Kashmir protests

July 12, 2010 12:18 am | Updated 12:18 am IST

This has reference to the editorial, “Kashmir's politicians must act” (July 10). The feelings of deprivation and injustice of the past are the engines of suppressed anger among the youth that reflect in street violence. In the absence of democratic politics and convincing answers from political leaders, extremist fill the vacuum and direct the thoughts of the young. The Valley has become a land of delirious fanatics who have propagated a collective distorted memory of falsehoods and deliberate half-truths. Firepower cannot eliminate the angry voices; the Kashmiri youth need answers. Only genuine introspection and honest reparatory measures from the political class are going to yield results.

Francis Kuriakose,Puducherry

The month-long protests in the Valley and the resultant deaths point to many underlying factors. The Kashmiri youth have no hopes for the future. They have been failed by their leaders. The Central and State governments should devise a method to tap the energy of the Kashmiri youth for the socio-economic development of the State. On the law and order front, police must be trained in non-lethal riot controlling.

Gaurav Kumar,New Delhi

It is a matter of dismay that in the last two years more security personnel have been injured in stone-pelting than while fighting the militants. It is appalling to see that almost all political parties and other representative groups are so much mired in internal conflicts that it is not surprising if a few Kashmiris feel that their genuine interests are not truthfully represented. The media can definitely play a more mature role than infuriating the youth by highlighting the actual plight of the people in PoK. It is disheartening that Islamabad seeks a platform to highlight rights violations in Kashmir while opposing hydroelectric projects which are for the benefit of the same Kashmiris.

One of the ways to overcome the current unrest is to nurture a trickle-up theory of development rather than a trickle-down theory. It is time to work towards a meaningful and efficient participative democracy rather than a pseudo effective representative democracy.

Saren Jose,Thakkolam

The deployment of the Army is an ill-advised move and will only aggravate the situation prevailing in Kashmir. Tackling violence with the Army will lead to more violence, as innocent civilians are likely to become targets of indiscriminate killing. The Prime Minister, who appoints groups of ministers to tackle problems of national importance, should think of setting up a similar committee which can go into the root of the problem.

M.N. Srinivasan,Vellore

A mere flag march by the Army subdued the goondas in Kashmir as they knew that their shower of stones would get a volley of bullets in return. The police and the paramilitary forces can also ensure peace provided they are allowed a free hand. Caring for human rights of inhuman criminals is a fancy of those living in the ivory tower. Physical force is the quintessence of sovereignty. The foreign inspired anarchy in Kashmir is due to the laxity in exercising sovereign powers.

J.N. Bhartiya,Hyderabad

Though restrictions on the media in a democratic country go against the freedom of the press, the curbs slapped in Jammu and Kashmir should be seen as an unavoidable action in the wake of violent outbursts by anti-national elements. The steps initiated by the government to bring the situation under control are aimed at liberating the innocent people from the clutches of the wicked elements who have the backing of similar forces from across the border. The South Asia Media Commission (July 9) should not criticise the government at this juncture.

P.U. Krishnan,Udhagamandalam

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