Though an uneasy peace has held in the Valley since the Article 370 was revoked, people are far from reconciled to the loss of autonomy as a fait accompli. While mass protests may have abated, the overall violence hasn’t. A report by Riaz Wani
On the face of it, Jammu and Kashmir looks like any other normal place three years after the revocation of Article 370 that granted the region a special position within the Indian Union. Kashmir Valley is no longer a witness to frequent protests, stone-pelting and shutdowns. Separatist politics has all but disappeared. Tourism is booming, with over one crore tourists having visited the union territory in the last six months. Tourists are also visiting the hitherto no-go zones near the border with Pakistan. But does this constitute normalcy? Apparently yes. But look deeper, and the situation appears contrary to its outward appearance. While mass protests may have abated, the overall violence hasn’t.
Giving a break-up of the violence over the last three years, Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar recently said that over 500 militants have been killed in the period, besides 174 security personnel and 110 civilians.
J&K Police, however, acknowledges a redeeming difference in the security scenario since the withdrawal of the erstwhile state’s special constitutional position. Sharing the data on its Twitter handle, the police said that from August 5, 2016 to August 4, 2019 the number of law-and-order incidents reported in the Valley stood at 3,686 while only 438 such incidents were reported from August 5, 2019 to August 4, 2022. Similarly, 290 security personnel and 191 civilians were killed in the previous three years.
“The number of civilians killed in terror incidents is on a decline,” the ADGP Vijay Kumar said. “Once the total number of terrorists in Kashmir come down below 50, number of civilian killings will certainly decrease.”
Muted celebration
J&K witnessed a muted celebration of the third anniversary of the withdrawal of Article 370. Kashmir Valley remained calm on the day and there was no call for hartal – albeit shops in parts of Srinagar remained closed.
Workers of the People’s Democratic Party, led by its president Mehbooba Mufti staged a protest at Lal Chowk in Srinagar to mark the anniversary. Addressing the protest, Mehbooba said August 5 was a black day for the entire country.
“Our constitution and our flag were taken from us unconstitutionally and illegally. This has harmed not just J&K, but also the entire country,” she said. “We will take back our flag and our constitution and also continue the fight for resolution of Kashmir issue.”
