Kashmir protests: Will they ever end?

Not shy---but dont you think India deserves to hold itself to its own standard of dealing with internal problems?

You're right - needs to be much more about those things than handouts and grants... lots of money has poured into the state- but no accountability

Yes I think the police should- and is now looking at more non-lethal forms of crowd control. Lets hope- this summer has been tragic.

I think they already do, Omar. Need more understanding all around.

Thanks Krishnan. No essentially i think some leaders have certainly coordinated some of the protests, but would love for you to read my blog "Finding the face of the Kashmiri protestor" for more! tell me what you think

Again Haneef, Azaadi is not an unambiguous word....also I really dont know if anyone can speak for the "wishes and aspirations" of any people. While anything should be possible, "redrawing borders" is not likely. The first priority must be to mitigate people's suffering.

Very interesting thought Azlan....but not remotely a possibility no?

Ram, please seem my answer to Kakoli. I think the reasons are innumerable....but have to do with a lack of focus and bad timing more than bad intent. Also we must work on solutions in real time, not leave them to the next crisis. Above all, the state must have a heart..a big one!!

I am not sure anyone believes that Irfan.....I do think the media tries its best, but is viewed with suspicion by people on both sides of the divide- anti-national by one lost, and propagandist by the other!

Yes... I was baffled when I was asked by one protestor- with so many people dying in protests from Police bullets (65 at last count), why aren't human rights activists from other parts of the country coming to protest as well-----if Kashmir is an integral part of India, she asked- why aren't they here? I think civil society must find more interface with people in Jammu and Kashmir...also other parts of the country!

:) A simple question that needs a very complex answer! Here are my simple thoughts on what we could try: 1. Offer a serious sustained dialogue to all non-militant leaders- but with no pre-conditions, except the understanding that everything will be discussed- right now from Azaadi to Autonomy, people dont even understand the full meanings of the terms of any solution 2. Make a sincere attempt to mitigate suffering in the state- that means serious economic measures on infrastructure, education not just grants 3. Review the AFSPA (armed forces special power act) as promised by the Home Minister, especially in place the Armed forces are not present. 4. Build a series of exchange programmes at official and non-official levels for people around the country to visit the valley and for those in the valley to travel out 5. Strengthen the state government- it is eventually they who will have to deliver justice and prosperity to the state 6. Begin a real effort to bring back Kashmiri Pandits who live as refugees outside the valley back home. 7. Consider all the "outof the box" solutions discussed in the past few years- on making "borders irrelevant", including Cross LOC CBMs, boosting trade, considering joint mechanisms on education and tourism across the LoC. Sounds like a lot----but these are all solutions "within the Indian constitution" that would also address some of the concerns of those disaffected by the Indian state today

Yes, but these protests are part of a much more intractable probem, and must be taken more seriously

Thanks Farhat. Is autonomy possible? I think it is possible to see much more autonomy for all states, and allow J-K much more control over its destiny within the constitution. Many times the efforts for peace lose focus because the central govt essentially runs a firefighting op, also many difference in thought on every side - within thecentre,the state and seperatists as well.as re:compensation I think the statehas announced compensation to some of the families. Of course, their loss is irreplaceable.

Actually Preeti, I meet so many people inside and outside govt- who have been through the highs and lows of the J-K problem and want to try and change the paradigm. Even though they haven't been successful yet- I do think all our leadership is united in that- across the political spectrum from UAPA to NDA to UPA they have each tried. Unfr the efforts hv not kept focus and the absence of violence is read as peace

Thanks much Suneet-my article was based on impressions I had from the ground, on protests that were already taking place- so not sure how I was encouraging them. I think no solution is possible without a real understanding of the problem and I hope the article 'encourages' that kind of productive thinking

Surprisingly I think there is some sympathy, some curiousity about why these protests,why now- alo why don't they stop- but in general also a lot of impatience. Unfortunately there is a huge fatigue factor with Kashmir violence in the rest of the country. Sorry all- am stuck in traffic, typing off my phone so may be slow with replies, but v grateful for all your queriesd