Moving beyond assumptions and towards ending militancy through political processes

New Delhi’s ‘anti-militancy policy’ with regard to Jammu and Kashmir is based on the hypothesis that ‘persistent militarized intervention’ is the only means of defeating what it calls ‘Pakistan-sponsored’ or ‘cross-border terrorism’. This policy commands that anyone holding a gun in Kashmir is a ‘legitimate target’ for the counterinsurgency force, and therefore needs to be eliminated right away.
It has happened on several occasions during the last 3-4 years or so that a particular district in Jammu and Kashmir was declared militancy-free by the security agencies, and after a few days of this announcement, a militancy-related incident takes place in that particular district and the security agencies are back to square one. The […]
Air Commodore Hilal Ahmad Rather has proven: Reaching for the sky, literally and figuratively

Believe it or not, every second person in Kashmir has the potential to become a fighter pilot, a world-class scientist, an excellent academician, a brilliant doctor, a creative engineer, an outstanding sportsperson, a skilled worker et al., All government needs to do is to create conditions for this potential to thrive, writes Javaid Trali. Cesar […]
How and when the state intends to fill the political vacuum in Kashmir?

Missing leadership and people’s organization(s) pose a very dangerous situation, and cannot be allowed to aggravate further, writes Javaid Trali. Knowledge and foresight are mankind’s most invaluable tools for self-assertion and growth. Unfortunately, Kashmir seems to have faced acute shortage of both all along. No wonder the “political haves” of this place have only displayed […]