People of Kashmir participated in the elections despite odds not only for economic freedom but for the political freedom too. But it seems that the Indian establishment is not yet ready to give full authority to the elected Government in Kashmir.
It is ironic that when the Government of India is claiming that the peace has been achieved, the authority of the state government is being undermined. Be it the ban on pre-paid mobile connections in Kashmir or Army’s refusal to play cricket in Srinagar, the Government is looking helpless over these developments. All the mainstream political parties—despite their plea to the Home Minister—are not able to get the decision revoked, or postponed. This gives a wrong signal that the state Government is not in full control of the affairs. Once the elected state government is in a position to take decisions regarding the security of the state, one can say that the part of autonomy or self rule has been achieved.
Sheikh Imtiaz
coolkashmir@hotmail.com

Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 IST