This refers to the recent announcement of airport closure. It has happened in the face of an elected chief minister who doesn't even have a say to prevail on air force authorities. This was not demanding aazadi and autonomy for Kashmir. It was the question of thousands of Kashmiris who had to return home to celebrate Eid with their family members. What is more dismaying is that there was no repair needed till yatris had be packed back home. When everything for them was normal, the tragedy struck for Kashmir.
On one hand it shows an utter disregard on part of Indian authorities towards Kashmir. On the other we are seeing a helpless, powerless government. Despite CM's statement that airport can't remain closed for 12 days, he has been easily sidelined. Eid apart, what can happen to those emergency cases who are to be flown outside Kashmir. In whose account will all those casualties go? There are many Kashmiri patients to be relieved from hospitals who are to be flown back home. They can't stand the grind of the highway. Getting him through road can be their last journey. What has he thought of hundreds of those families who face the same desperation. We have still hope that air force authorities will be re-approached and some way out will be sought.

Mushtaq Ahmad Khan
Srinagar

Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
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