Srinagar, February 02 (KNO) : With fear visible on the faces of almost every Kashmiri citizen even after the release of Indian Air Force pilot morning, people across the region opine that unless the two nuclear powers would do away with “war hysteria” and start a sustained dialogue, Kashmiris would remain in the tight grip of panic and uncertainty.
Majority of people with whom KNO spoke to, including elderly and students, unanimously stated that in the contemporary world, war has no acceptance as issues need to be handled by talking to each other with sincerity.
Since past almost a week, people across the Valley, have been caught under the quagmire of rumours that—“something big was going to happen.” From the gossip lounges of Srinagar to an ordinary shopkeeper, fear was palpable on the faces of every one amid talks that “there were chances of war between India and Pakistan” What added more to the rumours were the government advisories about stocking essentials.
Majority of petrol pumps across Kashmir continue to run dry with government attributing the crisis in markets to the frequent closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the world.
Even though the Governor S P Malik had appealed people for calm asking them not to panic, the announcement seems to have failed to bring smiles on the people of the grief-stricken Valley. “We have suffered and continue to suffer. Instead of wasting resources in war, the two countries must sit and announce true so that issues are resolved amicably,” said Imtiyaz Ahmed, a political science student in one of the universities in Kashmir. “Kashmir continues to be the core issue between India and Pakistan. I believe the solution to the issue lies in negotiations not in exchanging mortars and nukes.”
A legal expert while commenting on the prevailing situation in Kashmir especially LoC said that the fear of war continues as the hostilities between the two countries have not ebbed.
“It has rather increased. The magma may burst any time and engage the two countries in a destructive war,” he said. “I believe no Kashmiri would support war between India and Pakistan as Kashmir would be the first victim of war. Both nations are nuclear powers and destruction that war can bring can’t even be imagined.”
An elderly, Abdul Aziz Shah said that people of the last seven days have been full of worries and miseries for the people of Kashmir. “People could smell that something was bound to happen and it happened in the form of IAF strike. Now what if Pakistan responds?” said Shah, 75, who has seen 1971 war between India and Pakistan. “What if Pakistan’s retaliation triggers a full-fledged war. A wise person would only suggest that it is high time to do away with the war hysteria and to start sustained negotiations, which is the main reason of rift between the two nations.”
A student pursing doctorate at Kashmir University said that in the present times, where dynamics are shaped by economics, both the countries India and Pakistan should realize that war was no option. “The two nuclear powers should try and resolve their issues through dialogue,” he said. “Let peaceful means of resolving issues be given a chance. This has been seen as latest trend across the globe as far as settling disputes is concerned.”(KNO)