YET AGAIN !!!!!

We are still a spell of curfew and strikes since things turned bad in Kashmir. Apart from the killings I wrote about many more died. A woman died as she could not reach a hospital in time. The security forces kept checking the ambulance she was in at various points resulting in loss of precious time. Same was the fate of two unborn babies. They died in the wombs of their mothers as the ambulances could not go unchecked to the hospital. These deaths won’t be counted when the figure of killed crops up in news. There will many more such cases which have gone unreported.

The government imposed such restrictions that local newspapers (we have around 60) could not hit stands for 5 days. Journalists of local, national and international agencies were unable to discharge their duties.

A local journalist working for BBC Urdu Service was beaten by security forces while he was on his way to collect the curfew pass. Apart from other injuries he suffered a fractured arm.

The government has already banned the sms service. Local cable operators have been banned to broadcast news except for 10 minutes every day. This 10 min capsule mostly consists of government handouts now.

As I was wondering how things are going to get any better the cycle repeated itself. Again a little boy was killed and how. He was chased by Police when they were trying to disperse protestors and forcibly thrown into a river resulting in his drowning. A boy of 10 who refused to carry an identity card telling his father “I am just a kid so I am safe they (security forces) won’t hurt me”. Identity cards here in Kashmir are a must. Though they don’t ensure safety but can save one (if you are lucky) from some trouble and harassment.

This is a repetition. A few months back another boy was killed in a similar fashion; though at that time instead of being pushed into water, fear made him jump though he couldn’t swim. But the security forces ensured that he wasn’t rescued.

What happened next was a repetition of the story. Fayaz Ahmad, a 23 year old was killed when police fired on the protesting mourners carrying the body after it was fished out. He had married just a month back. More than 30 persons were injured in the mayhem.

Another guy was been beaten to pulp in another demonstration against the killing and is lying in a critical condition in the hospital.

The valley has been gripped by curfews and restrictions. So many people were beaten on the streets. Just the other day as a security vehicle was hit by a stone in dark in our locality they went on a rampage beating women, children whosoever came in their way? They also broke doors, windows, gasses of many houses. We are under a curfew today too and my mom’s cousin who lives at a small distance from us just called saying that the security forces are beating whosoever they see on the street. A lot of people have been unlucky since morning.

What is most appaliing is that the government does not in any was seem to be aplogetic about its follies and to add insult tro the injury they are repeating the mistake. The so called elected representatives does have the power and inclination to visit the families of dead/injured. They won't dare to . That tells a lot about their situation.

In the meantime more than 1000 youth have been arrested in Srinagar City only. The arrests are at times illegal, meaning they keep the youth locked up without actaully filing a report. This gives them the freedom to do anything with them as the Armed Forces Special Protection Act does not give them enough immunity.

Two brothers in my neighborhood were picked up from their beds in night and when the family and other neighbours went to police they were abused and shown a report which said that the boys were arrested while hurling stones.

What the government is not realising is that they are alienating more people . It is not only these 1000 boys who will be more disillusioned but also their friends, family, relatives. Last time they piccked up minoprs who were forced to sodomise each other scarring them for life and the brutes filmed it on their cellphones. So you see instead of finding a solution the adminstration is hell bent on making it worse and then they know who to blame. The common Kashmiri, it's all his fault.

To all of you I want to ask how you are going to react in such a situation if you witness such an account (in the link) below frequently. Do read