With 65 per cent overall voter turnout in the Jammu and KashmirAssembly elections under freezing temperatures of Nov-Dec 2014 the electoral victory at that time was considered to be the victory of democracy. Arguably the successful elections removed the very cause for which the militancy began in 1989 i.e alleged rigging of elections. It goes to the credit of all security agencies that not one civilian life was lost in the entire electoral process. This was the high point of stability. The atmosphere was charged with hope. Public discourse was on peace dividend, development and aspirations for a better future. Unfortunately, the stability gained was not followed by political will. Over two and a half years since then, the situation has slipped much downhill. While stone pelting by students is the new disturbing dimension in the visible spectrum of violence, public proclamation of Islamic Caliphate and Sharia by some militants is the other alarming component. The intensity and viciousness of the propaganda from Pakistan too has multiplied manifold. In the past one week a good number of terrorists have been eliminated including some prized-ones in operations along the Line of Control and in the hinterland. With all the efforts put in by the security forces it is reasonable to assume that the military situation would stabilise once again. The challenge then is how quickly and how well we can bridge the gap between military stability and political stability. The rapid spread of ISIS in Iraq and beyond, is a recent example in history of how horribly things can go wrong where political stability does not follow military stability. Political leaders need to reassert themselves as the military situation improves. This needs to be intensified further, irrespective of ruling or opposition parties and extended to South Kashmir and Srinagar as well. Kashmir’s potential economic wealth remains much under actualised because of the prolonged disturbed situation and also lack of requisite skills and enterprise. By connecting economics with security and education it is possible to actualise the untapped economic potential and also provide meaningful employment for youth. Time is of essence. If all the instruments i.e, politics, security, diplomacy, economic, social, information, education and justice get connected and focused, it is possible to turn the tables in Kashmir.
