Kashmiris in TN call bifurcation anti-democratic, flay Centre’s move

Kashmiris here see this move as purely political. Several natives of Jammu and Kashmir who own various businesses in the city expressed their concerns on turning Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir into distinct Union Territories.

Umar Zargar, a native of Kashmir said that the Centre has taken a decision without pondering the impact it will have on the lives of the people in Kashmir. “We have had the special status for 70 years and we were still a part of the nation. The special status of Jammu and Kashmir did not do any harm to the country and we were one country. However, this anti-democratic move has immediately affected the rights of the people and has left them locked at home,” said Umar.

“The government promised advancement and benefit of Jammu and Kashmir but their decision has split Jammu and Kashmir into pieces. Ladakh used to be the pride of our state and there was no need to divide it from Jammu and Kashmir. Centre was always in the fear that elections would not receive the desired result and thus, they made it a Union Territory by taking away our basic rights,” said Amin Aseem, a native of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmiris here said that the incidences of violence, stone-pelting and unrest were under control for the past few months and this move is likely to worsen the situation there.

Kashmiri Handicrafts businessman Abdullah returned from Jammu just twelve days ago after spending time with his family. “The situation was calm, and people were looking forward to Eid and Independence Day. Just one decision and everything has come to a halt now,” said Abdullah. “My hotels in Jammu that were full of tourists just last week are empty now. The police ordered evacuation three days ago. I have workers in my jewellery shop who are Hindus and we stay, eat and work together. Kashmir is much more secular than in the minds of these politicians.” Several other handicrafts businessmen from the strife-torn state are now worried about their families back home. Mohammed Ashraf, who works at a handicraft shop in the city and has been in Tamil Nadu for more than 15 years said, “I was preparing to go home for Eid. But I had to cancel the plan as my family did not want me to come because of the unstable situation. I could not even speak to my family since yesterday and I won’t know if anything happens to them.” Thanks to the curfew situation in Jammu and Kashmir, most natives now spend sleepless nights worrying about their kin with all modes of communication cut off. More on P2