It is over a month the clashes which sparked off in Kashmir Valley after the killing of a militant, today, find no way to subside. Curfew remains in volatile areas of the Valley with the solidarity clashes spreading to Kishtwar, Doda of Jammu region. Today it looks what started as protest against a militant’s killing has been built up a monstrous loss and the whole gamut of stoking the passions appears to have gone out of the hands of those who till date have been bestowed with the onus of getting ‘Azadi’ for the people of Kashmir Valley. Though they do look the ‘face’ of the movement but in reality the whole exercise has been kidnapped by the youth who were born and brought up in the turmoil period. Even the parents of these youngsters do encourage and endorse their role. It is not because of unemployment or other reasons but they find it much more lucrative than the normal job-oriented life. Following the pattern of Palestinians, it looks Kashmiri youth too have taken up the route of stone-pelting and subsequent clashes with security forces to keep the fire of hatred continue. This is no expression of resentment and a war of ‘Azadi’ neither can be equaled to the cause of Palestinians, which even India at that time supported it whole heartedly. What is happening in Kashmir is orchestrated violence to keep the administration engaged. Give them the Azadi, we are sure there will be no taker for it including the separatists who have been spewing venom against India. What is intriguing is that all through the turbulent month there have been very few infiltration and militancy-related incidents. Is it not that the militants who have taken refuge too are involved in stone pelting? And from where the ‘youth’ is getting this large quantity of stone supply daily and who is incurring the expenses for the same? Unfortunately till date India has not taken a tough stand like what Israel had done with Palestinians. What’s needed is some straight talk and strong measures so that the ongoing violence can be checked and normalcy restored at the earliest.
