The anger in the streets of Kashmir is not about economic stagnation or unemployment; it is about the people’s aspiration to live a life of dignity. It is high time New Delhi woke up to the reality.
The current phase of unrest in Kashmir, which began on July 8 with the killing of the Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, is a replay of what happened in 2008 and 2010. At the time of writing this report, 55 people have lost their lives and 5,000 injured, which makes the number of casualties the highest in comparison with any phase of unrest since 1989. According to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, 2,228 State police personnel, 1,100 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and 2,259 civilians were injured in 16 days of turmoil. Pellet guns, apparently used to minimise losses, have proved more dangerous than other ways of dispersing crowds. Kashmir is seething with anger and sees this new phase of “struggle” as a “do or die” situation”. Cries for “azaadi” from India are louder than they were before.
ANGER AGAINST THE MEDIA
This story is from the August 19, 2016 edition of FRONTLINE.
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This story is from the August 19, 2016 edition of FRONTLINE.
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