The idea of constructing such barriers in the 21st century is nothing but an anachronism and redundancy.
LAHORE: According to some media reports, India is planning to build a massive security wall along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed territory of Kashmir. The proposed ‘Great Wall of Kashmir’ would be bigger in size both in terms of height and width than the Great Wall of China. The apparent purpose for the construction of this security barrier is to stop infiltrators from entering Indian-held Kashmir by secretly crossing the LoC. But the real motive behind this move seems to be further Indian consolidation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The idea of constructing such barriers in the 21st century is nothing but an anachronism and redundancy. Today, the world is becoming increasingly open, interrelated and interdependent. As a matter of fact, interstate borders are becoming a bit irreverent and less significant in the face of rising trends of regionalism and economic liberalism worldwide. The birth of bodies like the European Union and the North American Free Trade Agreement substantiate this very fact. Regrettably, in South Asia, it is just the other way round. Ironically, the Great Wall of China could not prevent the fall of its architects in ancient China. The Berlin Wall could not resist the reunification of Germany for long.
The LoC consists of a double row of high fences with concertina wire and thousands of landmines laid in between. It has also been electrified and further secured by guards, motion sensors, thermal imaging devices and some lighting and alarm systems. In the presence of such comprehensive arrangements, the construction of another heavy wall is pointless and quite unjustified. At the moment, it cannot be predicted with precision as to how far and how long this intended wall would be successful in keeping apart the inhabitants on both sides of the LoC. But surely, it will further add to the sufferings and miseries of the already deprived and poverty-stricken people on the both sides of the divide.
Mohsin Raza Malik
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2013.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
