This is the eighth time since 1977 that Jammu and Kashmir is coming under Governor’s rule. The palpable unease on the Valley’s streets is turning into ominous silence, as people fear a surge in violence.
There are some, however, who celebrate the demise of the 40-month long “unholy” alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the BJP.
There was thin pedestrian movement in the tourist hotspot Boulevard in Srinagar that saw a separatists-backed shutdown on Thursday, the first since Governor N.N. Vohra took over the reins 24 hours ago.
‘Bad omen for tourism’
A shikara [small boat] owner, Siraj-ud-Din Malla, at Ghat No. 9, terms the sudden end to the PDP-BJP rule a “bad omen” for the tourism sector.
“This development has already scared away tourists. There was no apparent reason for the BJP to pull out. The political instability is bound to add fuel to the fire in a situation like ours,” he said.
Muhammad Yaqoob, a retired government school headmaster, sees the present Governor’s rule different from those in the last two decades, especially between 2002 and 2016.
“The four Governor’s rule J&K saw in the past two decades was an outcome of political exigency and not security failure. This time, however, it is an admission that the PDP-BJP rule has failed to contain the situation in Kashmir. Growing protests and increasing local militant activity have left Delhi with few options. It seems violence is bound to surge,” said Mr. Yaqoob.
He likened the present Governor’s rule to the one in 1990. An out-of-control situation triggered by the resignation of National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah as Chief Minister that year saw longest ever Governor’s rule in the State. It lasted six years and 264 days.
“I wonder if any election, to Parliament or Assembly, will be possible this year. The people are agitated and militants are holed up in the upper reaches. If violence surges, development and education will take a hit,” fears Mr.Yaqoob.
‘It’s people’s victory’
But on the other side, there are many like Javeed Ahmad, a downtown shopkeeper, who sees the end to the PDP-BJP rule as a victory of the people. “The PDP-BJP regime had been unacceptable here from day one. It’s fall was hastened the people’s resistance to their agenda and designs,” he said.
Meanwhile, police officials believe the fall of the government will defuse the anger to a large extent in the Valley, especially in south Kashmir.
