Kashmir | News & Discussions.

[dabong1]

A landmine explosion has injured six policemen in Indian-administered Kashmir, officials said.

The incident took place in Tral township, 40km (25 miles) south of the summer capital, Srinagar.

Police said the mine was planted on an iron bridge. The explosion was very powerful and shook nearby buildings, as well as damaging the bridge.

The BBC's Altaf Hussain in Srinagar says there has been a sudden surge in violence in Kashmir.

This has coincided with the souring of relations between India and Pakistan, he says.

India and Pakistan both claim Kashmir in its entirety and have fought two wars over it.

Flashpoint

The police vehicle had just passed by when the explosion happened, officials said.

Violence in Kashmir has decreased since 2004 when India and Pakistan signed a peace treaty.

But in recent weeks there have been outbreaks of fighting.

A 20-year insurgency against Indian rule in Jammu and Kashmir has claimed more than 47,000 lives since 1990.

Kashmir has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan for more than 50 years and the scene of two of their three wars.

India has accused Pakistan of pushing armed militants across the line of control - the de facto border which divides Kashmir between the South Asian neighbours - into Indian-administered Kashmir.

The two countries suspended talks on Kashmir and other disputes after the Mumbai attacks of November 2008.

Indian authorities say they expect more violence in the region in coming days.

Security has been tightened across the state ahead of India's Republic Day celebrated on 26 January.

The separatists have called for a shutdown in the Kashmir Valley on that day.

BBC News - Policemen injured in landmine blast in Kashmir

 

[EjazR]

Independence or accession?

The man sounded energetic and confident. He is a political activist from Srinagar and, I was discussing peace process in Kashmir and its likely outcome. I said to him, in negotiations all parties have to give some and take some. Are people of Kashmir now ready to make a compromise? “No way”, he said confidently. “We will never compromise. We want Azadi (freedom)”.

What do you mean by Azadi (freedom) I asked him? He hesitated for a moment and said, “By azadi, I mean azadi”.

I said different people have different meaning of freedom. Freedom generally means absence of restrictions and an opportunity to exercise one's rights and powers.

He said, “We don’t want the Indian army here”.

I asked, “If the Indian army moves out and issues related to law and order are controlled by Kashmiri police or local militia; you have freedom of speech and freedom of movement; is that satisfactory to you”.
He was little perplexed, and appeared bit unsure, and then he said, “We want India to be out of Kashmir. We don’t want to be part of India.”

I asked him, “If you don’t want to be part of India then what do you want to do when Indians move out?”

“We will have azadi (freedom) from India and run our own government, or join Pakistan”, he said.

This has been the problem with the Kashmiri struggle and people of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir is forcibly divided and each region has its own interest and own agenda with no clear destination in mind.

As Kashmir is multi religious and multi ethnic State, there bound to be regional and ethnic issues; but while keeping those issues in mind we have to promote a national interest, and not interest of one religion of one region of the State. Similarly we have to ensure that we do not become foot soldiers of either India or Pakistan.

If ultimate aim of some Muslims of the Valley of Kashmir is to join Pakistan then that could be called accession and not azadi or freedom. Perhaps these people don’t know that the people of Pakistan are also in search of freedom since 1947, and they haven’t seen that yet; and in frustration they are looking for alternatives and some are clearly talking of breaking away from Pakistan.

Furthermore by promoting a Muslim cause or playing a Muslim card they are in practise dividing the State on religious lines; and that is something we must oppose at all costs. The last division on communal lines took place in South Asia in 1947, and people of South Asia are still paying price for that division with their blood.

That division caused death and destruction to property, and affected lives of millions of people. The scars of that bloody division were so deep that communities even now have been come to terms with that. Memories of that division, which generated hatred and animosity among the communities is still dividing the communities and poisoning politics of that region.

Apart from that it is religious fanaticism which has become threat to peace and stability in South Asia and Jammu and Kashmir. It is this fanaticism which is giving bad name to jihad and Islam; and creating enormous problems for Muslims through out the world.

Those Kashmiris who claim that divisions among the Kashmiris are superficial and that all Kashmiris are untied around the demand of right of self determination are not correct as there are deep divisions in the ranks of the Kashmiri people. Even people have different interpretations of right of self determination; and they confuse that with right of accession which was given to us in the UN Resolutions. It is only appropriate that we accept this reality and make sincere efforts to forge some kind of unity.

The divisions we have are ideological and clearly divide the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is unfortunate that even in 2010; there are some Kashmiri leaders who justify use of violence to promote their cause. Some want an Islamic rule; while others want democratic and secular form of government. Some even want to make this struggle a struggle of Kashmiri Muslims, which practically means they want a division of the State on communal lines.

These leaders represent a vested interest which wants instability in the region, as that suits their commercial and political interests. They want pot of communalism and hatred keep on boiling that they can advance their agenda and impose their will on other people.

If we want peace and stability in South Asia then we need to resolve the Kashmir dispute; and we cannot resolve the Kashmir dispute by making it a Muslim problem or a problem of water and resources. It is deeply disturbing that despite enormous sacrifices by the people of Jammu and Kashmir the Kashmir dispute is still perceived as a dispute which has to be resolved by the governments of India and Pakistan.

True, the Kashmir dispute has to be resolved by a process of dialogue and not by use of a gun; but we the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be part of this dialogue process, as we cannot allow bureaucrats of India and Pakistan to decide future of the State and future of our generations.

Writer is Head of Diplomatic Committee of Kashmir National Party, political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs. Email: drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com

 

[EjazR]

Rising Kashmir, Daily Newspaper, Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir - Good Omen
OpEd
After remaining in dilapidated state, Shetaleshwar Bhairav temple of Habba Kadal locality reopened after a long gap of 20 years much to the happiness of Kashmiri Pandits and the local Muslims. Earlier last year Dusshera was celebrated in Srinagar after 20 years and large number of locals attended the event sending a strong message to the world that local Muslims look forward to the return of their Pandit brethren.

Reopening of temples, which had gone unattended during all these years, augurs well for the Pandit-Muslim bonhomie which has passed through tough times since the start of the armed phase of Kashmir conflict in 1989. It can also act as a catalyst for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland if it is coupled with measures to create conducive atmosphere for their homecoming. Just as the restoration of temples can act as a formidable Confidence Building Measure as far as the return of Pandits is concerned, it is also important that the affairs of all their religious places should be entrusted to Kashmiri Pandits only. Taking advantage of their absence, many non-local people have started to manage these places. Kashmiri Pandits have themselves been mindful of this trend and they have shown strong objection to it as is evident from the statements of some prominent Pandits. Following the Amarnath Shrine row, noted Pandit activists had condemned the politicization of the shrine board. They demanded that board affairs be handled by top journalists, lawyers, social activists from Kashmiri Pandit community only.

Noted activist, Dr Roop Lal Sharma had said that only Kashmiri Pandits have the right to manage the affairs of the shrine besides the local population of Maliks of Batkote so that the yatra is not communalised by some vested interests in the administration. In this context, Kashmiri Pandits Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) is doing a commendable job by restoring the temples. Shetaleshwar Bhairav temple became the 37th temple that was reopened by KPSS. They have of course been encouraged by the support lend by local Muslims who have been yearning for their return and also support their right of managing the local temples. However, given the fact that 548 temples, as per KPSS, are yet to be restored, there is still a long way to go. The government has so far shown keen intent for the return and rehabilitation of Pandit community unlike the previous regimes. The need is to pursue the good work. At least they can expect overwhelming public support in this respect.

Kashmiri Muslims and Pandits have shown exemplary composure in the face of propaganda by some vested organizations. These self-styled custodians of Pandit rights have been trying hard to communalize the secular character of the valley so they can cash in on the division. Restoration of temples and the handling of their affairs to Pandits is a good start as it will send a strong message to such elements bent on harming the communal harmony of Kashmir.

 

[Awesome]

Presently Kashmiris are the most secular people in South Asia, the question of Kashmiri freedom transcends Hindu-Muslim issues and is a political not a religious issue.

Most Kashmiri independence groups have stated time and again that an independent Kashmir would be a secular Kashmir.

 

[Contrarian]

Presently Kashmiris are the most secular people in South Asia, the question of Kashmiri freedom transcends Hindu-Muslim issues and is a political not a religious issue.

Most Kashmiri independence groups have stated time and again that an independent Kashmir would be a secular Kashmir.

That did not stop groups like LeT to call for Kashmiri pundits to leave Kashmir leaving behind the women

There is one solution to Kashmir-dissolve Article 370. Then in a decade there will be no Kashmir problem.

 

[Contrarian]

Kashmir's problem can be resolved internally. You scrap Article 370 and you see the changes, influx of businesses and people, income, etc. It will change everything in Kashmir.

Why does India have to separate Kashmir from the rest of India while Pakistan allows others to settle in their Kashmir.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Why Kashmir is no more a core issue

By Tayyab Siddiqui, Sunday, 24 Jan, 2010

The sad fact is that Kashmir as a ‘core’ issue has lost its urgency and primacy as determinant of peace and security in the region. The world’s focus is no longer on this issue. Since 9/11 there is no more a legitimate armed struggle against foreign domination or alien occupation. It is seen only through the prism of terrorism. India has succeeded in preserving all its positions and has shifted focus from its unlawful occupation of Kashmir to the overall objective of advancing the peace process. What is worse is that capitalising on western phobia about Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism, the Indian propaganda machinery has subtly but effectively exploited this feat and equated the Kashmiri’s struggle for self determination to terrorist activity, supported by Pakistan. This well-orchestrated campaign has narrowed the parameters of the Kashmir issue to “cross-border terrorism.”

The Islamabad Declaration was indeed the beginning of erosion of our Kashmir stance. The UNSC resolution 1172 of June 6, 1998 was an extremely important development. It was after November 5, 1965 that the UNSC took cognizance of the Kashmir issue and urged India and Pakistan to resume the dialogue between them and on all outstanding issues, including Kashmir. Pakistan failed to use this resolution to revive and internationalise the issue again.

Furthermore, the Islamabad Declaration did not make any reference to the Lahore Declaration (February 21, 1999), Simla Agreement or the UN charter. Diplomatically speaking, this has been a major blunder. Kashmir is now only a bilateral irritant. Kashmir has lost the primacy, having been made subservient to the issue of terrorism, and in this context Pakistan’s unilateral commitment not to allow its territory to be used to support terrorism in any manner without seeking a reciprocal commitment from India is regarded by diplomatic observers as a great setback.

The fundamental shift in Pakistan’s Kashmir policy is primarily based on Musharraf’s appeasement policy with India. The gradual but steady silence on Indian atrocities in the IHK and a lukewarm projection of Kashmir in the UN General Assembly bears testimony to this change of policy. References from President Musharraf’s address to the world body during the last five years (2002 – 2006), reveal this tragic slide in our position.

The UN General Assembly is the most distinguished forum used annually by world leaders to explain their country’s policies before the international community; seeking its understanding and support to their problems. The statements by these heads of state/government constitute basic documents to gauge the foreign policy direction and their nuances for appropriate response by the concerned quarters. Ever since Pakistan joined the UN, the Kashmir issue has been the dominant theme of its statements, reflecting the depth of concern and importance Pakistan attaches to the Issue.

How abjectly Musharraf surrendered to India is manifest in the policy statements before UN General Assembly during its annual sessions which gradually became less concerned on Kashmir. On September 12, 2002, President Musharraf told the UN General Assembly that the “struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination continues unabated despite the brutal repression and state terrorism by India. In the recent past, India has embarked on a sinister campaign to malign the Kashmiri freedom struggle by trying to link it with international terrorism. The Kashmir struggle cannot be delegitimised by such false claims”.

On September 24, 2003, Musharraf, in his address to the UN General Assembly’s 58th session, recalled “the brutal suppression of the Kashmiris’ demand for self-determination and freedom from Indian occupation” and invited the International community’s attention to the Indian policy “to suppress the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with the UNSC resolution”. He also castigated India for seeking to exploit the International anti-terrorist sentiment after 9/11 to delegitimise the Kashmiri freedom struggle and held India responsible for “refusing to implement the UNSC resolutions and perpetrating gross and consistent violations of human rights in Kashmir.”

Since 2004 there has been a complete turn-around. There has been no mention of Kashmir being “the most dangerous place in the world”, no mention of the right of self-determination, no denunciation of the Indian atrocities and no reference to the UNSC resolutions and certainly no reference to the indigenous freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people.

Addressing the September 2004 session of the UN General Assembly, President Musharraf studiously avoided all such expressions and restricted himself to “aspirations of peace both in India and Pakistan” and Pakistan’s firm commitment “to resolving all disputes with India peacefully, including the Kashmir dispute” and expressing the hope that “India shows the same sincerity, flexibility, and boldness that Pakistan will demonstrate”.

On September 15, 2005 President Musharraf addressed the 60th UN General Assembly Summit session. In his survey of global problems he disposed of the Kashmir issue in just one sentence, “it is essential to find a just solution of the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir acceptable to Pakistan, India, and above all to the people of Kashmir”.

In 2006, President Musharraf’s reference to the Kashmir issue in his UN General Assembly address was more puerile and commonplace. “Pakistan desires a peaceful environment in the region. We have been engaged in a peace process with India aimed at confidence building and resolving issue, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute; which have been a source of tension and conflict between the two countries in the past.”

In 2007, President Musharraf did not attend the UN General Assembly due to internal political crisis. Pakistan’s delegation was led by the foreign secretary. Abandoning the right of self-determination has done tremendous damage to Pakistan and to the cause of Kashmir. It is not the LoC that has become irrelevant but the Kashmir issue itself in the overall context of bilateral relations. Despite government disclaimers that there has been no paradigm shift the crude reality is that Pakistan has altered its historic position and is now open to “new ideas” and “out of box” solutions.

Regrettably, the democratic government of Gillani has also continued the appeasement policy of Musharraf era. President Zardari addressing the UNGA on September 25, 2008 followed the tradition of his predecessor. He asked India to “resume the composite dialogue. We seek a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues with India. Meaningful progress towards resolution of Kashmir dispute is necessary for durable peace and stability in South Asia.” Period. Zardari did not mention the UN resolution on Kashmir, nor did he raise the issue of Indian security forces’ brutal policies and continuing violation of human rights in IHK.

Gillani government, for its own credibility must examine the Kashmir policy in all its dimensions. Full-scale debate on our foreign policy with focus on Kashmir must be held in the parliament. A policy based on principles and sentiments of Kashmiris alone will restore the credibility of Pakistan’s avowed policy of support to Kashmir.

The writer is a former ambassador.

DAWN.COM | World | Why Kashmir is no more a core issue

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

It is the mother of all tensions btw India and Pakistan . Both countries cannot go forward in harmony without solving this dispute .

 

[Imran Khan]

don't play man its emotnal issue we both have its serius problim.i personaly don't ever hate india but our gov solve this issue we can't fix

 

[praveen]

no one in the indian establishment wants peace with pakistan,no need of harmony no thanks

 

[deckingraj]

no one in the indian establishment wants peace with pakistan,no need of harmony no thanks

What??? Now thats a news to me...Any reason we don't want peace with Pak??? I did not know that hostility with Pak is helping our economy... I hope this is some typo mistake or else you certainly have lost it bro...

 

[Skeptic]

don't play man its emotnal issue we both have its serius problim.i personaly don't ever hate india but our gov solve this issue we can't fix

This is the reason why it aint getting fixed. Coz we have both taken it up on our emotions and collective egos.

Remove the emotions, and problems will be solved? Easier said than done eh....

 

[Imran Khan]

no one in the indian establishment wants peace with pakistan,no need of harmony no thanks

so what we poors of indo pak do? we are commen man

 

[Imran Khan]

This is the reason why it aint getting fixed. Coz we have both taken it up on our emotions and collective egos.

Remove the emotions, and problems will be solved? Easier said than done eh....

emotions with peace yaar please think we no need kashmir but solve it .

 

[zz5168]

Kashmir was never a core issue over the world.

It is the core issue between Inida and Pakistan.

Nowadays it is the sub-Core issue attached to the
USA<->Iran-Pakistan-Krashmir-China line.
In order to attack Iran -> need to block the land route between china and Iran, what is the bridge?--Pakistan!
In order to block the bridge Pakistan -> start a fire in kashimir