Kashmir killings

The killing of four protesters in Indian-administered Kashmir on August 13, after a few days of relative calm, shows that the Indian government’s policy of overwhelming force to quell demonstrations has been a complete failure. This takes the death toll in Kashmir to over 50 people since separatist protesters took to the streets in June. There are a few signs that the Indian government is beginning to realise that military action alone is not enough to solve the problem. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave a live televised address directly to the Kashmiri people in which, speaking in their language, he promised that the region would be given autonomy. That was an important conciliatory gesture but more will have to be done. Given that the central government has decided that its top priority is to ensure law and order in the region, they could begin by using batons or rubber bullets instead of live ammunition.

At the same time, particularly given its desire to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council, India needs to adhere to international law. A complaint by the UN that some Indian forces had been using the agency’s blue helmets and shields shows that India is trying to give its unilateral actions an international imprimatur.  This comes after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged India to show restraint in Kashmir, although he later backtracked a bit. The superpowers are hoping to use India as a counter-balance against the rise of China, but in this game of real politick the Kashmiri people are being forgotten. Pakistan, for its part, needs to tread carefully. Nothing will ruin the legitimacy of the Kashmir cause in the eyes of the international community quicker than allegations that Pakistan is providing separatists with material support.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2010.