How a rape hoax can trigger unrest shattering the almost six month’s peace in Kashmir Valley is evident of the fact that summer ahead is going to be hotter politically. There is no doubt that elements are awaiting to vitiate the atmosphere by posting false information on social media. Security forces, seen as New Delhi’s extended arms of rule, are always on the target of such elements. The unrest has claimed three lives two on the spot falling victims of the firing and another few kilometers away from the site an elderly woman who was in her kitchen garden. The situation has not improved despite the victim girl denying any hand of security men instead she said it was two Kashmiri youths who tried to act smart her with. What is intriguing is the death of an elderly woman who was mending her kitchen garden and how it was linked with the ongoing violence? It cannot be that a stray bullet travelled all along and hit this lady in garden. That means some elements are trying to weave in the incidents to flare up the situation at a time when the State’s first woman Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and her government is getting ready for its annual ‘home return’ in the form of Darbar Move to Valley’s cool clime. The way recent incidents unfolded it does not look a spontaneous action on the part of the people to target security men and their bunkers but a clear-cut machinations to keep the trouble going on. With the Darbar Move one can expect more trouble as the residue of unrest has not cooled down forcing the administration to snap internet connections. The annual Amarnath Yatra is also getting ready to begin in a month or so. The Yatra would see a temporary influx of lakhs of devotees to the Himalayan Shrine from the hinter land. So it won’t be an exaggeration of the fact if these elements do’nt hesitate to keep the fire of hatred and unrest continue. In any case Mehbooba will have to tread cautiously to control the situation. It would be the maiden acid test for the woman Chief Minister in restoring normalcy if the situation goes bad.
