Kashmir unrest: India and Pakistan have no option but to talk - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Kashmir unrest: India and Pakistan have no option but to talk

Hindustan Times | By
Aug 16, 2016 01:18 PM IST

Looking at the pattern of violence in the Kashmir Valley, there is now little doubt that the impetus is coming from Pakistan.

After a day of relative quiet, violence returned to the Kashmir Valley on Independence Day, when militants killed a CRPF officer and injured some troopers. Not since 2010 has Kashmir had a worse background to Independence Day than this year, with India-Pakistan relations are turning frostier almost each day. Following the killing of Burhan Wani, the militant commander of the Hizdul Mujahideen, the Valley went into a period of bloody unrest, which snuffed out about 40 young lives. On August 14, there were reports of the hoisting of the Pakistani flag at several places, giving enough provocation to the security forces to fire at the separatists. However, the forces observed restraint this time. While this will not deter the extremists among the separatists in their work, the moderates will have less reason to complain about the high-handedness of the strong arm of the law.

A boy hold a flag of Pakistan during celebrations marking Pakistani Independence Day in Srinagar(HT)
A boy hold a flag of Pakistan during celebrations marking Pakistani Independence Day in Srinagar(HT)

Read: Tricolour falls during CM Mufti’s I-Day event in Srinagar, probe ordered

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Looking at the pattern of violence in the Kashmir Valley, there is now little doubt that the impetus is coming from Pakistan. Hence a period of lull in militancy does not mean sustained peace. It can only mean that groups causing violence are regrouping and reorganizing themselves before the next strike. And as the main source of violence is on the other side of the border, little headway can be made by talking to the separatists in the Valley in terms of controlling violence. Whatever the pretence the Hurriyat chooses to keep up, it cannot stop violence even if it wishes to. So to put an end to the killings, India and Pakistan have no option but to talk.

Read: Days after India’s rejection, Pakistan offers talks on Kashmir again

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! -Login Now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Uddalok Bhattacharya was part of Hindustan Times’ nationwide network of correspondents that brings news, analysis and information to its readers. He no longer works with the Hindustan Times.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On