Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16: Observing that Kashmir seems to have returned to normalcy but people still refused to accept the Centre’s decision of revoking J&K special status, Concerned Citizens’ Group, in its latest report, has listed several suggestions to Government of India to address the sense of defeat and anger amongst the Kashmiris by opening up democratic space for people to express themselves.
“Srinagar seemed peaceful. People were seen going about their daily chores. Life seemed more normal compared to our earlier visits. There were fewer bunkers and road blocks and deployment of Police and para-military forces appeared slender,” observed the group members in their report after four-day visit to Kashmir Valley from March 30 to April 2, 2021.
Urging the Government to allow the civil society organizations to function by holding meetings, seminars and discussions, which would allow the people to vent their emotions and relieve the psychological pressure on them, the Group has also suggested to make bureaucracy in the J&K districts accountable to the District Development Council.
The Group on Kashmir has also appealed the Government to allow media persons to freely report from the ground and do not criminalize journalists. “Even the state might be better informed if the press is free,” opined the group members.
They further suggested the Government to restore the earlier policy of restraint and preventing collateral damage during counter insurgency operations by the security forces.
The 15-page report has been prepared by the Concerned Citizens’ Group after meeting with a cross-section of people during recent visit to Kashmir Valley. This was its third visit after the Modi Government revoked the special status of erstwhile State of J&K and the eights since violence erupted in the Valley following killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in July 2016.
The Group members included Yashwant Sinha (former Union Minister of Finance), Wajahat Habibullah (former IAS and Chairman of the Minorities Commission), Sushobha Barve, Air Vice-Marhsal (Retd) Kapil Kak and Bharat Bhushan (journalist).
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