In Jammu and Kashmir, a gun battle exploded between security forces and militants in Kulgam at Brayihard Kathpora village of Yaripora.
An encounter is going on between security forces and militants in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Wednesday. The gunfight broke out at Brayihard Kathpora village of Yaripora during a cordon and a search operation which was launched by a joint team of forces following input about the presence of militants in the area. Police and security forces are on the job, a police tweet said
The attacks are ongoing, and it is disturbing that in the most militarized zone in the world, a series of attacks are still being launched at police and civilians.
It was believed that the Valley would be safer after the Abrogation of Article 370, but worrisome that the situation is very shakey in Kashmir. There is also a fear that innocent people are being killed more during these encounters.
The Great Depression in Jammu and Kashmir
It is now three years out from the Abrogation of 370 and 35a and there was a great depression in Jammu and Kashmir, and even suicide rates spiked for the following reasons:
Long Lockdowns: Incessant lockdowns starting from the removal of Article 370 spiked up depression in the Valley with many youths getting into drugs or taking their lives. Of course, COVID-19 lockdowns added to the misery.
Not Given Freedom of Expression: Despite the euphoric claims from the Center of the happiness and joy exuded by Kashmiris for the removal of Article 370, the Kashmir viewpoint appears to be different with many groups and people stating their grievances. This is because the Police can just pick up anyone under UAPA, even if they are simply protesting absolutely removing personal liberties from Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmiris Regard Abrogation of Articles of 370 and 35a as a Dark Day in the Indian Constitution. Many express that it was a black day for the Indian Constitution when they abrogated Article 370 and 35a without Kashmir’s consent as according to the treaty, this cannot be done without Kashmir’s permission and agreement.
Sajad Lone’s J&K Peoples Conference said the August 5, 2019 move would perpetually be remembered as a dark day and a day of disempowerment in the history of J&K.
“The decisions taken on August 5 are spiteful and contrary to ideals and values of democracy, the federal character of the Indian State.
It is important to listen to Kashmiri voices, they are the people living in the region and what they feel and express should be taken into uttermost importance.
There are Constant Encounters and Killings, Where is the Peace? While there have many Army jawans killed since 2016, starting with the Uri attack, the deadliest attack ever on the Indian Army, there have been over 150 militants killed along with jawans since 2019.
Officials say more local young people are being drawn toward militancy. A senior security officer, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC that of 200 currently active militants, 80 are believed to be from Pakistan and more than 120 are locals.
“Between January and July this year, 76 Kashmiris have picked up arms and the number is anticipated to increase,” the official said.
He said that no new foreign militant had been added to the list of active militants in Kashmir this year.
“But the names of locals are being added every day.”
Ripped Off Jobs and Rights over Their Natural Resources: Thousands of Kashmiris have been ripped off jobs, even jobs as teachers. The Peoples Alliance for the Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), an amalgam of five Jammu and Kashmir parties, including the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday said the past two years, after ending J&K’s special status in 2019, saw “people being divided into smaller units, silenced, ripped off their jobs and rights over the natural resources”.
Issuing a statement on the eve of the second anniversary of the reading down of Article 370, Gupkar alliance spokesman M.Y. Tarigami said, “Unconscionable suppression of civil and democratic rights continues unabated, indiscriminate arrests and harassment of all sections of our people, including employees on different pretexts continues.
An ‘adverse police report’ cannot be a substitute for being found guilty in a court of law. This amounts to a violation of the most sacred principles of the justice system”.
The alliance shall not succumb but continue the struggle in defense of rights using every opportunity through peaceful and legal means, he stressed. Mr. Tarigami said the BJP’s ‘Naya Kashmir’ slogan “is a joke now”.
“By demolishing the constitution of J&K, it has crossed all the limits of constitutionality. Protection of jobs and land rights were removed arbitrarily, which has deepened the alienation and sense of insecurity in all the regions. The economy of J&K has virtually collapsed, as tourism, trade, agriculture, horticulture, and handicraft sectors were badly hit,” he stated.
Economy on a Death Bed Called The Great Depression in Kashmir: Kashmir was the hub of international tourism and the Abrogation of Article of 370 drowned that, and while national tourism is slowly limping back, it is still stunted in its growth. Unless there is security and safety, things will never be the same again.
In the 120 days after August 5, 2019, the 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley suffered a loss of ₹17,878.18 cr. according to the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Kashmir went into its third lockdown since August 2019, over three years of lockdown has reduced the princely state to a begging bowl literally.
There is no sector of Kashmir’s economy — be it tourism, horticulture, transport, or trade — that hasn’t suffered losses in the past two years. “Economy was already on its deathbed,” said Sheikh Ashiq, President of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). “Somehow we were trying to survive, then came the pandemic.”
While Jammu and Kashmir are struggling back on their feet, it will need tremendous help, support, and investment along with equal freedom to build the trust of the people again. It is a long road ahead.