There is an increase in the number of deaths of civilians recently, including those of the minority community after terror attacks in J&K.
What is the recent happening?
The dissent in the Valley with the recent administrative and political measures is being exploited to trigger communal discord and violence.
The recent attacks are carried out allegedly by a shadowy force calling itself The Resistance Front (TRF), termed by security forces as being set up by the LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba).
The attacks are a major setback when the number of violent incidents in the Kashmir Valley was the lowest in 5 years.
What is the impact?
Pushed the Valley’s minority Hindu and Sikh communities into a state of fear.
Many Kashmiri Pandit and Sikh employees abstained from work or took leave temporarily, worried about their security.
Reminds the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits due to terror attacks in the early 1990s.
What does this call for?
A reassurance of security from the Government for members of the minority communities such as the Pandits and the Sikhs.
A commitment for solidarity with the victims from the various political forces and civil society.
Initiatives by the civil society to foster communal amity and to mobilise people across communities against hatred.
What lies ahead?
While the above are temporary responses, the dissatisfaction over the abrogation of J&K’s special status, its bifurcation and designation as a UT continues.
Immediate renewal of political dialogue to address this concern as well as the resumption of political and press freedoms is essential for long-standing peace.
