J&K Continues to be on the Edge, Politicians Go into Hiding

Srinagar: It has been three days of paralysis in Kashmir as widespread violence continues to take its toll on the Valley. Over 20 people have been killed and at least 250 have been injured in the protest against the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, but the Jammu and Kashmir government seems to have gone into hiding.

"Government is nowhere. I am from Anantnag, look how they are dealing with us. Are they dealing with animals," asked an angry resident.

Just two years ago, politicians were going from home to home asking for votes and the state turned out in droves in the election. But now the people's representatives are reluctant to even visit their own constituencies. Many have shifted to secure fortresses in Srinagar but are failing to lead from the front and calm the volatile situation.

Even national Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted asking Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to lead from the front.

"More than anyone else I know what you're going through Mehbooba Mufti and I can assure you that we will follow your lead but lead YOU must. Please don't take the easy option of hiding behind your spokesperson and your police officers. No one elected them, the people elected you," Abdullah tweeted.

Many victims of the fresh unrest feel orphaned by the absence of the politicians. But locals are helping the victims, who otherwise would have been left to fend for themselves.

"It is the locals who have made arrangements for their food and are generously donating blood for the victims," a victim said.

With mainstream poltical leadership retreating into a shell, the only interface that government has put up before the common masses are security forces who too have not met people's expectation. It seems no lessons have been drawn by political bosses from the recurring crisis that Kashmir often slips into. And if the message sent out by the Centre asking security forces to exercise restrain percolates down, the situation can be saved from deteriorating further.