Signs of fatigue in Valley
Shut downs called by the separatists in Kashmir valley for umpteen times has made the life of common man miserable and unbearable now. The tolerance level has crossed all humanly possible limits while the separatists do not tire and keep on renewing their shut-down calendar in sequence without break. With every fresh calendar they keep on adding new features of protests and defiance to state. The worst part is when they provoke the masses to indulge into violence and vandalism, stone-pelting, arson and attacks on public offices and buildings.
With the normal life out of gear for the last over one hundred days, students, parents, small businessmen and working class have started questioning the relevance of such a long shut-down phase that has crippled the economy not only of Kashmir valley but affecting adversely two biggest regions- Jammu and Ladakh.
But off late, there were more signs of fatigue over the prolonged shutdown in the Valley as more vehicles plied on roads and shops in interior areas opened in defiance of the separatist call for strike. This was despite burning of private vehicles in the last two days to infuse terror among the people.
Notably last Monday, shops and business establishments including petrol pumps remained closed in commercial hub of Lal Chowk and adjoining areas,many such outlets were open in civil line areas of Sanat Nagar, Jawahar Nagar, Rajbagh and Bishembar Nagar and outskirts.
Large number of roadside vendors set up their stalls on the TRC crossing-Batamaloo axis passing through Lal Chowk while good number of private vehicles were plying on the roads, leading to traffic jams at some places including Rambagh, Gogjibagh and Jawahar Nagar, the official said.
Students also recorded their protest to impress upon the government to ensure opening of the schools and colleges while a very large number of parents have sent their wards for continuing their education either in Jammu or out of state to other parts of country.
Another good step is that the government has decided to hold board examinations as per schedule next month, drawing mixed response from the students and parents who wanted the academic activities to restart first.
A whisper campaign has started within the valley against the separatists to convey that enough is enough as enough blood has got spilled into Jehlum.
The undercurrent shows that people have strong urge to come out of this dark phase of shut-downs and protest-marches but fear of separatists and terrorists is over-shadowing them to break their shackles.
Kashmir valley continued to be curfew-free but security forces were deployed in strength at various spots prone to protests and street violence, the official said.
Security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas to maintain law and order as also to instill a sense of security among the people so that they can carry out their day-to-day activities without fear. Hopefully, it is expected of the state and central governments to seize of the opportunity to explore other people friendly options to infuse further confidence among the masses. This madness must stop as the stakes are very high for all- people, state and the country.
