Don’t Believe Rumours

Kashmir has been limping back to normalcy and it has given people hope to contribute to the overall well-being. The two incidents of targeted killings have infused a sense of insecurity. It cannot be allowed to infuse fear psychosis. Jammu and Kashmir Police has turned down the social media messages asking the non-locals to leave the Kashmir valley as false information to mislead the masses and infuse insecurity. When the desperation and insecurity grips in such a situation there is a need to keep the people updated about the ground reality. The terror modules are desperate due to the successful Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections that have established the faith of the people in the democracy. These incidents of terror cannot be allowed to have the spillover effect. It shows the maturity of the people in Jammu and Kashmir that even after the gruesome killings the people have maintained peace. They under the nuances and are well aware that peace comes at a price. People of Kashmir have paid a heavy price for the relative peace in the valley amid challenges. There is a need to ensure security of the non –local workers and the Kashmiri Pandit employees so that the terror outfits are not able to strike with impunity. Terming the mass movement of the people due to the festive season as displacement can’t be used to create narratives. Spin doctors can’t be allowed to cash in these trying times. The state has to be extra vigilant to infuse a sense of confidence among the non –locals who are working in various capacities. Jammu and Kashmir has shown signs of relative peace and normalcy in recent years. It has given confidence to the business players in the rest of India to invest in Kashmir and create new opportunities for the masses that includes both locals and non-locals. It is only by being inclusive that Kashmir can emerge as the nucleus of new opportunities in terms of multiplier effect in new business domains. The Jammu and Kashmir Government must explore ways and means to widen the scope of UT’s business prospects that can lead to self-sufficiency in various sectors and can be game changers as far as the employability is concerned. Security grid has to be upgraded to foil the nefarious designs of the patrons of war so that the stray incidents are not able to bring Kashmir on the boil. The peace gained in decades can’t be squandered. Jammu and Kashmir has been marching on a new path of resurgence and it can’t be allowed to show decline. The need is to maintain steady growth in all sectors. The influx of tourists so far has been encouraging. Kashmir has been the preferred destination among the domestic tourists. Tourist arrival has shown an appreciable growth. No doubt the recent targeted killings have affected the market but there is an immediate need for the policy makers to do the course correction so that the fissiparous tendencies working to spoil peace in Jammu and Kashmir are not allowed to gain the foothold. Immediate measures are needed to infuse a sense of confidence and security among the non-locals working in Kashmir. Besides, there is a need to upgrade security for the Kashmiri Pandit employees who are working in Kashmir under PM Employment Package. So that terror modules are not given the opportunity to wreck peace in Kashmir.