The courage, conviction and imagination that went into starting the Srinagar-Muzafarbad bus service is needed -- especially from General Musharraf's side -- if we are to actually work towards the return of normalcy in J&K.
For quite sometime now, a lot is being talked about demilitarisation in thestate of Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also respondedpositively to this and his바카라 웹사이트 nod was followed by a symbolic reduction of troops fromthe valley. Nothing could have been sweeter for the people of the state to get their privacyback after almost two decades of living as hostages in their own state.바카라 웹사이트
While the security forces are deservedly hero worshipped once they reach theborders to fight against the enemy, it is a glaring reality that when they are forced to move intocivilian areas to fight their own people, the experience is not at all a pleasantone for either side. Even in countries where the army dominates the show, securityforces are not welcome to meddle with the day-to-day affairs of the civilsociety. It pains my heart when I look at the orchards of almonds, apples, paddyfields and open pastures turning to barren pieces of land by the presence of securityforces.바카라 웹사이트
There seems to be a strange paradox when it comes to the presence of securityforces, especially in remote areas where there still is some serious movement ofmilitants. The people in these areas are sick and tired of being harassed roundthe clock. If they have to deal with the militants at night, the day is cast bythe shadows of the security forces. On my recent visits to some of these far flung areas, Iencountered first-hand accounts of thisdilemma. The villagers, on the one hand, complained about being forced to walk onfoot whenever their bus passed a security camp, and pointed out how inconvenientand taxing it can be, especially for the sick, women and children.바카라 웹사이트 But at thesame time, on the other hand, the people unanimously whispered an emphatic NO tothe suggestion if they would be happier with the removal of these securitycamps. It seems that thepeople in these areas find it difficult to choose whether the presence of thesetroops is more inconvenient than their absence would be.
Those blessed with a good memory would recall a plan of replacing the BSF withCRPF, which might have ultimately led to a subsequent take over by the statepolice. Can there be a better thing than your local policeto face the situation? But, unfortunately, every move in this direction has beenblasted by the fidayeenattacks on these CRPF camps. So the status remains quo, and the people of thevalley -- school children, women or any innocent civilian -- continue to live inthe shadow of aggressive violence.바카라 웹사이트
The dream of living without this looming, overwhelming, oppressing shadow, itis clear, is not possible unless ourneighbour Pakistan seriously contributes in bringing down the level ofviolence. Let's be clear: this new era of "irretrievablepeace-process" and confidence-building between India and Pakistanwould not have been possible without the active support of Pakistan. The biggestexample of this is the Srinagar-Muzafarbad bus service -- a bus service that wasrestarted after almost six decades, a bus service that was once but a dream. Butit was a dream thatwe dared to dream, a dream that has finally come true because we all workedtowards actualising that dream. For the first time, thepeople of the state feel that they have got something which belongs to them forwhich they have not compromised their dignity.바카라 웹사이트
If one dream comes true, it is possible to dream new ones. The courage shown by both the countries during the build up and the eve of thebus service could be a precedent for the policy makers. The same conviction, courage and imagination is needed-- especially from GeneralMusharraf라이브 바카라 side -- if they are actually serious about demilitarisation inKashmir. Then only can this dream of demilitarisation in J&K be fulfilled. And then only can we actually dream for the return of normalcy...바카라 웹사이트
As I recall, General Musharraf did once hint that on certain conditions hecouldhelp in bringing down the level of violence in Kashmir. I am sure the timehas come for him to give his own a proposal a serious thought. A beginning couldbe made if he could persuade the militants into a ceasefire that I am sure wouldbe reciprocated equally. Another dream could come true. As a Kashmiri proverbgoes: Na Mumkin Chuna, Muskhil Chu Setha -- It may be tough, but it is notimpossible.
Mehbooba Mufti is the president of People's Democratic Party.