Disturbing to read the editorial in Kashmir Images. I liked this newspaper because of its balanced views in the past. Highlighting the Tral incident in which there has been a violent response by local people against the establishment after the killing of a single militant, the newspaper warns the authorities that they never exploited or expressed support for the positives which emerged from the situation in 2011. The interlocutors are no longer taken seriously nor is there too much passion for the Armys floundering hearts program which is receiving the new Corps Commanders attention. On the other hand it may be incorrect to surmise anything from events in places like Tral, Sopore, Pallahalan or Shupiyan. They have always been bastions of radicalism. I think a change of tack to concentrate on these centres is necessary. By leaving them isolated in the development agenda and ignoring the aspirations of the silent majority we may be advancing the agenda of the radicals who are feeling extremely impassioned by the flow of events in Northern Iraq. Tral has always fascinated me. It is in the backyard of Victor Force of the RR but its antipathy is so fervent that The Army has kept itself away from trying to win over the moderates here. I get many personal messages from the people of Tral to visit and recommend their case for more inclusion in the development agenda but its militant status has prevented this. The question for discussion is whether a militant bastion of radicalism should be conceded as a basket case for failure and ignored or should there be greater emphasis towards such an island to take it out of its negative passion. Your views please after reading the editorial. This question has harried many a CI practitioner in many countries. dailykashmirimages/news-rethink-kashmir-63022.aspx
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 03:25:38 +0000