A spontaneous strike was observed in many areas of the district Budgam on Tuesday to commemorate the killing of 16 youth in police and paramilitary firing this day last year. Significantly, the spontaneity of the shutdown conspicuously brought home the fact that separatists themselves had forgotten about this tragedy while people did remember it. The killings had taken place when police opened fire on the people protesting the act of desecration, something that makes the use of the force outrageous in nature. Where was the need to kill the people whose religious sentiment had been hurt and who were only making it known by protesting on the streets.  However, Kashmir has come a long way since. Even though more killings followed as part of the security effort to deal with the unprecedented unrest after September 13 carnage last year, taking the toll to 117, the peace in Valley has held this summer. It is first such season after the past three successive summers of tumult. This is unusual considering the fact that this year has witnessed massive public groundswell in parts of the globe, from Mideast to Britain to parts of India where Anna Hazare led a successful anti-corruption campaign. People have come on the roads to assert themselves and demand their rights. But in Kashmir, people have chosen to give peace a chance even while the issues which triggered the unrests in the past three years remain unresolved. Yes, an element of caution does inform the way the government deals with the day to day situation in Kashmir but there is so much to do before the governance truly responds to the expectations of the people. There have been many a provocation on the part of the security establishment which nearly plunged the situation back into turmoil but people have consciously held back and saved the situation. But as the past is proof enough, this may not always be the case. This puts an extra onus on the government.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST