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Change Jammu, Kashmir,Ladakh should expect innext decade - By Suba Chandran
FORGOTTEN HISTORYon how British Army helped
Pakistan in 1947 against India in KashmirRakesh Ankit
How Peace, Dialoguebecame keywords in lastdecade - By Rekha Chowdhary
the DECADE
in
REVIEW
NEXT DECADE
plusThe ideas for
2000
2009
P34P40 Epilogue Exclusive P46
In terms of form and content, is a model of its kind. It would bewonderful if it could find imitators, so that every state of India could have itsown informed journal showcasing its politics and culture.
Epilogue
EpilogueISSN : 0974-5653J&KS MONTHLY MAGAZINE
N E W S , C U R R E N T A F F A I R S , S O C I A L S C I E N C E S
RAMCHANDRA GUHAAuthor if India After Gandhi
Anniversary Special
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PATNITOP
SANASAR
PATNITOP HILL RESORT
AN ECO-FRIENDY TOURIST DESTINATION
Help Us to Preserve theEnvironment & Ecology of the area
Use of Polythene is banned in PATNITOP
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Flawed War On Corruption
The Third Generation Abdullah
PDP:NewRegionalA
lternate
TrainReache
sKashmir
Rs. 24,000 Cr & More
Self Rule : Autonomy Plus, Azadi Minus
Killings Down From 4 Digits to 3 Digits
Softening Separatism, Hardening Mainstreams
Deepening Regional Divides
LoC Becoming Line of Contacts, Trade
Cut, Copy, Paste Culture
Honesty Returns to Democracy
HalfofStateGoesMobile
Brief Intervention
2 Year Storm of Azad
Great Economic Boom Change by Vote
Unstoppable Press
Cub-e-Kashmir
Militancy
New Offer for Kashmir
Mother of all CBMs
Changing ParadigmsGreat Public Deceit
Jammu v/s Kashmir
CongressasHindutvasAgent
ofChange
Emp
oweringJammu
MiracleonWheels
StoryofChange
SecondOption
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Epilogueb e c a u s e t h e r e i s m o r e t o k n o w
www.epilogue.in
EditorZafar Iqbal Choudhary
PublisherYogesh Pandoh
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CONTENTS
Contributors to this Issue 2Prologue 3Letters 4
Exclusive StoriesThe Defiant Douglas 46Rakesh Ankit
FeaturesPut in Kashmir in your Dream... 49Manisha Shobarjani
IN FOCUS
The Decade in Review
The Decade that Changed8Jammu and Kashmir for EverZafar Choudhary
Rethinking Political31Paradigms in J&K
Nyla Ali Khan
9/11 Changed the Way World33Would Look at KashmirM Ashraf
Key Words of the Decade :34Reconciliation Dialogue, PeaceRekha Chowdhary
Terrorism has Decline, But38Peace is Still Miles AwayM Shamsur Rabb Khan
The Decade of Ahead40Jammu, Kashmir and LadakhD Suba Chandran
Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2010
Vol. 4, Issue 1www.epilogue.in Epilogue, January 2010
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CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE
Ankit, Rakesh; (Recent History, p46) Chowdhary, Prof Rekha;(In Focus,
is a young historian from Bihar. As a p34) is professor of Political Science
Rhodes Scholar recently he studied at the University of Jammu. A
various missing links in the making of frequent columnist with leading
Kashmir conflict. Based on his first newspapers, she has written and
hand study, he is contributing edited a number of books on politics
exclusive series to Epilogue of Jammu and Kashmir
Ashraf, M; (In Focus, p33) is a regular Khan, M Shamsur Rabb; (In Focus,
columnist on politics and current p38) works with Indian Institute of
affairs but known best for his travel Dalit Studies at New Delhi
writings. Retired as Director General
of Tourism in J&K, he runs a website Khan, Nyla Ali; (In Focus, p31) is athat features Kashmir writer and scholar and author
all his writings of (most recently) Islam, Women and
Violence in Kashmir: Between IndiaChandran, DSuba;(In Focus, p40) is and Pakistan. She is a professor of
Deputy Director at Institute of Peace English at a US University
and Conflict Studies. Author of many
books and an acclaimed expert on Sobhrajani, Manisha;(Features, p49)Kashmir and Indo-Pak relations, he is is a Delhi based independentConsulting Editor of Epilogue researcher working at various aspectsMagazine of Kashmir conflict. She divided her
time between Delhi and Jammu and
Choudhary, Zafar; (In Focus, p8) is Kashmir
Editor of Epilogue Magazine and also
Executive Editor of Early Times, daily
newspaper from Jammu
www.kashmirfirst.com
Readers' requests for getting in touch with the
authors, for feedback, comments and further
discussions on their subjects of interest, are
welcome. Since all authors/contributors are not
interested in taking mails directly, the readers are
requested to send us interview requests at
[email protected] for passing on to the authors
Vol. 4, Issue 1www.epilogue.in Epilogue, January 2010
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From the Editor
Vol. 4, Issue 1 Epilogue, January 2010www.epilogue.in
PROLOGUE
and assess the impact they made int Epilogue, December andpublic life. If success is not an absoluteJanuary are two specialstatement, failure too is not.months every year for aTherefore, in January we repositionreason which is not veryourselves, pick up the issues we failed
Auncommon. Many in the
to deliver at last year, draw out a freshworld do almost exactly the same whatagenda and set tone for the New Year. Aswe do these months -taking stock of thewe complete one year of public servicepassing by year in December and settingpublication and prepare to step intotone for the new year in January. Yet,another year of sensible journalismwhat makes this period of the yeardevoted to social change it gives aspecial at Epilogue is the fact that itunique sense of satisfaction as also,coincides with our anniversary. The lastsometimes, some amount of discontent.month of 2009 and first month of 2010Satisfaction is about what we were ablemake all the more importance for usto do beyond our capabilities andthan any other month or period of yeardiscontent is on what we could not dodid in our three years of existence. Thisdespite a possibility. This is an honesttime, it is not just end of an year and
statement about our state of affairs andbeginning of another, it is also end of ahere is an example: This issue offers youdecade and beginning of another and ata review of the decade and this is decade of 2010s. The wishlist is not justEpilogue it becomes much morecoming to you in the month of January. wishful but is a careful sketch of whatimportant we have completed threeIdeally this should have been the we should expect and what should do toyears of our struggle with words ofDecember 2009 issue and January 2010 achieve the best in Jammu and Kashmirsanity and sense and have entered intoissue should have discussed the ways for which deserves all the best.fourth year of renewed commitment tolooking at the next decade. Refusing to While presenting this special issuesensible, secular and tolerantsleep over our failures is an important to our esteemed readers we hope thatknowledge economy in Jammu andingredient of our professional attitude. the mutual trust we exchanged overKashmir. Usually, in December weWe hate to say let bygone be bygone past three years not only remains intactmake introspection into what we did inwhen possibility of correction exists. As but also doubles in the coming years asthe year, we look at the change we tried
January issue brings to you a review of we believe that Epilogue an emergingto make and we do an audit of ourthe decade of 2000s it also reflects that institution of public trust is anperformance. The audit is not about theour makeup of failure of past is never at enterprise equally owned by each onenumber of copies of magazine we werethe cost of future. Therefore, one of its readers. Happy New Year, Happyable to sell or the space we were able tosection of this issue chronicles the New Decade and Happy Reading!book for advertisements. In fact, we sitdecades of 2000s and other section Feedback :back and take account of the issues we
[email protected] a wishlist for the forthcomingdealt with, analyse their importance
ZAFAR CHOUDHARY
Note to the Owners of Epilogue
JANUARY 2009
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Vol. 4, Issue 1 Epilogue, January 2010www.epilogue.in
ARUN JOSHI
Deputy Editor,
Hindustan Times
among the people of this state, often described in termsorld begins somewhere. It begins from here- theW of a disputed territory, nuclear flashpoint, land where we live. In this case, it is Jammu andhotbed of militancy, beautiful butKashmir. That is, from where a voyagebloodied, that there was somethingfor strategic journalism began. Threemore in it- both inside for theyears ago, Epilogue, hit stands, with
residents to see and analyze. And formany skeptical minds questioning theoutside world to view it differently.wisdom of talking in depth of the
This magazine has done that.issues, for which the readers didn'thave time to read. Undoubtedly, it is an
achievement in itself. It has givenStill ruled by the colonialsomething to all of us to feel proud of.mindset, where there is a quest toIt has infused a sense that it can belook for what West is saying about ourdone. Its editor, Zafar Choudhary, hasland, our people and our issues,set a trend, in establishing a fact thatwhether it concerned our politicalthe worldview is not in the think tanksvoices, and economic development oror journals based In Washington D C orotherwise, our farming community orLondon or Brussels. It is here too, andwater. We tend to turn to the westerneven without the help of borrowedperiodicals. And, whatever is said bymagnifying glasses and thoughts fromour people, enterprising youthful
the west J&K has its own intellectual capital. There is aminds, with fresh ideas, is seen something without merit.need to see it. The pages of Epilogue offer a plenty ofEpilogue has changed that.that.First thing first, it has generated an awareness
Epilogue is quiteinteresting andobjective source ofinformation onJammu and Kashmir.I look forward to
reading it regularly
SANJAY BARUEditor, Business Standard
(Former Media Advisor to PM)
I have found thejournal interesting.May be you need tobroaden your convasto look at what hasbeen happening in
PAK and the Northern Areas and athe solutions on offer or desiredAlso the surrounding scene - Tibet,Xinjiang, Afghanistan - the lastbeing closely linked todevelopments in J&K. And, ofcourse Pakistan
BG VERGHESE
You are doing anexcellent job
WAJAHAT HABIBULLAHChief Information Commissioner
Its editor, Zafar Choudhary, hasset a trend, in establishing a factthat the worldview is not in thethink tanks or journals based InWashington D C or London orBrussels. It is here too, and evenwithout the help of borrowedmagnifying glasses and thoughtsfrom the west J&K has its ownintellectual capital.
ON THIRD ANNIVERSARYNotes to Epilogue
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NYLA ALI KHAN
Author of Islam, Women &Violence in Kashmir
magazine that does not subscribe to myopic ide-sit miles away from home romanticizing theologies rejuvenates the mind and resuscitatesIlegendary beauty of Jammu and Kashmir; nur-the spirit. In a region which has experiencedturing nostalgia for a past that can never bearmed insurgency, resurgence of religiousrecovered in the form I was most familiar with;fundamentalisms, militant nationalism,cherishing the pervasive tranquility brought ongendered violence, increasing militarization;by my contemplation of the intricately carvedsome genuine attempts to fight for the right ofshrines, architecturally superb temples, and
self-determination of themesmerizing monasteries ofpeople of J & K; some disin-Jammu and Kashmir; filled
genuous attempts towith longing for the call ofentrench regional and reli-the mountains that beckonsgious fault lines, Epiloguethe diasporic subject tohas successfully created areturn; irate at the commu-space for the critical analy-nal, regional, and linguisticsis of nation-building, iden-divides created by destruc-tity politics, state-tive forces; experiencing asponsored violence, dis-helplessness at being unablecriminatory politics, etc.to put together the pieces ofAlthough still young,the political puzzle that con-exactly three years old,tinues to remainEpilogue is creating airresolvable; shivering at thehealthy and vibrant dis-cold-blooded manipulations
course community.of our political and bureau-Epilogue has opened up an alternativecratic machinery, I riffle through the past issues
way of negotiating the construction ofof Epilogue magazine.conflictual identities. I congratulate ZafarEpilogue voices not just politically savvyChaudhary for having undertaken a laudablebut culturally sensitive opinions as well. It pro-venture. I wish Epilogue the very best in itsvides a forum at which heterogeneity in termscommendable attempts to engage multipleof cultural, political, social, and regional ideol-voices and opinions.ogies, is fostered and encouraged. Reading a
Epilogue is creating a healthy and
vibrant discourse community.
Epilogue has opened up an
alternative way of negotiating the
construction of conflictual
identities.
ON THIRD ANNIVERSARYNotes to Epilogue
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During Earthquake Avoid
Gathering around damaged areas or buildings.
Wasting water as it will be required for fire fighting.Moving seriously hurt people.
Spreading rumours which lead to panic & worsen the situation.
It Caught Indoors
Keep calm
Stay away from glass windows, doors, almirahs, mirrors etc.
Get under a table or a study cot so that you are not hurt by falling objects.
Do not rush towards doors or staircase, which may be broken or jammed.
If You Are OutdoorsIf open space is available nearby, go there.
Keep away from tall chimneys, buildings, balconies and other projections.
Do not rush through streets; hoardings or lamps may fall on you.
Disaster Management Centre,
Divisional Commissioner Office,
Jammu (J&K)
Issued by : Department of Information, Jammu & Kashmir, Jammu
No. : DIP/J-7093/2009 Dated : 19-12-2009
EARTHQUAKE - DOS & DONTS FOR PROTECTION
Keep strong passwords and easy to remember using alphanumeric andspecial characters and more than 08 in numbers
Dont accept packages that have not been ordered and while makingpayments through credit cards online, check if the website is secure as the
card verification value (CVV) is also required and be cautious of websites thatrequire your card details before actually placing in an order.
Install antivirus, fire wall and SPAM blocking software on your P.C.
Dont keep your blue tooth open to all us as you may receiveobscene/pornographix text, images and viruses and ordinarily do not handover your mobile phone to un-authorised service centers in order to avoidcloning. Security pin code be used to avoid misuse of mobile phones.MMS/SMS received should be checked before opening the messages.
Dont get trapped while receiving e-mails from unknown destinationsdeclaring you winners of huge lottery prizes and do not reply such e-mails.
Candidates desirous of job management over seas are lured by fake e-mailsto appear in the interviews without being authorised for the same.
No. : DIP/J-7053/2009 Dated : 19-12-2009
DONT BECOME A VICTIM OF CYBER FRAUD
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Vol. 4, Issue 1www.epilogue.in
related violence in last seven days. Repeating thisumming up a decade into a particularsentence thrice, Omar emphatically added, this isdefinition for a place like Jammu andfirst time ever since the inception of militancy that noKashmir is a difficult task. In this part ofone was killed in seven days in row. Omar'sworld almost everyday offers something toS statement, backed by ground inputs from differentwrite about, something to record. For us inagencies, became news worth reporting. It really wasthe news business there is no dearth of takes. But thean exception to the order even though the statementcourse of reporting news, its contours and process ofwas made in the times when number of killings ininterpretation is changing. Those who have beenmilitant violence has come down from some 3000reading Jammu and Kashmir in the press may recall
plus in year 2000 to 300 plus in 2009.that mid 1990s newspaper headline of a Kashmirijournalist Yusuf Jameel's report which read: no one
was killed today. No killing reported from any part
of the state in given news cycle of 24 hours made it a
news simply because that was unprecedented, off the
routine and something happening first time in several
years. Completing his 50 days in office, then Chief
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad claimed on December 22,
2005: no custodial death or disappearance was
reported from anywhere in state in last 50 daysthis
is first time ever since 1989 (when militancy broke
out) that not even a single incident of violation of
human rights was reported in 50 days straight.Azad's claim, though contested by human rights
activists, was an exception to the order. Let's trust
him. If 50-day period was an exception then the order
must have remained horrible. It really was. Most
recently, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on
December 5, there has been no killing in militancy
The Decade that ChangedJammu and Kashmir for Ever
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The Decade in Review IN FOCUS
ZAFAR CHOUDHARY
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A new chapter the mindset the way people would ing the militant training camps and
think, look at the issues and apply launch pads, discussions veered aroundThe whole story is changing in
approaches to their resolution have the market supply and demand scenarioJammu and Kashmir and decline in mili-
gone through massive change. The of groceries. In times of price escala-tant violence is not the only difference
desired change is though yet to come. tions how much onions and coconut ker-being made here. It is said that events
nels they were able to import fromdon't make history but catastrophes do. Every event important than previous
Jammu and Kashmir in exchange ofBut for October 2005 earthquake, there As following pages give youmoong daal and peshawari sandalwas absolutely nothing catastrophic in glimpses of some important develop-became the dominant talk and not theJammu and Kashmir in 2000s still this ments and events of the decade, italleged discourse of pushing grenadesdecade can be seen as most momentous becomes pretty difficult to vote anyand assault rifles. Militancy has not diedof all, may be in the post 1947 period, event lesser important than the other.and so is the case with support it getsfor a long list of reasons. There were For example, on November 11, 2004from Pakistani side but the decade ofslow processes which culminated into when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh2000s has at least changed the meaningbig changes. Worst part of our story is announced a small cut in militaryof Line of Control. People prefer muchthat Jammu and Kashmir has always strength in Jammu and Kashmir (by a
to call it line of contact.been best known for the conflict within very negligible number out of totalitself for over a century and a half. Post- Modified tones, tenorsnumerical strength), the analysts and
1947 phase only renewed the conflict Thundering voice of National
and redefined the parties outside its Conference leader Dr Farooq Abdullah is
territory and reversed the poles of con- still fresh in ears as he would, in earlier
flict within. Looking down at past years of the decade, pitch for bombing
decades of redefined conflict and then of Pakistan and its administered
analyzing the developments through Kashmir where the terrorist camps
each year and each decade, the decade allegedly thrived. He would often
of 2000s arguably becomes the most threaten breaking necks of separatist
momentous of them all. Ten years have leaders and putting them behind bars
changed the course of history even for being agents of Pakistan. Not more
though its basic elements remain the than five years later, his son Omar's visit
same. The biggest change has been in to Pakistan, his photographs withPakistan President General Pervezscene watchers billed the moveMusharraf placed in the local press andas biggest confidence buildingappeals to the Prime Minister of Indiameasure of the century. Monthsfor considering the proposals coming inlater when first post-partitionfrom Pakistan became a new politicalpassenger bus was flagged offstatement to live with in Kashmir.from Srinagar for MuzaffarabadThough it was a counter of the Peoplescapital of Pakistan administeredDemocratic Party which had already leftKashmir on April 7, 2005, thethe separatists with hardly anything toscene observers described thetalk about which it didn't, Nationalmove as mother of all confidenceConference stepped into new politicalbuilding measures. In Octoberrealities. Between their frequent visits2009, when trucks load of goodsto Islamabad, widely televised meetingswere sent rolling down betweenwith Pakistani leaders, campaign fortwo divided parts of Jammu andwithdrawal of troops from civilian areasKashmir, the meaning of Line ofand strong demands for making JammuControl, keeping even the bloodand Kashmir fully autonomous, Omarrelations apart, further changed.and Mehbooba Mufti came to representIn Pakistan administereda new shade of separatist politics whichKashmir, always accused of hous-
IN FOCUS
In times of price escalations how
much onions and coconut kernels
they were able to import from
Jammu and Kashmir in exchange of
moong daal and peshawari sandal
became the dominant talk and not
the alleged discourse of pushing
grenades and assault rifles.
The Decade in Review
Vol. 4, Issue 1 Epilogue, January 2010www.epilogue.in Vol. 4, Issue 1www.epilogue.in
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2009
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the end of last decade of last century rift that had been created between
but it was in 2002 that it arrived at the regions and communities over the
scene as a political party with a well years. The worst part of the story
defined manifesto and a viable regional remains that the political parties played
alternate of the National Conference. their typical regional and religious cards
PDP ruled for three years but carved out to secure the vote bank in view of ensu-
a role for decades. Credit goes to Muftis ing assembly elections. It was perhaps
and their PDP for making politics com- the announcement of elections that dis-
petitive as it was proved in subsequent
elections of 2004 (Parliament), 2008
(State Assembly) and 2009 (again
Parliament). The Congress which ruled
the state directly or through NC leaders
controlled by it for over a quarter cen-
tury till being in 1987 for unholy elec-
toral practices in partnership with NC,again resurrected the lost ground in
2000s and ensured that it continued toworked within the four walls of Indian
have a role for many years. While NCconstitution. There is a new political
and PDP become the ace regional com-positioning breaking far from the past.
petitors, this decade made Congress aIn past the Kashmiri leaders, even
key holder to the power enjoyed a stintSheikh Mohammad Abdullah, became
with PDP, is doing so with NC and is likelysymbols of hate in Kashmir when they
to share power for many years aswere darlings of Delhi. And when they tracted attention from the street bat-regional parties cut their roles to spe-talked about aspirations of Kashmiris, tles that had become order of the day.cific constituencies due to sharpeningDelhi put them in jails for years. Summer of 2008 will be remembered inregional political temperaments.Therefore, the decade of 2000s pro- history as worst time of decades in
Deepened regional dividesduced leaders which had equal accept- Jammu and Kashmir.Amidst the innumerable highability both in Kashmir in New Delhi. For
points of the decade, the lowestbeing pro-Kashmir now it is not neces-remained the widening schismsarily required to be anti-Delhi and vicebetween regions, an enlargingversa. New emerging leaders likedeficit of trust and practice ofMehbooba and Omar have proved thispolitics on religion under thewell.garb of regions. Amaranth landWidened democratic spacerow of 2008 just came as a trigger
For 50 years people in Jammu andto burst the bottled up regional
Kashmir did not have choice to make onanger of Jammu against Kashmir
who should rule them. Elections wereand Kashmir against Jammu. At
either rigged and governments wereone point of time state appeared
fixed up or in other circumstances peo-at the brink of collapse but the
ple had to make choice between resilient spirit of a saner major-National Conference and Congress theity defeated the biggest post-
unpredictable role switchers. There1947 communal challenge. It was
was no third option, no competitive poli-first time in several decades that
tics and very little space for democracy.religion came out of the usual
The decade of 2000s changed the scene.garb of regional discontent to
Peoples Democratic Party of Muftitell its story louder and show the
Mohammad Sayeed had born towards
Epilogue, January 2010
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Vol.3,Issue11,NOVEMBER
2009
IN FOCUS
In past the Kashmiri leaders, even
Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah,
became symbols of hate in Kashmir
when they were darlings of Delhi.
And when they talked about
aspirations of Kashmiris, Delhi put
them in jails for years. Therefore,
the decade of 2000s produced
leaders which had equal
acceptability both in Kashmir in
New Delhi. For being pro-Kashmir
now it is not necessarily required to
be anti-Delhi and vice versa
At one point of time state appeared
at the brink of collapse but the
resilient spirit of a saner majority
defeated the biggest post-1947
communal challenge. It was first
time in several decades thatreligion came out of the usual garb
of regional discontent to tell its
story louder and show the rift that
had been created between regions
and communities over the years.
The Decade in Review
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election in Jammu andn his Independence Day address toKashmir was held inthe nation from ramparts of RedI transparent manner in trueFort, on August 15, 2002, when Primespirits of democracy. This isMinister Atal Behari Vajpayee promisedwhere India suffered anfree and fair elections in Jammu andimage problem globally. ItsKashmir, it meant a lot not only for theis no secret that Congressupcoming assembly elections later sameof the Nehru-Gandhis andyear but also for the history of KashmirNational Conference of theissue, the way it was to be defined inAbdullahs of Kashmirfuture and the approaches to its
entered into a joint projectresolution.Omar's loss in Ganderbal constituencyto blatantly rig the 1987 elections. ItThere has been dispute in Kashmiris like me being thrown out of Jamiawas this electoral blunder whichand over Kashmir involving the peopleMasjid. Separatists had nothing sayproduced people like Syed Slahuddin,of Jammu and Kashmir, New Delhi andabout credibility of elections beyondthe chairman of United Jehad CouncilIslamabad but it remained a politicalthat.and Mohammad Yasin Malik, the leadermovement till 1988-89. The breakout of
It was first time ever in the historyof JK Liberation Front.militant violence and an aggressiveof Jammu and Kashmir that there was aThe rigged assembly had soon to goseparatist campaign for independencechange of regime by vote. Till 2002, J&Kand for next six years possibility ofof Kashmir or right to self determinationsaw governments of the Nationalelections could not arise. 1996 electionsstems out from the corrupt electoralConference and the Congress atwhich returned National Conferencepractices touching all time high in 1987.different intervals but the change ofwith two-thirds majority were againstThere is hardly anyone inside or outsideregime always came from New Delhi and
seen as rigged by the Indian forces tothe state who can testify that any not from the peoples. 2002 electionsinstall a government of their choice.restored public faith in the institutionsVajpayee's promise of 2002 was,of democracy. If 1987 elections sowedtherefore, a defining moment.dissent which burst into armedElections held in August-rebellion, the 2002 elections reiteratedSeptember same years came tothat there was space for democraticbe internationally recognized asmeans. It proved to be the tried andfairest and freest possible. Andtested formula of democracy that 2002there were enough proofs of thewas the last year since 1989 thatt r a n s p a r e n c y . N a t i o n a lregistered upward trend in militantConference was reduced to justviolence. An all time high of 450728 seats from 58 in the House offatalities (including civilians, security87 it won in 1996. As the resultsforces and militants) were recorded inconfirmed defeat of NC's Chief2001, which dropped to 3022 in 2002,Ministerial candidate Omar2542 in 2003 and around 370 in 2009.Abdullah in the constituency
The honest practice of democracyloved, nourished and won by hisresulted not only in decline in militancygrandfather and father, thebut also attracted the non-believer inHurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umarelections. There is little to doubt thatFarooq reacted by saying:
DEMOCRACY
Change by Vote, Vote by Change
IN FOCUS
RESULT 2008 2002
National Conference 28 28
PDP 21 16
Congress 17 20
BJP 11 01
Panthers Party 03 04
Others 07 18
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elections, per se, are not a resolution of
the Kashmir issue, but the wideningdemocratic space, of course, offers a
way of negotiations that serves the
interest of peoples.
It was the confidence restored in
2002 that the subsequent elections in
2004 (Indian Parliament), 2008 (State
Assembly) and 2009 (again Indian
Parliament) saw an increasing voter
participation and many separatists
crossing fence to join the mainstream
ranks. In our editorial opinion 2002
elections were the biggest confidencebuilding measure setting into motion
the Kashmir peace process.
IN FOCUS
43.69% of the total electorate cast
their votes in 2002 assembly
elections, which were regarded asfairest and freest of the history.
This election restored peoples trust
in democracy. Participation
improved in 2008 assembly
elections in which 61.49% of the
electorate cast their votes. 21.67% of
total electorates of Srinagar district
voted in 2008 elections where 2002
turnout was mere 05.13%
here are different perspective and different ways of looking at it. If
1990s was the decade of violence, 2000s was for the end of it.TThough 2001 accounted for highest annual killings ever in militancyrelated violence since 1989 but that was the last year which saw an upward
trend in violence. Experts point to many reasons international pressure on
Pakistan following 9/11 US attacks, crackdown on militants and terrorists
as also on the their training and funding as part of global war against terror,
security forces adopting a proactive approach, New Delhi and Islamabad
engaging into peace process and so on and so forth. Well reasoned and the
strongest of all opinions, however, is that the transparent elections of 2002
restored public faith in democracy and therefore reduced space for
dissent on which militancy thrived. Year 2000 accounted for 3288 killings
(including civilians, security forces and militants). There was sudden jump
of around 1500 fatalities in 2001 which accounted for 4507 killing but that
was the last highest figure. In 2002, annual fatalities in militant violence
dropped to 3022 and in 2003 the figure was 2542. 2006 was the last year of
four digit killings which recorded 1116 fatalities and the graph of militant
violence further dropped to 777 in 2007, 551 in 2008 and little over 370 in
2009 (till third week of December).
VIOLENCE :
4 Digit Killings in 2000,3 Digits in 2009
June 16, 2006 : A woman lieutenant of the Indian Army,
commissioned just 10 months ago, commits suicide by shooting
herself in Udhampur, headquarters of the army's Northern
Command, apparently because she was dissatisfied and
unhappy with her job. Lt. Susmita Chakraborthy of the 5071
Army Service Corps (ASC) Battalion did not leave any suicide
note. She had undergone four psychiatric counselling sessions inMarch, army authorities in New Delhi said. She is the first
woman officer of Indian Army to commit suicide. Army and
police officials in Udhampur said the 25 year old officer went to
the officer's mess near her official quarters Thursday evening
and asked the sentry for his rifle as she wanted to get
photographed with it. The unsuspecting sentry handed his
weapon and, within moments, Chakraborthy shot herself with it.
First Suicide by Woman Soldier
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brigade, he found himself amidst quitehen Mufti Mohammad Sayeed,familiar audience.along with his daughter
Between 1999 and 2002 Mufti andWMehbooba, former Ministerhis daughter Mehbooba became yetGhulam Hassan Mir and Supreme Courtanother definition of political patience.lawyer Muzaffar Hussain Baig launchedAt many places they addressed publichis Peoples Democratic Party in 1999 themeetings ranging from 90 minutes topolitical beings made quite fun of him.120 minutes where not more than 100But there was one man who took Muftiheads formed the audience. They wentand his party bit too seriously noneon with the popular slogan of replacing
other than the then Chief Minister Dr gun with dialogue. While theyFarooq Abdullah. National Conferenceaddressed Delhi in harshest words forhad two-thirds majority in theover presence of guns in the state, atLegislative Assembly and Mufti hadthe same time they made ferventhardly any crowd puller on his side.appeals to the militants to out downNeither had he had any infrastructuretheir rifles for sometime to pave way fornor organisation. Farooq would stillthe dialogue. PDP suffered thereact to every statement of Muftiallegations of being a creation of Newappearing in the press. Many tookDelhi but then people increasinglyFarooq's outbursts as his personalstarted seeing it as a viable regionaldisliking for the Mufti. The apparentlypolitical alternate, an alternate for theresource-less Mufti was perhaps gettingNational Conference, a democratichalf of his work done by Farooq at no
tens of thousands of peoples Farooq space for expression of dissent.cost. In his public meetings attended bywould go on lashing out against No ve mb er 2 00 2 be ca me a
Muftis for hours. It was an historical milestone in Jammu and
unintended dividend for Mufti Kashmir when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
he and his party were being took over as firs t non-National
introduced to the people by none Con ference, non -Congress Chief
less than Farooq Abdullah. He Minister. His party had campaigned for
was getting introduced to a wide free and fair elections and in 2002 it was
range of audience who started change in regime by vote. PDP could not
taking him seriously for the regain power in 2008 but its presence at
seamless criticism coming in the political scene of Jammu and
from the most powerful person in Kashmir has fulfilled and important
the state. When Mufti revisited ingredient in the democratic spacethe areas visited by Farooq where people have choices to make.
SECOND OPTION
PDP : The Regional Alternate
IN FOCUS
The apparently resource-less Mufti
was perhaps getting half of his
work done by Farooq at no cost. In
his public meetings attended by
tens of thousands of peoples Farooq
would go on lashing out against
Muftis for hours. It was an
unintended dividend for Mufti heand his party were being
introduced to the people by none
less than Farooq Abdullah. He was
getting introduced to a wide range
of audience who started taking him
seriously for the seamless criticism
coming in from the most powerful
person in the state.
2003, November 26: India agrees to a Pakistani offer of acease-fire along their borders along Jammu and Kashmir. Thecease-fire goes into effect the same day and remainsoperational to date.
The Long Lasting Ceasefire
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n June 2001, the National
Conference cadres from all nooksIand corners of the state poured intoSrinagar City the summer capital of
Jammu and Kashmir for a mega event
crowning of Omar Abdullah, 30, as
President of the party. The baton was
being passed on from father, Farooq, to
son. In almost similar fashion Farooq
had inherited the charge of party affairs
from Omar's grandfather Sheikh
Mohammad Abdullah. As Sheikh was
popularly known almost all his life as
Sher-e-Kashmir (the Lion of Kashmir),
critics mocked Omar as Cub-e-Kashmir.
Farooq was then State Chief Minister
and Omar a Member of Parliament and
also a Junior Minister in central
government of the BJP headed by Atal thorns in it. First challenge: how to take future. But in his life time Sheikh putBehari Vajpayee. It was all too much too along the senior leaders of party. There them behind son Farooq and they had toearly for Omar but the task ahead was were people like Mohammad Shafi Uri follow. Expectations were bit real to
gigantic. Inheriting a powerful legacy and Abdul Rahim Rather who worked take charge from Farooq but then it waswas bit natural but the crown had many with Sheikh and hopes to share charge in Omar's turn to deliver. All these
IN FOCUS
CUB-E-KASHMIR
Arrival of 3rd Generation Abdullah2002 elections came in as lowest point
in Omar's political career. Not only that
his party National Conference had to
fall down from grace, he himself lost
his election in the constituency where
his grandfather and father won many
elections without even campaigning.
There was nothing to explain this
embarrassing loss. Before critics
declared Omar a dud and his party the
story of past, the Cub-e-Kashmir proved
that he had the capacity to build upon
the qualities of Sher-e-Kashmir. He
resigned as Minister of State in
Vajpayee government to send a signal
that all was not over and it was the
time to prepare for challenges of future
October 4, 2004 : In an unprecedented development largelyseen as a big boost to the confidence building measures betweenIndia and Pakistan, a group of 18 Pakistani journalists reachedJammu the winter Capital of Jammu and Kashmir, on October 4,2004. The journalists crossed over the Wagah border where theirIndian counterparts received them with open arms. Thedelegation, part of a process to throw open people to people
contacts on both sides of the divide, travelled to Jammu andSrinagar under the aegis of South Asia Free Media Association(SAFMA). This was the first such visit since India and Pakistangained independence from Britian in 1947. It followed pledgesfrom both countries to ease visa restrictions. The journalists saidthey wanted an objective look at the situation in the disputedregion. They held interactions with scribes in Jammu andSrinagar, met top government officials, separatist leaders andother groups during their visit.
Pak Scribes in J&K
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discussions of dissent, however, disgruntled leaders who lost elections re po si ti on ed hi s s tr at eg y a nd
remained confined to the backrooms but also two sitting legislators left party refurbished the ideology. The stands of
and some newspaper stories attributed to join the ruling camp mainly Peoples ho t pu rsui ts and tough armed
to unnamed sources. In a matter of time Democratic Party which was briefly operations as taken by his father
all rallied behind Omar. The first being seen as a complete replacement Farooq in earlier years of 2000s were
challenge was handled well. 2002 project for the National Conference. not only done away with but also the
elections came in as lowest point in 2004 Lok Sabha elections did not hold Abdullah junior embarked on a apology
Omar's political career. Omar was the much promise for Omar's party. NC seeking campaign. Admitting that NC
Chief Ministerial candidate of the party. could win only two of the six Lok Sabha made mistakes in past, Omar delved and
Not only that his party National seats. Then started appearing signs of built on the slogans that went well with
Conference had to fall down from rift within the grand Abdullah family popular emotions in Kashmir Valley.
grace, he himself lost his election in the and emergence of to well defined With some intelligent rephrasing, he
constituency where his grandfather and lobbies one loyal to Omar and other to started talking in the language of the
father won many elections without even father Farooq. The Peoples Democratic moderate Hurriyat and the PDP. From
campaigning. There was nothing to Party, which had already left the being pushed into oblivion he was back
explain this embarrassing loss. Before separatists grappling for slogans, had into competition. That is the story ofcritics declared Omar a dud and his already struck and emotional note with political survival of Omar Abdullah.
party the story of past, the Cub-e- the Kashmiris and often there were Though his party did not make any
Kashmir proved that he had the capacity designs to push the Abdullah party to improvements in 2008 elections over
to build upon the qualities of Sher-e- brink. their 2002 performance but Omar's
Kashmir. He resigned as Minister of survival instincts earned him some trustBetween 2004 and 2008 Omar
State in Vajpayee government to send a of New Delhi and Congress thoughtshuttled frequently between New Delhi,
signal that all was not over and it was Omar must get an opportunity toSrinagar and Jammu and struggled hard
the time to prepare for challenges of deliver. From his grandfather's grandsonto resurrect the lost ground but there
future. While out of power it is a in 2000 to Chief Minister in 2009, forwere no impressive signs of gains.
difficult task to hold the flock together. Omar this was the decade of his arrivalTowards 2006 through 2008, Omar
This challenge was really daunting for on political scene of Jammu andseemed to have learnt a lesson on what
Omar. One after the other, not only the Kashmir.was now selling well in Kashmir. He
Vol. 4, Issue 1www.epilogue.in Epilogue, January 2010
November 19, 2000 : Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayeeannounces that security forces will suspend combat operations
against militants in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy monthof Ramadan. Ceasefire offer earns Vajpayee wide accolades. The
ceasefire, frequently opposed and sabotaged by militants bymassive strikes as also by security forces by crackdowns, is
extended periodically for next six months. However, on May 23,2001, taking all by surprise, New Delhi abruptly ends the six
month old ceasefire with the militants in Jammu and Kashmir.
While ordering to renew its operations, India invites PakistanPresident General Pervez Musharraf for summit level talks withthe Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at Agra. GeneralPervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee meet
in Agra on July 14, 2001, for a three-day summit but the talksfail to produce a joint statement on Kashmir. In a media coup
taking Indian establishment unaware, Musharraf indirectlyblames Advani for failure in arriving at a joint statement on
Kashmir.
Internal Ceasefire
IN FOCUS
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Therefore, the NC contested 1996 assembly elections on plankor over half a century, there have been a dozen and halfof Greater Autonomy and claimed that its landslide victory wasformulas and proposals for resolution of Kashmir issue.F an endorsement of autonomy agenda. Vajpayee governmentSome floated by political groups and think-tanks othersasked NC to get autonomy demand stamped by legislaturebased on conflict resolution models applied in different partswhich Farooq Abdullah did through an assembly resolution inof world. And Greater Autonomy proposal of the National
2001. New Delhi took the last call byConference, of course, remained the indig-rejecting autonomy demand outrightly.enous and most popular of them all.There was some resentment, largely unex-Drafted and redrafted, designed and rede-pressed, in NC camp but appeared thatsigned at different stages, the GreaterAutonomy formula's epitaph has been writ-Autonomy proposal became highest talkingten. Party did not make it a poll plank inpoint of the times in mid 1990s when2002 elections.National Conference leader Dr Farooq
It was towards the end of 2005 that aAbdullah set it as a pre-condition before
new formula arrived at the politicalNew Delhi for participating in the assemblyscene. General Pervez Musharraf ofelections which India was keen to conductPakistan floated the idea of 'self rule'. Into set its democracy record in Kashmir
less than a month Peoples Democratic Party picked it up as itsstraight after half decade of Governor/ President's rule. Prime
agenda for resolution of Kashmir issue addressing both inter-Minister Narasimha Rao hinted at even going beyond autonomynal and external dimensions. Initially there was some criticismwhen he made his famous statement of 'sky is the limit', fromof PDP for what peopled called as toeing Pakistan's line for itsBurkina Faso where he was visiting at that moment. Rao's suc-political survival. The PDP, however, made self rule as its corecessor HD Deve Gowda assured consideration of Autonomy
political manifesto and started working at its various contours.report but wanted Farooq's party to contest elections first.
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Vol.3,Issue5,MAY2009
IN FOCUS
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Self-Rule : AutonomyPlus, Azadi Minus
Other formulas often discussed for
resolution of Kashmir issue are:Kashmir Study Group's KSG-I and KSG-
II, South Tyrole Formula, Good Friday
Agreement, Mirwaiz's Farooq's United
States of Kashmir, IDP's Kashmir
Condominium Proposal, Bhim Singh's
Reorganisation Suggestion.
June 2, 2005 : In a historical development, a nine memberdelegation of Kashmiri separatist leaders, mostly from moderatefaction of All Party Hurriyat Conference, reach Muzaffarabadthe capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir. The delegationheaded by Awami Action Committee chief and APHC leaderMirwaiz Umar Farooq left Srinagar in the Karwan-e-Aman busservice linking two parts of divided Kashmir. They neither used
the Indian passport or Pakistani visa for the travel. The groupscrossed into Pakistan administered Kashmir from the Chakothicheck point on the Line of Control to receive an officialreception and a popular welcome on a 63km route to the statecapital Muzaffarabad. The visit, first to Pakistan administeredKashmir and Pakistan by the separatist political leadership ofKashmir, is in response to an invitation from President PervezMusharaf. But the invitation was declined by the radical APHCgroup headed by Syed Ali Geelani because of his opposition tothe trans-Kashmir bus service.
When Separatists took theCross-LoC Bus to Muzaffarabad
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Experts believe that self rule proposal has blessings of both
New Delhi and Islamabad after discussions at diplomatic
level. In 2006 General Musharraf said that a document on self
rule prepared at 'New Delhi desks' was handed over to him by
JN Dixit, a former diplomat and an aide in Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh's office. Self rule calls for a semi-sovereign
state of Jammu and Kashmir with no redrawing of borders,
fullest autonomy for regions and formation of regional coun-
cils. PDP launched its version of self rule document at the eve
of 2008 elections and made it a part of its poll manifesto.
Incidentally, in 2008 elections the National Conference
talked more about employment and welfare schemes made
just passing reference to its Greater Autonomy proposal.
Seen as something 'autonomy plus' and 'independence minus',
the self rule proposal emerged a major political milestone of
the decade. National Conference has indicated that it is will-
ing to accept formula which is accepted to the people of
Jammu and Kashmir. This may have been political compulsion
of NC for being in ruling arrangement with the Congress but
the fact remains that self rule proposal has left very little
even for the separatists to propose as a solution which can be
acceptable to all parties engaged with some climbing up and
some climbing down. The best thing about self rule formula is
that it has been put to public discussions. PDP has been hold-
ing a series of discussions and seminars since 2006 explaining
to people broader contours of the proposal and seeking their
feedback. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was handed
over a copy of self rule document in 2008, said in October
2009 that proposals like self rule and autonomy were worth
discussion.
IN FOCUS
Congress as
HindutvasAgent of Change
he 1996 assembly elections returned Congress and
BJP as two opposition parties with almost equalThonours. Congress bagged eight seats and BJP sevenbut the former's tally was later reduced by one when
Mehbooba Mufti resigned to launch Peoples Democratic
Party with her father. In Jammu region, the Congress andBJP are seen as each other's competitors. The competition
is not limited to just the number of seats they bag but it
goes beyond it. Ludicrous but true both parties pursue
almost same agenda of regional chauvinism, ultra
nationalism and Hindutva. The only different in their
approach is, if there is any, that Congress goes little soft
and packages the BJP agenda in pseudo-secular attire. In
the decade of 2000s it went a step ahead of BJP to
trivialize and regionalize the politics. Perhaps it was first
time in the post-independence history of India that a
national and secular party like Congress stooped
dangerously low to divide the state within the state on a
regional-emotional plank for winning an election.Congress placed its 2002 assembly election campaign
around the theme that it was for giving Jammu region its
first Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, a Kashmiri speaking
Muslim born in Doda district which is a part of Jammu
region. Congress focused its entire energies in Jammu and
its leaders did not travel much in Kashmir Valley. On
campaign trail, the Congress left hardly anything for the
BJP to talk to its audience. It talked of regional
empowerment of Jammu region and campaigned for an
end to political dominance of Kashmir. It won the
election but lost ground to the BJP and other forces of
Hindutva. Congress bagged 15 seats from Jammu region
and 5 from Kashmir while BJP ended up with just singleseat. Congress was back in power arrangement (in
partnership with PDP) after 20 years. The PDP had an
obvious Kashmir centric agenda which gave the BJP and
allied forces to bash Congress on its promised
empowerment of Jammu region. In November 2005
Ghulam Nabi Azad took over office from Muftin bis ee ls
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Vol.3,Issue3,MARCH
2009
April 13, 2005
: 21 years after
initiation of this
project by them
Prime MinisterIndira Gandhi,
Prime Minister
Manmohan
Singh flagged
off on April 13
2005, the
Jammu-
Udhampur
train, which promises to bring the rest of the country closer to
the state. The train is named as Utter Samparak Kranti Express.
After flagging off the train in Jammu the Prime Minster says, I
feel very happy to be flagging off the train on this particularroute. The train was thought of by Indira Gandhi in 1984. With
this, Kashmir's connectivity with the rest of the country will be
strengthened.The Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav said at the event that
work is apace for timely completion of prestigious Rs. 7000
crore Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund-Baramulla railway line by way
of accelerating the work on this national project simultaneously
at various stages of the three phase project.
Udhampur on National Rail Map
region. Jammu got the Chief Minister indepe nde nts and lat er joi ned
and Congress power but in the process Congre ss in 2004 as ass oci ate
they perhaps did not realize the members. Six other winners were the
amount of damage they had done to new faces who defeated the NC
the state politics. Realities backfired ca nd i da te s or i nd ep e nd en ts .
on the Congress in the summer of 2008 Therefore, only three of the 15 from
when not only had to loose the power Congress' class of 2002 could make to
in a humiliating manner but also the 2008 assembly. Eight of the 11
con cede ground to rig ht wing seats won by BJP in 2008 were held by
organizations on the Amarnath land Congress in 2002 elections. Many
row. It was the regional empowerment suggest that BJP enjoyed the gains
and Duggar identity project of of Amarnath land row but the fact of
Congress conceived and executed in the matter is that it was Congress
early 2000s which did it in towards the which helped BJP by campaigning for
end of the decade. BJP's tally jumped its agenda over many areas. These
from one seat in 2002 to 11 in 2008 ten years can well be remembered asassembly elections. Congress tally in a decade which Congress gifted to
Jammu region dropped from 15 to 13 BJP; it did what the BJP or itsMohammad Sayeed to become first
but three among the winners were previous avatars could not do overever Chief Minister from Jammu
those who won 2002 elections as decades.
In last ten years Congress has done to
Jammu and Kashmir politics what
saffron brigade could not do even at the
height of its communal campaigns.
Instead of addressing the genuine
grievances of regional imbalance,
Congress projected the case of Jammu
region as a victim of half-century
dominance of Kashmiri Muslims. This
regional model of politics which
projected the regional heroes and
symbols invited a backlash from
Kashmir and threw regions and
communities apart. Amarnath land row
was perhaps culmination of this
politics.
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oncentration of troops in Jammu and Kashmir has been
a continuous process since 1947 but reduction in theirCnumbers was something unheard of when this historicdevelopment took place in 2004. months after Congress led
United Progressive Alliance government took over at Center,
Prime Minister Manmohan planned his first to Jammu and
Kashmir in November when state was eagerly looking towards
Delhi for its new Kashmir policy.In what could be described as biggest confidence building
measure of the century, the Central Government announced a has decided to reduce the deployment of troops this winter.cut in troop deployment in Jammu and Kashmir. The decision While deployment details are never officially confirmed, it iswas announced on November 11 after a meeting of Cabinet widely alleged that around two-thirds of India's total Army andCommittee on security. While a demand for troop cut had been paramilitary troopers are stationed in Jammu and Kashmirthe most popular in Kashmir, of late Pakistan too started asking which is a bad publicity internationally.India for this as a confidence building measure to push the Following Government of India's historic decision, anpeace process. The announcement, a fresh initiative to push estimated 3000 Army soldiers moved out of Jammu andforward a peace process with Kashmiri separatists as well as Kashmir on November 20, 2004. This was first time ever (atwith Pakistan, comes a week ahead of Prime Minister least since 1989) that any number of troops was moved out ofManmohan Singh's scheduled visit to Jammu and Kashmir. In a Jammu and Kashmir. Around 3,000 troops of three different
statement in this context, a government spokesman says, in army units involved in counter-terrorism operations have beenrecognition of the improvement of the state, the government de-inducted from the border district of Rajouri, this is what a
Defence spokesman said that day.
The process in small periodic cuts in the number of troops
continued the following years. Most recently Defence Minister
AK Antony told the Parliament in December 2009 that 30,000
troops have recently been moved out of Jammu and Kashmir
FIRST TIME, PERHAPS, SINCE 1947
New Delhi CutsTroops Strength
The Army units would now be judged
not by the number of militants they kill
but by how successful they are in
winning hearts and minds of people
around themArmy Chief Gen JJ Singh,
February 1, 2005
IN FOCUS
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2009
December 29, 2005 : The State Legislative Assembly
approves a constitutional amendment bill unanimously
with more than two-third majority curbing defectionsfrom a political party and restricting strength of the
Ministry to 20 percent of total strength of both Houses
of Legislature. Jammu and Kashmir has 89 member
legislative assembly (including two nominated and
members) 36 members legislative council making
combine strength of both houses 125. With the passage
of this bill the total strength of ministry is caped at 25.
Ministry Strength Capped at 25
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Vol. 4, Issue 1www.epilogue.in
Mufti government went after theesolving Kashmir issue throughalleged corrupt officials and terminatedpolitical dialogue instead ofsome 60 of them in batches of 20 each.Rmilitary means gave the PeoplesThe highest point in Mufti government'sDemocratic Party a mass appeal inwar against corruption was a caseKashmir Valley, it was its campaignthrough Vigilance Organisation against aagainst corruption in public life thattop bureaucrat Ajit Kumar. Casehelped Muftis overthrow Nationalpertained to purchase of jute mats forConference and clinch the seat ofschools during National Conferencepower. Since its formation in 1999, PDPregime. It was felt that governmentmade end to corruption a central themewanted to reach to some NC leadersof mass campaign. It accused Nationalthrough this case. It became such highConference government of eating intoprofile case that Ram Jethmalani camevitals of society by unbridled corruptionto defend Ajit Kumar at Jammu but hein public life. Overthrowing thecould not get any relief. Kumar wascorrupt regime of National Conferenceplaced under suspension, arrested andbecame a popular slogan. Following fewreleased on bail.highlights from the war againstGhulam Nabi Azad took over as Chiefcorruption suggest the basic flaws, lackMinister in November 2005 and declaredof will and over-politicisation of awar against corruption as his topmostmenace which continues to remain apriority. He would talk about corruptionchallenge in Jammu and Kashmir.
and the means to end it umpteenthPromise was honoured immediatelytimes a day. He dubbed almost everyoneafter coming to power in November
2002. Same month, a special session of
state legislature was convened to table family friend of Mufti Mohammada Bill for establishment of an Sayeed and retired judge ofAccountability Commission which, Supreme Court, Justice RP Sethihowever, ran into rough weather for was made its first chairman.some constitutional lacunae and lack of H o w e v e r , e v e n b e f o r econsensus. The Bill could be legislated o p e r a t i o n a l i s a t i o n o f in 2004 and sometimes later an old Accountability Commission, the
GOVERNANCE
False War Against CorruptionWhile Chief Minister Mufti
Mohammad Sayeed and his successor
Ghulam Nabi Azad declared war
against corruption as their topmost
agenda in office, the graft culture in
public offices and its symbolic
reflections touched all time high in the
decade of 2000s. Officers sacked by
Mufti on corruption charges were
rehabilitated by Azad and vice versa.
Cases were registered against Ministers
and one of them was accused of
demanding graft by a legislator in
assembly. The big ticket anti-corruption
watchdog, Accountability Commission
remained embroiled in murky
controversies before its chairman
resigned in May 2006. Commission is
headless since then. Transparency
International said in 2004 survey that
J&K is second most corrupt state in
India while its 2008 survey did not
point to any improvement.
Epilogue, January 2010
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l.3,Issue1,JANUARY2009
May 21, 2002 : Widely respected moderate separate leaderAbdul Ghani Lone of Peoples Conference is killed by indentified
gunmen during a public meeting of Hurriyat Conference in
Srinagar. The ghastly incident, seen as a big blow to a possible
peace dialogue, happened at time when Prime Minister Atal
Behari Vajpayee was visiting Jammu and Kashmir. It was widely
believed that Lone was expected to meet the Prime Minister to
kick-start dialogue between Kashmiri separatists and New Delhi.
A Dove Shot Dead
IN FOCUSThe Decade in Review
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in the state as neck-deep in corruption and said
that the 'disease' was far more serious that he had
thought of. Amidst this din, he not only reinstated
but also specially re-designated a post to
honourably rehabilitate Ajit Kumar who was the
symbol of Mufti's war against corruption.
Meanwhile, Azad continued to fire officers in the
batches of 20s as Mufti did. One of the officers
terminated from services by Azad government
was the Director Rural Development Kashmir,
Syed Asghar Hussain. After being sacked by Azad
as part of his anti-corruption tirade, Hussain did
not have to wait much for a new role.
He was welcomed in the PDP and became
party's state secretary. Highest symbol of Azad's
war against corruption, Asghar Hussain is now aMember of the Legislative Council or the House of
Elders on PDP ticket. This is how the officers seen
corrupt by Mufti were rehabilitated by Azad and
vice versa. Another case is more interesting than
the two above. In the first list of 20 officers
sacked by Mufti government was one Jagjeet
Singh Jagga, a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
He took refuge in National Conference and
then switched over to the Bahujan Samaj Party,
contested and lost 2008 assembly elections and is
now an office bearer of the Peoples Democratic
Party.
Vol. 4, Issue 1 Epilogue, January 2010www.epilogue.in
IN FOCUS
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Vol.2,Issue12,DECEMBER
2008
Ladakhi research scholar turned bureaucrat in one of his
articles to Epilogue earlier this year argued that Ladakh hardlyAfinds any mention in the political discourse of Indian statewhich proverbially stretches from
Kashmir to Kanyakumari. If this
observation was not true, the politics
of Ladakh would have been the most
interesting media story to be followed
and discussed in the studios.
Ladakh has always craved for its sepa-ration from rest of Jammu and
Kashmir and direct association with
Union of India as a Union Territory.
This sentiment oscillated between
many zeniths and nadirs over 50 years
till the movement became most inter-
esting theater of politics in the decade
of 2000s. When Kashmir Valley was
being promised the fairest ever elec-
tion of the history, the Leh district bor-
dering China launched a stormy
revolt. All local leaders reached a con-
sensus to dissolve Ladakh units of allpolitical parties. All flags were
downed; BJP, Congress, NC et al were
taken off the Ladakh political map to
give birth to Ladakh Union Territory
Front (LUTF). The unanimity on cre-
ation of Union Territory was rare and
complete as no elections were held
there. Leh districts has two assembly
constituencies and both candidates
were sent to assembly unopposed,
uncontested. Nawang Rigzin Jora who
represented the Leh segment became
a Minister in the PDP-Congress coali-tion government. Before Rigzin and his other colleague could shout
for separation in assembly hall, Delhi and Srinagar decided to act
swiftly and smartly. In January 2003, CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
announced empowerment of Leh and Kargil districts through
Autonomous Hill Development Councils to the extent that they
became classic case of 'State within State'. The Union Territory senti-
ment not only mellowed down but also local units of political parties
Storm in
Himalayan Enclave
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Vol.2,Issue11,NOVEMBER
2008
were quietly revived. Rigzin Jora later joined
Congress and said that his aim was empowerment of
the Ladakhi people and Hill Development Councilwas a major step towards that end. The LUTF stood
divided between Thupstan Chhewang (Member of
Parliament 2004-2009) and Rigzin Jora with latter
emerging much stronger and closely connected with
the Ladakhi people. Gradually Congress returned as
a dominant power in Leh and Rigzin won 2008
assembly elections the toughest ever. Interestingly,
in 2009 there came a complete about turn in Leh
when the local Congress unit wrote to the Prime
Minister asking him to clarify as why Ladakh was
being held a colony of Jammu and Kashmir for last
60 years. Second time in the decade the Union
Territory moment is once again at its highest.
IN FOCUS
Administrative Map Redrawn
8 New Districts CreatedJuly 6, 2006 : One of the most important developments of the decades
of 2000s was that it changed the administrative map of Jammu and
Kashmir. In a historical decision with far reaching political
ramifications, the Jammu and Kashmir State Cabinet headed by
Ghulam Nabi Azad approved the creation of eight new administrative
districts in the state for equitable development of all the areas. Chief
Minister Azad says, for 30 years, the recommendations of the Wazir
Commission had been hanging fire. The commission had recommended
setting up one district in Kashmir and three in the Jammu region. We
have today decided to set up eight new districts, four in the Kashmir
region and four in Jammu. The Justice Nath Wazir Commission, set
up by then Chief Minister Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah in the late 1970s,
had pointed out disparity in distribution of resources for the three
regions of the state and its recommendations, deemed politically
controversial, were not implemented by various governments that
came to power during the past three decades. The new districts
announced are Ganderbal (to be carved out of Srinagar), Bandopore
(to be carved out of Baramulla), Kulgam (from Anantnag) and the
Shopian hill district (from Pulwama). Thus, there would be two new
districts each in south and north Kashmir. Until 2006 there were 14
districts in the state. In the Jammu region, the new districts that came
into being are Samba (carved out of Jammu district), Kishtwar (carved
out of Doda district), Reasi (carved out of Udhampur district) and the
hill district of Ramban (also from Doda district). Cabinet also approvedthe creation of new administrative sub-divisions in the State.
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they were rendered, people lost ver ifi catilmost eight years back, shortlyinterest in the telephony. o n s ,after the beginning of newInterestingly, it was the cellular b i l l i n g s ,Acentury, Jammu and Kashmirtelephony which later emerged r e c h a r g eseemed to have been thrown back toas a biggest revolution of the coupons so on andthe Stone Age. Precisely at the timedecade in Jammu and Kashmir. In so forth. Havingwhen the worldwide web (or www) was2003, not only the long distance calls become an essentialon a fast track changing face of India,and internet services were restored but part of the life of peoples,the Vajpayee government cut thealso mobile phones were allowed to cell phone changed the profileconnections in Jammu and Kashmir.
enter Jammu and Kashmir. With then of state and it s peop le s. On lyInternet services were withdrawn andChief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed towards the end of decade, it waslong distance calls barred. Obviously onmaking the inaugural call to Prime known that more than four millionthe popular excuse of militants usingMinister through a BSNL cellphone in people in Jammu and Kashmir had atcommunication facilities, this widelyOctober 2003, the entire state was set least one cell phone connection. J&Kprotested disconnect was ordered, inringing in an unprecedented manner. has a total population of little over 11January 2002, at a time when costs andThe villages where television is yet to million. Therefore, the growth of tele-the time of getting a telephonereach, the people who can't read or density in this remote state is believedconnection were just cut and peoplewrite their own names became the cell to be one of the highest in the country.used to queue up for a connection.phone owners in following years. Moving Statistics came out at the time whenJammu and Kashmir had already beenacross the capital cities or the muffasil New Delhi repeated its 2002 arrogancekept out of the range of cell phonestownships the most prominent signs of to put a blanket ban on pre-paid cellwhich had arrived in rest of India in midbusinesses people did were reflected phone service. Government said that1990s to connect peoples and
through the signboards or billboards of service providers compromised therevolutionise businesses. Hopeless, asthe cel l phone companies. customer identity verification norms
Thousands of youths with while issuing pre-paid connections and
backgrounds of engineering or felt that militants were using them.
ma na ge me nt joi ne d the Over 38 lakh connections were
executive jobs with cell phone reported to be of pre-paid nature. This
companied and thousands more order, however, did not discourage
picked up the allied services people from staying connected. They
sales of connections, sales and are again queued up to get their
services of handsets, customer service mode changed to the post-paid.
STORY OF CHANGE
Life Goes Mobile
IN FOCUS
ee
i
LifGo
sMoble
p
n
PreaidB
aniJ&K
October, 20, 2004 : The Bharti Enterprises owned Airtelbecomes the first private telecommunication operator to launch
mobile telephony services in Jammu andKashmir. Earlier the Bharat Sanchar NigamLimited was operating the mobile service inthe state since October 2003 that was
received with a tremendous public enthusiasm underliningpeople's urge for leading a normal life as mobile service enteredJammu and Kashmir much later than it hit the country.
Airtel : First Private Mobile in J&K
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Vol.
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2008
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www.epilogue.in
2000, Feb 2: Dr. Justice B.P.th
Saraf is sworn in as 20 Chief
Justice of Jammu and Kashmir
High Court
2001, Sept 12: Justice H. K.st
Sema is sworn in as 21 Chief
Justice of Jammu and Kashmir
High Court
2002, May 5: Justice B. C. Patelnd
is sworn in as 22 Chief Justice of
Jammu and Kashmir High Court
2005, Feb 4: Justice S. N. Jha isrd
sworn in as 23 Chief Justice of
Jammu and Kashmir High Court
2007, Jan 25: Justice B. A. Khanth
is sworn in as 24 Chief Justice of
Jammu and Kashmir High Court
2007, June 7: Justice Aftab Alamth
is sworn in as 25 Chief Justice of
Jammu and Kashmir High Court
2008, Jan 7: Justice K.S.th
Radhakrishnan is sworn in as 26
Chief Justice of Jammu and
Kashmir High Court
2008, Sept 4: Justice Manmohanth
Sarin is sworn in as 27 Chief
Justice of Jammu and KashmirHigh Court
2009, Jan 3: Justice Barin Ghoshth
takes over as 28 Chief Justice of
Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
Earlier he was Judge at Patna
High Court
Change of Guard
At High Court
IN FOCUS
Regional Divide
on Propertiesof Daughters
question whether the daughters of Jammu and Kashmir married
off outside the state are entitled to have property rights eruptedAinto one of biggest political controversies of the time dividing thestate on lines of region and religion. While Kashmir Valley supported a
proposed legislation denying property rights to women marrying outside,
the Hindu majority in Jammu region termed it black law and opposed
staunchly. A discussion on Bill in the Legislative Council on March, 10 2004nearly led to collapse of the Peoples Democratic Party Congress
government. PDP wanted the Jammu and Kashmir permanent residents
(disqualification) Bill to become a law while Congress threatened to walk
out of the coalition on this issue. The Bill earlier same month passed in
the Legislative Assembly when Congress failed to take note of its
repercussions. Amidst a nationwide political fury and complete shutdown
in Jammu, the discussions on Bill in State Legislative Assembly remained
inconclusive offering a face saver to both PDP and the Congress. On June
11, 2004, the Bill lapsed as government failed to convene a session of
legislative assembly to discuss the proposed piece of law, as required
under rules, within three months after legislative council was adjourned.
The PDP, however, reiterated its commitment to the issue and vowed to
bring the Bill afresh.PDP made a renewed bid but numbers in the assembly did not
favour it. On August
27, 2004, the
controversial Jammu
and Kashmir
permanent residents
(disqualification) Bill
fell on the floor of
the legislative
assembly, as
Congress the major
partner in the
ruling alliancevoted against the
Bill. The Bill was
finally buried after
it got only 47
votes, falling 12
short of the needed
number.
The Decade in Review
Vol. 4, Issue 1 Epilogue, January 2010Epilogue, January 2010
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Vol.2,Issue9,SEPTEMBER
2008
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Rs. 24,000 Crore
and Moreike Dr C Rangarajan, the former Governor of Reserve Bank of India, many
believe that route to recovery in Jammu and Kashmir can partly be takenLthrough economic development. As the decade of 2000s saw impressivedecline in militant violence, it was the economic boom unleashed in all parts of
state which engaged thousands in myriad activities. Since Jammu and Kashmir is
not an industrial state and the Information Technology is yet to make its required
presence, it was the infrastructure led boom which offered economic spin-offs to
almost everyone.
The highest point in this decade of infrastructure was on November 17, 2004
when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced a Rs 24,000 Crorereconstruction program. This was in addition to numerous schemes and projects
separately funded by different central departments and other agencies like
World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
Announcement was this mega funding was made by the Prime Minister
during his two-day Jammu and Kashmir visit on November 17 and 18. Unveiling
the bag of sops, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also announced an
unconditional dialogue with all those who eschew violence and resolve to work
for accelerating pace of peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
Manmohan Singh reaches Srinagar, in his first visit as Prime Minister, a week after
dolling out peace sops by ordering the troop reduction in the insurgency hit
state. Addressing a public meeting at Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium, the Prime
Minister said that if the conditions improved and infiltration was brought under
control, there could be further cut in troop deployment. Striking an emotionalchord with the violence hit
people of Kashmir, the Prime
Minister says, I have a
dream and a firm belief that
we can and we shall built a
new Kashmir which will
become a symbol of peace,
hope and prosperity. Our
government is committed to
an unconditional dialogue
with anyone and everyone in
the State who abjures
violence. We will talk to allthose who have concern for
Kashmiris. My door are open
to those who want to meet
me to usher in peace I have
no conditions but their
i n t e n t i o n s h o u l d b e
genuine.
July 5, 2004 : Kashmir
simmered with anger on July 5,
2004 as its oldest school burnt
down in a mysterious fire
destroying one of the world's
oldest copies of the holy Quran
and thousands of other rare
Islamic texts. The destruction
shocked the valley and other
parts of state, with the loss of
the 105 years old Islamia Higher
Secondary School and its 30,000
book library where some of the
region's most prominent figures
studied. People spilled over the
streets in protest in Srinagar.
Hundreds of the school's
students staged a protest march.
The school, set up in 1899, was
a landmark symbol of the
building reduced to the charredbrick skeleton, with soot and
burned out book and furniture
strewn around the premises. The
library, which included one of
the rarest manuscripts of the
Quran, handwritten by Usman
bin Affan the third 'Righteous
Caliph' of Islam was completely
destroyed, said Shahid-ul-Islam,
party secretary of the Awami
Action Committee. No one
claimed responsibility for the
blaze. The school was run by a
religious and educational trust
led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq,
Kashmir's highest Islamic leader
and head of the Awami Action
Committee the movement to
modernize Islam.
Rare Copy of Quran
Lost in IslamiaSchool Blaze
IN FOCUS
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ol.2,Issue8,AUG
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