This refers to the deteriorating law and order situation in Kashmir. So far New Delhi has held a series of meetings. The Cabinet Committee on Security has met at least four times in the past three months. Besides the central and state government has convened two all-party meetings as well. But what is the end result? People continue to be killed. The central government must understand where from the cycle of killings begins. It begins from the armed forces which open fire on peaceful protesters. This leads to protests and violence. And in the clashes, it is an ordinary youth who dies. Can’t the Home Ministry direct its forces to exercise restraint? Delhi is unfortunately buying time to give people a sense of defeat rather than giving them the much needed sense of victory. They are not removing Omar Abdullah, not revoking the AFSPA, which has been misused in Kashmir. So it is very difficult to maintain peace in the Valley. People have sacrificed everything for the Kashmir cause. We are gone economically, mentally, educationally. Kashmiris want justice. Killing of over 100 civilians in three months is not a joke. It is a disaster of high magnitude. How can people forget the tremendous sacrifices offered by them? Let Delhi not buy time. Let its leadership rise above the political interests and announce a sensible and credible political package for the state, which would address the aspirations of the people.
Mushtaq Amin
Aanchar, Soura

Beyond curfew
This refers to government’s decision to impose continued and stringent curfew across the Kashmir Valley. As per the official version, it is being imposed to save lives and property. But how can the government be ignorant of the fact that curfew causes shortage of essentials and it affects the patient care. The government must do something beyond curfew so that people don’t suffer.
Faizan Hasan Khan
Student/ Member
Mukhtar Memorial Society, N.G.O

Various issues
This refers to the letter titled 'KPs Perspective' by Ashok Raina. The writer has provided wrong information about various issues. I wish the writer again goes through the history of Jammu and Kashmir and see who did what and how.
Mukhtar A Mir
Damhal Islamabad
mamir0001@gmail.com

Revoke it
This refers to the debate on the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). It is time to revoke it once and for all. If government figures are to be believed, there are not more than 400 militants present in Jammu and Kashmir. So why have AFSPA? And if there is a consensus between the mainstream politicians and separatists over its revocation, then India has no reason to keep it there. People are immensely suffering and need some kind of respite. Let there be no more killings. The AFSPA should have gone immediately after the Machchil fake encounter. But it seems that New Delhi is not ready to punish the soldiers who are involved in fake encounters.         Shair Hussain
Kakpora, Pulwama

Stringent curfew
This refers to the news “Curfew causes shortage of essentials.” I am 62 years old. I have never seen such a stringent curfew ever imposed in Kashmir. We have seen the curfew imposed by Gul Shah. But it wasn’t as stringent as it is today. People are denied access to milk and vegetables. Even hospitals are running short of medicines and surgical stuff. But who cares? New Delhi is buying time and asking the state to deal tough against the protesters. The state government, on the other hand, is adding fuel to the fire by not ensuring end to civilian killings. At the same time, detention of youth continues. In such a situation, how is it possible for people to survive? Kashmir has been turned into a jail where people live, but live a living death.
Shafeeqa, Mirpur, Muzaffabad

Toll 100
This refers to the news “Toll crosses 100.” Had it taken place in any other part of India, it would have rattled India. The central government must understand the sensitivity of the issue and resolve the Kashmir issue, once and for all. No cosmetic treatment can help resolve the crisis. The Hurriyat Conferences led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani have to be taken on board if India intends to make a political announcement with regard to Kashmir issue. Let the all-party delegation which is visiting Kashmir meet the youth. Let them ask people what they want.
Umar Hameed
Kreeri, Varmul

Futile exercise
This refers to the all-party delegation’s visit to Kashmir. I guess it is a futile exercise. India doesn’t want to resolve the Kashmir crisis. They are just playing politics over the issue.
Rukhsana Sharif
rukhsanasharif926@gmail.com

Unfortunate this
It is very unfortunate that state government instead of mitigating the prevailing crises is using force to suppress the people. Forces have turned Kashmir into hell. Instead of finding a political solution to the problem, the security forces are terrorizing people. The five-point proposal given by Syed Ali Shah Geelani is an opportunity for New Delhi to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir Revoking the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Jammu and Sambha or Srinagar is not going to make a difference. AFSPA has been misused in Kashmir than in any other part of the state. This cosmetic approach of central and state government is nothing but a big joke. Let India find a concrete solution to this problem.
Sheikh Sameer
Sociology Scholar
shiekh.sameer@rediffmail.com

Act now
This refers to the article "Kashmir: Time for results" by Riyaz Ahmad (GK Sep 8). I strongly agree with the views expressed by the author. He has rightly mentioned that it is the time for New Delhi to respond to the conditions put forth by the Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani. New Delhi should introspect and respond quickly to these conditions so that current unrest in Valley ends. The Government of India should not act as a mute spectator.
Rayees Hassan
Chitragam Shopian
rayees.ms@gmail.com

Farooq’s statement
One really feels like laughing over the statements made by the National Conference patron, Dr Farooq Abdullah. For the past three months, he is daily beating the drum of Kashmir being the integral part of India. It seems that he is not finding too many takers for his argument and that is why he is saying it again and again. One thing is clear. Dr Abdullah makes these statements only to save the chair of his son, Omar Abdullah. Recently he lied to people when he said that the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh praised Omar Abdullah’s performance during the all-party meeting in New Delhi. I really liked the statement by an ex-Army official on NDTV saying that even if Omar doesn’t resign, he has lost moral authority to rule the state. The way Rahul Gandhi came in support of Omar speaks volumes about the personal influences ruling the roost in Delhi politics. Otherwise by now, Omar should have stepped down.    
Mehboob Syed
Kawdara, Srinagar

CBMs must
This refers to the failure of the recently All-Party Meeting in New Delhi.  Why is New Delhi not realising the importance of announcing some Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) at this juncture. It is important that the politicians keep aside their political ideologies and think about Kashmiris who are suffering day in and day out. Over 100 civilians have died in action by police and paramilitary forces in the past three months. Who is responsible for that? Somebody has to be made accountable so that the people of Kashmir don’t feel neglected. Let the youth who have been detained under the Public Safety Act be released forthwith. And let civilian killings stop if peace is to return to the Valley. For restoration of normalcy, the first thing that needs be done is to reign in forces.
Farhan Syed
Umerheir, Buchpora

Lastupdate on : Sun, 19 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 19 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST