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CONTENT
Editor
PROLOGUE 3
Zafar Iqbal Choudhary
Kashmir, back in focus
Publisher
Yogesh Pandoh BOOKS 4
The Story of The Collaborator
Consulting Editor
D. Suba Chandran
STRATEGIC THINKING 9
Manu Srivastsa
Before Next Summer
Associate Editors
Irm Amin Baig COLUMN 40
Tsewang Rigzin History
Zorawar Singh Jamwal
LADAKH AFFAIRS 43
General Manager
Education
Kartavya Pandoh Epilogue
VOL 5, ISSUE 02
Research Officer PEPORTAGE 46
Raman Sharma FEBRUARY 2011
Kashmir's Timber Mafia
RNI : JKENG/2007/26070
ISN : 00974-5653
Price : Rs 30
ZAFAR CHOUDHARY
T
he political conflict in Kashmir, an inspiration for hundreds of
writers, novelists and filmmakers, is once again under creative,
academic and scholastic focus. At present, 29 leading Universi-
ties in different parts of world are running fulltime programmes on
Kashmir. Think-tanks, research houses and strategic institutions of
global repute have again activated their south Asia cells with par-
ticular focus on Kashmir and India-Pakistan relations. In last one month
there have been three international conferences and roundtables on
Kashmir, an intra-Kashmir conference is taking place in Delhi in the
middle of February. Kashmir was never entirely out of such gaze but
in past few years focus was in terms of stability and the dominant
stories were about peace, reconciliation and reconstruction. Writ-
ings, research, film making and other creative engagements with
Kashmir have been a long story indeed. One of the oldest books on
conflict in Kashmir dates back to 1853, around 100 years before the
making of present conflict; that book had talked about the strategic OUR OCTOBER 2007 ISSUE
importance of Kashmir and potential of being a reason of or being a
solution to conflicts between regional powers. Recently when few
novels sets in Kashmir hit the shelves there was a lot of discussion in
media about Valley becoming a new destination for novelists. How-
ever, few did know that some of the best books on Kashmir were set
in the scene of 1947 turmoil. The decade of 1990s saw huge world-
wide strategic research engagements on Kashmir. Leading think-tanks
and research institutes like United States Institute of Peace, the
Stimson Centre, the Carnegie Foundation and many more had set up
specialised cells of interest on Kashmir. During this period there were
hundreds of books coming up on Kashmir, written by Indian and west-
ern authors and researchers. However, the pace of such work de-
clined after 2002 and for next few years when think-tanks and re-
search centres shifted their focus to other conflict areas of the world.
There was a general feeling that things were coming to terms in
Kashmir and the worst was over. After the massive eruption of 2008
in Kashmir Valley and events of next two years, Kashmir is once again
under international focus. As long as Kashmir offers creative oppor-
tunities to professionals it is good but the subject being humanitar-
ian tragedies underlines the fact that Kashmir continues to be a dan-
gerous hotspot. While debate on the conflict and its contours gives
an insight into what went wrong, but there is need of a futuristic
approach to suggest measures for peace and reconciliation. In this
issue we look at some of the ideas that could not make any change in
Kashmir and some arguments which have strong potential for OUR DECEMBER 2009 ISSUE
brokering peace.
From British Council Library to Jaipur Literary Festival to a Muffasil College of Kashmir, The Collabo-
rator is on everyone's lips. A story a teenage boy who happens to be in a situation and is doing things
which he does not want to do, The Collaborator is a tragic fiction, first novel written by acclaimed
Kashmiri journalist Mirza Waheed who was recently in Srinagar for a launch in hometown.
Mirza Waheed was born and brought up in Srinagar, Kashmir. He studied English Literature at the
University of Delhi, and worked as a journalist and editor in the city for four years. In 2001 he went
onto join the BBC's Urdu Service in London, where he now works as an editor.Waheed briefly attended
the Arvon Foundation in 2007. He has written for the Kashmir Observer and the BBC's Urdu and En-
glish websites and appeared on BBC radio and TV as a commentator. He has been writing since he was
ten. The Collaborator is his first novel and he has started work on a second novel, a young girl's love
story spanning Kashmir, Delhi and Pakistan. NAWAZ GUL QANUNGO catches with MIRZA WAHEED in
Srinagar for an exclusive interview: Here are excerpts:
NAWAZ GUL QANUNGO: You spoke about the culture, the Arabian Nights and all those things.
novel being the best form of writing for what you Then you need stories, we always want stories and
wanted to do. Could you go through that time of it has gone through such a huge transformation.
inception of The Collaborator... From the time when people would sit in a village
and then recite and narrate stories even in this
Y
explained to ourselves, you know, that this es. At a young age, they do affect you. You
is what you are like. (Laughs.) And then, begin to question you begin to ask
when you are growing up, even that plays on that it's not like that, so why are you saying
your mind, you know. Writing about Kash- that?
mir, writing books about Kashmir, writing
histories of Kashmir, writing accounts of the And it affects the process of your writing...
Y
conflict and coming up with solutions to the es, absolutely. It affects. But it's not a
dispute, you know, Formula 1, Formula 2 conscious effort in terms of that you
and Formula 3 and all those things, you decide like that you set aside a few months
know, at one level they are slightly upset- and you say that I'm now going you read these
ting when you are growing up in Kashmir. books with a critical eye and then I will write
Upsetting in the sense that sometimes you something which is better. It doesn't work like
read a book and you say, "OK, that's not how that. It's part of your growing up, part of your
it is, I don't see that." Yes, you have done being as a writer, part of your novelistic
your research and you have spent time here process as well. So, those things can impinge
but we know a different Kashmir. So, that on you and they inform you as a writer. At the
plays on your mind. And many of the books same time all books about Kashmir are not
Mirza reading a passage from The Collaborator during a Lunch event in Srinagar in Jammu 2011
bad, obviously. Obviously some great writing has wants to tell people that one can write a fine
been done on Kashmir by people who are not sentence in English. You write because you
Kashmiris. So one should sort of you know respect think, "Oh! I think differently. And this is what
that as well. But there have been some horrible I think." So, something drives you. You don't
books about Kashmir (laughs)... yes, seriously... write because you want to prove to somebody
that you are a writer or you can write or that
You want to name any... you know how blogs are written or how col-
O h no, no... (Laughs again.) I'm sure you umns are written, correct me if I'm wrong.
know! There is something inside you that drives you
to write the impulse to write is much more
So, yes, now there is this stage where Kashmiris are than just being a chronicler of your commu-
talking about themselves, writing about themselves... nity, area, region, population - there's some-
What difference does it make to the whole discourse thing more important - it's about you as well.
and, in a sense, does it have a potential to change the You don't just say that I will now be the
situation on the ground? spokesperson of Kashmir, or India, or Pakistan
I t may not change the situation on the ground and so on. But yes, it's about the context as
but it does open up a new narrative space, a well, it's about nuance and sometimes you
very important narrative space. This is my story. think, OK, my story, the story of Kashmir or
I may get it wrong but this is my story. I am any place, wherever you may be writing from,
writing it. And I have the ownership of that story. you sometimes think that its way more
And it's not about territorial ownership or about complex and nuanced and detailed than what
racial ownership or ethnic ownership. It is the you've read and you think that you want to do
ownership of... it's a cultural ownership... that and that you want to add to that body of
(pauses.) And, you know, that, I can do this. So, work, so the novel can be about that. But it's
it's about that restoration of faith in who you are not just Kashmir. It's also about that I wanted
and that you can talk about yourself and this is, I to write (laughs) and at some point of my life
think, quite important. And it's not about ability. I thought I could write and then you test it.
You know, some people say that you can't write, And then there comes a moment when you are
so that's why you have people writing about you, brave enough and you set up on it and you
from you, on you. It's not so simple. It's not about embark on it and you start a chronicle or a
ability. It's about the impulse. It's about the need short story or an essay and you embark on it.
to write. It's not about that somebody can do a And that is a crucial act when you tell your-
good sentence in English or not. The ability to self, "OK, I think I can do this. I want to put
write a good sentence in English does not neces- myself out and I want to test it." And that's
sarily mean that you have something important to how the book [comes about]. So, that was a
say. So, that, too, is a mistake. Some people may very long answer (smiles).
write excellent prose but they may not have many
things to say. So it's not about that narrow thing And coming back to that... Your book goes almost
called ability to tell a story. It's about a need. It is right across the world, there's Curfewed Night
important for me to write. And it's also about that [Basharat Peer, 2009] already. And so these are
moment when you think you cannot not write. going almost across the world. How much does this
One writes, but one doesn't write because one have the potential to change how the outside world
looks at Kashmir?
S
churning, and that to me is a small ray of hope.
ee, fiction is a very complex business. Even
the concept of realism is a very complex
Then there is also a sudden outburst in the Kashmir concept. There is realism... there is literary
media. How do you see this media doing its job? realism and there is realistic fiction. They are
I wish I could answer that. I'm not really entirely
qualified to comment on the local media because
I don't really get the time to consume all of it from
two different things. And a novel can be real, in
that context of the novel, in the pages of that
novel, it's very real. It may not be realistic in
London. But I see, and this is reassuring, that this relation to what has happened for real... It's a
younger generation of journalists and writers and very, very complex. And there's a huge discus-
people you find on the social media and such sion about fiction and non-fiction. See, fiction is
spaces. They represent hope for me. ... Yes, I do like, it's sometimes more effective than reality.
see a difference between this lot, to use a bad It brings reality alive. At least it hopes to do
word, and the earlier lot, though there are of that. It's not about just picking up an incident
course fine journalists already here, known inter- and narrating it. I would have then written a
nationally. So, this represents hope for me. And non-fiction book... It's not about that at all. It's
the other important thing that's happened is this about what you do with that material and what is
new generation is that they do seem to have a the effect, what is the engagement with the
sense of their place in history, where they see reader, what is the contract with the reader.
themselves in a context. And they read. You know And, have you agitated the reader enough. I do
its not just about writing. And they - though as I think that fiction should, you know, it should
said I'm not entirely qualified because I've not provoke. And it should agitate in all kinds of
spent enough time - but, you know, what I've seen ways. It doesn't always have to be disturbing.
and what I've read it does feel like that they read. But it should do something to the reader and
that is the whole point about the novel as well.
You read out a very moving, painful chapter called That you want to write about a thing that may
"Milk Beggars" at the reading. And some listeners in be real but that's not the main motive of writing
the room were crying while listening. [A person got that I want to represent reality. It's about
up, weeping, asking the novelist to stop reading.] And taking the reader along on a more, if I may use
you said it was your favourite chapter in the book. the word, illuminating curve. You know, after
Why is this one passage the favourite? he has read it, does it come alive for him or,
more importantly, has it made him think.
D SUBA CHANDRAN
One ought to applaud the State and Union governments for standing up to the BJP's
march to Lal Chowk in Srinagar to hoist the Indian flag. It was expected that the State
government (with support from New Delhi) would allow the BJP yatra to enter the
Valley, and leave it to the security forces to physically prevent them from entering
Srinagar. Thankfully, there was no political paralysis on the issue and matters were
handed over to the security forces in Kashmir. In perhaps one of the clearest policy
moves yet, the government prevented the BJP yatra from crossing Jammu. What next?
T
he BJP, from its initiation, cally, J&K is a part of India and governance, human rights and
was never serious about hence every citizen has a right to democracy have never crossed the
protecting any long-term hoist the national flag. The issue, Banihal/Jawahar tunnel?
national interests. It emphasized rather, is of the mind; of the While the governments have
cheap publicity for narrow political hoisting of perspectives and avoided a show-down, this is only a
gains; perhaps, even during the values in the mind of every temporary relief. What must then be
current crisis, the BJP may have Kashmiri. This needs a long-term done? Discussions of a hot summer
scored some points amongst the vision, and strategies to achieve in the Valley are already underway;
Hindu community in the Jammu it. Why does a majority perceive and there are three specific reasons
region. One will not of course the Indian flag as an imposition? for this. First and foremost, the
disagree with the BJP in terms of Why do Kashmiri intellectuals youth unrest in the Kashmir valley,
hoisting the national flag in Lal repeatedly emphasize that Indian which is being expressed (or/and
Chowk because legally and politi- political values relating to good manipulated by mainstream and
separatist elements) periodi- appointed by the Indian government apprehensive about removing the
cally. Violence in the Kashmir valley have done their homework. New AFSPA from urban areas. Both the
in the last few years has become Delhi should work with the govern- above issues are interlinked and
seasonal; all it takes is a trigger to ment of J&K and take small but need to be undertaken by the
unleash the situation and bring the sincere steps. At least three steps Union government. What is more
youths to the streets with stones in are essential. First, an element of important is also an announcement
their hands. demilitarization, at least in select of panchayat elections; this in fact
Second, Pakistan will try to areas. The government in J&K and will do wonders in the Kashmir
reposition itself in J&K after having thelocal police have repeatedly valley. Governance, especially
lost its edge in the last few years. emphasized that they should be through panchayats, is the biggest
The security forces fear that a able to secure the urban areas - at weapon and protection (and not
process is already set in motion and least certain select towns in the the police or Army) that the gov-
could blow up during this summer. Valley, starting with Srinagar. If not ernments at the Union and State
While the Valley is not inclined the entire valley, New Delhi should levels have in the area. However,
towards terrorism, one cannot make an announcement immedi- they are reluctant to use it for
totally discount the fear that ately or at least propose a time- narrow political reasons. The
Kashmiri youths may be tempted to table for the relocation of troops national flag has an emotional
explore alternative strategies. from urban areas. meaning for everyone. One can
Third, there seems to be a wave Second, the Union government neither be forced to hoist it, nor
gripping Muslim societies of the also should seriously reconsider its should one attempt to hoist the
Middle East and North Africa, decision to continue with the flag in a place where such gestures
starting with Tunisia, now reaching AFSPA. This has become a political are not universally supported. The
Egypt. While the situation and issue in the Valley and hence could real challenge is not hoisting the
reasons are not comparable, one become a very significant confi- Indian flag in Lal Chowk. The
should not completely overrule the dence-building measure. Especially, action itself is the easiest thing to
impact of global developments in if the local government and police do. The real challenge is instilling
the minds of Kashmiri youth. force is confident of securing the sensitized values and hoisting the
How can a disastrous develop- urban areas, there is no reason for mind to educated thought and
ment be averted? The interlocutors the Union government to be action.(IPCS)
E
vents in Tunisia, Egypt and just come down. The upsurge in felt right up to Kashmir.
Lebanon have drawn wide Eastern European nations had The disturbances in the Valley of
spread surprise since for the overthrown communist regimes. last summer witnessed considerable
first time Arabs have turned out on The Palestinian intifada dating to participation by the youth. The
the streets. After decades of 1987 had captured minds. Images mobile network and the internet
domination by authoritarian re- from these events, far away as they played a part in the mobilization,
gimes, supported by the West in were, unfolded and influenced those despite some constraints such as
most cases, democratic stirrings viewing them on newly acquired TV preventing of the SMS feature by
have been received with welcome screens in Kashmir. All accounts the state. The youth, being media
and apprehension, depending on from the heady days of the mili- and internet savvy, are doubtless
the political slant of the commenta- tancy mention the impact of the receiving updates even as events
tor. Why does this article, whose communication revolution and unfold elsewhere. This means that
title suggests it is one on Kashmir, globalization, then in infancy, on it could be yet another hot summer
need to begin with events else- peoples' participation in the 'rebel- in Kashmir.
where? To recall, the outbreak of lion', to borrow from a perceptive A reasonable attitude could be
peoples' participation in the mili- title, 'Lost Rebellion'. Therefore, in that there is no reason to panic.
tancy in Kashmir was at the turn of case the unrest in Arab lands is to The state, though under an un-
the nineties. The Berlin Wall had spread, the ripple effects will be stable coalition in New Delhi and
Governor's rule in Srinagar, had necessary changes in policing secretaries of India and Pakistan
managed the mass participation of methods are done well in time. are to meet in Thimpu, to be
early 1990 adequately. There has Police and paramilitary can use the followed by the foreign ministers.
been considerable learning done in interim to get familiar with fresh Mr. Kasuri, in a lecture at Sapru
the disruptions of the last three tactics, techniques and non-lethal House, indicated the extent to
summers which should find the equipment. However, a positive which India was prepared to go to
state better prepared this time aspect of the second is in the resolve the issue during 'back
round. This would be in terms of apprehensions imparting greater channel' talks. The position at
better policing methods to take on urgency to the current political which the two sides left off appar-
stone throwing agitators. There- initiative in Kashmir. This is not to ently had the backing of the Paki-
fore, while a heightened opposition imply that the threat of agitations stani Army, with Kayani, then ISI
can be expected, the state is better need to or can impel Indian initia- chief, privy to the meetings. He
prepared too. A fear-mongering tives, but that the agitations can implied that this can serve as a
approach would be that the youth, be avoided and defused by the potential starting point for resump-
energized by events in the Muslim initiative bearing fruition timely. tion of the peace process. Pakistan,
world, may be more provocative, The current state of the initia- considerably on the backfoot due to
even if non-violent. This may lead tive is that the interlocutors have internal problems, has fewer cards
to the use of force. Such force had covered much ground in Kashmir. at the moment. Therefore, India is
led up to 114 deaths and over a They have submitted three reports poised to gainfully proceed on the
1000 injured cops and paramilitary to the government, mostly dealing Kashmir issue at this juncture, both
in 2010. Deaths on the street with confidence-building. A more in its external and internal dimen-
usually occur, witnessed earlier at significant report is due in March. sions. In case it is unable to, then
Gowkadal and during the funeral of Task forces have ascertained views it can handle the backlash. The
Mirwaiz in 1990 and later in in the other two regions. The Army remains deployed since
Bijbehara during the Hazratbal interlocutors await a discussion according to the Army Chief and his
crisis. The situation gets further with the separatists, who are still minister, troop reductions would be
enflamed. The death of young Tufail holding out. The Home Secretary's
only of the paramilitary. Even the
Mattoo when hit by a tear gas shell announcement of a proposed
25 per cent cut was to be effected
sparked off the 2010 protests in the reduction of security forces pres-
over 12 months. This should help
Valley. After the winter's recupera- ence by 25 per cent was to build
reassure India that since it is not
tion, youth power could well be trust and a conducive atmosphere
negotiating from a position of
back. Both approaches have utility. for the progression of the political
weakness, it can afford to go in for
The first would help ensure that the initiative. Alongside, the foreign
a political solution. (IPCS)
Options in Kashmir
ZAFAR CHOUDHARY
I
been at least three such major events
n August 2003 when US Vice Presi Dick Cheney's observation is found not
in last 25 years which made Kashmir
dent Dick Cheney called Kashmir as entirely out of place.
altogether a different place and raised
one of the two most dangerous Kashmir is a multi-layered problem
serious concerns of peace and secu-
flashpoints on earth, his opinion was which has passed through many crests
rity. To say that the separatist move-
taken with contempt not only in India and troughs of its political history. For
ment erupted in Kashmir only in late
but also among the South Asia experts an honest understanding of Kashmir
1980s would be an ignorance of the
and think-tanks in different parts of issue we need to be sure of the people
post-1947 political history of the Val-
world. Dick Cheney had said nothing and the geographical ambit under ref-
ley. And again, to say that it was only
different than what US President Bill erence. In context of what is called
in 1987 elections when people in
Clinton said four years before that. Kashmir conflict, there are few things
Kashmir were denied their genuine
While Clinton's statement was taken which can't be understood unless we
democratic rights would be an attempt
as an honest appreciation of the situ- talk about the entire princely state of
to erase very well documented events
ation, Cheney's observation earned Jammu and Kashmir that existed be-
of 1953, 1975 and 1984 -sacking and
criticism. The difference is that fore 1947, then there are many other
arrest of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah,
Clinton had made this observation things, far more serious, which can
installation of Sheikh as CM without
when Kashmir was caught in a dan- be understood only by limiting our dis-
going to elections and dismissal of
gerous web of insurgency and counter- cussions only to the Valley of Kashmir
elected government of Farooq
insurgency while Indian and Pakistani on the Indian side of Line of Control.
Abdullah, respectively.
forces stood eyeball to eyeball on the Various aspects of the Kashmir con-
borders. Dick Cheney earned criticism flict are deeply embedded in history;
because he foresaw danger at a time many are manufactured while few oth-
The Trigger
when peace was making strong waves ers are grossly misunderstood. In this
in Kashmir, a free and fair election had
instilled public faith in democracy, in-
essay we try to cast an eye on recent
happening in valley of Kashmir to un-
A s the first pivotal event of the re
cent conflict history of Kashmir,
1987 elections were a deadly blow to
cidents of violence were at the low- derstand challenges of internal peace
peace and order. Having gone through
est, presence of troops in civilian ar- and regional security. A look at the
four major sad experiences of their
eas were at bare minimum, India and recent history of political and armed
tryst with democracy, the too well
Pakistan were close to an agreement conflict that erupted in 1988 would
known rigging of 1987 elections made
on border ceasefire and preparations reveal many interesting aspects which
Kashmiris to lose trust democratic
for softening the Line of Control were offer clues for resolution as well. Some
system. Dissidence is mostly seen as
underway. However, if one looks at events are pivotal in the making or
a minority thinking against a major
what happened in the following years, understanding of history. There have
stituted by the Prime Minister after roundtable con- tation and coordination before making public state-
ferences. There is a feeling on the ground that ei- ments. In this particular example, the situation has been
ther recommendations are not known in public do- clarified and it appears that the bulk of the cuts that
main, as in first two cases, or the implementation the Home Secretary mentioned refer to the CRPF. But
is not taken up, as in the case of Working Groups. there are many instances in the past months in which
What is your self assessment of the difference your media driven utterances have caused setbacks to peace-
group is making, particularly in term of short term making initiatives - one example being the incessant
dividends for the stakeholders? querying of both dissident leaders and ourselves on
whether and when we will talk. Political processes need
We have had some small gains in the ground situa- time and a certain degree of confidentiality to brew,
tion, such as release of youth and a few political pris- and a responsible media would respect that need.
oners, removal of around 20 bunkers in Srinagar, re-
straint on the part of protesters and police, setting up In a very short time your group has been able to reach
of a fast track passport facility, exploration of build- out to people in all three regions and further their
ing a hostel for Kashmiris in Delhi, but of course these sub-regions. Do you see possibility of a consensus be-
are small gains, and the process remains slow. tween Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh around any po-
litical initiative altering the status quo?
Your team has not been able to catch up with the
separatist leadership in a major way. Are you hope- Yes very much so. The popular will for a solution that
ful of getting them on table sometimes in near fu- will be acceptable to all and will be peacefully negoti-
ture. And what if they don't talk, as they are indi- ated is very strong, but then so are the fears that each
cating, do you think the current interlocution makes will be left out when it comes to a solution. Our going to
a significant sense without talking to separatists? districts was an attempt to reassure that the process of
reaching a consensus for a solution will be an inclusive
In my study of recent history and especially of peace one. We also believe that a solution based on democ-
initiatives from 2000 on, the Hurriyat, JKLF and allied racy and empowerment should be able to accommodate
groups have generally come on board talks only when the aspirations of all in a framework of give and take.
the process has advanced - generally within 6 months
to a year of its initiation. Their participation has been You have had good meetings with people in north of
more substantive when there has been active and public Kashmir Valley and also in Rajouri and Poonch. What
civil society engagement. We need therefore to con- is your assessment of the local impact of Cross-LoC
centrate on these tracks before expecting them to start confidence building measures like travel and trade?
formal talks.
The potential for impact of "making the LOC irrelevant"
Very recently the Home Secretary Mr GK Pillai indi- is immense, in terms of human relations, economic ben-
cated Government of India's intentions of cutting efits and political symbolism.
the troop strength in Jammu and Kashmir by 25 per-
cent. He also said that decision on AFSPA is left with During your very first visit to Srinagar, your colleague
state government. Within no time there was a flurry Dilip Padgaonkar mentioned about importance of Pa-
of statements, from separatist and mainstream kistan as party to the issue. How do you look at the
circles, hailing the announcement by Home Secre- external dimension in terms of taking all parties on
tary. Dramatically, hours later on the same day, board and the role your group can play?
the Army Chief ruled out the need of troop cut. Next
day the Commander of Northern Command also sec- If Pakistan were to come on board a peace process, tack-
onded the thoughts of Army Chief. Don't you think ling cross-border militancy and picking up from where the
such things damage the confidence your group has back channel left off in 2006-7, it would be ideal. But it is
been trying to build up. difficult to see how Pakistan, with its current instabilities,
can be persuaded to do that. In any case, our mandate is
It is clear that we all have a lot to learn about consul- for Jammu and Kashmir and not for Pakistan.
The cyclic emotional eruption coupled with massive street neighbourhood, the need for maintaining a level of se-
violence which is countered by force leading to large num- curity presence is well appreciated but their relocation
ber of civilian killings in non-militant protests has one posi- from the civilian areas will help ease tensions. In this
tive and one negative. The positive can be seen in the connection a recent statement of the Home Secretary
context of keeping the gun away from scene of confronta- indicating 25 percent cut in troop strength sounds in-
tion with the State but the losses of life that negative as- spiring.
pect is bringing is not a bargain worth indulging in. In 2010
alone 112 persons were killed in the street violence. If this Third, it need to be understood that any inter-
is the pace with which human life is to be lost then the kind vention of third parties at any stage or in any manner
of tomorrow people are looking for might be bright enough. will bring more harm than any benefit. The global ex-
This third phase of conflict which Jammu and Kashmir is perience of third party intervention in conflict situa-
passing through has led to the hardening of stands where tions is already disappointing. Examples of Afghani-
people are looking at the processes like fair and honest stan and Iraq are live before us. There is an obsession
elections or other confidence building measures as irrel- among sections of Kashmiri leaders in inviting US role
evant options. Perhaps this is the time for a pause and in Kashmir. It may be marked here that between 2002
rethinking. and 2008 US was apparently distanced from the Kash-
It has been 63 years, three full scale wars, one limited
mir and engaged more into building strategic partner-
war and two decades of enormous sufferings in a low in-
ship with India and, therefore, it was during this pe-
tensity but high loss conflict. Official estimates put the
riod that New Delhi and Islamabad were able to take
loss of life in 20 years to 40,000 while separatists and civil
historic confidence building measures like border
rights activists say it is double that. Loss of life or a life
ceasefire and Cross-LoC bus service and trade.
being part of continuous theater of conflict can't be anyone's
passion. Instead of being a contributor to uncertainty and
vulnerability to greater dangers it is imperative upon all
Fourth, there is an urgent need of initiating a
stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir to support all those sustainable civil society dialogue between three regions
measures and processes which help in taking violence out of Jammu and Kashmir, on the Indian side. There are
of the conflict. There are options before the political class clearly different patterns of thinking, behaviors and
and the civil society to creatively stay engaged in conflict attitudes in three regions and there is no homogeneity
and the same time work together towards taking violence in their aspirations. In such a scenario, any solution or
out of it. option which imposes a majority will on the minority
or vice versa would be more dangerous than what has
What Next been seen so far.
Much water has flowed down the Chenab and Jhelum in 63 years but we are not any closer to reaching
a mutually acceptable formula for Jammu and Kashmir conflict. Past negotiations and dialogues have
often contributed to hardening of stands. However, one agreement between India and Pakistan - on
Cross-LoC interactions -has been widely hailed as a historic "Confidence Building Measure". The lim-
ited travel and trade across the Line of Control has not only withstood bitter tests of time but also
looks promising in terms of involvement of the key stakeholders, the members of the divided families.
As people in Jammu and Kashmir keenly look towards resumption of New Delhi-Islamabad dialogue
and also the process of internal interlocution that is currently going on, there is a huge pressure from the
traders and the members of the divided families for easing the Cross-LoC travel restrictions. Social
scientists, think-tanks and conflict resolution organisations strongly believe in Cross-LoC interactions
as an important means of building peace below the state and their potential to help alter key positions.
Conciliation Resources, a UK-based peace support service with global experience, is one such organisation
which is helping the Cross-LoC stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir to build constituencies of peace. In
this exclusive interview to Epilogue, JONATHAN COHEN the Director of Programmes tells us about
the CONCILIATION RESOURCES and its peace-building engagements in Jammu and Kashmir. Here
are excerpts:
Please tell us about the Concilia- driven by analysis undertaken jointly young people to better understand
tion Resources, its main objectives with our local partners. For example, the needs and fears of communities
and work experiences in different we work with local community and across divides. In all of our work we
parts of world? religious groups in Central Africa to believe very strongly in giving a voice
help them respond to the Lord's Re- to the people most directly affected
lenges that face their communities. issue of the personal connections economic cooperation can also fuel
It was important for us that in invit- between families that have been di- violent conflict if profits are used for
ing people we reached well across di- vided. While the personal contacts war, as was the case with blood dia-
vides in regional and professional must be hugely important for all fami- monds smuggled out of Sierra Leone
terms with a diverse group of inter- lies affected, perhaps most impor- or mineral extraction in the Demo-
locutors. This brought much richness tant is the question of whether trade cratic Republic of Congo. But there is
to the discussions. We are not the can indeed be a confidence building no doubt that economic cooperation
first to do this sort of work - the measure that gives people an incen- has tremendous potential to create
Pugwash Conferences, and the Cen- tive to believe that a non-violent fu- change. One can't take peacebuilding
tre for Dialogue and Reconciliation, ture can be built. outcomes for granted - increased
and WISCOMP (both in India) and oth- cross-border trade needs to extend
ers have been ploughing this furrow One of the most beyond economic activity if it is in-
for some time. We have been able to
benefit from their wisdom and hope-
striking things for deed going to address the needs of
peacebuilding. But there are good
fully contribute new dynamics and new me was when one examples of cases in which cross-bor-
opportunities. Perhaps one important
dynamic has been that we have given
trader involved in der cooperation has had a positive
impact. With the current tide of
colleagues opportunities not just to our research said change in Eqypt I am reminded of the
meet but to grapple with specific is- impact of joint Israeli-Egyptian Quali-
sues such as trade and education in
about the trade "I fied Industrial Zones that were estab-
collaborative ways so that they have suddenly realised lished in 2005. They provoked pro-
exchanged ideas and practial sugges- tests - not by Egyptians angry at col-
tions. Clearly what is important is it's not just a trade lusion with the enemy, rather by job-
that these conversations don't just venture but can be- less Egyptians who felt excluded from
happen across the LoC but within the the scheme. If people see tangible
respective communities as well - they come a tool for benefits they will often find ways to
do obviously happen but not always people-to-people work together. For eighteen years
in structured or consistent ways, and Georgians and Abkhaz have managed
not always detached from emotion. diplomacy" to sustain the operation of a hydro-
In building on previous efforts I hope electric power station that straddles
we have also been able to reach Can you bring us some examples of their divide - the dam is on the
some new and young people who have peace-building dividends of cross- Georigan side and the turbines on the
previously not had opportunities to border cooperation, like trade, Abkahz side - but both need the elec-
be involved. tourism etc, from other areas of tricity. However, the fact that the
the world? power station has kept operating
M
What attracted you to promoting uch work is being done in differ through thick and thin has sadly not
the idea of Cross-LoC trade? ent regions to examine the way helped the wider communities over-
nisms, establishing a common under- fectively the separate Chambers also people and the governments must
standing of the economy, fostering need to operate more effectively. look at?
trust and managing expectations,
highlighting the opportunity costs,
creating frameworks for effective
One of the most striking things for
me was when one trader involved in
our research said about the trade "I
A t the JAW in Bangkok we explored
whether or not scope exists to
promote cooperation across the LoC
governance of trade and increasing suddenly realised it's not just a trade in other fields and in particular that
predictability. Ultimately the divi- venture but can become a tool for of higher education. Participants felt
dends become more tangible when people-to-people diplomacy". I think that finding connections in this
people can see jobs being created. A there is a constituency that has a sphere, that is of widening intellec-
thread that runs though this is that stake working together and this could tual horizons, could reach across di-
sustainable peacebuilding seems to be an example to others. On its own vides - both the physical and geo-
come from incentives rather than the trade will not transform the situ- graphical divides that impact on the
threats. ation - there is no hiding from the region but also the intellectual and
fact that the overall situation has psychological divides and legacies
You have talked about a publica- become increasingly complex in the that have become so much a part of
tion on Cross-LoC trade, based on past couple of years - but it does cre- the recent history of the region. We
discussion papers? Could you please ate a positive dynamic that should be have been pleased to be able to fa-
tell us something about economic nurtured. cilitate contact between people
and peace potential of Cross-LoC closely involved in the higher educa-
trade and also how do you look at CR is an independent tion system and generation of ideas
its future? non-profit across the LoC. Their work together
1
UN resolution is on the lips of every
'freedom leader' but is there
an option for freedom ?
PROPOSAL 1
D
Plebiscite under UN oes UN resolution offer 'independence option' as Kashmiri freedom leaders
demand? This question is hypothetical in terms of ifs and buts. The
BRAINCHILD leaders of Kashmiri separatist movement, who are essentially opposed
to the idea of Kashmir being part of India, demand UN supervised plebiscite
AGL McNaughton to determine the political future of the troubled state. However, there are not
PERIOD: 1949-50 enough explanations from them whether UN resolution offers the Azadi op-
tion. After almost a decade after UN Secretary General himself said that UN
CONTOURS resolution is no more relevant in case of Kashmir, there is a growing under-
2
mission failed.
(b) Following this, General
Macnanghton of Canada, the then UN
DIXON PLAN
President, was authorised by the Se- One of over 60 different plans that
came up for resolution of Kash-
curity Council to informally seek a
mir at different points of time,
mutually satisfactory solution. His Dixon Plan is the most popular and
proposals for the demilitarisation is still being discussed. Research-
were unacceptable to India and Paki- PROPOSAL 2 ers say this was the only plan
stan. Hence, on 14 March 1950, the which had brought India and Paki-
UNCIP was dissolved and Sir Owen, a Plebiscite along regional lines stan closer to a resolution. The
judge from Australia was appointed Dixon Plan had assigned Ladakh
to India, the Northern Areas and
as the UN representative to seek the BRAINCHILD Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK)
UN objective of demilitarisation. He Owen Dixon to Pakistan, split Jammu between
suggested two plans including the di- the two, and envisaged a plebi-
vision of the state. The government
PERIOD: 1950
scite in the Kashmir Valley. Paki-
of India rejected both the proposals CONTOURS stan demurred at first, but
as these provided for the establish- agreed. It fell through because
Plebiscite in entire Jammu and Nehru did not accept the condi-
ment of an UN authority in the state.
Kashmir to determine region by tions in which the plebiscite could
(c) Thereafter, Dr. Frank Graham
was appointed as the UN representa-
region allocation to Pakistan or be held; precisely the issue on
India. Sir Owen Dixon proposed which the United Nations Commis-
tive by a UN resolution (30 March sion for India and Pakistan (UNCIP)
1951) to bring about demilitarisation. to trifurcate the State in 1950. and Graham failed. They, because
Five rounds of discussions followed He suggested that the state be of their ineptness; Dixon because
(Sept. 1951 - Feb. 1953). Dr. Graham divided into three zones and he lost patience
3
had suggested the reduction of Paki- plebiscites be conducted sepa-
stani troops in Pakistan Occupied rately for the three zones. The
Kashimr (PoK) to 6000 and that of the three zones were to be 1) Kash-
Indian troops to 21000 in J&K. The mir valley plus the Muslim areas
proposal fell through because of op-
of Jammu - Poonch, Rajouri and
position from Pakistan.
(d) The UN later authorised
Doda. Moreover, Kargil would
Gunnar Jarring, the then UN Presi- form part of the Valley. 2)
dent, to visit India and Pakistan to Jammu with the remaining dis-
seek demilitarisation. He visited In- trict of Ladakh. 3) Pakistan con- PROPOSAL 3
dia and Pakistan (14 March - 11 April trolled Kashmir plus the North- Partition-plebiscite
1957). He later reported the failure ern Areas.
of the visit to the UN. The U.N in- BRAINCHILD
volvement in the Kashmir Conflict Owen Dixon
largely lasted for 17 years (1948- PERIOD: 1950
65).After the Indo-Pak war of 1965, CONTOURS
the U.N engagement with Kashmir
continued at a very nominal level till
the 3rd Pakistan-India war of 1971
P artition between Indian and Pakistan, Except for Kashmir
Valley;valley decision through United Nations administered
Plebiscite.
and completely ended with the sign-
Sir Owen Dixon (1886 - 1972) Australian judge and
ing of the Simla Agreement in 1972,
diplomat, was the sixth Chief Justice of Australia. A
an Indo-Pak peace agreement, which
justice of the High Court for thirty-five years, Dixon
laid emphasis on adopting a bilateral
was one of the leading jurists in the English-speaking
framework to solve the Kashmir im-
world[1] and is widely regarded as Australia's greatest
broglio and kept the U.N out of the
ever jurist. On May 27, 1950, Dixon was invited by
picture afterwards. During the
the United Nations to act as their official mediator
course of its engagement with the
between the governments of India and Pakistan over
Kashmir Conflict, spanning 23 years
the disputed territory of Kashmir. His role was to con-
(1948-1971), the U.N passed a num-
tinue conciliation talks between the two nations in the
ber of resolutions, which were aimed
lead up to a proposed plebiscite to be put to the resi-
at mediation and resolution of the
dents of Kashmir. His role as mediator ended in Octo-
conflict. Between 1948 and 1971, the
ber 1950, although he had left India in September frustrated with what he
U.N Security Council passed 23 reso-
saw as an inability of the respective governments to negotiate.
lutions on Kashmir Conflict
4
PROPOSAL 4
Plebiscite
BRAINCHILD
Jeseph Korbel
PERIOD: 1954
5
PROPOSAL 5
CONTOURS
Territorial status-quo-
demilitarisation
BRAINCHILD
John Galbraith
PERIOD: 1961
CONTOURS
7
PLANS THAT NEVER WORKED
6
PROPOSAL 6
Adjustment of LoC as international border
PROPOSAL 7
CONTOURS
Chenab formula
BRAINCHILD
Pakistan
PERIOD: 1962-63
BRAINCHILD
India
PERIOD: 1962-63
T his formula could have been a repeat of the reli
gion based partition and fulfillment of the ulti-
mate goal of the two-nation theory. The Chenab
CONTOURS formula envisaged partition of Jammu and Kashmir
A djustment of Line of Control as per
manent international border between
along the Chenab River, Pakistan willing to give up
the remote region of Ladakh in India's favour and
India and Pakistan allowing both countries some Hindu majority areas of Jammu staying with
to hold control of the parts of Kashmir, India.
de facto and de jure, as per possession
of the territory on the day.
8
PROPOSAL 8
CONTOURS
Partition along communal
lines in Jammu
BRAINCHILD
Pakistan
PERIOD: 1963
9
PROPOSAL 9
CONTOURS
Partition through
Valley
BRAINCHILD
United States
PERRIOD: 1963
10
PROPOSAL 10
CONTOURS
Trieste-like arrangement
BRAINCHILD
A product of Pakistan-India
Negotiations
PERIOD: 1964
11
Dr. Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema was born at Sialkot and was initially edu-
cated at Sialkot, later on he moved to Government College, Lahore
where he completed his Master's in History. Till July 1995 Dr. Cheema
was working as a Professor of International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam
University, Islamabad, Pakistan and in July 1995 he started working
for the Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan in the capacity
of a Director General, Academy of Educational Planning and Manage-
PROPOSAL 11 ment. From November 1996 to September 2000 Dr.Cheema worked as
Partition-Trusteeship-plebiscite a Professorial Iqbal Fellow at South Asia Institute, Heidelberg Univer-
sity, Germany. During his 19 years stay at Quaid-i-Azam University;
BRAINCHILD Dr. Cheema served as the Chairman of International Relation's Depart-
Parvez Iqbal Cheema ment as well as Defence and Strategic Studies Department for more
PERIOD: 1986 than 14 years. From Oct.2000, Dr. Cheema worked for Islamabad
Policy Research Institute as its President. Since Feb. 2009 Dr. Cheema
CONTOURS
has been working in the National Defense University as a Dean,
Pand
akistan Kashmir and Gilgit
Baltistan incorporated into
Faculty of Contemporary Studies, Islamabad. Dr. Cheema is also a
scholar of international repute. His articles have regularly appeared
Pakistan and Jammu and Ladakh both in National as well as International Academic Journals, Popular
in to India; Kashmir valley placed Magazines and daily Newspapers. He has published more than 120
under UN Trusteeship for at least research articles and over 600 other general articles/columns etc. In
a decade; subsequently, Plebiscite addition, Dr. Cheema has authored many books and monographs
in valley. including the following;
12 BRAINCHILD
Demographic maneuvers
CONTOURS
13
PROPOSAL 13
Sovereignty Association
BRAINCHILD
Ayesha Jalal
PERIOD: 1990
CONTOURS
E ntire Jammu and Kashmir part of India;
massive Hindu and Sikh immigration to T wo state referendum ; in Indian Kashmir
with two options: status quo or indepen-
Indian Kashmir to convert the state into a dence in Pakistan Kashmir with two options;
Muslim minority area. unite with the rest of Jammu Kashmir on the
14
basis of sovereignty association or remain with
Pakistan; Jammu and Ladakh can opt to join
India; Pakistan and India to minimize military
Autonomy-Trieste-like presence.
arrangement Ayesha Jalal is a Pa-
BRAINCHILD kistani-American so-
Selig Harrison ciologist and histo-
rian. She is a profes-
PROPOSAL 14 PERIOD: 1992 sor of history at Tufts
University and a 1998
CONTOURS MacArthur Fellow.
J ammu and Ladakh go to India ; Gilgit
andBaltistan to Pakistan; Kashmir valley
The bulk of her work
deals with the cre-
along with Sizable Muslim pockets' in ation of Muslim iden-
Jammu and Ladakh get autonomy as does tities in modern South
Pakistani Kashmir; LOC becomes interna- Asia. She is the
tional border ; Pakistan Kashmir and the daughter of Hamid
'new state' to have soft borders; demilita- Jalal, a niece of the
rization of Jammu Kashmir under UN su- famous Urdu fiction
pervision. writer Saadat Hasan
Manto and a civil ser-
Selig Seidenman Harrison (born March 19, 1927 in vant. Jalal is among
Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania) is is a scholar, journalist, the most prominent
and author who specializes in South Asia and East Asia. American academics who writes on the history of India and
He is the Director of the Asia Program and a senior Pakistan. Her innovative scholarship has led to frequent
fellow at the Center for International Policy, and a se- criticisms by both Pakistani and Indian establishment schol-
nior scholar of the Woodrow Wilson International Cen- ars. Her most prominent works are on the role of Muhammad
ter for Scholars. He has written five books on Asian Ali Jinnah and the partition of India. She argues that the
affairs and U.S. relations with Asia. His latest book, 1947 partition of India-the event that opened the door for
Korean Endgame: A Strategy for Reunification and U.S. the creation of Pakistan-was an accident, a colossal mis-
Disengagement (Princeton University Press), won the calculation. What's more, she says that Jinnah never wanted
2002 award of the Association of American Publishers a separate Muslim state; he was only using the threat of
for the best Professional/Scholarly Book in Government independence as a political bargaining chip to strengthen
and Political Science. the voice of the Muslim minority in the soon-to-be sover-
His outspoken, constructive criticisms of Adminis- eign India.
tration policies often appear on Op-Ed pages of many Conversely, she lays a greater share of the blame for parti-
major newspapers, including The Washington Post, The tion on the Indian National Congress and leaders like
New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, The Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel, who saw partition as a
Los Angeles Times and The Financial Times. He is cur- way of eliminating its main competition and leaving it the
rently a member of the Afghanistan Study Group.
dominant player in a centralised state
15 Confederation of
autonomous states
BRIANCHILD
Raju Thomas
PROPOSAL 15 PERIOD: 1992
CONTOURS
17 Maximum autonomy
to Jammu-Kashmir
BRAINCHILD
AG Noorani
PROPOSAL 17 PERIOD 1992
CONTOURS
18
(7) share control with Pakistan,
(8) foster a subcontinent of several states, and
(9) promote a decentralized confederation of subcontinen-
tal states.
16
CONTOURS
Autonomy-de facto parti-
tion
BRAINCHILD
Jagat S. Mehta
PROPOSAL 16 PERIOD: 1992
PROPOSAL 18
South Asia House
(Joint Pakistan-India control)
BRAINCHILD
Asia Society
PERIOD: 1992
D emilitarized of Line of Control up to 5-10
miles on both sides; in creased autonomy
CONTOURS
for Indian Kashmir; elections held simulta-
neously in Pakistan and Indian Kashmir, the two state gov-
ernment allowed to maintain regular contact.
L ine of Control converted
intointernational border,
Jagat Singh Mehta is a former foreign secretary of India. A career diplomat
India to give up special status
(1947-1980) he was foreign secretary from 1976 to 1979. He was Chargé to its part of Jammu-Kashmir
d'affaires China (1963-1966) and High Commissioner to Tanzania (1970-1974). ,; both parts jointly managed
He was Associate at Harvard (1969 and 1980) and Fellow at Woodrow Wilson by Pakistan and India; inter-
Center, Washington, D.C., 1981. His publications include: Militarization in
the Third World (1985); The March of Folly in Afghanistan (2002); and Nego-
national actors help bring the
tiating for India (2006). He received the Padma Bhushan award in 2002. two countries to agreement
.
19 20
PROPOSAL 19
Fourth Alternative
PROPOSAL 20
CONTOURS
Autonomy, co-federalism
BRAINCHILD
BG Verghese
PERIOD: 1993
BRAINCHILD
Bhawani Sen Gupta
PERIOD: 1993
L ine of Control becomes international border; India to grant
maximuma utonomy to Indian Kashmir; new demilitarized
soft border. Verghese is also in favour of the restoration of
pre-1952 constitutional position in Kashmir. According to
CONTOURS him, Kashmir should be free to manage all affairs except
I n Hindustan Times February
5,1993, Bhawani Sen Gupta
foreign affairs, defence and communications. The Line of
Actual Control is to be treated as international border. This
floated the idea of fourth al- border should be made soft so that Kashmiris carry out trade
ternative. According to him, and other cultural activities freely.
this is the concept of the
State of undivided Jammu
B G Verghese is a veteran
and Kashmir which will not columnist and journalist.
be sovereign and free. But it He was former Editor of
will be independent in its in- Hindustan Times and Indian
ternal affairs and it is pos- Express. He is also an au-
sible that it will be free to thor and visiting professor,
establish financial connec- Centre for Policy Research,
tions with outside world. It New Delhi. Verghese started
will have no independent for- his journalistic career in
eign policy. Its security can The Times of India. He was
information adviser to
be guaranteed by India and
former Prime Minister
Pakistan jointly or separately Indira Ghandhi during the period 1966-69. His autobiography "First Draft:
or through an agreement Witness to Making of Modern India" published in October 2010. He received
reached between India and Ramon Magsaysay award for his outstanding contribution to journalism, in
Pakistan. 1975.
21
CONTOURS
International mediation on Kashmir by the united states with the
objective of demilitarization, pacification and peacekeeping along
the Line of Control, Joint India-Pakistan patrolling of the boundary.
22
CONTOURS
Partition, formation of
Kashmir Autonomous
R eferendum in Jammu-Kashmir followed by
autonomy for all or part of the state ; bor-
der rationalized by crafting it along the moun-
Region tain crests in Jammu-Kashmir ; subsequently ,
BRAINCHILD referendum with choices of incorporation into
Joseph Schwartzberg India or joining a 'Kashmiri Autonomous Region'
PROPOSAL 22 PERIOD: 1995 (KAR) for India Kashmir, and incorporation into
Pakistan or joining KAR for Pakistan Kashmir,
soft border for KAR with Pakistan and India;
23
CONTOURS
P artition along a renegotiated boundary; Pakistan gets all Muslim
majorityareas; Jammu and Ladakh go to India; involve China in
negotiations.
A leading Pakistani academician, Saeed Shafqat holds an MA in South
Asian Studies and Ph.D. (Political Science) from University of Pennsyl-
vania, Philadelphia. He is a founder member and former Chairman of
PROPOSAL 23 the Department of Pakistan Studies established in 1973 at the Quaid-
Partition along i-Azam University, Islamabad. He has served as Chief Instructor and
communal lines Warden (1988-2001), Pakistan Civil Services Academy, Lahore. Over
this period, he imparted instruction and training to over 1,500 under
BRAINCHILD training officers (federal civil servants) who are now serving in different branches of
Saeed Shafqat government all over Pakistan. He has been President (1990), Institute of Regional Studies
Islamabad (and retains the distinction of being the only academic/professional to head
PERIOD: 1995
that research organization). His research articles on culture, politics, security and various
aspects of public policy, governance and civil service reform on Pakistan have been pub-
lished in journals of international repute. His books include: Political System of Pakistan
and Public Policy (1989) Civil- Military Relations in Pakistan (1997), Contemporary Issues
in Pakistan Studies (2000, 3rd edition). New Perspectives on Pakistan: Visions for the
Future (Karachi: Oxford University Press, 2007)
24
PROPOSAL 24
CONTOURS
Indus Water Treaty model
(division along river basins)
BRAINCHILD
Mushtaq-Ur-Rahman
PERIOD: 1996
P artition along river basins; Kashmir Valley and 'same eastern areas' become part of Pakistan; parts of Jammu
and Ladakh become India' bilateral negotiations to settle the issue of Muslim majority areas on Chenab basin;
involve international community in finalizing partition
25 26
CONTOURS
S tep-wise approach leading to par
tition along a modified Line of
Control; bilateral negotiations on
other contentions issues; Pakistan to
withdraw support for the insurgency
in Jammu and Kashmir; New Delhi
PROPOSAL 25 to provide autonomy for Jammu and PROPOSAL 26
Partition-autonomy Kashmir and amnesty to insurgents. Livingston Proposal
for Kashmir
BRAINCHILD BRAINCHILD
Summit Ganguly Kashmir Study Group
PERIOD: 1997 PERIOD: 1998
27
former princely State of Jammu and
Kashmir that would have their own
CONTOURS secular, democratic constitution(s),
The JKLF has proposed the for- as well as their own citizenship,
mation of an eleven member Plebsicite- flag(s), and legislature(s). The
International Kashmir Commit- independence legislature(s) would act on all mat-
tee (IKC) consisting of one rep- ters other than defense and foreign
resentative each from the affairs. India and Pakistan would be
BRAINCHILD jointly responsible for the defense
U.N., United States, Russia, JKLF of Kashmir, which would itself
France, Britain, China, Ger- PROPOSAL 27 PERIOD: 1998 maintain police forces for internal
many, Japan, and the Organi- law and order. India and Pakistan
zation of Islamic Conference, mir followed by a secular, would be expected to work out fi-
and two representatives from democratic constitution with nancial arrangements for the new
the Nonaligned Movement. representation from Kashmir, Kashmiri entity or entities. One of
This committee will oversee a the main elements of the proposed
Jammu, Ladakh, Pakistani dispensation involves the ability of
Kashmir settlement in five Kashmir and the Northern Ter- the Kashmir region to have liberal
phases, beginning with ritories, and access to and from both India and
(1) the formulation of an (5) a U.N.-supervised referen- Pakistan for the transit of people,
agreement, dum 15 years later where the goods, and services.
(2) the withdrawal of Indian, residents of the state will de-
Pakistani and foreign militant cide on whether to join India, This proposal is called so be-
forces from the entire state, Pakistan or remain indepen- cause this was drafted and dis-
(3) the demilitarization of all dent. cussed at Livingston, New
Kashmiri militants, The proposal is clearly loaded York, estate of Kashmiri busi-
(4) the opening of all roads be- in favor of the independence nessman Farooq Kathwari
tween the two halves of Kash- option.
28
CONTOURS
S emi-sovereign status for Jammu-Kashmir, managed jointly by India and
Pakistan but their rule is limited to defence, foreign affairs and communi-
cations; Kashmiris residents get dual citizenship.
BACKGROUND
Andorra is a princely state located on the border between France and Spain and it
was claimed by both Spain and France. In 1993, the two countries reached an
agreement and gave Andhora an independent constitution and gave them au-
PROPOSAL 28 tonomy bordering on complete freedom - Andorra adopted Parliamentary democ-
racy, but retains the titular heads of state nominated by France and Spain.
Andorra-Like Solution Under the Andorra Proposal, Kashmir Valley would become a principality with for-
eign policy, defence and financial support shared by India and Pakistan. The An-
BRAINCHILD dorra proposal would result in the Kashmir Valley - including Pakistan-occupied
Kashmir - dominated by Muslims, being carved out into a principality with its own
Fazal Haq Qureshi Parliament. However, India and Pakistan would have nominated representatives. It
PERIOD: 2000 would have open borders. It would also involve the tripartite partition of Jammu &
Kashmir According to some experts, such an agreement was almost finalized in
1964 negotiations between President Ayub Khan and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
A patriarch of jihadist movement in Jammu and Kashmir, Fazal Haq Qureshi became a key
peace aficionado in 2009 when he got the moderate Hurriyat conference into secret talks
with New Delhi following Home Minister P Chidambaram's offer of quiet diplomacy. How-
ever, later same year he was shot at in the skull by unidentified assailants and left seri-
ously injured.
Born in 1944 to a Srinagar cleric, Qureshi grew up in old-city Srinagar - the central site of
the fierce contestation between Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's Left-influenced, pro-peas-
ant National Conference and the Islamist-leaning urban petty-bourgeoisie which shaped
post-independence Jammu and Kashmir politics.
Qureshi was one among the three members of the Students and Youth League who laid the
foundations of the jihadist movement in Jammu and Kashmir in 1964. In 1987, inflamed
by electoral malpractices which denied the opposition Muslim United Front a share in
power, Qureshi decided to form a new armed organisation. He was arrested in 1989, but
his old friend Abdul Majid Dar went on to secure Pakistani support for the idea. Dar later
co-founded the Tehrik-e-Jihad Islami, which in 1991 merged into the Hizb ul-Mujahideen.
29 30
PROPOSAL 29
Referendum sum election
PROPOSAL 30
Referendum-separate autonomy
BRAINCHILD BRAINCHILD
Kashmir Records and John Dorschner
Research Council PERIOD: 2002
PERIOD: 2001
CONTOURS
U ndertake variety of 'soft' mea CONTOURS
sures to being normalcy to re-
gion; this will be followed by pro-
cess for formulating an all-Kashmir
A two-year period of ceasefire, demilitarization, soft-borders and au
tonomy on both sides followed by internationally administered ref-
erendum; all negotiations to involve Kashmiri representation
parliament which will determine
region's future.
31
CONTOURS
M aximum autonomy for Indian and Pakistani Kashmir without a formal parti
tions; soft borders between the two Kashmirs; negotiation to include
Kashmiris and post-agreement, ratification by Indian and Pakistani parliaments
and a referendum on both sides of the LOC.
BACKGROUND
The Good Friday Agreement - also known as the Belfast Agree-
PROPOSAL 31 ment and occasionally as the Stormont Agreement - was a
major political development in the Northern Ireland peace pro-
Good Friday agreement cess. It established the Northern Ireland Assembly with de-
volved legislative powers and marked a de-escalation of vio-
lence in The Troubles. It was signed in Belfast on 10 April 1998
BRAINCHILD (Good Friday) by the British and Irish governments and en-
Sumantra Bose dorsed by most Northern Ireland political parties. On 23 May
PERIOD: 2003 1998 the Agreement was endorsed by the voters of Northern
Ireland in a referendum. On the same day, voters in the Re-
public of Ireland voted separately to change their constitution in line with the Agree-
ment. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was the only large party that opposed the
Agreement. The Agreement came into force on 2 December 1999.
Sumantra Bose is Professor of International and Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics. He specialises
in the study of ethnic and national conflicts and their management, with a particular focus on the Indian subcontinent
(especially Kashmir) and the former Yugoslavia (in particular Bosnia and Herzegovina). His publications include States,
Nations, Sovereignty: Sri Lanka, India and the Tamil Eelam Movement (Sage, 1994), Bosnia after Dayton: Nationalist
Partition and International Intervention (Oxford University Press, 2002), Kashmir: The Roots of Conflict, Paths to
Peace (Harvard University Press, 2003) and Contested Lands: War and Peace in Israel-Palestine, Kashmir, Bosnia,
Cyprus and Sri Landa (Harvard University Press, 2007).
32
CONTOURS
P akistani Kashmir and Northern Areas to Pakistan and Jammu and Ladakh
to India; Kashmir Valley given maximum autonomy on all matters ex-
cept defence, foreign affairs and currency.
33PROPOSAL 33
Sovereign, autonomous
Jammu-Kashmir CONTOURS
BRAINCHILD
Ved Bhasin A utonomy sovereign, democratic, federal and demilitarized. Jammu-Kash
mir; state's security guaranteed jointly by India and Pakistan via a joint
council of representatives from Pakistan, India and Kashmir.
PERIOD: 2004
34PROPOSAL 34
CONTOURS
Autonomy-soft border
BRAINCHILD
Prem Shankar Jha
PERIOD: 2004
M aximum functional autonomy for Indian and Pakistani Kashmir with soft borders between them; elected
representatives from both Kashmirs decide if they want to set up a common consultative council to co-
ordinate policy on specific subjects.
Prem Shankar Jha (born 1938) is the Managing Editor of Financial World, the soon to be
launched business daily from Tehelka. He is also a columnist with Tehelka magazine. In 1961,
he joined the United Nations where he spent five years in the United Nations Development
Programme UNDP. He spent two years in New York as a special assistant to the managing
director of the Special Fund Mr. Paul G. Hoffman who was the first administrator of the UNDP.
The remaining three were spent in Damascus, Syria. In 1966 Jha joined the Hindustan Times
as an assistant editor, in 1969 he moved to the Times of India, where he was the deputy
editor of The Economic Times. He then joined the Financial Express as its editor before
moving back to the Times of India in 1981 as its economic editor. In 1986 he re-joined the
Hindustan Times as its editor. The World Bank appointed him as a consultant in 1978 to
prepare a report on the public sector in India. In 1977 the Asia and Pacific Development
Administration Centre of the UN in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia gave him the project of preparing a manual for use by public
sector managers for operation and evaluation of projects. Jha was a member of the Indian National Commission for
UNESCO in 1975-1977 and in 1976 he was a delegate to the 63rd Session of the Indian Science Congress Association,
Waltaire. In 1990 he has served as the information advisor to the Prime Minister of India. He has written nine books and
two of them are Kashmir 1947: Rival versions of History and Kashmir 1947: the Origins of a dispute
35
PROPOSAL 35
Self-Rule
CONTOURS
P akistan and India concede and de
militarize areas of Jammu-Kash-
mir no longer truly disputed; remain-
ing regions put under joint supervi-
BRAINCHILD sion of both countries with maxi-
Parvez Musharraf mum autonomy or self-rule; ensure
PERIOD: 2004 soft borders.
36
CONTOURS
C omplete autonomy to Indian and Pakistan under their respective controls;
India and Pakistan to retain control of the currency, defence, election pro-
cess and judicial systems, LOC while still demarcating territorial control to be-
come open border.
BACKGROUND
(A report in Indiadaily.com by S Chadda appearing on November 20, 2004 out-
PROPOSAL 36 lines Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's proposal for Kashmir)
No-borders-autonomy
Manmohan Singh finally came out with India's proposed and acceptable Kash-
BRAINCHILD mir solution. India will provide autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. It will also
Manmohan Singh require that Pakistan provide the same on Pakistan occupied Kashmir. There
PERIOD: 2004 will be no "border" between the east (Pakistan) Kashmir and west (India)
Kashmir. India will hold authority over currency, defense, election process and
judicial system. The Kashmir Government will manage the rest. Same
reciprocation will be required from Pakistan on eastern Kashmir.
While rejecting Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's recent formula on
Kashmir, India has proposed a "self rule" and "open borders" to both parts
of Jammu and Kashmir. The proposal put forward here unofficially by the
Prime Ministers Office (PMO) has set a flurry of activity within the gov-
ernment. Officials here on Friday were busy dusting off the ''Kashmir
Autonomy Report'', passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in June
2000, but later out rightly rejected by the previous Atal Bihari Vajpayee
government.
"Dr Manmohan Singh is in a fast mode of firming up his own Kashmir
solution to counter the Musharraf formula with maximum autonomy to the
people of Jammu and Kashmir and an eventual "borderless" Kashmir by
pressurizing Pakistan to give similar autonomy in their part of Kashmir,"
sources in the PMO here said. Also China will be made to come around to Quoting the PM, the sources said:
revive silk routes between Kashmir, Tibet and Xinjiang that could gener- "India believes that there should
ate prosperity in the region. Soruces in the PMO further said, Dr be a free flow of ideas, people and
Manmohan Singh wants to bank on the same report for giving greater trade between the two parts of
autonomy to the state that was adopted by the Jammu and Kashmir Kashmir. In this increasingly
Assembly during the chief ministership of Dr. Farooq Abdullah but rejected borderless world, a day may also
by the NDA government as not in national interest despite his National come in Kashmir when borders
Conference being its partner. would not matter. It would be then
During his visit to Delhi on November 23, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat immaterial where the Kashmiris
Aziz is supposed to officially convey the proposals floated by President
live."
Pervez Musharraf through the media. Dr Manmohan Singh has, however,
foreclosed any consideration of such proposals by asserting that there The Congress on Friday hailed
would be no redrawing of the international boundaries or realignment of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh
regions that smacks of communal dimensions. Sources said, Dr Manmohan for asserting India's unwavering
Singh may give his counter proposals to Aziz for both sides moving fast to stand on its territorial integrity
give maximum autonomy to the people living on two sides of the Line of during his two-day visit to Jammu
Control (LoC) and India will then proceed to start the process of autonomy and Kashmir by rejecting the so-
in Jammu and Kashmir to build pressure on Pakistan to follow suit. called Musharraf formula to resolve
India has the benefit of the autonomy report prepared by the Kashmiri the Kashmir issue. Party spokes-
experts and adopted by the state assembly to move fast in this direction, man Abhishek Singhavi told report-
the sources pointed out. They said it is not necessary for New Delhi to ers at the AICC Press briefing that
agree on everything in the report but it will be the basis for starting a Dr Manmohan Singh has made
process of political discussion. India is keen that the Supreme Court, the
sincere efforts to impart fresh
Election Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
continue to have jurisdiction over Jammu and Kashmir. Once the PM gets impetus to Kashmir with an open
an analysis of the autonomy report he has ordered to be prepared expedi- invite to all for a dialogue to rerail
tiously, he will start discussions with those within the political system- the state on the path of growth
both in the government and in the opposition in Jammu and Kashmir- and prosperity. While the PM was
while keeping doors open also for others who want to contribute in bring- engaged in constructive and
ing a new "aman" (peace) to the people of the state, the sources said. sincere exercise, the Uma Bharti
They said the PM may even go to the extent of ushering in the pre-1953 episode overshadowing the BJP
autonomy, where New Delhi had powers limited to foreign affairs, defense whole of the week provided the
and currency. "If it dilutes and ends the anti-India attitude of the contrast of comic and hypocritical
Kashmiris, New Delhi is ready to re-limit its role to these three areas stance, Singhavi said. "In place of
besides jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, Election Commission and the flip-flop-flip by the previous
Comptroller and Auditor-General in the state," the source said. regime on India-Pakistan relations,
The PM's disgust at the Hurriyat Conference leaders showing no courtesy
the unequivocal stand of the PM
to come forward to meet even when he traveled all the way to their land
was conveyed to the media accompanying him in no uncertain terms, shows where India stands,"
dubbing the Hurriyat leaders as "small men thrown into big chairs." Singhavi said. The economic
Pointing out that these leaders have no more sway except in own local package of Rs 24,000 crores
areas, the sources asserted that they cannot be allowed any longer to be announced by the PM for J&K is
even seen as dictating to the Prime Minister of India. The same Hurriyat moulded by schemes with lasting
leaders who refused to meet Manmohan Singh are to line up in Delhi on infrastructure that guarantees
November 23 on an invite from the Pakistan High Commissioner in Delhi growth of the state instead of the
for a luncheon with the Pakistan Prime Minister and that itself shows ad hoc handouts bordering on
these leaders should be better treated with the contempt they deserve, charity by the previous government
the sources said. at the Centre, Singhavi added.
37
PROPOSAL 37
Autonomy-partition
CONTOURS
F ull autonomy to a partitioned Jammu-Kash
mir, a soft LOC , with minimum changes be-
comes the international border; state represen-
BRAINCHILD
tatives of Pakistani and Indian Kashmir manage
Kuldip Nayyar all affairs except defence, foreign affairs and
PERIOD: 2004 communications.
38
PROPOSAL 38
Autonomy-partition
BRAINCHILD
Verghese Koithara
PERIOD: 2004
CONTOURS
L OC declared international border with minimal alternations; border remains soft; maximum autonomy with
devolution of government on both sides; greatly reduced military presence; low-level mediations role for the
United States.
39
PROPOSAL 39
Separate autonomy-joint body
BRAINCHILD
CONTOURS
40
CONTOURS
R eunified Jammu-Kashmir with maximum autonomy for both sides; a state-
wide referendum to ratify level of autonomy; demilitarization except for
strategically important external borders; joint India-Pakistan control over
issues of vital national interest.
41
extensively on social, economic and political subjects
CONTOURS
A utonomy for the entire state; Pakistan's Northern Areas and territory under
Chinese control remains with the respective countries; demilitarization of
troubled areas; self -government to Kashmir's; a tripartite supra body having
representatives from Pakistan, India and Kashmir to oversee the functioning of a
self-governed Jammu-Kashmir.
PROPOSAL 41 BACKGROUND
Four-Point Formula Pakistan's ruler Pervez Musharraf all along his tenure talked about creative
proposals on Kashmir. It was during his regime that Pakistan indicated irrel-
BRAINCHILD evance of UN resolution and offered to broad-base dialogue with India. 2004
onwards Musharraf started talking about a 'self governance' or 'four-point
PERVEZ MUSHARRAF formula'. However, it was only in December 2006 that he spelled out his for-
PERIOD: 2006 mula which was widely welcomed in India, some sections of Pakistan and in
Kashmir for the purpose of discussions. It was also first time that Pakistani
The four point proposal: publicly said to give up its claim to Kashmir. In an interview to Indian news
channel NDTV ON December 4, 2006 Pervez Musharraf spelled out a four-point
plan for Kashmir that rejected demands for independence. Giving a cold
• phased withdrawal of troops response to Musharraf's suggestions to resolve the Kashmir issue the Indian
• local self-governance government, however, said that it was committed to peace and removal of
• no changes in the borders of Kash distrust but not in favour of redrawing of boundaries. Musharraf's four-point
mir solution included phased withdrawal of troops; local self-governance; no
changes in the borders of Kashmir; and a joint supervision mechanism in
• a joint supervision mechanism in Jammu and Kashmir involving India, Pakistan and Kashmir. Musharraf also
Jammu and Kashmir involving In said he was opposed to independence for Kashmir, but both India and Pakistan
dia, Pakistan and Kashmir. will have to compromise.
42
CONTOURS
S overeignty for Jammu-Kashmir; New Delhi and Islamabad demilitarize their re
spective parts; formal relationship between Pakistan and Indian Kashmir; and
India and Pakistani Kashmir, the tow Kasshmirs have an economic union, joint im-
migration control, joint control over natural resources and additional sector-spe-
cific co-operation.
42
S elf-rule for all of Jammu-Kashmir;
soft border but no partition or al
tering of the Line of Control;
Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir Valley
form their own local assemblies;
power-sharing arrangement be-
tween Indian and Pakistani Kashmir
through a regional council includ-
ing legislators from both sides. Po-
litical restructuring, economic inte-
PROPOSAL 43 gration between the two parts of
Self-Rule Framework Kashmir, demilitarisation and con-
stitutional restructuring within the
Indian Constitution are the high-
lights of the self rule formula which
BRAINCHILD was floated by the Peoples Demo-
Peoples Democratic Party cratic Party in 2006 and the vision
document was formally unveiled on
PERIOD: 2006 onwards October 26, 2008. The self-rule
document was firm on making Ar-
ticle 356 (imposition of President's Rule) non-applicable to Jammu and
Kashmir, for which a separate constitution and its special status under
Article 370 formed the basis. The Governor should be elected and ro-
tated between Jammu and Srinagar. The PDP termed the economic aspect
the critical element of self-rule. Economic integration across the LoC was
paramount. For the process of integration, establishing a common eco-
nomic space, instituting a dual currency system, harmonisation of eco-
nomic legislation and synergistic regulations were important ingredients
44
CONTOURS
Constituency for peace developed through economic integration between
India and Pakistani Kashmir; 10-year economic development plan leading
to free movement of people and tariff-free trade of Kashmiri goods across
Pakistan, India and Jammu-Kashmir. The new opportunities explored in
his reported written with support from United States Institute of Peace
involve moving along three fronts simultaneously. First, India should grant
autonomy to the state well beyond that promised in Article 370 of its
Constitution. Second, India and Pakistan should allow the free movement
PROPOSAL 44 of people, goods, and commodities between Pakistan and the part of Kash-
mir India occupies. The most appropriate way of achieving this would be
Economics replacing politics in the context of the South Asia Free Trade Area, which, having become
operational on January 1, 2006, is likely to evolve in terms of its scope
BRAINCHILD and geographic coverage. Third, India and
Shahid Javed Burki, USIP Pakistan should become partners, so that
they-along with a community of interna-
PERIOD: 2007 tional and bilateral donors-might consider
launching a massive program of economic
development and reconstruction on both
sides of the border. Although the program
suggested in this study would cost $20
billion over a ten-year period, it would
roughly double the state's gross domestic
product growth rate to 9.5 percent a year,
significantly reduce the pool of poverty,
and better integrate the economies of the
two parts of the state with Pakistan and
northern India, respectively. This, in turn,
would set the stage for the ultimate reso-
lution of this long-standing conflict
A Pakistani economist, Shahid Javed Burki is a former vice president of the World
Bank, where he worked from to 1999. He also served as finance minister of Paki-
stan in 1996-97. In 2004 he was at Woodrow Wilson Center for International Schol-
ars, where he began work on his latest Historical Dictionary of Pakistan, which was
published by Scarecrow Press in 2006
I
ndia and Central Asian countries Persia to India in search of better op- had taken shelter at Multan, he at-
maintained diplomatic and com portunities. It is known that the tacked Multan and Lahore and cap-
mercial contacts with each other Sufism emerged as one of the most tured them. But because of the hot
from ancient period. Both the Cen- popular social trends of India during climate of Punjab the Mangols had to
tral Asian and Indian cultures influ- the medieval period. Most of the Sufi go back to their mountainous region.
enced each other from time to time. Silsilas, established in India, be- During the 13th and 14th cen-
The Central Asians came to India as longed to Central Asia and Persia. The turies the Mangol leaders of Central
rulers or conquerors, soldiers, mer- occurrence of the socio-political cri- Asia, from Changiz Khan to Timur,
chants, sufis, artisans craftsmen and sis in Central Asia and Persia during invaded north west frontier of India
musicians etc. India always remained the 12th and 13th centuries, caused frequently. Virtually Punjab region be-
a favourable country to them in terms by the Guzz and Mangol invasions, came a source of the income of the
of territorial aggrandisement and cul- made devastating impact on the Mangols in terms of plundering. Be-
tural exchange. The Kushans who socio-economic life of the people of cause of the Mangol menace people
ruled many parts of India for a sub- these regions; a large number of of many villages of Punjab migrated
stantial period, contributed greatly people of people migrated from their from their native places to other
for the cultural development of In- homelands to other areas. Since In- safer areas. The sovereignty of the
dia, Kanishka, the Kushan ruler of Ist dia was better place in terms of peace Sultans of Delhi was always endan-
and IInd century A.D. introduced the and resource, some of the Central gered by the Mangol invasions.
Shaka calendar in India. Satish Asians and Persians came to India. Timur's invasions of India in 1398
Chandra, one of the most sincere Even the family of famous sufi Shaikh devastated the area from Multan to
modern historians, rightly observes, Nizamuddin Aulia became the victims Delhi. His invasion brought deluge for
"Throughout Indian History events of these invasions and decided to mi- both the common people and ruling
and developments in Central Asia had grate to India. Both Khwaja Ali, the class of north India, Many rulers of
a deep and abiding impact on paternal grand father of Shaikh north west frontier of India accepted
India…during the 10th and 12th cen- Nizamuddin Aulia, and Khwaja Arab, his sovereignty. His invasion also
turies developments in Central Asia the maternal grand father of Shaikh changed the political set up of the
led to the advent of the Ghazanavids, Nizamuddin Sultanate of Delhi. It caused the de-
then of Ghurids into India. Similarly, Aulia, belonged to Bokhara. cline of the Tughluq dynasty. Sayyid
developments in Cental Asia during They could not sustain the onslaught Khizr Khan, one of the associates of
the 15th and 16th centuries, led to a of the Mangol leader Changiz Khan Timur, laid the foundation of the rule
new Turkish incursion into India, this and migrated from Bokhara to Lahore of the Sayyid dynasty in India. The
time in the shape of Zahiruddin and later on they settled at Badaun Sayyid dynasty acted as one of the
Muhammad Babur." (Satish Chandra, (in modern Uttar Pradesh). Similarly, tributaries of Timur in the Sultanate
Medieval India, Part Two,Mughal Em- merchants of Central Asia also en- of Delhi. As a mark of the recogni-
pire (1526-1748), Delhi, 2004, (p.1) larged their trading contacts with In- tion of Timur's sovereignty, Khizr
Although the process of the dia during the Sultanate period. It is Khan included the name of Timur and
cultural contacts between Central known that Iltutmish came to India after him Shah Rukh in the Khutba.
Asian states and India started to be as a slave. He was brought to India However, it was Sultanate
strong with foundation of the Kushan by two slave merchants of Bokhara, period when the Mangols of Central
rule in India, with the establishment known as Bukhara Haji Ali and Asia realised the influence of Indian
of the Turkish Sultanate in north In- Jamaluddin Quba. They sold Iltutmish culture on themselves. During the
dia, both the diplomatic and commer- to the Turkish ruler Qutub-ud-din reign of the Sultan Jalal-ud-din Khilji
cial relations between these two re- Aibak of the Sultanate of Delhi Later (1290-96), the Mangols under their
gions were very much widened. Dur- on Iltutmish became the Sutlan leader Abdullah attacked the north
ing the Sultanate period (1206-1526), (1210-36) of the Sultanate of Delhi. west frontier of India. Jalal-ud-din
the Central Asian, Persian and Indian Changiz Khan's attack on Persia com- Khilji defeated the Mangols and com-
cultures came closer to each other. It pelled Jalal-ud-din Mangbarani, son pelled Abdullah to retire from the
is well established that the sufis, of Khwarazm Shah of Persia, to flee frontier of India. At the same time a
merchants, scholars and skilled work- to India. When Changiz Khan came process of the friendship between the
ers travelled from Central Asia and to know that Jalal-ud-din Mangbarani Mangols and Sultan of Delhi started.
In the citadel, Timur Beg much involved in the internal affairs Haji Altamash as an ambassodor. He
erected a very fine building, the great of his empire and had hardly any brought with him letters of respects
four-storeyed kiosque, known as the time to play a role in the Central and affection, and the curiosities of
Gul Sarai. In the walled town, again, Asian politics or to initiate a new his country. The purport of his let-
near the Iron Gate, he built a Friday policy to safeguard the frontier of ters was to recall ancient relations
Mosque of stone (sangin); on this his empire against the Uzbeks, he and to renew friendship, in order
worked many stone-cutters, brought made an alliance with Safavide ruler that by the help of such Divine glory
from Hindustan…Samarkand is a won- Shah Tahmasp of Persia to regain his he might act vigorously against the
derfully beautified town. One of its lost empire of India instead of seek- other princes of Turan. Another ob-
specialities, perhaps found in few ing any assistance from the Uzbeks ject was that he might repose in
other places, is that the different of Central Asia. Humayun also peace and be without apprehension
traders are not mixed up together in treated Balkh as a buffer between of the strokes of this world conquer-
it but each has its own bazar, a good him and the Uzbeks. When Humayun ing armies. For greater security and
sort of plan. Its bakers and cooks are returned from Persia, he decided to success he sent presents to Munim
good. The best paper in the world is strengthen his position in Afghani- Khan Khan-i-Khanan and the Khan
made there…Another article of stan and Transoxiana. First he con- Aazim Mirza Mirza Koka in order that
Samarkand trade, carried to all sides quered Qandhar, Kabul and they might exert themselves to lay
and quarters, is cramoisy velvet." Badakhshan. Humayun also attacked the foundations of friendship. The
(Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur, Balkh and defeated its Uzbek gover- prudent sovereign received the am-
Baburnama, Eng. Tr. by A.S. nor Pir Muhammed . But because of bassador graciously, and gave him
Beveridge, Delhi, 1997, pp. 74-81). the rebellion of his brother Kamran his dismissal after he had discharged
Babur's methods and approach of nar- Huamyun failed to maintain his sov- his duty. Present consisting of the
rating te historical events of Central ereignty in the Balkh and it was re- rarities of India were sent along with
Asia indicate that he presented his occupied by the Uzbeks. him." (Abul Fazl, Akbarnama, Vol. II,
memoirs as a gazetteer to his suc- The Mughal emperor Eng.
cessors in India. Akbar(1556-1605) not only continued Tr. by H. Beveridge, Delhi,
However, to keep a close the Central Asian policy of his an- 1972, p. 534) The mention of Abul
watch on the political situation of cestors, but he also added some new
Central Asia Babur worked in two Fazl regarding the letters of Abdulla
points to it intending to keep peace Khan to the Mughal emperor Akbar
ways. First, he kept a strong control in Central Asia. Akbar believed that
over the routes from India to Cen- through his said envoy show that the
peace in Central Asia could
tral; Uzbek leader wished to have an alli-
strengthen the internal security of
throughout his reign he re- ance with the Mughals of India.
India. It is important to mention that
tained Kabul, Ghazni, Qandhar and Though the purpose of the forma-
When Akbar became the Mughal
Badakhshan as the integral parts of tion of this alliance is not clearly
emperor, the political chaos was the
Mughal India and developed friendly shown by the letter, it seems that
dominant trend of Central Asia.
diplomatic relations with Central Abdulla Khan intended to use his al-
Abdul Aziz, the ruler of Transoxiana
Asia's neighbouring countries such as liance with the Mughals against Per-
died in 1551. Afterwards his succes-
Persia, Ottoman Turkey and others. sia. But as far as Akbar's response
sors such as Muhammad Yar Sultan,
Secondly, he exchanged envoys with was concerned, Abul Fazl's mention
Burban Khan and Borak Khan contrib-
Central Asia frequently.12 Thus, first clear shows that the Mughal emperor
uted to the spread of political insta-
time in the history of India, Babur did not show any interest in forming
bility and factionalism in Central
made India an active participants in an alliance with the Uzbek against
Asia. It was 1570s when Abdulla Khan
the Central Asian politics and widened any other neighbouring power. Even
Uzbek fought for the establishment
the scope for a long lasting diplomatic Akbar did not send his envoy to
relations between India and Central of political stability in large part of
Abdulla Khan to encourage diplo-
Asia. Babur initiated a definite pat- Central Asia. He became successful
matic exchanges. Two reasons have
tern of Central Asian policy, which in his mission and became the mas-
been given by the modern histori-
intended to have regular political con- ter of the large parts of Central Asia.
ans for Akbar's cold response to the
tacts with Central Asia so that his em- Abdulla made considerable gains in Abdulla Khan's initiatives. First,
pire could be safe and no Central Asian term of territorial expansion. He Akbar was planning to conquer Turan.
power could get an opportunity to also showed his inclination to form Secondly, Akabr was not interested
share political power with him in In- an alliance with the Mughals of In- to embitter his relations with Persia
dia. Even Babur did not associate with dia to strengthen his position in Cen- for the sake of Uzbek's interests.
the Uzbegs to form an alliance against tral Asia and reduce the power of the However, Akbar intensified the pro-
Persia. From his days in Central Asia Shah of Persia. In 1572-73 Abdulla cess of the commercial contacts with
to the foundation of his rule in India Khan initiated the process of the Central Asia. The Ain-i-Akbari
Babur felt more comfortable to be strenthening his ties with the Mughal records of the presence of Central
nearer to Persia than to Uzbeks. emperor Akbar. According to Abul Asian products and Central Asians in
Babur's Central Asian policy, Fazl, "One of the occurrences of this the Indian markets, army and liter-
in terms of diplomatic relation, was time (1572-73)…was that Abdullah ary field etc. Abul Fazl, author of the
broadened by his successors. Though Khan Uzbeg, the ruler of Turan, was Ain-i-Akbari, mentions the fruits of
Nasiruddin Muhammad Humayun induced by the fame and majesty of the Central Asia, available in India,
(1530-40 and 1555-56) was very this sovereignty (Akbar's) to send the Mewa-i-Turan.
Rs 2,000 per child per month, Stagnancy and collapse of country how it can create a national
historic reforms educational system that truly reflects
which is comparable to any best pri-
the principles of Bhutan's unique de-
vate school. Thus the program aimed Soon after its historic launch
velopment philosophy of Gross Na-
to overhaul the government school- by the President of Indian in presence
tional Happiness (GNH). The Prime
ing system in Ladakh and make our of the Governor and the Chief Minis-
Minister of Royal Government of
otherwise neglected rural government ter of Jammu & Kashmir among dig-
Bhutan Mr. Jigmi Y. Thinley sought the
schools comparable in quality to any nitaries, LMSSA had to be suspended
expertise of Mr. Wangchuk to help
other private or public schools. The on account of some differences arose
Bhutan "clearly delineate our vision
vision statement of the program between Mr. M K Dwevidi, the then
and educational objectives and how
states: "The ultimate vision of the deputy commissioner and chief ex-
we can achieve and implement them".
programme would be to jump-start ecutive councilor of the Hill Council
Hence, the sudden collapse in the
the government educational machin- and SECMOL, the organization which
process of education reform move-
ery to a level of quality where the partnered the Hill Council for LMSSA
ment, among other factors, can be
educated and the influential of the and ONH movements. The Chairman
well attributed to the uncalled for
society can also entrust their children of the Hill Council had requested
actions of Mr. M K Dwevidi, who,
to state schools. It may sound far- SECMOL to continue its support to the
before his transfer from Leh, kept no
fetched for the rest of the country but Hill Council by "providing expertise
stone unturned to create a deep rift
in Ladakh, after ten years of reforms, in teachers' trainings and mobilizing
between the government depart-
this process has already started and and training the Village Education
ments and reputed local NGOs (a clas-
there are instances of people includ- Committees" to realize the goals en-
sical example of "divide and rule" for-
ing some leaders bringing their chil- visaged through such movements.
mula).
dren from private schools into an im- But on the other hand, Mr. M K Dwevidi
This is of course very discourag-
proved local government school." ordered a complete ban on SECMOL's
ing to see that after years of struggle
The State directorate of Sarva collaboration with any government
to reform the education system things
Shiksha Abhiyan hoped that this pro- department. Showing some brutal use
are once again moving back to square
gram would become a paradigm shift of power, the DC leveled the founder
one. A number of primary schools had
in the educational system at elemen- of SECMOL and architect of the Op-
to be closed in the district in the re-
tary level. Responding to LMSSA con- eration New Hope (ONH), Mr. Sonam
cent years on account of several rea-
cept document the then State Project Wangchuk with charges including
sons including parents pulling their
Director SSA Mr Farooq Ahmed Peer antinational among many other alle-
children from government schools and
noted that the practical and beautiful gations. Since then the NGO sus-
enrolling them into private schools.
ideas put forward in the paper touch pended its activities with govern-
Parents in certain areas have once
the core problems affecting elemen- ment schools in Leh. Consequently
again stated losing faith in the gov-
tary education. "I must inform you that this ambitious program had to be put
ernment run village schools. The
SSA does not only support such ideas into hibernation.
most affected ones from such a poor
but prompts the various stakehold- The suspension of such move-
system are mainly the voiceless and
ers to think innovatively and imple- ments has affected the rural schools
powerless children hailing from rural
ment the program in the local socio- a lot. Class 10th results in Leh in the
villages of Ladakh, because govern-
cultural context, Mr. Peer appreci- last few years have once again shown
ment schools are a ray of hope for
ated. the signs of stagnation and degrada-
quality education for all - rich and
Dr. Kalam was so optimistic about tion. The dismal result brings to fore
poor, rural and urban.
the education reform movement in the negligence caused to the educa-
Ladakh that he even appreciated the tion sector by the concerned authori-
Formation of VECs and fund
launch of the Ladakh Model of Sarva ties. Authorities have failed to main-
raising drives..
Shiksha Abhiyan in his speech on the tain and carry forward such presti-
Dr. Kalam donated an amount of
eve of the Independence Day 2006. gious education movement of Ladakh
rupees 3 lakh (three hundred thou-
In his address to the nation on eve of like the ONH which is being replicated
sand rupees) to the VECs of the dis-
the independence day, referring to the in other parts of the country and the
trict. The Hill Council distributed this
improvement of Ladakh's education world today. After the success of ONH,
amount among all VECs (about 300
system and the launch Ladakh Model Nepal and Bhutan sought the exper-
VECs) of the district during the an-
of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the Dr tise of the architect of ONH, Mr.
nual Bakula Rinpochey campaign in
Kalam said, "I am very confident that Sonam Wangchuk, who is also a mem-
2006 as seed contribution from the
such initiatives, when applied across ber of the Governing Council of Na-
President of India with an appeal to
the country in the total education sys- tional Mission for Sarva Shiksha
multiply the amount through gener-
tem will enable us to realize near 100 Abhiyan, to advise the neighboring
ous donation from villagers and other
percent literacy and employable skills countries on their education pro-
sources. In most villages every fam-
among youth, leading to a Knowledge grams. About a year ago Bhutan in-
ily had agreed to donate an amount
Society by the year 2020." vited Mr. Wangchuk to advise the
minimum of Rs 100 per year to the ded in ecological protection, cultural couldn't make a comeback in power.
VEC funds and accordingly the Presi- heritage and human development". Unfortunately, the Vision Document-
dent of India need money multiplied The document states that Govern- Ladakh 2025 was not implemented by
into several times in a short period. ment schools should be completely the LAHDC that succeeded Mr.
One day one individual from Sabu vil- overhauled to restore faith in them. Spalbar. However, the recent return
lage appeared before the CEC LAHDC It lays emphasis to make education of Sh Rigzin Spalbar as the chairman
Leh in 2006 with a cash of 1 lakh and more locally relevant for children. of the 4th LAHDC has raised hopes
five rupees (Rs 100005). He said he Among many other important strate- and expectations among many that
was inspired by the appeals made by gies for overhauling the education he would implement the Vision Docu-
the Hill Council and the NGOs on the system, the Vision 2025 has declared ment to avoid the present trend of
local radio and television requesting that "there should be convergence and development, the unplanned and hap-
for assistance and support for the synergy among schemes like Sarva hazard development. Mr. Spalbar has
education movements being carried Shiksha Abhiyan from the central gov- repeated vowed to carry out all de-
out to strengthen the government ernment and the Hill Council's own velopmental plans in accordance with
schools. This way of raising such Operation New Hope…. locally relevant the roadmap laid down for Ladakh in
funds was discovered and found suc- Textbooks and teaching learning the Vision Document. Let's hope Mr.
cessful when SECMOL received a do- methods (TLMs) should be used, with Spalbar overcomes all odds that
nation of 1.50 lakh rupees from His perhaps a separate curriculum for might come his way in implementing
Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1998. The nomadic children. In future, Ladakh 'his' Vision and also to undo what have
NGO distributed the amount among could even have its own curriculum gone wrong in the last few years,
all VECs as a sacred seed contribu- in the form of a Ladakh Board of eventually, to make Ladakh a model
tion and in less than a year the amount School Education." for the rest of the country. Let's also
had grown about ten times. The newly elected LAHDC under hope that Ladakhis rise above pity
the chairmanship of Sh Rigzin Spalbar selfish interests and personal differ-
A Ray of Hope: is keen to revisit the Ladakh Docu- ence to support revolutionary pro-
Unlike the other districts of the ment and implement it in letter and grams like the Vision Document -
State of Jammu & Kashmir, Leh dis- spirit. Sh Rigzin Spalbar was instru- Ladakh 2025.
trict has a Vision Document called mental in the formation and the
Ladakh -2025 which envisages that launch of the Vision Document in -Under NFI fellowship program
"by 2025, Ladakh will emerge as the 2005. However, soon after the launch
country's best model of hill area de- of this ambitious project by the Prime Note: All quotations, unless otherwise
velopment in a challenging environ- Minister in Leh followed the 3rd attributed, have been taken from
ment, with its sustainability embed- LAHDC Elections, and Mr. Spalbar ONH brochures.
While the summer of unrest in Kashmir was devastating human lives and disrupting nor-
mal life of citizens, there has been another kind of plunder going on deep within the
forests. The nexus between illegal cutting of trees and the smuggling these through a
maze of check-posts has existed for a long time. It is at times like these that it is
emboldened to strike even deeper into the green-gold of the region.
S
omehow the measure of
any disaster or destruc
tive activity or violence
is always taken in terms of
loss of human lives, of prop-
erty and disruption in daily
life of ordinary citizens. Yes
these are of paramount im-
portance but does anyone
care to also examine the ill-
effect on the larger environ-
ment? Conflict the world
over has robbed nations and
societies of their heritage,
archeological, literary, cul-
tural. It has caused havoc
to natural resources, for-
ests, to agricultural lands,
which get attention typically
after the violence and anger
have subsided and some- Shopian-Pulwama, Doodganaga range, Rithan range, Beerwah range, Googaldhara area
times it is by then too late. in Tangmarg, Rafiabad, Doabgah range and Kandi range of Baramulla are affected
In Kashmir too, behind zones. The forests are no doubt spread over a wide expanse across the valley.
the smoke-screen of the con- Vigilance naturally cannot be water-tight even though there are laws in place and an
tinuing unrest beginning in entire department is dedicated to it. But whatever the systems and mechanisms had
summer last and continuing been prior to the summer of unrest in Kashmir, it simply fell apart. Timber smuggling
for a few months, timber actually means the process, the entire chain of events to reach the timber to the
smugglers have been work- market. Illegal felling is what starts this process. At every step, there need to be
ing overtime to loot as much checks and technically they are there. It is just that the entire region was engulfed by
of green gold as they could. the cycle of violence, that the system quite literally froze. Thus giving a free hand to
This is not the first time. the criminals.
Sources say that when mili- "I believe the extent of damage done to the forests in these areas during these
tancy broke out and gath- three months has taken forest damage back to the levels of 1990s when militancy was
ered momentum in the nine- at its peak and the timber smugglers were having a free run," confessed a senior
ties, it was pretty much the officer of Forest department on conditions of anonymity. Forests are an open and not a
same scenario. The spread locked treasure; so one can expect illegal felling anywhere and at any time, but in the
of their operations is vast current unrest even the official monitoring mechanism has fallen apart which has only
according to reports. Lush contributed to the increased illegal activity," he added.
forests in the Kothar range, It would however be naïve to assume that it was due to the power-vaccum alone
that the rampant felling no such plan on the anvil, nor any funds available to action it. This actually would be an
of trees and smuggling effective counter-move to combat the network of timber smugglers and illegal fellers.
of wood took place or at In such a scenario, the connivance of the local authorities or some elements within it
any rate heightened its is a given. Locals of Tangmarg area of North Kashmir's Baramulla district allege "not
pace. No activity con- only are the timber smugglers involved in the game but the Special Operations Group
cerning the 'commons' (SOG) people are also involved." "The SOG people ferry illegal timber in their official
can be conducted with- vehicles during night time," said Abdul Hamid Wagay of Chandilora, Tangmarg.
out the knowledge if not The losses meanwhile are mounting. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Molvi Shafat
the tacit approval of the Ahmad admitted that illegal felling of trees and timber smuggling had increased over the
local community. It is months of unrest but claims that the situation has normalised . He says the damage to
now an accepted fact the trees at the moment is more localised and not part of a larger design by the illegal
across forums for envi- traders. " Now situation is under control as most of our forest staff is back to their job"
ronmental degradation That the Forest Department needs to tighten its belt is a foregone conclusion. But
that impoverished com- the issue needs to be seen in the wider perspective. Yes environmental degradation is a
munities contribute to live issue across the country where the Ministry of Environment is taking stringent steps
the destruction of the
forests, often by turn- Vigilance naturally cannot be water-tight even though there are
ing a blind eye to their
exploitation by outside
laws in place and an entire department is dedicated to it. But
parties. So has been the whatever the systems and mechanisms had been prior to the sum-
case in this beautiful mer of unrest in Kashmir, it simply fell apart. Timber smuggling
vale.
actually means the process, the entire chain of events to reach the
The plunder of for-
est then gets into an- timber to the market. Illegal felling is what starts this process. At
other gear, that of ac- every step, there need to be checks and technically they are there.
tual transporting the It is just that the entire region was engulfed by the cycle of vio-
loot through a maze of
check-posts estab- lence, that the system quite literally froze. Thus giving a free hand
lished by the Forest De- to the criminals. "I believe the extent of damage done to the
partment. According to forests in these areas during these three months has taken forest
the forest officer ,
these are lax which
damage back to the levels of 1990s when militancy was at its peak
leads to safe passage to and the timber smugglers were having a free run," confessed a
these jungle smugglers. senior officer of Forest department on conditions of anonymity.
He attributed this lax- Forests are an open and not a locked treasure; so one can expect
ity to the excessive red-
tape plaguing the For- illegal felling anywhere and at any time, but in the current unrest
est Department. . "We even the official monitoring mechanism has fallen apart which
are still relying on and has only contributed to the increased illegal activity," he added.
using techniques which
are already outdated
to bring defaulters to book whether they be connected with the mining industry, resi-
and obsolete while the
dential townships or SEZ's. Needless to say, these measures put an abrupt halt to the
demand of the hour is
designs of land profiteers or industry barons who have their eyes set on plundering the
that these need to be
area .
changed."
In Kashmir, there are different dynamics at work. The eruption of conflict throws
For instance, the
a spanner in the process of environmental protection by the state. This has been
Forest Protection Fund
demonstrated during the recent months as well as the previous phase of militancy. The
meant for the protec-
systems of checks and monitoring established by the government stands compromised
tion of the forests is
for the period of unrest. This needs to be addressed. Even if we go by the claims of
same as it was in 1989,
the Forest Department that once the unrest subsides, it is back to normal, there still is
which obviously needs
a need to be vigilant, to have a system in place which would not allow the green-gold of
to be increased. The
Kashmir to be compromised again and again.
hands of the Forest Of-
Somehow the measure of any disaster or destructive activity or violence is always
ficers are also tied.
taken in terms of loss of human lives, of property and disruption in daily life of ordinary
They actually need to be
citizens. Yes these are of paramount importance but does anyone care to also examine
co-opted into a network
the ill-effect on the larger environment? Conflict the world over has robbed nations
which would work to
and societies of their heritage, archeological, literary, cultural. It has caused havoc to
bust the smuggling rack-
natural resources, forests, to agricultural lands, which get attention typically after the
ets. But sadly there is
violence and anger and technically they are there. It is just that the entire region was engulfed by the cycle
have subsided and of violence, that the system quite literally froze. Thus giving a free hand to the crimi-
sometimes it is by then nals.
too late. "I believe the extent of damage done to the forests in these areas during these three
In Kashmir too, be- months has taken forest damage back to the levels of 1990s when militancy was at its
hind the smoke-screen peak and the timber smugglers were having a free run," confessed a senior officer of
of the continuing unrest Forest department on conditions of anonymity. Forests are an open and not a locked
beginning in summer treasure; so one can expect illegal felling anywhere and at any time, but in the current
last and continuing for unrest even the official monitoring mechanism has fallen apart which has only contrib-
a few months, timber uted to the increased illegal activity," he added.
smugglers have been It would however be naïve to assume that it was due to the power-vaccum alone that
working overtime to the rampant felling of trees and smuggling of wood took place or at any rate heightened
loot as much of green its pace. No activity concerning the 'commons' can be conducted without the knowledge
gold as they could. This if not the tacit approval of the local community. It is now an accepted fact across forums
is not the first time. for environmental degradation that impoverished communities contribute to the de-
Sources say that when struction of the forests, often by turning a blind eye to their exploitation by outside
militancy broke out and parties. So has been the case in this beautiful vale.
gathered momentum in The plunder of forest then gets into another gear, that of actual transporting the loot
the nineties, it was through a maze of check-posts established by the Forest Department. According to the
pretty much the same forest officer , these are lax which leads to safe passage to these jungle smugglers. He
scenario. The spread of attributed this laxity to the excessive red-tape plaguing the Forest Department. . "We
their operations is vast are still relying on and using techniques which are already outdated and obsolete while
according to reports. the demand of the hour is that these need to be changed."
Lush forests in the For instance, the Forest Protection Fund meant for the protection of the forests is
Kothar range, Shopian- same as it was in 1989, which obviously needs to be increased. The hands of the Forest
Pulwama, Doodganaga Officers are also tied. They actually need to be co-opted into a network which would
range, Rithan range, work to bust the smuggling rackets. But sadly there is no such plan on the anvil, nor any
Beerwah range, funds available to action it. This actually would be an effective counter-move to combat
Googaldhara area in the network of timber smugglers and illegal fellers.
Tangmarg, Rafiabad, In such a scenario, the connivance of the local authorities or some elements within it
Doabgah range and is a given. Locals of Tangmarg area of North Kashmir's Baramulla district allege "not
Kandi range of only are the timber smugglers involved in the game but the Special Operations Group
Baramulla are affected (SOG) people are also involved." "The SOG people ferry illegal timber in their official
zones. The forests are vehicles during night time," said Abdul Hamid Wagay of Chandilora, Tangmarg.
no doubt spread over a The losses meanwhile are mounting. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Molvi Shafat
wide expanse across Ahmad admitted that illegal felling of trees and timber smuggling had increased over the
the valley. months of unrest but claims that the situation has normalised . He says the damage to
Vigilance naturally the trees at the moment is more localised and not part of a larger design by the illegal
cannot be water-tight traders. " Now situation is under control as most of our forest staff is back to their job"
even though there are That the Forest Department needs to tighten its belt is a foregone conclusion. But
laws in place and an en- the issue needs to be seen in the wider perspective. Yes environmental degradation is a
tire department is dedi- live issue across the country where the Ministry of Environment is taking stringent steps
cated to it. But what- to bring defaulters to book whether they be connected with the mining industry, residen-
ever the systems and tial townships or SEZ's. Needless to say, these measures put an abrupt halt to the de-
mechanisms had been signs of land profiteers or industry barons who have their eyes set on plundering the area
prior to the summer of .
unrest in Kashmir, it In Kashmir, there are different dynamics at work. The eruption of conflict throws a
simply fell apart. Tim- spanner in the process of environmental protection by the state. This has been demon-
ber smuggling actually strated during the recent months as well as the previous phase of militancy. The systems
means the process, the of checks and monitoring established by the government stands compromised for the
entire chain of events period of unrest. This needs to be addressed. Even if we go by the claims of the Forest
to reach the timber to Department that once the unrest subsides, it is back to normal, there still is a need to be
the market. Illegal fell- vigilant, to have a system in place which would not allow the green-gold of Kashmir to be
ing is what starts this compromised again and again.
process. At every step, This piece has been generated with support of charkha communication and devel-
there need to be checks opment Network
UDHAMPUR, JAN 1: Lieutenant General, K T Parnaik Hydroelectric Project on River Chenab at Chanderkote
takes over command of the prestigious Northern Command in Ramban district of Jammu province in Jammu and
headquartered at Udhampur in Jammu province. Immedi- Kashmir.
ately after his arrival Bikram Park Helipad, the new Army
Commander laid a wreath at the Dhruva Shaheed Samark SRINAGAR: The Chairman of moderate faction of
and proceeded to meet all officers posted in Headquarters Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq gets a fresh
Northern Command. General Parnaik is an alumnus of the passport. This information was given by Regional Pass-
National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla and was commis- port Officer GM Dar after inaugurating a new passport
sioned into Rajputana Rifles on March 31, 1972 collection centre in central Srinagar. It is learnt that the
Hurriyat chairman is issued a passport with one-year
JAMMU, JAN 1: The Border Security Forces lodge pro- validity and he has to get it renewed every year.
test with Pakistani Rangers over ceasefire violation on De- Giving another information, Dar said his office was
cember 26 at Ballard post in Ramgarh sector of Samba issuing 200 passports every day to residents of Kashmir
district on Indo-Pak Internal Border in Jammu province. Valley. A group 'Campaign for Right to Travel' has claimed
The protest was lodged in a Commandant level flag meet- that scores of people have been blacklisted from re-
ing held at Ramgarh Border Out Post (BOP). Commanding ceiving travel document on the basis of intelligence re-
Officer 59 BSF O P Upadhyaya and Wing Commander, ports that they could pose a security risk if they to travel
Chenab Rangers Raja Syed attended the meeting, sources outside the country. Among those who have been denied
reported. passports include many separatists and relatives of mili-
tants. "If there is a criminal case against anyone, he
JAMMU, JAN 2: Peoples Democratic Party patron and has to pay a fine and passport can be issued. Only ad-
former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti verse cases which involve terrorism are not issued pass-
Mohammed Sayeed says that resolution of Kashmir issue ports," he said.
cannot be put into the cold storage any more, risking the
future of the people of the region. He was addressing a NEW DELHI, JAN 4: Describing the spate of violence
meeting of party workers in the winter capital. Mufti said that rocked Kashmir Valley in summer of 2010 as ''unfor-
that opinion of majority of the people from South Asia was tunate and deeply regrettable'', Union Home Minister P
in favour of peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in Chidambaram claims that situation was fast improving.
order to realize the full development potential of the re- ''The three-month period of agitation was an unfortu-
gion nate and deeply regrettable chapter. However, after the
visit of the all-party Parliamentary delegation and the
NEW DELHI, JAN 2: Replying to an RTI query of an ac- appointment of interlocutors, there has been a signifi-
tivist, the Home Ministry says that a total of 7,031 civil- cant improvement in the law and order situation. In
ians and security force personnel were killed due to vio- particular, the interlocutors have been able to change
lence in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 10 years. 4,812 the discourse and have been able to persuade a number
civilians and 2,219 security force personnel have lost their of stakeholders to offer suggestions for a political solu-
lives since 2001 to August 2010 in Jammu and Kashmir, tion", Chidambaram said in the union capital while pre-
the Home Ministry said. "Law and order is a state subject senting last year's overview to press.
and measures are taken by the Jammu and Kashmir Gov-
ernment to maintain peace and public order", the Home SRINAGAR, JAN 4: In a significant shift in its stand
Ministry said in its response to a query by an activist named on implementation of United Nations resolutions on
Ashwini Shrivastava. Kashmir, moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference headed
by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq calls for time-bound dialogue
JAMMU, JAN 3: Director General of Jammu and Kash- between India, Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kash-
mir Police Kuldeep Khoda claims that five out of 10 dis- mir under international monitoring for resolving the long
tricts of Jammu region are completely free of militancy pending issue. "We cannot expect much from a body
while in other districts the militancy has sharply declined. which has failed to implement its own resolutions (on
Khoda told reporters: ''Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Reasi and Kashmir). India and Pakistan have to talk to Kashmiris
Udhampur districts are totally free of militancy in Jammu under international monitoring for resolving the Kash-
region. There has been a sharp decline in militancy re- mir issue," Mirwaiz said addressing a seminar at the
lated incidents in five other districts". Hurriyat Conference headquarters in Srinagar. The semi-
nar was organized to discuss the role of the United Na-
JAMMU, JAN 3: The Central Electricity Authority gives tions with regard to Kashmir issue. Mirwaiz said the
clearance to the construction of Stage-II of the Baglihar United Nations was a failed body as it had not been able
JAMMU JAN 5: Setting a new record, the winter capital JAMMU, JAN 6: The main Opposition, People's
city Jammu experiences lowest temperature of 30 years. Democratic Party accuses the Omar Abdullah Govern-
"Jammu is experiencing cold conditions with thick blanket ment of failing to keep its promises and claimed that
of fog floating very low. January 5 temperature has been people were looking at the PDP as an alternative to
lowest in the last 30 years", a weather scientist MK Khushu have their aspirations addressed. "Omar Government
told a local newspaper. The town recorded a maximum tem- has miserably failed to translate its promises into
perature of 6.5 deg C, which is 10-11 degrees below nor- reality, so the people of this State have been looking
mal, he said, adding that the night temperature was 2.4 towards PDP to get their aspirations addressed",
deg C, three degree below normal. former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti
Mohammad Sayeed told reporters.
JAMMU, JAN 5: National Conference patron and Union
Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah endorses the views of moder- NEW DELHI, JAN 7: Describing the migration of
ate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq that Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley as "one of the dark-
United Nations has become a failed body and said India, est chapters" in the history of Jammu and Kashmir,
Pakistan, people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and those National Conference patron and Union Minister Dr
living across the fence had to find a solution to Kashmir Farooq Abdullah asked the displaced people for "for-
problem. giveness." "One of the major tragedies that we had
to go through was the ethnic cleansing that took place
JAMMU, JAN 5: Addressing a joint press conference at in the State of Jammu and Kashmir", he said.
the Civil Secretariat, Dr Abdullah and his son and Chief
Minister Omar Abdullah, categorically rule out the demand JAMMU, JAN 7: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
for rotational Chief Ministership in the State after three chairs first meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Oversees
years saying the two party high commands (National Con- Employment Corporation. He asked the corporation
ference and Congress) had settled the issue at the forma- to fix realistic targets for the year ahead regarding
tion of Government that the NC headed Government will placement of skilled and educated youth in the job
last full six years and all subsequent issues including for- market outside the country. "You have to tackle three-
mation of Council of Ministry and portfolios were decided pronged challenges of global economic scenario, in-
accordingly. The statement from the two came exactly on ternational job market requirements and prevailing
the day when Omar Abdullah completed two years as Chief perception of Jammu and Kashmir outside", he told
Minister heading a coalition government of his party Na- the Corporation advising them to address these as-
tional Conference with the Congress. pects effectively.
JAMMU, JAN 17: Centre's interlocutors on Jammu and SRINAGAR, JAN 20 : Breaking the ice, the Centre's In-
Kashmir meet several delegations and academicians in terlocutors on Kashmir phones up Hurriyat Conference
Jammu. Some local groups took up the issue of alleged chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq discussing the situation in
political discrimination with Jammu region, to which the the State and seeking time for a meeting. The conversa-
chief interlocutor Dileep Padgaonkar said that his panel tion, which lasted for over 10 minutes, dealt with the is-
would write to the Chief Election Commissioner to seek sues including the present situation in the State and the
details about the criteria adopted for delimitation of as- economic loss to common Kashmiris because of the fre-
sembly constituencies. quent strikes in the State. However, Mirwaiz reportedly
declined to meet the interlocutors.
NEW DELHI, JAN 17: Asking the J&K Government not
to just harp on "dream proposals", the Supreme Court SRINAGAR, JAN 21: The team of Interlocutors says that
wanted an explanation whether even one out of the thou- most of the people they met were not concerned about
sands of Kashmiri Pandits who fled the Valley following implementation of the United Nations resolutions and di-
the outbreak of militancy have been provided with house vision of the State along ethnic or religious lines but felt
or employment. The court's remarks came on a petition people's empowerment can address the vexed issue. "As
filed by the All India Kashmiri Samaj which alleged that regards a permanent, political settlement in Jammu and
neither the State nor the Centre was addressing the Kashmir, a small but vocal section of opinion harped on UN
grievances of the Kashmiri Pandits who have been suf- resolutions, plebiscite and self-determination resulting in
fering for over two decades. independence for the state as it existed before August
1947. By and large, however, most people we spoke to did
NEW DELHI, JAN 19: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah not refer to that option," chief Interlocutor Dileep
asks BJP not to "precipitate" the situation in the Valley Padgaonkar said.
by going ahead with its 'Ekta Yatra' to hoist tri-colour at
Srinagar's Lal Chowk on Republic Day. Omar, who met Con- SRINAGAR, JAN 22: Opposition People's Democratic
gress chief Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister P Party says said the exclusion of Jammu and Kashmir Bank
Chidambaram to apprise them of the situation in the as the banker to the State Government is the most lethal
State, said he would be in close touch with the Home nail by the ruling National Conference into the State's au-
Ministry on how to deal with any situation arising out of tonomy. The bank will not be permitted to provide over-
the BJP programme. Disregarding Omar's appeal, the BJP draft to the State Government now on.
vows to go ahead with its Ekta Yatra from Kolkata that
will culminate in Srinagar on January 26 with hoisting of SRINAGAR, JAN 23: A close associate of hardline
the tricolour in Lal Chowk. Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani is ar-
rested in connection with an alleged Hawala racket and Rs
JAMMU, JAN 19: Two small Pakistani aircrafts report- 21 lakh seized from him, police claimed. "Ghulam
edly flew close to the International Border in Niki Tawi Mohammad Bhat, who has been a financier of disruptive
area of Makwal sector of Jammu frontiers for about two activities, has been arrested," Inspector General of Po-
minutes triggering an air defence alert of the Indian Air lice, Kashmir, S M Sahai said.
Force (IAF). The two low-flying Pakistani light aircrafts
were detected close to Indian territory between Simbal JAMMU 24: Reliance Communication becomes the first
and Kharkola posts of Niki Tawi in Makwal sector of RS telecom service provider in Jammu and Kashmir to launch
Pura and were sighted by BSF troops deployed in the for- 3G services in the state.
ward pickets, Defence sources said.
JAMMU, JAN 24: Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather
SRINAGAR, JAN 19: United Nation's Special Rappor- says that the State Government has decided to liquidate
teur on human rights, Margaret Sekaggya says she has entire Over Draft amounting to Rs 2300 crore with Jammu
come to Kashmir to compile a report on the problems and Kashmir Bank most probably by the end of March this
faced by the human rights defenders. Sekaggya arrived year and then switch over to Ways and Means Advance
in Srinagar to meet various victim families, Civil Society (WMA) with Reserve Bank of India, which will be available
members, Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, at lower interest rates. He sought to clarify that the new
system would no way dilute the State's relationship in bringing about peace and tranquility in the State.
with J&K Bank. The JKBL will be rather benefited as it
would have Rs 2300 crore to invest in economic and JAMMU, JAN 26: In his Republic Day address, Governor
developmental activities. The State has been provided N N Vohra says strict vigil should be maintained along all the
with Rs 1000 crore one time grant by the Finance Com- frontiers to neutralize the attempts of infiltration from across
mission to liquidate the ODs while rest of Rs 1300 and all measures be taken to contain and eliminate menace
crores will be raised by it through market borrowings. of corruption in the State.
LAKHANPUR, JAN 25: Top BJP leaders including JAMMU, JAN 27: Chief Commissioner, Income Tax,
Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley are among 160 BJP and Amritsar region, G R Sofi's name is cleared for appointment
BJYM leaders and workers arrested by police after they as the first Chief Information Commissioner of Jammu and
violated prohibitory orders soon after crossing into the Kashmir. This development comes six years after the State
territory of Jammu and Kashmir at Ravi bridge in enacted the landmark RTI Act. The name of Sofi was decided
Lakhanpur, the gateway of the State. The BJP leaders after a meeting of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Leader of
were leading a flag march from Kolkatta to Kashmir Opposition Mehbooba Mufti and Deputy Chief Minister Tara
which was opposed by both centre and the state gov- Chand.
ernments.
JAMMU, JAN 28: State Cabinet approves the Draft For-
JAMMU, JAN 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah calls est Policy, which has been prepared for the first time in Jammu
for utilizing present conducive atmosphere of dialogue and Kashmir for scientific management and conservation of
in a positive manner to address political issues of the forests, and approved enhancement of the water usage
Jammu and Kashmir politically. "The institution of In- charges. The forest policy lays emphasis on reconciliation of
terlocutors created by the Union Government to ini- land records of Revenue Department with Demarcation Record
tiate interaction with all shades of opinion should be of Forest Department, complete modernization of forest
utilized earnestly to find out solution to the issues", demarcation system by using Global Positioning System and
he said in his Republic Day message and appealed the other modern technologies".
separatists to rise to the occasion and play their role
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
KERALA JAN 15: In the worst pilgrim tragedy that fairs - and key Ministries of Commerce and Railways.
struck south India, 104 Lord Ayyappa devotees are killed
and 50 injured, seven of them seriously, in a stampede MUMBAI, JAN 21: Defence Minister A K Antony cat-
that occurred at Uppupara last night. egorically rules out any further troop cut in Jammu and
Kashmir on the ground that his Ministry had already re-
NEW DELHI, JAN 14: Pakistan's bid to stall construc duced nearly 30,000 troops in the sensitive State. Talk-
tion work at the Kishenganga power project in Jammu ing to reporters after commissioning Italian built fleet-
and Kashmir is thwarted as it was forced to withdraw a tanker INS Deepak into the Indian Navy at the Naval dock-
petition in this regard at the International Court of Arbi- yard, Antony said: "already a number of Army personnel
tration. During the first hearing of the Kishenganga Ar- were reduced in Jammu and Kashmir. The current issue
bitration Court in The Hague in The Netherlands, the In- is now reduction of para-military forces. Do not mix up
dian side put up a spirited argument for construction of both the issues''.
the 330-MW project on Kishenganga, a tributary of the
Jhelum river, officials said. NEW DELHI, JAN 22: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan
Pakistan had moved a petition for stopping work as Singh steps into the controversy over BJP's plan to hoist
an "interim measure" till the case over the disputed national flag in Srinagar on Republic Day, saying the 'sol-
project was decided by the court. After the Indian argu- emn occasion' should not be used to score 'political points'
ment, Pakistan was forced to withdraw its petition, the and appealed for maximum restraint in 'sensitive' Jammu
sources said. Had the court, headed by Justice Stephen and Kashmir.
M Schwebel, agreed for the interim measure, work at
the site would have to be stopped. NEW DELHI, JAN 24: Ahead of its talks with Pakistan
at Foreign Secretary level, India insists terror cannot be
NEW DELHI, JAN 15: State-owned oil companies hike brushed aside and it was necessary for both the coun-
petrol prices by Rs 2.50-Rs 2.54 per litre, the second tries to find a "common wavelength" in terms of fight-
hike in a month, on back of rising crude oil prices. ing terrorism. ".....Terror is something that cannot be
brushed aside because terror is a matter of fact. And I
WASHINGTON, JAN 18: Indian-American Vijay think all of us, including Pakistan, live under the fear of
Sazawal, a well-known atomic industry expert, is ap- terror," External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said
pointed by US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to the
prestigious Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee NEW DELHI, JAN 26: Dubbing the move of the Jammu
(CINTAC) to advise him on trade issues facing the key and Kashmir Government and the Centre to prevent BJP
sector. leaders from hoisting the national flag in Srinagar as
"criminal", BJP says that the party could move the court
BADAUN, UP, JAN 18: A local court directed the po- against the "unconstitutional and illegal" stand taken by
lice to register an FIR against SP leader Mohammad Azam the State administration. "What has happened in J-K to
Khan on the charge of sedition for his controversial com- deal with BJP's campaign to hoist the national flag at Lal
ments on Kashmir. Khan had earlier cast doubts on Kash- Chowk is something which is totally indefensible. It is
mir being part of India. illegal and criminal. I think we should knock at the doors
of the courts in respect of some of (these issues)," party
NEW DELHI, JAN 19: In a reshuffle of Union Cabinet, veteran L K Advani said.
Jaipal Reddy is made the Petroleum and Natural Gas Min-
ister. The reshuffle and expansion of the Cabinet saw DHARAMSALA (HP), JAN 28: Police claim to have
elevation of three Ministers to the Cabinet rank and in- seized foreign currency valued at over Rs six crore dur-
duction of three new faces. Praful Patel, Shriprakash ing raids in the offices of a trust backed by 17th Karmapa
Jaiswal and Salman Khursheed were promoted as Cabi- Ugyen Trinley Dorje, who investigators believe could be
net Ministers while Congress leaders Beni Prasad Verma having links with Chinese authorities. Himachal Pradesh
(Uttar Pradesh), Ashwani Kumar (Punjab) and K C ADGP (Law and Order) S R Mardi said huge sums of money
Venugopal (Kerala) were the new inductions into the Coun- in currencies of 25 countries including China, Taiwan,
cil of Ministers in the rank of Minister of State. Verma, Japan, South Korea, the UK, the US, Australia, Thailand,
who was Cabinet Minister in the United Front Govern- Vietnam and Germany were seized during the raids. The
ment of 1996, got the rank of MoS Independent Charge recovered amount includes 11 lakh in Chinese Yuan, 6
in today's exercise which left untouched incumbents of lakh USD and Rs 30 lakh. Officials said law will take its
the 'big four' - Finance, Home, Defence and External Af- own course in the case.
JAMMU JAN 3: Twenty-four persons crossover to the rolled out from Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) at Ranger
state and Pakistan-administered Kashmir via Chakan-Da- in Poonch district of J&K to PaK today; these trucks
Bagh on the weekly cross-border bus service. Nine people carried bags of coconuts, red chillies and walnuts
crossed over to PaK from Jammu and Kashmir, while 15 worth Rs 2,01,21,569. From PaK, as many as 25 trucks
came from there to the state. Visitors were both sides carrying bags of almonds, walnuts, pista, dry grapes,
were returning homes and there was no fresh visitor this dates and herbs came to this side worth Rs 2,65,48,138.
week.
JAMMU, JAN 12: Stressing for creating requisite in-
SRINAGAR JAN 3: Line of Control traders stage a frastructure facilities for the cross-LoC trade, PDP pa-
demonstration here, demanding compensation for the tron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed reiterates his demand of
losses suffered allegedly due to lack of storage facility at allowing free movement of people and commodities
Salamabad trade facilitation centre in Uri town on across the dividing line of Jammu and Kashmir. He said
Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road. "Rains have caused dam- that opening of cross LoC trade was the most signifi-
age worth Rs 7 crore to our goods due to non-availabity cant and historic Confidence Building Measure (CBM)
of covered storage facility. The Government should com- which needed to be further facilitated in the larger in-
pensate for the losses and complete the work on infra- terest of the region's peace and prosperity. The PDP
structure at Salamabad urgently," Salamabad-Chakoti patron regretted that the present dispensation headed
Traders Association President, a body of cross-LOC Trad- by National Conference has not only failed to further
ers, Asif Lone said. facilitate this trade but it has rather reversed the whole
Lone said the state government has promised and as- process. "What to say of exploring fresh trade avenues
sured time and again for improving the infrastructure for between two divided sides of Jammu and Kashmir, the
the trade and commerce across LOC but no concrete step present Government has even hampered the cross LoC
was taken in this direction till date. "Our Association is trade through unnecessary restrictions", he observed and
involved in the trade since last two years. The inconvience reminded that the trade and travel across the LoC had
and hardships faced by us was brought to the notice of become possible only due to the assiduous efforts of
the concerned but no attention was paid to our just and the previous PDP-Congress regime in the State.
genuine requests," Lone said.
JAMMU JAN 13: Refuting observations of former
JAMMU, 5: Goods worth over Rs 4.32 crore are traded Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the Minister
between Jammu & Kashmir and PaK along the Line of Con- for Industries and Commerce, SS Salathia says that the
trol at Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point in Poonch district. facts and figures reveal that there has been sharp in-
As many as 23 trucks rolled out from Trade Facilitation crease on LoC trade during last two years. Substantiat-
Centre (TFC) at Ranger in Poonch district of J&K to PaK ing hid claim, he said upto 31st March, 2009 since in-
today, they said adding these trucks carried bags of coco- ception of the trade, the State has exported goods worth
nut, red chilli, embroidery and herbs worth Rs1.67 crore Rs 2.76 crore while the exports reached Rs 131.96 crore
(Rs 1,67,08,820). From PaK, as many as 25 trucks carry- during last fiscal and this fiscal the State exported goods
ing bags of almond, walnuts, dry grapes, dates and herbs worth Rs 178. 68 crore upto ending December only, which
crossed to this side and these were worth Rs 2.65 crore shows the turnover of the trade is rising sharply. He
(Rs 2,65,40,699). clarified that the State has imported goods worth Rs 64
lakhs only from October 10, 2008 to March 31, 2009,
SRINAGAR JAN 6: Five guests from PaK arrive here while the State registered Rs 219.48 crore (in Pak cur-
while five Kashmiris crossed over to other side of the rency) imports during last fiscal. And this fiscal the im-
Line of Control in the Karvan-e-Aman bus, operating be- ports upto ending December have reached Rs 297.01
tween Srinagar and Muzaffarabad. However, trade be- crore, he added.
tween the two parts remained suspended as traders on
this side are protesting against the alleged inadequate SRINAGAR JAN 13 : Five fresh PaK guests and equal
facilities at Salamabad trade centre. number of people from Kashmir crossed sides at the
Kaman Post, the last Indian military post in Uri sector.
JAMMU JAN 12: Goods worth over Rs 4.66 crore are Eighteen residents from both the sides also crossed over
traded through 50 trucks between Jammu and Kashmir after completing their stay with their respective rela-
and PaK along the Line of Control at Chakan-Da-Bagh tives in PaK and Kashmir. They said five guests from
Crossing point in Poonch district. As many as 25 trucks PaK arrived at Kaman post after crossing the Aman Setu
bridge on foot this afternoon. Five residents of this side, SRINAGAR, JAN 20 : The cross-Line of Control travel
after spending time with their relatives in POK, also and trade between Kashmir and PaK was a mixed bag
returned their homes in the Karvan-e-Aman bus, oper- this week as no fresh visitor travelled on the Srinagar-
ating between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, capital of PaK. Muzaffarabad bus service but goods worth record Rs 25
Five Kashmiri residents also crossed over to POK to meet crore were exchanged at Salamabad Trade Facilitation
their relatives for the first time. However, 13 PaK resi- Centre. A senior official said nine persons crossed the
dents, who were here also returned to their homes after Aman Setu (Peace Bridge) aboard the Karavan-e-Aman
completing their stay here. They included five women Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Bus Service but there were no
and two children. fresh visitors either from the Valley or from PaK today.
While four Kashmiris returned home from PaK after stay-
ing with their relatives, five PoK residents crossed back
SRINAGAR JAN 18: The cross-border trade between
after spending time with their relatives as per the per-
PaK and Jammu and Kashmir resumes after the State
mission.
Government promised construction of additional stor- Meanwhile, the weekly trade on Srinagar-
age facility within a month to store goods awaiting se- Muzaffarabad route, which resumed this week after re-
curity clearance. More than 130 vehicles, loaded with maining suspended for two weeks, smashed all previous
spices, dry fruit and handicraft, crossed the Aman Setu records as goods worth an estimated Rs 25 crore were
(Peace Bridge) on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route at exchanged between the traders from PaK and Kashmir
Kaman post. The cross-LoC trade has already crossed valley. Official sources said more than 320 trucks loaded
Rs 400 crore mark and is expanding at a rapid pace with items approved for exchange crossed the LoC on
despite lack of direct communication and banking fa- Tuesday and Wednesday - the designated days for the
cilities. trade.
JAMMU, JAN 18: Cross-LoC trade from Chakan-Da- SRINAGAR, 27: There was no fresh guest from PaK
Bagh on Poonch-Rawlakote route touches Rs 4.39 crore while one Kashmiri crossed over to the other side of the
on day one of two days weekly business between traders Line of Control in the Karvan-e-Aman bus operating be-
of two parts of the divided State. Traders from this side tween Srinagar and Muzaffarabd. For the second consecu-
exported coconut, bananas, red chilli, herbs and em- tive week, there was no fresh guest from PaK. However, a
broidery items worth Rs 1.49 crore to their counterparts resident of Kashmir valley, who had crossed over to other
in Rawlakote in PaK. From PaK, almonds, oranges, pista, side of the LoC returned back to home after completing
dates, malathi and dry grapes reached Poonch. They had sntay in PaK with his relatives. So far only ten POK resi-
a value of Rs 2.9 crore. dents and eleven from here have crossed sides in 2011.
Conciliation Resources, a London based international peacebuilding organisation, is soon launching a re-
search work on Cross-LoC trade.
"Jammu and Kashmir: trade across the Line of Control", is a publication is based on a series of twelve discussion
papers in which traders, economists, journalists and researchers from either side of the Line of Control (LoC)
offer their individual perspectives on: the political economy of the cross-border trade; the potential of the trade
to nurture peacebuilding across the LoC; the challenges and restrictions faced by the trade; and advocacy for
expanding the trade.
The publication is accompanied by a Policy Brief which sets out recommendations. The Policy Brief is published
together with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS) in New Delhi and the Pakistan Institute of Legis-
lative Development and Transparency, (PILDAT) based in Islamabad.
The publication and policy brief highlight the growth of the trade and its success in drawing in many families
divided by the conflict. Nonetheless, the trade remains limited in terms of the number of trading routes and the
range of goods that can be traded as well as in terms of the means of communication and exchange between
traders.
The publications argue that for the economic potential of the trade to be realised it is necessary to put the trade
on a more modern footing. This will spread the benefits beyond the small circle of those involved and could have
a significant developmental impact for the wider region. Furthermore, if the peacebuilding potential of the trade
is to be met, innovative institutions such as the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(JKJCC), the first cross-LoC non-governmental organisation of its kind, need to have the space to evolve. As one
trader quoted in the publication notes: "it's not just a trade venture but can become a tool for people-to-people
diplomacy".
Two years of trade have created constituencies on both sides of the LoC with a strong stake in normalcy and,
crucially, an increasing opposition to the resumption of hostilities, which would hamper their growing business.
The trade has been resilient to the vicissitudes of state-level tension caused by the 2008 Mumbai bombing and
unrest in the Kashmir Valley over the last three years.
As a matter of symbolic importance the publication is being simultaneously launched in New Delhi, Islamabad,
Muzaffarabad, Jammu and Srinagar.