Jammu & Kashmir Dialogue

Why in news?

The Union government recently appointed Dineshwar Sharma as an interlocutor to negotiate with all sections of the society.

What is the current situation? 

• Kashmir is in political turmoil since the death of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in January 2016.
• The killing of Hizbul Mujahedeen commander Burhan Wani saw stone-pelting protesters taking to the streets in big numbers.
• Indiscriminate use of pellet guns by security forces to dispel protesters also added fuel to the resentment.
• The popularity of slain militants has only grown over the months and militant attacks on Kashmiri policemen has spiked.  
• With regular ceasefire breaches by Pakistan on the border, the gains of the 2003 Ceasefire deal have effectively vanished.
• Intelligence estimates hold that more than 200 youth have taken to militancy since 2013. 
• The recent events of mysterious “braid-chopping” and the protests in the aftermath only complicate matters.

What lies ahead? 

• Hope - Dialogue is vital for suppressing hardliners and enabling a genuinely conciliatory environment.
• The begin of negotiations will also increase the legitimacy of the CM and contribute to better governance.
• Strategy - More clarity is needed from the Centre on amount of freedom available to Mr. Sharma for the negotiations.  
• Concious awareness that the recent NIA raids and other actions against seperatists could influence any outreach is needed.
• The interlocutor will have to consciously broadbase his schedule significantly to win the interest of civil society in the Valley.

Source: The Hindu