Hyderabad: Growth and progress come to a halt when there is a conflict be it a political conflict or otherwise. Communities experiencing conflict have a higher amount of scepticism in them even, sometimes, doubt is raised on a menial issue in comparison to more stable communities.
Conflict and crisis cause a significant setback in certain key areas that are important for the future of a community, its social values, public health systems and other areas which play a key role in making their future better. Trust deficit, scepticism should ideally take a back seat when there is a humanitarian crisis, which is not the case in Kashmir context.
Sometimes it is the distrust and lack of faith in the system of governance which becomes deterrent for societies to overcome their shortcomings. Kashmir is one typical example in this regard with around 60 lakh population under complete lockdown like any other part of the world due to the spread of Novel Coronavirus.
Many areas across the ten districts of Kashmir valley have been declared 'Red zones' - geographical containment areas. These containment areas like other states are meant to contain the disease within the defined geographical zone and are aimed at breaking the chain of transmission to ensure it does not spread in neighbouring areas. Within the radius of five kilometres from the containment zone is a buffer zone or low-risk areas.
There are prescribed guidelines as to how to conduct oneself in these vulnerable geographical areas. Red zones have been isolated by erecting concrete barricades to ensure there is no inward or outward movement. Entry and exit points are completely sealed the same way there were designated leprosy colonies in earlier times.
Pictures that are shared on the social media about the red zones of Kashmir, indeed, give a horrible look as if the entire population in that particular area has been infected. This, undoubtedly, is done for the larger good of people so that the disease does not spread in the neighbouring localities. Digging the main roads to install huge metallic permanent structures to stop vehicular movement is what is being questioned in various intellectual circles of Kashmir.
People look at the list of red zones, declared by the department concerned, as a larger conspiracy and an offshoot of the earlier lockdowns and curfews after the erstwhile state was stripped of its special status it enjoyed for decades.
Most of the present-day red zones were earlier the political red zones and cut off from other neighbouring areas by using extraordinary military means for the containment of street protests and subsequent violence.
Srinagar’s downtown was one of the most defiant areas which never went well with what the government likes to do in Kashmir. Even the government scheme for distributing of LED bulbs was looked at as a means to spy on people. At many places, people threw out on streets the LED bulbs which were distributed on subsidized rates as it was assumed that bulbs have a chip implanted to spy on them.
The level of scepticism, fear, disbelief and lack of trust in the system has grown far higher post abrogation of Article 370 and, in fact, it is apparent in conflicts elsewhere.
This suspicion is not new to people living in this part of the world but the only difference is that of the reason. Owing to the spread of coronavirus people in the red zones are put under strict lockdown as compared to the other two zones. The entire region remained under strict curfew and subsequent shutdowns for months before the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. The months of internet and telecom ban was an additional pain, particularly to youngsters.
The curbs were later relaxed, that too area wise. The region still manages life with 2G internet speed. Areas like the old city would remain shut as it was declared a red zone and no inward or outward movement was allowed except for medical emergencies. To prevent defiance, street protests and stone-pelting, people were arrested and locked up either at their residences or sent to jails.
Now the areas that have been identified as red zones are the ones that are erstwhile military red zones and have shown tremendous defiance as and when the government tries to bring down the separatist sentiment. They look at things through a political lens and loot at them critically when things come from the government.
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Red zones of three border districts- Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara are seen as a larger game plan for mapping the minds to check the infiltration transit points. Districts like Shopian and Pulwama in the south Kashmir are main takers of separatism and militants get easily a refuge here.
But the intellectuals from the other side of the wall believe that government wants to leave no scope for another agitation about a crisis which has hit the entire world. The agitation would cost more than what it did earlier. Hundreds and thousands of forces camping in densely populated areas can’t afford to confront at this moment as would be a great risk to them of a virus which has already entered in some areas. If the agitation happens forces won’t be able to maintain a distance and arresting people would be a big challenge.
Not only this, but people in the military ranks may also show resentment in controlling the agitating mobs. Military and paramilitary forces in the valley also fear the spread of the virus and take all precautions and follow protocols.
It is the assumption that is predominant in Kashmir with regards to reality. Reality prevails only if it is looked at with clear heart and free mind and that too from both the sides. Scepticism is a reflection of the feeling of a repeated betrayal. That feeling has to go and healing has to happen with all the sincerity.
