One of the challenges of identifying Sectarian Issues and the NGOs are having both a positive and prospects for peace for greater Jammu

negative impact on the region. Prospects for Local Peace and Kashmir is the recognition of the Over the past decade, the Northern radically distinct histories and cultures

NGOs have made s i g n i f i c an t Areas has witnessed unprecedented of the region. The affect on local contributions in the fields of health, violence between the followers of Sunni communities is different, and each education, and general social and Shia sects, particularly in the community must be taken into development. Some districts in the administrative capital Gilgit. consideration. No peace settlement can Northern Areas are the most literate be made without the voice of the with female literacy rates around 70% different people being represented. During the period of intense violence in (though female literacy rates in other 2005, various civil society organizations districts, namely Diamer, remains maintained their neutrality and Civil society organizations such as PEN significantly low at about 4%) interacted with the people at a will play an important role in the peace

comparative ease. process by working with local NGOs have also left significant communities, strengthening their economic impact by providing voices, and sensitizing them to the The organization I represent, PEN – employment opportunities to the political realities. A forum such as this Publishing Extension Network – educated youth of the region. Very few will offer avenues for people to raise established in 1997, was founded on the employment opportunities exist for the their voices for a peaceful solution to principle of bridging divides between people of the region outside the trade Jammu and Kashmir conflict.communities. Our Board of Directors

J&K Moving Forward


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Epilogue May2009