VOX POPULI: How killings in Kashmir can be stopped?

         Illustration By: S.Tariq

In the last three decades thousands have lost their lives as a result of Kashmir conflict. The recent surge in violence in the Kashmir valley has led to more bloodshed.

In order to seek opinions on this noteworthy matter, ‘Kashmir Images’ reporter, Abid Hussain spoke to people from different walks of life and got following responses:

Irfan Ali, Political Science student

Killings at any level are unacceptable and outrageous act. To prevent the killings in Kashmir, the onus lies on the state. Government should stop repressing the dissents voices which will facilitate peaceful means of protest.

Zahoor Hussain Bhat, journalist
Killings in Kashmir must end. All the stakeholders: India, Pakistan and people of Kashmir must shun rigidity, sit together and find a permanent solution to the vexed Kashmir issue. This is the ‘only viable option’ to stop killings and bring peace in Kashmir.

Saima Nissar Sheikh, lawyer

AFSPA that gives power to government forces in Kashmir to kill anybody must be revoked. Also, India must exercise maximum restraint while dealing with protesters in Kashmir just like it is exercising it in other states.

Mohammed Sirajuddeen, research scholar

Situation in Kashmir calls for an international discourse given the spiraling extrajudicial violence committed by the Indian State. While civilian killings in any form are unacceptable, relevant stakeholders should engage in constant dialogue towards attaining ‘peace and justice’. Reflexive approach on conflict with an aim of demilitarizing Kashmir shall be the first step of political resolution and that will also stop killings.

Nadia Ali, Student   

There is a history of denial that consumed thousands of lives in Kashmir and still it is unabated. The only way out to end the killings in the Valley is to hold promised plebiscite. Let the people of Kashmir decide their own fate and government should take confidence-building measures in the framework of larger solution.
                                     

Mohammad Yousuf Najar, freelance writer  

There must be an immediate unconditional cease-fire before any other concrete political initiatives rooted in the ultimate aspirations of Kashmiris are taken to settle this devastating conflict.

Mubashir Naqvi, journalist      

In a situation like that of in Kashmir, the government is supposed to exercise restrain and avoid use of force on either peaceful or furious demonstrators. It is evident that no movement whether justified or not, could  be suppressed by the use of force. On the other hand mainstream media and civil society must balance their opinion making and tell apart right and wrong actions.

 Nasrullah Hussain, Research Scholar

In the contemporary “Red and Black period” of Kashmir; a serious dialogue is a jugular vein to unsolved Kashmir dispute. No political cosmetics should be applied to this dispute from any side (Kashmir, India and Pakistan).

Abid Hussain