Adnan Dar
There are so many reasons to believe that worst thing of beautiful Kashmir is its uncertainty. Its beauty is enveloped in destruction, death and deprivation. Deprived of right to life, freedom and choice, this place seems cursed and its citizen the destitute child.
July 8, 2016 was like any other summer day of Kashmir. It was the culmination of Eid festivities and the people were setting plans for the daily chorus of action.
Amid festivities, in a drowsy afternoon, the online media broke the news. The news was so powerful that it triggered jittery among the people of Kashmir and gradually engulfed India and Pakistan. Burhan Wani, the top militant commander of south Kashmir died in an encounter at Bamdooru, Anantnag.
Though the gun fights are a routine matter in the conflict ridden Kashmir valley over last thirty years, the high profile killing this time, however, at the hands of security forces was for sure taking Kashmir to an ugly end. The former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who enjoys the highest following on twitter was first to understand the magnanimity of killing and reacted: “The killing of Burhan means more tense days for Kashmir,” he tweeted.
Off late, Omar Abdullah proved right and valley was on grinding halt for over six months with 100 civilian killings and thousands injured. Kashmir the world’s most conflicted region is regarded as the heaven on earth for its picturesque looks, however, things can change at any moment and within no time the valley can get transform into a living hell.
There was an instant communication breakdown on security grounds. No one could communicate to their loved ones and inquire about the well being of their people. Due to severe restrictions even majority of the people could not pay the visit physically to their relatives. Similarly, in this communication breakdown, the youth of Kashmir suffered not only physically, they were equally bearing unbearable emotional pain inside hearts for forcible separation from their loved ones.
Amaaq Dar (Name Changed) a 17 year old boy still in a lock up at Sopore police station for being involved in stone pelting says that he had been in a relationship for one year. He says the intimacy and love he was sharing with his girlfriend was appreciated in his locality. “We would chat on facebook until internet was suspended in Kashmir on July 8. However, after that I was visiting his home to have her glimpses until I got arrested and lost contact with her completely, says Amaaq.
“Behind the bars I am helpless. I wish I could talk to her once. Later whatever happens to me, I would have no regrets”.
What is more disturbing Amaaq is insecurity and dwindling confidence in relationship?
Another student of engineering Amir (Name Changed) although was in touch with his girlfriend who hails from another district due to landline connections existing in their respective homes, however, dropped an idea of having any relationship after being beaten to pulp by forces for violating curfew.
“My girlfriend insisted me to meet in Srinagar and I agreed reluctantly. As I stepped out of home in My car, I was caught by the forces who beat me to pulp for violating curfew. Here I didn’t only cancelled my date but dropped any plan for dating any girl for the rest of my life,” He recalls.
Amina, a teacher by profession says that her son went into acute depression following the communication blockade. He got substantial behavioural changes due to which they were forced to consult the psychiatrist who suggested them to offer him company of friends.
“We sent him Chandigarh to stay with friends to relive. He suffered massive depression in Kashmir”.
Ishfaq (Name Changed) a shopkeeper who was recently released from sub jail Baramulla says that his girlfriend and he were always together and were often referred as love birds. “ But once I was arrested and taken to Police Station Sopore she made visits to me all often during the prescribed visiting hours but once I was shifted to Sub Jail she never came there and now as I am released she has Changed all her contact numbers and is not willing to stay in relationship,” he says.
The story appeared in the print edition of Feb 22-28, 2017.
