Description

Indian Administered Jammu and Kashmir has remained a flashpoint in South Asia during past over 21 years. An armed rebellion, which broke out in 1989 led to destabilization in region which thousands of people getting killed and displaced. India used its military might to contain the conflict but the real political issue remains unresolved. Since Kashmir dispute is centre to acrimonious relationship between India and Pakistan, both the countries have tried many agreements, but have failed to bring peace to the region. With both pro-India and pro-secessionist parties claiming to represent people of Jammu and Kashmir, there is no forward movement on political settlement. The result is that Kashmir is writhing in pain and agony. Past three years have seen a different uprising, which many believe, is a transition from violence to non-violence but there seems to be no capitalization on that account. The stalemate has left people in despair and sustainable peace remains elusive.

Shujaat Bukhari is a senior journalist and writer based in Srinagar, the capital of Indian Administered Jammu and Kashmir. He has covered Kashmir conflict for the last 21 years and has reported on politics, culture and defense issues. He has worked with several regional, national and international newspapers and has carved a niche for himself. Besides being a journalist he has special interest in promoting culture and his native language—Kashmiri. He has survived four assassination attempts during his chequered career but has stayed back in his home place.