Jammu & Kashmir - Articles

In its editorial, 'Firing in Tral', Alsafa (31 December 2004) commented on an incident of violence which claimed two lives besides wounding many others on the last day of year 2004: "In a heart rendering incident in Tral, one passenger vehicle was fired upon by security forces killing one woman and her daughter on the spot besides wounding 7 others. The village people alleged that the security forces have let loose a reign of terror in the village and authorities were unmoved." It continued, "They upheld that security forces fired indiscriminately on passenger bus without any provocation…. Since 15 year there have been scores of such events in valley where innocent people were killed by security forces in cold blood. The much vocal coalition government came into power with its "healing touch policy " and even PM himself visited Srinagar and upheld the healing touch policy of the government but there seems to be no respite to the beleaguered people continue to be at the receiving end of violence" While as the gross human rights violations are on the rise, the coalition government has failed to put a check on it, concluded the editorial.

Though the coalition government time and again promises to release those undergoing detention on the basis of mere political affiliation, it has failed to keep its promise, commented Aftab (17 December 2004) in its editorial. "Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi who is not involved in any anti national activity whatsoever is undergoing detention since 4 years. The leader was arrested when he tried to take out a peaceful procession on the occasion of Eid Milad Nabi." It continued, "Despite court orders, the leader was not presented before the court. Imagine law and order situation in Kashmir when court orders were not honored and human rights not respected. Mushtaq ul Islam of Batamaloo is also undergoing detention since 14 years. Though court ordered Mushtaq's release many a times, the court orders were never honored." There are many others like Mushtaq and Shakeel Bakshi languishing in jails in an outside the state. Kashmiris have never expected this from the much  vocal coalition government which came into being with its healing touch policy, summed up the editorial.

In its editorial, Srinagar Times (10 December 2004) commented that the dialogue on the Muzzafarbad Srinagar bus service between two countries in a dead lock. "Though the countries didn't call it unsuccessful, it appears that the dialogue between the two ended in a failure…. While as the joint secretary for minister of Road and Transport Alok Rawat led the dialogue from the Indian side, Jaleel Ahmad Geelani Director General foreign ministry (South Asia) represented Pakistan. India maintains that those who will travel via this bus should have passport and permit obtained from foreign ministry, for Pakistan obtaining passport is equivalent to the conversion of LoC into international border which it opposes strongly since years." It continued, "Pakistan believes that there should be Permanent Residence Certificate or simple identity card for the travelers. And the bus service should be for the people of the Jammu and Kashmir state only. Summing up it said, the Kashmir dispute is very serious and threatening and it is because of this that the resumption of bus service between two countries will take much time than anticipated by people in the subcontinent.

In its editorial,  Alsafa (2 December 2004) observed that Hurriyat leaders imparting lessons of unity to people were unable to forge unity amongst themselves. "Pakistan Prime Minister, Showkat Aziz's visit to New Delhi assumed importance owing to the fact that Hurriyat leaders were invited for a dialogue with the Prime Minister. Pakistan Prime Minister during his stay in Delhi talked to both factions of Hurriyat. Before leaving to Delhi, Hurriyat leaders tried to give an impression to the valley people that they were visiting Delhi as a joint force to meet Showkat Aziz but they met Pakistani leader one by one." It continued, "Over past few months that every Hurriyat leader is struggling to claim that he was the real representative of Kashmiris but the fact remains that they have not been able to overcome petty issues and forge unity amongst themselves. The role of Hurriyat leaders over past few months has disappointed Kashmiris eager to see the organization working as a joint and effective force." It is unfortunate that much to the desperation of Kashmiris, the leaders are reluctant to join hands with each other, concluded the editorial.

Srinagar Times (23 December 2004) in its editorial, 'Corruption and Beig's comments', observed that though committed, Beig alone cannot fight out the growing corruption in the society. "Though Parliamentary affairs and law minister Muzzafar Hussain Beig seems committed to fight out corruption eating out the very vitals of our society but he will find it very difficult to eradicate unless others in the ministry cooperate…. In the previous week, Beig talked on length on the menace of corruption in the society and discussed ways and means to fight it out." It continued, "Beig admits that the corruption is deep rooted in the valley and the unfortunate thing is that every department seems to be involved in it. By his statements issued from time to time, it appears that Beig finds himself lonely in the fight against corruption. Interestingly, Finance minister claims that he can even leave his chair for this noble cause. He upholds that he will put every thing at stake to root out corruption from the valley."