Region faces daunting task of contributing to peace efforts
In the wake of continued civilian killings and tense situation in Kashmir, the role of Jammu civil society and traders has assumed a great significance for the restoration of normalcy and peace in the region. However, this job is not easy for them in view of the ideological differences between two regions — Kashmir and Jammu.
The fact that cannot be denied in the present context is that Kashmiri youths have resorted to violent protests after the death of terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by the security forces while Jammu, in its reciprocation, does not endorse their ideas and viewpoint of “azaadi” and “plebiscite.”
Except expressing concern over the loss of human lives in violent protests, Jammu civil society and traders, although interested in participating in any dialogue process that brings peace in the region, prefer not to lend any support to “separatist ideology” of Valley residents.
“It is very difficult for Jammu to contribute (in restoration of normalcy to the Kashmir valley). Jammu does not endorse the demands of Kashmiri protesters, including ‘azaadi’ and ‘plebiscite’. The people of Jammu comprising civil society and traders can help the Kashmiri people only if they speak in their language which is not possible practically,” Hari Om, a noted political analyst and historian opined.
He said, “In the current situation, the only solution to the problem is the dismissal of the ruling coalition government as both the alliance partners — PDP and BJP — have violated their respective mandates and there is a great anger among the people who voted in favour of these parties”.
Rakesh Gupta, president, Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Jammu, said, “We express grief on the loss of human lives but it should be known to all that the state comprises three main regions — Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The stand of the separatists in Kashmir is without any intra-region dialogue for making a consensus on what the people of the three regions want.”
“We do not agree with the warpath adopted by the people at large in Kashmir. We condemn the ‘bandh’ call given by the separatists which led to deaths and injuries to both civilians and security forces. The separatists should talk to the people of Jammu and Ladakh first who, too, are primary stakeholders to the region and then raise demands if any.”
Rajiv Mahajan, state president Shri Ram Sena, believed the three regions of the state altogether have different geographical conditions, different culture and language as well as living pattern. “We are not in favour of trifurcation of the state but it is due to the circumstances created by the separatists and Hurriyat leaders at the helm of affairs that has made us compelled to raise the demand for separate statehood for Jammu,” he said.
