Fed up with violence, Kashmiris call for peace

People in Kashmir were expecting a better time this year as more tourists came to the state in years 2011 and 2012. But, it seems it was a farfetched reality as the recent incidents of violence and strikes have brought a shadow of gloom on common citizens who were hoping to make a good living from the tourists.

Ghulam Ahmad belongs to Anantnag and is bearing the interest on loan which he took to buy his own taxi. He was very hopeful after the good business in 2012 when tourists visited valley in big numbers. But now he is scared as he feels he will be caught in the vortex of loan and its interest and his life will again become difficult as it was before 2011.

The security forces had been successful in taming militancy at large and they are of hope that even that will be tackled which is alive in certain pockets.

Ghulam Ahmad has been associated with taxi business since long. He is of the opinion that things may not turn out to be as bad as tourists who had booked for May-June months have not cancelled their bookings. “April is the month when those tourists who have not done prior booking are generally travelling in Valley and it is they who have cancelled their bookings after the recent incidents of militant attacks and the Afzal Guru’s hanging.”

On the other hand, the state government is also getting ready to receive more number of tourists as there are lots of plans lined up to make the state more attractive for tourist. The tourism department is bringing the copper and spice markets of Zainakadal on Srinagar's tourist map which will help both craft and tourism.

Omar Abdullah has announced to develop a two-km stretch from Nawakadal to Chattabal in the old city as a heritage craft pedestrian trail on the pattern of New York. The trail will have craft bazaars, retail outlets, kiosks, production centres and other facilities. But, all this will be of no use when people will not visit the state.

The local people are much disenchanted with the politicians whom they blame to play an important role in stoking the fire of violence and unrest. Approaching elections will also lead to more violence which will be to divide people and garner vote. “It is the politicians who will support violence and will even provide weapon and money. They want the people to be divided and thus they will arouse sentiments to encash them in form of votes,” says a man in Lal Chowk but requested not to be named. The sentiments reverberate into the voices of the craftsmen of Kashmir’s famed shawl and carpet weavers.

The business of carpet and shawl has also been severely hit. Mushtaq Ahmed has been expecting a good year as it has been since 2010 he has by now prepared all kind of carpets made of wool, silk and cotton with the famed intricate knots which range between 16 to 52. Every additional knot makes the weaving dense and the life of carpet is increased. “I will be burdened with the loan which I took to buy more thread and employ more people to make more carpets as I was expecting more tourists this year,” rues Mushtaq.

Prayers of people like Mushtaq and Ghulam Mohammed seems to be manifesting as steps are being taken to connect the state of Jammu and Kashmir all the year round.

Railway is hopeful that the train between Qazigund and Banihal will start plying by the end of May. The trial run of the train from Qazigund to Banihal is already completed in December 2012. The new railway track between Qazigund and Banihal will pass through India’s longest and Asia’s second longest tunnel which is 11-km long and is made through Pir Panjal rage of mountains.

Mushtaq may not have to face the problems too long as new all weather roads and rail track are on the verge of completion. Once completed lines of communication will be open throughout the year it will bring more people.

Inciting people on communal and regional basis, encouraging unrest in the Valley may not work for long as people are fed up with rhetoric and emotive slogans being raised by politicians and people with vested interests.