Don’t wait for the worse
Like the cold violence has been gripping the Kashmir Valley with severity. The month of October has witnessed violence as never before. So far 41 deaths have been reported during the month and the list is swelling.October turned out to be one of the bloodiest months. At least 41 lives including two top scholars-turned-militants were killed. Among the 39 dead, were 22 militants, 12 civilians and seven security personnel. The tempers in Kashmir are rising with every killing on either side. However, what is being felt absent is the realization among the ruling class in New Delhi to approve and admit the disastrous situation that is swelling up in Kashmir.The rising violence emphasizes the importance of the dialogue and engagement between India and Pakistan. There is no other way.However, New Delhi has failed to realise that a growing challenge of the militancy in the state has been complemented by the worsening situation on the borders. In a development that shows an expanding spread of the conflict, the recurrent exchange of firing along the Line of Control and the International Border in Jammu has now spread out to the border in Chenab Valley and Kashmir.In recent past, the LoC along Poonch sector and Uri in North Kashmir have flared up, signifying the fragile peace efforts and commitments that both India and Pakistan have committed over the years.What makes the situation more worrisome is the over involvement of young and educated people in violence. Over the past few month the number of militants may not have swelled to a great extent but the sentiment among the masses towards them has deepened.This is evident from the recent happening like that of Kulgam when civilians rushed to an encounter site to salvage whatever was left after a gunfight last Sunday, leading to a devastating blast that left seven young people dead and serious injuries to dozens of others.These developments make it clear that the situation in the state is going through a progressive deterioration. The lingering violence in the state is the latest reminder to the effect.The scenario for the winter ahead is very bleak. Local recruitment of militants may add up to the crisis and the BJP’s hardened stance vis-a-vis Pakistan is making things worse.At the same time, the recurrent border flare-ups will keep alive the possibility of a bigger conflict between the neighbours. If anything, the rising violence in Kashmir and on the borders-emphasizes the importance of the dialogue and engagement between India and Pakistan. There is no other way.This realisation needs to seep into the psyche of the ruling elite as they are busy in seeing the Kashmir situation through the prism of politics, elections and gains for the parties they belong. A move which is fraught with dangerous consequences.
