In tense Kashmir, a waiting game

Azhar Qadri

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 23

As restrictions and communication blockade in Kashmir nears a fourth week, tension and eerie silence continues in the region as both sides – people and the government – play a waiting game.

The two sides remain in a state of confusion about the fluid situation that has gripped Kashmir, where tension has waxed and waned since Article 370 was abrogated on August 5.

The markets in the region, including those in and around the commercial nerve centre of Lal Chowk, continued to remain shut on Friday, marking the 18th day of lockdown even as the administration had eased the restrictions during the past week.

The restrictions returned on Friday as posters distributed in several mosques of the city in recent days had called for a march towards the office of the United Nations Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).

The return of restrictions, which saw security barricades returning to nearly all roads of the city, has hit the efforts of the administration, which has been eager for the return of normalcy. In recent days, the administration has provided daily briefings about the attendance in its offices and the attendance of teaching staff in primary and middle schools, trying to put the percentages as a mark of normalcy.

The efforts of the administration to restore the usual business has, however, been hampered by a spontaneous step-back by the people who remain reluctant. “The things will not be ok soon. In 1947, at least they had Sheikh Abdullah on board, this time they have no one,” a Srinagar resident, who made early morning purchases at a general store, said. The reluctance of the people to resume the usual business means a daytime shutdown of markets, businesses and public transport.

A mid-rung police officer said it was difficult to assess the mood of the people. “There is no pattern in which the people are responding. Sometimes there is uptick in protests and then a lull,” he said. The lack of clarity in the situation is also now part of the local black humour. “Kashmiris have decided not to die this time. We will die on our own terms and time”.

Another line of black humour that is oft repeated in Srinagar is that “the government kept people confused what it wanted to do and now people are keeping the government confused what they want to do”.

Efforts of admn hit

• Restrictions returned on Friday as posters distributed in several mosques of the city in recent days had called for a march towards the office of the United Nations Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan.
• The return of restrictions, which saw security barricades returning to nearly all roads of the city, has hit the efforts of the administration, which has been eager for the return of normalcy.