ISSN 0974-5653

Jammu, November 1, 2008 / Vol 2 / Issue 10 || Price Rs. 15 || Postal Registration No. JK-350/2007-09 || www.epilogue.in

JAMMU & KASHMIR ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS

CHALLENGE : 2008

NEW ERA : LoC is Line of Commerce

Exclusive Interviews :
Raja Zulqarnain Khan, President, PaK
Zulfikar Abbasi, President Muzaffarabad CCI

DIALOGUE Managing Temples

Salman Haidar Preventing Shrine Tragedies
Former Foreign Secretary Mata Vaishno Devi Management Shows The Way
 Shivkhori

Paying obeisance can be a soul lifting experience at Shiv Khori, the famous Cave shrine of
lord shiva situates 80 Kms west of Katra (Vaishnodevi) About 100 meters in length the cave
is shaped as a damroo of lord shiva - wide at the two ends and narrow in the middle. Besides
the self made lingam, the cave abounds with a number of otther natural objects having
resemblance with Goddess Parvat_Ganesha and Nandigan

Jammu
Akshara-08

IN TOUCH WITH THE DIVINE

J&K Tourism
Jammu : Tel : 0191-2548172, Fax : 2544842
www.jktourism.org or E-mail at : jkdtourism@yahoo.co.in, dtj@jktourism.org
 Epilogue
because there is more to know

www.epilogue.in CONTENTS

Editor Prologue 3
Zafar Iqbal Choudhary Letters to the editor 4
Who Said What 5
Consulting Editor
D. Suba Chandran News Wrap
J&K Stories 6
Associate Editor
Irm Amin Baig Dialogue
J&K Assembly Elections
Salman Haidar 16
Designs & Layout
Keshav Sharma CHALLENGE :2008 Report
Mailing Address LoC Trade 32
PO Box 50, HO Gandhi Nagar, Volume 2, Issue 10, November 2008 Interviews
Jammu Raja Zulqarnain Khan 34
IN FOCUS Zulfikar Abbasi 35
Phones & email Election 2008
Office : +91 191 2493136 Special Feature
Editorial: +91 94191 80762 Managing Temples 38
Administration: +91 94190 00123 18 The Challenge of 2008 Manoj Kumar Dwivedi
editor@epilogue.in 20 Valley Scenario
editor.epilogue@gmail.com Comment
22 Jammu Scenario
Kashmir Train 45
subscription@epilogue.in
24 Ladakh Scenario C. Udhay Bhaskar
Edited, Printed, Published and 26 Answers To Some Most
Columns
Owned by Zafar Iqbal Choudhary. Frequently Asked Questions
Published from : Ibadat House,
Days Gone By 47
Prof. Jigar Mohammad
Madrasa Lane, Near Graveyard,
Bathindi Top, Jammu, J&K -
Srinagar Sentiments 53
Syeda Afshana
180012 and Printed at : DEE
DEE Reprographix, 3 Aikta
Vision From Valley 55
Prof Noor Ahmed Baba
Ashram, New Rehari Jammu
(J&K) Ladakh
Heritage 50
Disputes, if any, subject to Dr. Sonam Wangchuk
jurisdiction of courts and
competitive tribunals in Jammu
only.

Price : Rs 15 For more News, Views & Analysis

Log on to
www.epilogue.in
Epilogue Ø
1×
November 2008
 SMALL FAMILY
HAPPY FAMILY
ADOPT NSV TECHNIQUE

No Scalpel Vasectomy
Latest Technique
Permanent Family Planning Method for
males
Requires no incision and no stitch
Does not lead to any sexual weakness
Done by trained Doctors only
Conducted in Ten minutes
Acceptor is paid Rs. 1100.00 and
motivator Rs. 200.00 per case as incentive

Adopt NSV and Be Husband No.1

For Further Details contact

Your nearest Govt. Medical Institution
No. :NRHM-RCH/IEC/592-94

RAL HEALT
RU H
NATIONAL

MIS ON
SI

Issued by :
NRHM-RCH J&K State 2005 - 2012

Sorry For 2002
Zafar Choudhary
O Epilogue
n august 15, 2002 the then Indian
Prime Minister Atal Behari
Vajpayee made a mention of
Jammu and Kashmir elections in his
independence day speech from the
ramparts of the Red Forte. His promise to
the people of Jammu and Kashmir a free,
fair and impartial electoral exercise
carried a meaning and commitment to the
restoration of public faith in institutions of
democracy. Accolades for Vajpayee
started pouring in not only from Jammu
and Kashmir but also from far and wide
places like US and Europe. Kashmir issue is
complex and deeply embedded in the
partition history of this subcontinent. But
till 2002 denial of democratic space
through alleged electoral malpractices at
behest of New Delhi was considered as a
trigger to the post-1989 separatist
movement and militant violence.
Independent poll observers dropped in
from different parts of world and the
elections were held under an
international monitoring, though not
officially recognized by the Election
Commission or the Government. National
Conference lost power after a long rule
spreading over two decades. Its Chief
Ministerial candidate lost election at
family's long held turf. Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq of Hurriyat Conference described
Omar Abdullah's loss as his loosing the
Jamia Masjid of which he is the head priest
by way of a dynastical order. Around three
dozen hitherto little known or unknown
faces made their way to the legislative
assembly. Neither separatists, nor
Pakistan or any body else had anything to
say on credibility of elections.
International community complimented
India for giving people of Jammu and
Kashmir a fair chance to vote. Through
this exercise a stage was set for a credible
peace process to address the Kashmir
P R O L O G U E
FROM THE EDITOR
issue. Through these elections peoples got
a reassurance of their right to elect a
representative of their choice. The one
they actually vote for. The government
thus formed symbolized the urges and
aspirations of the people and carried
responsibility of addressing genuine
grievances falling in its constitutional
ambit. Unfortunately, the experience in
the following years was not the one people
had expected. An internally competitive
rag-tag coalition government utilized all
these years not only to undo the
consolidated advantages of 2002 elections
but also damaged the prospects for a
future political course. It is not about
blaming one political party or the other,
one individual or the other. The entire
spirit of the coalition arrangement
largely failed to look beyond the
respective electoral constituency
interests while being fully aware of the
importance of elections which returned
them to power. Six years later, the
electoral battle of 2008 has been launched
in a completely hostile atmosphere when
gulf between Kashmir and India and within
three regions of the state is wider than
ever. This reflects upon the work of
leadership –in State and at Center –over
past six years. Our present issue examines
the scenario in which assembly elections
2008 are being held. Two forthcoming
issues will bring more reports from the
ground. Meanwhile our thanks are due to
Prof Rekha Chowdhary for her enormous
contributions in shaping up this issue of
Epilogue. Thanks are also due to Pawan
Vivek and Avineet Prashar of the UGC-SAP
at Department of Political Science,
University of Jammu for their compilation
of the election data.
Feedback :
Zafarchoudhary@epilogue.in
Epilogue Ø
3×
November 2008
because there is more to know
EPILOGUE aims at providing a
platform where a meaningful
exchange of ideas, opinion and
thoughts can take place among the
people and about the people of
Jammu & Kashmir. The attempt is to
research, investigate, communicate
and disseminate information, ideas
and alternatives for the resolution of
common problems facing the state
and society of Jammu & Kashmir and
in the context of their significance to
South Asia as a whole.
We welcome contributions from
academics, journalists, researchers,
economists and strategic thinkers.
We would also like to encourage
first-time writers with the only
requirements being a concern for and
the desire to understand the
prevailing issues and themes of life in
Jammu & Kashmir
Contributions may be investigative,
descriptive, analytical or theoretical.
They may be in the form of original
articles or in the form of a comment on
current events. All contributions have
to be neatly typed in double space and
may be sent to the address given
alongside or e-mailed to the editor.
While the editor accepts
responsibility for the selection of the
material published, individual
authors are responsible for the facts,
figures and views in their articles.
 Mail your letters to editor@epilogue.in

Win
Write to the editor for your six-month free
subscription of Epilogue magazine. We are
giving away prizes for the best letters we
receive. The writer of the best letter of the
month gets six-month free subscription of
Epilogue Magazine. Reward does not end here.
Writer can also recommend names of ten
friends, relatives or institutions to get
one complimentary copy each of the
next issue.

Letters should preferably be related

to the stories covered in the
magazine. They may be edited for
clarity and space. Mail your
letters to letters@epilogue.in or
editor.epilogue@gmail.com

Alternative Route ?
The last issue of the EPILOGUE covering
LOC trade is a significant document. Not
only the cover story in fact even the
analysis conducted by the team of
epilogue deserves appreciations, I
agree with Mubeen Shah, President CCI,
Kashmir ( In his interview, Epilogue Oct
2008) on his demand of an alternative
route for the valley, since the National
Highway of Jammu and Kashmir is the
only life line of the people of the valley
therefore it is justifiable to demand an
alternative route, but there should not
be any divide and politics between the
business communities of the two
regions of the state.
Vineet Dugal
Defence Colony, New Delhi
Lacking in research
Making borders irrelevant (Epilogue,
October 2008) was an interesting issue
but it lacked many things on the
subject. Though the USIP report was
helpful in understanding the
importance of cross-border relations
but one would have expected more
local research on the cross-LoC trade.
Readers have not been given to
understand the exact mode of business,
the volume of trade and future
prospects. Since this trade is expected
to be a continuous process the Editor
may consider bringing out another
special issue with comprehensive local
research.
Basheer MK
Kochi, Kerala
Tragedy of Poonch
We are happy to see that Epilogue
has taken note of Poonch's exclusion
from the cross-LoC trade. KD Maini's
story “Poonch-Rawalakote: The
R o a d M u c h Tr a v e l l e d , L e s s
Visited” (Epilogue, October 2008)
was perhaps the first coverage of
this stretch of LoC trade as entire
local and national media attention
is on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad. We
people live exactly on the Line of
Control and have everything in
common with people on the other
side. It was great of governments of
India and Pakistan that first they
initiated a bus link between Poonch
and Rawalakote and then launched
the trade links but the attitude of
local government and trade lobbies
both at Jammu and Srinagar saddens
us. People in Poonch are still
unaware of the modalities of the
cross-LoC trade and have no idea
about their role in the whole
process. We request you to highlight
this aspect of the cross-LoC trade as
w e f e a r c l o s u r e o f Po o n c h -
Rawalakote trade link.
Anil Bakshi
Native of Poonch, now settled in Jammu

Epilogue Ø
4×
November 2008
 H E A R A N D H E A R
WHO SAID WHAT

In Verbatim
‘We are taking risk'

N. Gopalaswamy, Chief Election Commissioner of India,

while announcing election schedule for Jammu and
Kashmir Legislative Assembly on October 19.

Boycotting Elections is our democratic right

and Indian Election Commission must ensure
this.
Mohammad Yasin Malik, JKLF leader while launching
anti-election campaign in Valley hours after J&K
Assembly Elections were announced.

'My Father, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who is also

the patron of the party will be the Chief
Ministerial Candidate'

Omar Abdullah, President, Natioanl Conference during

his first election speech in Kashmir. (Elections 2008)

With present infrastructure we can exchange

gifts only.

Zulfiqar Abbasi, President, CCI, Muzaffarabad Chamber

of Commerce and Industries (PaK), while addressing a
gathering of traders in Jammu.

Situation in Kashmir is not conducive for

elections. We are participating to prevent
unscrupulous elements taking advantage.
Mehbooba Mufti, President PDP, while announcing
participation decision ten days after the schedule was
announced.

Epilogue Ø
5×
November 2008
 N E W S W R A P
J&K STORIES

REGIONAL DISSENT
Need for corrective measures in Jammu, Ladakh

T hose who are from outside the political arena need to

spare some time for the sake of the common man. The
common man has right to information but he need be
told what information is required by him. A check on the
conventional leadership is needed to save the Jammu Region
people from getting their innocence and simplicity exploited.
Of course the people of J&K in general are to be saved from the
exploitation that the leaders have been aiming at in the name
of religion and region. People of J&K in general and the people
of Jammu Region in particular have many questions for their
leaders to answer. The people (majority living in vast far flung
and remotely connected areas) of Jammu Region have been
feeling themselves pushed to the wall.
The Jammu based political leaders of parties in power have so
far been very weak politically. No doubt the leadership at Delhi
too did never encourage the Congress or National Conference
or BJP or even PDP leaders from Jammu. Kashmiri leaders
irrespective of their political affiliations have mostly stood
united when ever it was the question of administrative and
political interest of Kashmir Valley.
For rational distribution of development funds local
administrative units do matter. A revenue district is most
important administrative unit for this purpose. It was surely
for this reason that Justice J. N. Wazir Commission had
recommended in 1984 creation of three new districts in
Jammu Region (Rajouri, Kishtwar and Samba) and only one
new District in Kashmir Region (Bandipora). Wazir Commission
recommendations were intentionally not implemented by the
state leadership and those at New Delhi since only one new
district was recommended for Kashmir region as against three
new districts for Jammu region.
It was after 22 years a decision was taken by Congress
government led by Ghulam Nabi Azad for reorganization of Poonch of Jammu Division too were having substantial
District Administrative Units in J&K. But Azad led Congress population living in far flung area with inadequate means of
Government too worked no different than the Sheikh Abdullah communication and bad terrain. And it was once again in 2006
Congress supported Government of 1979. In 1979 unilaterally that Jammu Division (Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri, Kathua,
Sheikh Abdullah government had created three new districts Poonch, Jammu, Kishtwar, Ramban, Reasi) was meted out with
(Badgam, Pulwama and Kupwara) in Kashmir Valley even by neglect. Now it was Congress lead Azad Government.
splitting Srinagar District ( less than 3600 sq km area and
Against just one district as recommended by Wazir commission
mostly plain terrain) into two districts (Srinagar and Badgam).
in 1984 four districts were given to Kashmir region. Jammu
Where as in 1979 even the so large districts like Doda (spread
Region was also given four districts against three already
over 11691 sq Km area and all bad terrain) and Udhampur
recommended by Wazir Commission. The decision was termed
(4550 sq km area spread over backward areas and bad terrain)
as historic by those in the Political seat. So unfortunately even
were over looked. Even Districts of Rajouri, Kathua and
a race was set amongst local leaders of Congress, PDP, National

Epilogue Ø
6×
November 2008
 N E W S
J&K STORIES
Conference, JKNPP (particularly from Reasi, Samba, Kishtwar
and Ramban) to earn credit for the decision taken by Azad
government in the name of Wazir Commission Report. Whereas
the fact was that Wazir Commission recommendations were in
a way ignored by the Government. Even the so called
intelligentsia of Jammu region did not feel it worth
questioning those who rejoiced when Azad crossed all barriers
of logistics and administrative norms by giving four districts to
Kashmir region as against recommendations for only one..
Some non Congress leaders from Jammu were seen even
celebrating “Jammu Mautsav “ for the creation of new
Districts .They should have rather agitated against the
injustice done by the government against Jammu Region.
May be some of those who rejoiced the injustice done to
relatively poor people of backward areas of Jammu Region
were looking for some berth in the ministry or entry to
legislative council. And some of them when failed to get the
toast, they started accusing the government. The hard efforts
of the leadership of Kashmir Region succeeded to undo the
good that the Wazir commission recommendations could do to
Jammu Region. Whereas Kulgam, Ghaderbal and Shopian were
considered for district status but the injustice was done to
zones like Akhnoor, Basoli and Bani, some areas of Ladakh, etc.
Kashmiri leadership succeeded in getting 300 percent more
than what Wazir Commission recommended for them. They
had reasons to celebrate. Azad gave nine times more to
Kashmir region than what he gave to Jammu region over and
above the recommendations of Wazir Commission. Surely it
was the commitment of Kashmiri leaders towards Kashmir
Valley that did not allow the Farooq Abdullah, Mufti and Azad
Governments to implement Wazir Commission report to raise
the number of Districts in Jammu Region from six to nine and in
Kashmir Region from six to only seven.
The Wazir Commission remained on job from November 12
1981 to January 3, 1984 to analyze and make
recommendations. But it was so surprising that Ghulam Nabi
Azad could reassess the whole issue in just half a year and
finally order creation of 8 new districts as against only 4
recommended by Wazir Commission. Ghulam Nabi Azad tried
to tactfully cover his unjust action in the name of Wazir
Commission report. Some leaders from Jammu instead tried to
help him earn some undue appreciations. The Kashmir valley
has been brought at levels with Jammu by giving 10 districts as
against 7 recommended by Wazir Commission.
Since the awareness is growing amongst the masses, in the
times to come, it would have become very difficult to keep
the seats in the legislative assembly for Jammu Region less
than Kashmir Region had the number of Districts be more (9
Epilogue Ø
7×
November 2008
W R A P
in Jammu region and 7 in Kashmir region) in Jammu Region.
Section 50 of J&K Constitution has provided 14 elected MLCs
(Member Legislative Council) to Jammu Region as against 12
elected MLCs to Kashmir Region in the Legislative Council.
But in 1995 Justice K. K. Gupta Delimitation Commission
had confirmed it's earlier order of 1992 allocating 46 MLAs
(Member Legislative Assembly) to Kashmir Region and only
37 MLAs to Jammu Region in total defiance to the
provisions of J&K Representation of People Act 1957. This
delimitation order was no more than a simple formality to
cover the Draft proposals as were earlier notified by
Justice Mian Jalaluddin Delimitation Commission (Judge of
J&K high court) vide notification date April 4, 1989. No one
has so far answered the question that when Jammu Region
has constitutionally more elected seats in the Legislative
Council than Kashmir Region how could a Delimitation
Commission be fair in allocating lesser assembly segments
to Jammu region in the Legislative Assembly. More
economic advantage would have come to Jammu Region
over Kashmir had there been 9 Districts in Jammu and 7 in
Kashmir.
One senior National Conference leader had argued that
allegations for any unfair Delimitation can not be put on
Kashmir Valley leaders since the 1995 Delimitation
Commission was headed by a person belonging to Jammu
Region. Under any fair Delimitation it has to be 45 to 46 MLAs
for Jammu and only 37 to 38 for Kashmir. Name of Wazir
Commission report has been used by Congress in an attempt to
gather some political mileage in competition to National
Conference and PDP in Kashmir Valley. Congress never
bothered for Jammu region since the local leaders never stood
united for the Regional cause.
And of course a still greater blow was inflicted on the fortunes
of the people of Jammu Region in particular and the
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of J&K in particular by
the National Conference dominated Legislative assembly by
amending Section – 47 of the J&K Constitution through 29th
Constitution Amendment Act of 2002. Through this
amendment it has been constitutionally laid down that any
new Delimitation can be done only after the census results of
any census done after 2026 AD are known. and hence next
delimitation could be only after 2031 AD .
Possibilities should be seen for amending the 29th
amendment through an ordinance by Governor but Congress
and National Conference have to work to medicate people of
Jammu and Ladakh Region of injuries allegedly inflicted by
them in the past.
-Daya Sagar
 N E W S W R A P
J&K STORIES
ART & CULTURE
Kashmir’s Famous Open
Air Theater
T
he village Akingam in South Kashmir is mostly inhabited by the
Band community (folk theatre artists).Natives of this small
hamlet are famous for performing various popular dramatized
anecdotes like "Raza Pather'', Angrez pather, Shikargah. This sort of
open air village folk theatre managed by companies of professional
players or minstrels depicts social ills and political tyranny.
"Folk art was an expression of popular sentiment, at certain point of
time when people were subjected to lot of atrocities. It is the
theatre which is socially relevant and artistically brilliant. Theatre is
the medium of the actor who can captivate an audience, provoke it,
inspire it and move it with tender human feelings," believes M.K
Raina, renowned theatre personality.
The open air theatre had some unique qualities of engineering which
helped the artists to perform without availability of microphones
and other paraphernalia. Spectators could view performances from
close quarters and observe even the minutest expressions of the
artists.
Akhingam is one of the few villages in our Kashmir which has not let
modernization take away its tradition. Acknowledging the enormous
talent of Kashmiri youth which largely remains untapped theatre
artist Hakim Javid felt that special drive is needed to create greater
opportunities for these folk artists.
"Our talented folk artists needed a platform where they can
showcase their skills. They must get an opportunity to travel
worldwide to give performance in international festivals.
Taking pride in your culture is one thing, and working towards
developing the same is another. Only few people get to the grass
roots and help the locals take their art to the world.
Last year educational theatre workshop was organized by "Indian
Foundation for the Arts" under the directorship of noted theatre
personality M.K Raina. These folk artists aspire for the similar type
of workshop this year as well
"It was an opportunity for us to imbibe fresh lease of life to the folk
theatre .It just rekindled our hopes. There is need to organize such
workshops almost twice a year,'' says Rasool Band eloquently
Folk theatre will grow as people become conscious of their right to
use theatre as a medium of self expression. It has nothing to do with
economic viability. It liberates spectators from their passivity,
inspiring them to be in direct contact with the actors.
It also underlines the need to modernize the traditional theatre of
Kashmir in a precise, effective and powerful way without disturbing
its own aesthetics. It is possible to create a new folk form that
retains the authenticity of the tradition yet can emanate the flavour
of experimentation.
-Tanveen Kawoosa
Epilogue Ø
8×
November 2008
CONFLICT FALLOUT
25 Making Bids At
Life Every Week
S
uicide rates in Kashmir are surging as 25 cases
of suicides and attempted suicide are
reported every week at SMHS Hospital in
Srinagar.
Reports say that suicides in Kashmir are more
common among females, while males use deadly
methods to attempt suicide. A research study by
noted Psychiatrist Dr Arshid Hussain and a team of
doctors reveals that females in higher age group
show greater tendency of committing suicide,
while as males who make successful attempts on
their lives fall in the age group of 25 to 34 years.
The report further states that violent methods of
suicide like cutting throats is a new phenomenon in
Kashmir but such tendencies are present
predominantly among people with history of
schizophrenia and severe depression. Among Para-
suicide cases 73% reported depressive disorder.
Furthermore it has been observed that suicide
victims mostly consume drugs like
benzodiazepines, tricycle antidepressants and
phosphorous compounds. Among mental illnesses,
depression is the common cause of suicide.
Majority of the suicide patients suffer from
extreme depression that goes often undiagnosed
and untreated. According to Dr Hussain 58% of
suicide patients never receive psychiatric help.
"Psycho-social factors like traumatic stress,
poverty, unemployment were found strongly
associated with males who made successful
attempts of suicide," he said.
The study says that domestic violence and multiple-
trauma are the biggest contributing factors toward
suicides by females. Moreover, people addicted to
alcohol, cannabis and tobacco are also prone to
commit suicide, the study added. The study blames
the present turmoil for "catalyzing" these tendencies
in valleyites and attributes the rise in suicides to it
though conceding there are other factors
responsible as well.
The research study, Women and Children under the
Armed Conflict, conducted by Educationist Dr A.G
Madhosh for the National Institute of Public and
Cooperation and Child development revealed that
80% of widows have higher tendencies of
committing suicide especially owing to lose of only
breadwinner and family breakups.
-Tanveen Kawoosa
 N E W S W R A P
J&K STORIES

SCHOOL EDUCATION
Over 60% Leaving Midway

C
ontrary to the state government claims about
propagation of elementary education, the
drop out rate of orphan children continues to
rise at primary level in Kashmir.
In 1989 the drop out rate at primary level stood at
55%, while over the period of two decades it has
jumped up to 60 to 70 percent.
Despite the state government's efforts to promote
elementary education and ensure its accessibility to
the poor, the immense poverty compels orphans to
leave education halfway to eke out a living.
"Over the period of two decades, education of
orphan children has received severe setback.
Although dropout rate is increasing at alarming
rate, state government has failed to take holistic
view of the educational needs of orphan children
who live in penury," says noted educationist Prof
Madhosh.
During mid 1990's more than 400 schools were
gutted in the conflict and above 60 percent
children, which mostly comprised orphans in the
age group of 10 to 14 were deprived of education.
With the exponential increase in the number of
these children-different research studies put the
figure close to 80,000- the situation has turned
grim.
Compounding all this is the psychological stress the
turbulence has brought about. The feeling of
uncertainity,danger and anxiety impaired the
learning capacity of these children and
consequently increasing the dropout rate.
According to noted lawyer and social activist AR
Hanjura, even if most of orphans are living with
their relatives, they are unable to procure proper
education.
"After losing their parents, they are being
continuously shifted from one relative to another. In
some cases relatives hardly accept them as they
fear the property rights of their own children may them siphon grant money for their vested interests," he added
be superseded by orphans. Not to speak of receiving Experts assert that the 2005 earthquake has aggravated the
education, number of such children also reported scenario and lent another blow to the education of these
maltreatment," reiterated Hanjura children owing to destruction of schools in remote areas falling
"When the government fails to provide support to these close to line of control. With financial uncertainty looming
neglected children, the role of social activists is counted. over their heads, most of them lead a miserable life
Unfortuantely, with 3000 NGO'S registered in Kashmir most of -Tanveen Kawoosa

Epilogue Ø
9×
November 2008
 N E W S W R A P
J&K STORIES

GENDER TROUBLES
In Conservative Kashmir,
Working Women Are A
Harassed Lot
"Such incidence are numerous in Kashmir yet victims
never file any complaint against the perpetrators
owing to cultural sensitivities, "said Shafat Ahmad,
Advocate J K high court. However, he added that
Supreme Court has recognized sexual harassment as
human rights violation and gender based discrimination
that affects women.
The court has also provided guidelines for employees
to redress and prevent sexual harassment at
workplace. Since this is new trend in Kashmir, people
are not well acquainted with the intricacies of law.
However, he was quick to add that in different Indian
states where such incidents have shown relentless
growth the legislation has not brought much relief.
"When you actually deal with the cases and the inquiry
process, nothing happens on ground against such
incidents at workplace," added Shafat
Dabla says the issue needs redress and can assume
serious implication for women at large if they do not
report such incidents.
Many working women in Kashmir allege that the action

I
f Kashmiri women are storming in to every male bastion,
they are also ending up paying a huge price for their
ambition as significant number of sexual harassment
incidents have come to fore especially at the hands of
senior officers in government and private sector.
In 46.28% cases reported senior officers carried out
harassment against their subordinate female employees,
while in 42.28% cases, colleagues of equal status were
involved in this bestial acts. These findings were revealed
by noted sociologist Prof Bashir Ahmad Dabla who further
asserted that almost 38.18 percent females face physical
assaults,53% mental harassment and 10.85 reported that
lewd remarks were yelled at them at workplace.
Sexual harassment of working women at workplace is a new
trend in Kashmir but most endemic. Nevertheless; experts
believe that such incidents are not brought in to limelight.
Dabla in his research has observed that only 17.14% females
file complaints against offenders while majority of victims
82.85% do not report such incidents. Moreover, 50% cases
reported that they were not satisfied with the action taken
against the perpetrators.
taken against the culprits sounds nothing more than
eyewash to hide the stink which once out can shove some in
to the abyss of ignominy.
"My boss used to coerce me to enter in to illegitimate
relation .When I protested his behavior and reported the
matter to higher authorities, they did not respond. I finally
left the job," says Sabha Hameed(name changed) who
worked in a private organization as a secretary.
These victims further allege that if they dare to raise voice
against the perpetrators they are threatened and the
promotions are delayed. Moreover, the matter is often
hushed up and culprits go scoot free.
"In my eight years of service I have been working with
assiduity and sincerity. nevertheless, my boss deliberately
delayed my chances of promotion. It is because once I
reported his misbehavior to higher echelons in the
department who did not consider my case seriously. It
seemed a time buying tactic to shield those who stand in
danger of getting exposed. I cannot afford to leave the job
owing to family problems," says Humaira Rashid, a clerk in
Government department.
-Tanveen Kawoosa

Epilogue Ø
10 ×
November 2008
 N E W S W R A P
J&K STORIES

CONFLICT FALLOUT PLACES & PEOPLE

Enormous Rise In Stress Turtuk : One Of Last
Related Cases Places On Earth Has
Unique Features And
V
alley is registering increase in mental disorders among
people with PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder) taking
enormous toll in females.
Serious Issues
The study conducted in OPD of Government Psychiatric Hospital

T
urtuk, A land of Rocky Mountains, Glaciers,
reveals that over the period of two decades, patients reported
with mental disorders have increased from 1762 in 1990 to 80,000 Streams and Apricot gardens, situated in Leh
in 2008. District of Ladakh region. The area was off the
According to doctors 62 percent of patients diagnosed with PTSD ancient Silk routes to Pakistan and Yarkand, access and
constitute females.
Admitting that there is manifold increase in the psychiatric
patients noted Psychiatrist Dr Arshad Hussein said, "During 80s we
used to examine 10 to 20 patients everyday in OPD. Now more
than hundred patients visit the hospital. This is the tip of iceberg''
Dr Hussein explained that being emotionally sensitive Kashmiri
Women are easily susceptible to PTSD, which is so rampant in
Kashmir due to violence.
Sample of PTSD drawn from the OPD government Psychiatric
hospital reveals that 20% of patients have been tortured, the
close relatives of 35% were killed brutally in front of them and 30%
had been injured in shoot outs.
Asserting violence was the root cause of PTSD,he maintained that
social circumstances vis-à-vis turmoil makes women more
predisposal to stress than their male counterparts.
Social factors come in to play when Women lose her only bread
winner in the family. Majority of these patients have lost their
family members in the turmoil, which has drowned them in to the
vortex of problems. Struck by poverty ,women have to play a role
beyond that of homemaker and resort to menial jobs to bring up
their children,'' he emphasized.
Noted Educationist Abdul Gani Madhosh has made similar
observations in his research study 'Women and children under the
armed conflict in Kashmir' for the National Institute of Public
Cooperation and child Development. The study highlights that
80% of the war widows suffer from severe trauma owing to their
husbands death and break up of their family.
PTSD is an extreme reaction to the extreme stress and the
patients suffering from the disease relive the traumatic event of
and on through nightmare and disturbing memories disrupting
their lives.
According to the Psychiatrists 70% of PTSD cases can be cured
through prolonged medication however delay in seeking
treatment is marring the chances of recovery.
Owing to its somatic effects mental illness is often perceived as a passage to it was difficult, till the opening of road
physical ailment. By the time patients approach doctors they traffic, both as late as 1985. The winters are long and
have already been examined by quacks and other medical hard (average record -16° C in Jan/Feb). The main
practitioners which minimizes the chances of recovery. crops cultivated are Barley, Maize, Blackbafut and
-Tanveen Kawoosa Buckwheat, some vegetables and a variety of fruit like

Epilogue Ø
11 ×
November 2008
 N E W S W R A P
J&K STORIES

Apricot,. Steep rocky slopes and sparse vegetation offer men and 100 women. The literacy rate among women was
limited possibilities for cattle rearing. Goats, Sheep, also very low. But that rate may have declined due to a
poultry, Cows and Dzos, A cross breed of Cow and Yak, the population growth higher than that of increased female
latter living only on high altitudes, are the only meagre education. Initially medical doctors were not always
sources for meat, milk, cheese and butter. The Baltis are available, now there is a Doctor, named Rashid. Who himself
mostly small in stature and tough survivors, their outlook ENT Specialist and also a dispenser-cum-X-Ray Technician,
being conditioned by a hard fight for existence in an named Ismail and its facilities include a gynae-theatre-cum-
overpowering high altitude environment. They were labour-room, a ward with Six beds, a dispensary with lab-
Buddhists until their conversion to Islam in the 15th century, facilities, X-ray and ultrasound with generator, the doctors'
belonging to the Shia sect of Noorbakshia order. The people outpatient examination-room. They examine patients,
speak mostly Balti, an archaic form of Tibeti. The narrative make home-visits for purposes of health-education including
art has therefore a strong tradition in their culture, the family planning counseling and promotion of immunization
Kaisar saga or epos being the most prominent example of and ante-natal tetanus injections, ORS and Iodized salt.
narrated literature. In the schools only Urdu and English are They also provide first-aid and carry out home deliveries,
taught, which are also used in the the clinic examines on average
offices after liberation from 30 patients per day.
Pakistan in1971.
The Symptoms found in the area: A f t e r K a r g i l w a r, A r m y
I began Project work in March- · Unspecified weakness, pain, fever and introduced a school health
August 2007 in Turtuk Area and programme and open Army
noticed that there were hardly
headache Hospital, with a Lady Doctor,
any medical services for women · Respiratory tract, coughing, sputum, gradually visiting all the schools
available, and especially no in Turtuk Area, entering into
gynecologist for the entire area.
breathing difficulties (also tonsillitis, otitis agreements with the schools
Family planning knowledge and media) Abdomen: vomiting, diarrhea, and the community, for general
services were practically non- stomache ache, swelling of the liver and check-up of all school children,
existant and birth/deliveries including immunization and
were cared by relatives or
spleen, other disorders advice to parents for treatment
untrained dais; accordingly · Movement of limbs: pain, swelling and or further diagnosis, where
fertility rates as well as related necessary ECG. X-Ray in case of
mortality were exceptionally high
abnormalities of the joints, traumas suspected T.B, routine anti-
among women. Girls get married · Uro-genital pain, burning sensation when worm treatment is given, in
around the age of 15 and women addition to health-education of
have an average of over 10
urinating, abnormalities in menstruation children, teachers and parents,
pregnancies and raise about 8 · Skin/Hair: alos parasites, otitis external and first-aid training to few
surviving children. The record women to generate income and
deliveries to Ghulam Hassan's · Visible malnutrition including anemia install a pride of self-help and
wife 21 children, but none of labour by their own hands, they
them alive, except Mohammad are involved in assembling and
Hassan. They love to have large families and consider every giving the finishing touches to the benches under the
addition an added labour force, help them to earn money. supervision of their technical training teachers. In Turtuk
But, since family planning is promoted in Leh and Area, the infectious diseases are most common, because of
surrounding area, there is hardly any effect among the elder the cold winters with badly heated accommodation.
section of the area on religious ground, and where services Malnutrition among women is prevalent, due to too many
become available it is practiced after the four children by pregnancies in quick succession. They lack high quality
women, less by men. This requires not only availability of protein, iron, iodine and calcium.
services, but quality medical after-care as near to the Perched high on India's mountainous borders with Pakistan,
patients as possible, to advise and treat in case of the usual Turtuk is one of the last places on earth where a Nomadic
side-effects and complications. Women share in addition to community survives. When there is no wind the silence is
their childbearing and rearing the hard physical labour in almost palpable. I tried to highlight health related Diseases
the fields and around the house, despite their malnutrition, faced by the people of area, despite modern scientific
and accordingly life expectancy among women are much medicine and equipments in health department.
lower than men (45/60 ratio), leading to a sex ratio of 115 -Ghulam Mehdi

Epilogue Ø
12 ×
November 2008
 N E W S
J&K STORIES
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Focus On Doubling
Agriculture Credit
A
fter a gap of more than 15 years, Primary
Agriculture Credit Societies have been made
eligible for financing. Out of 765 such
cooperatives, 195 have been revived and made credit
worthy. During the year 2007-08, PACS have advanced
loans to the tune of Rs 1300 lakh to the members.
The Multi Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS) Payeen
Brengh, a small hamlet in Kokernag area, has been a
success story. All the records of the society have been
computerized with the emerging facility of accepting
deposits from its members with the additional facility of
SMS Banking.
The State signed the MoU on April 7, 2008 with NABARD
on implementation of the revival package as
recommended by the Task Force headed by Prof. A
Vaidyanathan. In the first instance 155 PACS and all the
5 Banks in Short Term Credit Structures shall be
benefited.
The State has also furnished its response to the
Government of NABARD on implementation of the
recommendations for the revival of the Long Term
Credit Structure (Vaidaynathan II). An amount of Rs 4300
crore has been found as the amount requiring
recapitalization.
-Epilogue Newsroom
Epilogue Ø
13 ×
November 2008
W R A P
DARBAR ON MOVE
Seat Of Power Shifts To
Warmer Jammu,
Governor Stations His
Men In Valley
W
ith a small exception of Maharashtra where seat of
power moves out of Mumbai for stint in Nagpur where
the legislature houses is situated, Jammu and Kashmir
is the only state in India which two Capitals –Srinagar in
Summers and Jammu in winters. This practice has been on for
more than a century and a quarter and the attempts to stall
this have been resisted strongly in both regions.
This year, the Civil Secretariat, after its closure in Srinagar on
October 31 will be reopening in Jammu on November 10. The
Governor NN Vohra, who now rules the state in absence of an
elected government, has, however, ensured that the Valley is
not blanked out of administrative apparatus when the seat of
power stays in Jammu for next six months. Vohra has ordered
establishment of Winter Secretariat at Srinagar to monitor the
functioning of the Administration and ensuring effective
delivery of various services during the winter months. Assuring
that he will be visiting Srinagar at least twice every month,
Vohra has issued a roaster on rotational stationing of his
Advisors the Valley headquarters.
The Winter Secretariat, which shall operate in the Civil
Secretariat, Srinagar, shall comprise Special Secretary/
Additional Secretary, two Deputy Secretaries/Under
Secretaries, two Stenographers, four Head, Senior and Junior
Assistants and other staff. While all major departments have to
move to the Winter Capital in full, most of the allied
departments and directorates move in camps with their equal
activities at both capitals.
 N E W S
J&K STORIES
Departments moving in full:
All Departments of the Civil Secretariat including Governor's
Secretariat, Personal Staff of the Advisors to the Governor,
Director Estates, Department of Civil Aviation, Civil
Secretariat Dispensary, Security staff of Civil Secretariat, Civil
Secretariat Treasury, Executive Director, Rehabilitation
Council of the Social Welfare Department; Financial
Commissioner (including Joint Director Statistics in Camp);
Director General of Police including CID Organization;
Vigilance Commissioner; Chief Electoral Officer, J&K; Director
General Prisons; Director General, Fire and Emergency
Services; Director Information; Director General, State Motor
Garages; Director, Hospitality and Protocol Department with
the Catering Staff; Director Accounts and Treasuries; Director
Employment; Director Forest Protection Force; Director
General Youth Services and Sports; Director Technical
Education; Director State Forest Research Institute; Director
Tribal Affairs; Development Commissioner Power; Labour
Commissioner; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests;
Accounts Officer, G P Fund moving cell; Custodian General;
Transport Commissioner; Assistant Director/Programme
Officer AIDS Cell; Special Officer Auqaf; State Board of
Technical Education; Advisory Board for Development of
Gujjars and Bakerwals; Advisory Board for Development of
Pahari Speaking People; J&K State Finance Commission; J&K
State Electricity Regulatory Commission; J&K State
Commission for Women; J&K Police Housing Corporation; One
Man Forest Authority; Toshkhana Officer; J&K State
Accountability Commission.
Departments moving in camps:
Director Family Welfare MCH and Immunization; Director
Indian System of Medicines; Director Economics and Statistics;
Director Soil Conservation; Director Environment and Remote
Sensing; Director Sericulture; Director of Stationeries and
Office Supplies with marginal staff; Director Audit and
Inspection; Director Horticulture (P&M); Director Handicrafts;
Director Geology and Mining; Director Libraries; Director
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Apiculture Promises Handsome Foreign Exchange
H
aving setup a target of 1900 as the population of
beekeepers for 2008-09 and 2200 for 2009-10 and with
an existing 20000 number of the bee colonies in the
valley, the Apiculture Development is expected to show an
upswing in its graph.
The honey production in the valley, as per records, is also
rising with 125 tonnes production registered in 2005-06,
215tonnes in 2006-07, 200 tonnes in 2007-08 and the targeted
Epilogue Ø
14 ×
November 2008
W R A P
Governor's men in Srinagar this winter
· H. H. Tyabji: November 20-30 November and
December 21-31, 2008
· Dr. Sudhir S. Bloeria, December 1 to 10 and
January 1 to 10, 2009.
· C. Phunsog, December 11 to 20 and January
11 to 20 2009.
Archive, Archaeology and Museum; Chief Architect; Project
Chief IWDP, Hills, Forest Department; Nucleus staff of
Commissioner Commercial Tax; Nucleus staff of Funds
Organization; Gazette Section of J&K Government Press;
Registrar Cooperatives; Subordinate Office of Science and
Technology Department; Excise Commissioner, J&K with
Skeleton staff; Inspector General of Police Railways; Inspector
General of Police Crime; Director Social Forestry; J&K Service
Selection Board with staff as determined by the Chairman
Board of Professional Entrance Examination as per the staff to
be determining by the Chairman; Chairman Pollution Control
Board; Board of Unani Ayurvedic System of Medicine; J&K
State Commission for Backward Classes; J&K Special Tribunal
with marginal staff; Managing Directors of all PSUs with
marginal staff; J&K Commercial Taxes Tribunal with skeleton
staff; Director Rural Sanitation; DFO, Photo Interpretation
Division (Forest Department) with marginal staff; J&K Khadi
Village and Industries Board; J&K State Social Welfare Board;
J&K Housing Board; Chief Wildlife Warden; Chairman of the
Committee for monitoring and ensuring fairness of tests
conducted by BOPEE; Chairman of the Committee for fixation
of Fee structure of Professional Colleges in the State; Chief
Engineer Commercial and Survey Wing alongwith Driver; J&K
Academy of Art, Culture and Languages with 26 employees;
Director Handloom Development Department; Relief and
Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrant); Directorate of
Fisheries.
Epilogue Newsroom
production for the year 2008-09 is 300 tonnes and for 2009-10
is 350 tonnes. The export of honey was 100 MTs in 2005-06, 100
in 2006-07, 150 in 2007-08 and the target export for 2008-09 is
setup at 200 MTs and for 2009-10 is 250 MTs. Despite certain
limitations, Apiculture if pursued in systematic manner and
duly regulated by the people associated with it, could improve
the economy of a number of people.
Epilogue Newsroom
 N E W S
J&K STORIES
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
At Rs. 21.70Bn Business Co-Op Banks Settings New Trend
W
ith a total business of Rs. 21.70 billion, the
Cooperative Banks in Jammu and Kashmir have
witnessed a sea change in their performance to
improve the lot of the financial health.
Cooperative Banks have earned the distinction of taking a lead
over all other nationalized banks in distribution of Kissan
Credit Cards (KCCs). As on March 31, 2008, 45687 KCCs worth
Rs. 65.89 crore have been issued.
The Baramulla Central Cooperative Bank has issued KCCs
worth Rs. 25.30 crore while Jammu Central Cooperative Bank
has issued KCCs amounting to Rs. 20.33 crore. The Baramulla
Central Cooperative Bank has 66 per cent Credit Deposit Ratio
in the state which is highest in the state.
The State Cooperative Bank (SCB) has deposits of Rs. 36444.42
lakhs, the Jammu Central Cooperative Bank (JCCB) of Rs.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Flowers Enhancing Scenic Beauty, Boosting Economy
T
he Valley of Kashmir, famously known world over as a
basket of flowers is catching up rapidly with
production of flowers for commercial purposes as
well.
New and existing varieties of flowers having tremendous
overseas and local market are being cultivated in various
parts of this beautiful valley for bringing in prosperity for
the farmers. With new industries coming up that are based
on flowers as raw material, the obsession for growing
flowers is on the high.
With a total area of 168 hectares under cultivation for
commercial floriculture in Kashmir, about 250 farm families
are directly involved in this pursuit. The departments of
Agriculture, Floriculture and Sheri-Kashmir University of
Agricultural Science and Technology of Kashmir is providing
ample technical support resulting in the generation of the
average farm income to Rs. 5000- 10,000 per kanal.
In 2008, about 15 hectares of land were utilized for flower
seed production, 28 for Gladioli cut flower production, 04
for production of loose flowers, 16 for production of other
cut flowers and 01 hectares for production of cut flowers
under cover. Similarly, 16 hectares of land utilized for
production of flowering bulbs, 70 for production of aromatic
crops and 18 for production of nursery plants.
The green meadows and pastures, lively springs and
Epilogue Ø
1 5×
November 2008
W R A P
69377.35 lakhs, the Baramulla Central Cooperative Bank
(BCCB) of Rs. 17847.79 lakhs and Anantnag Central
Cooperative Bank (ACCB) has deposits of Rs. 11294.65 lakhs.
The total business of the SCB, JCCB, BCCB and ACCB is Rs.
45217.00, Rs. 93765.00, Rs. 31761.77 and Rs. 22315.00 lakhs
respectively. The Devika Urban Bank has a total business of Rs.
1455.00 lakhs, the Anantnag Urban Bank of Rs. 1978.76 lakhs,
the Citizen Cooperative Bank of Rs. 28692.00 lakhs and KAMCO
Bank Sopore has total business of Rs. 2277.85 lakhs.
With a total number of 207 branches, Cooperative Banks in the
state give employment to 1617 persons. The Cooperative
Banks have attempted to remain apace with other
nationalized banks in the matters of computerization and ATM
facilities.
Epilogue Newsroom
streams, lofty snow bound peaks and flowers of diverse
varieties have been known worldwide to make Kashmir a
heaven in miniature, lets hope, it also plays its role in
adding to the prosperity of its people.
The last few years have witnessed a considerable surge in
development of some world class gardens and floriculture
centres in the valley. The “Tulip Garden and the Botanical
Gardens” on the banks of Dal Lake have besotted many a
tourist who visited them and now it is the turn of liliums to
glue them.
Among other centres, the “Model Floriculture Centre” at
Nuner Ganderbal is one such centre which has became a
cynosure for many lovers of nature.
The centre is established over an area of 8.5 hectares of
land and has successfully generated revenue of Rs 15 lakhs
in 2006-07 and Rs 25 lakhs in 2007-08. About 3.92 lakhs of
Lilium bulbs were produced in 2006-07 and 5 lakh in 2007-
08. Also 2.05 bulbs were distributed for plantation at various
other places in 2006-07 and 3.5 lakhs bulbs in 2007-08. Also,
18.97 quintals of small bulbs were distributed for re-
plantation during the year. The model floricultural centre is
expected to help in boosting the tourism of the state,
thereby, generating more revenues.
Epilogue Newsroom
 D I A L O G U E
SALMAN HAIDAR

India Is A Power
To Reckon With Internationally
India’s former Foreign Secretary Salman Haidar was recently in Jammu to attend
a conference. In an exclusive interview to Epilogue, Haidar says India’s Foreign
policy has put the country in global power league. Excerpts :

India has long been seen as yet another developing

country with poor economy and faced with hundreds of
its internal and external problems. Where do you
locate the country at the global map today?

Such feeling about India at the international level is a

thing of past. Today country has come into the strengths
of its own and is commanding a greater respect world
over. An inspiration for many in the region, India is now
being seen as a vibrant success story, a key driver of
economy and a disciplined State. Its road in Asia is
evolving and the good feeling is that India is a country
capable of its defence and is not being seen as an
aggressive power.

People are now coming to us to collaborations and

partnerships. Our fast growing economy is the main area
of interest for many global powers. Many international
powerful groupings like ASEAN are inviting India to
partner with them. They want us in their quest for
growth. The general perception about India is a desirable
partner in economic growth and in broader political
association.

Does Indo-US Nuclear deal make India more powerful at

international level?

Of course, it does. But we should understand that it is

India's well recognized power and strength at
international level which makes powers like US to partner
with us. It is not the (nuclear) deal which makes India
powerful (in the particular context) it is the powerful
India which attracts US for mutually beneficial
partnership. That is the strength of India in world today.

Agreed, India has emerged as a powerful State. Does

this status influence international perception on

Epilogue Ø
16 ×
November 2008

India's stand on Kashmir?
Well, this has to be seen in a wider
context and evolutionary manner.
There were attempts to
internationalise the issue when
Kashmir was taken to the United
Nations. Efforts were made by many
global powers to dictate a solution for
Kashmir. Particularly, America, Europe
and China etc always tried to play an
interventionist role. However, of late,
there is a global understanding that
Kashmir is purely a bilateral issue
between India and Pakistan and should
be allowed to the two countries to
settle. Technically, the matter is still
before the United Nations but there are
no international attempts to
intervene.
Why this change of mindset at
international level? Does this stems
out of growing diplomatic strengths
of India.
India's diplomatic strength is just one
part of this story. The fact, however, is
that both India and Pakistan have
demonstrated by their engagement in a
meaningful dialogue that whatever
issues are there they are between the
two only and they have the will and
courage to resolve their issues
bilaterally. With their engagement, the
process may be gradual, but the
atmosphere in South Asia has largely
changed for the better.
One can see Kashmir has long
influenced India's foreign policy. Does
this factor still continue?
Not any more. Disputes with
neighbours are always cause of concern
and often influence foreign policy
matters (countries which endorse your
D I A L O G U E
SALMAN HAIDAR
stands are friends and others not so).
India's troubles especially with
Pakistan, with or without Kashmir as a
cause, have been dampening factor
and would assume quite a prime space
in diplomatic activities. As long the
dispute remains the fear of flare ups
with old triggers continues.
India troubles especially with
Pakistan, with or without
Kashmir as a cause, have been
dampening factor and would
assume quite a prime space in
diplomatic activities. As long the
dispute remains the fear of flare
ups with old triggers continues.
The good development, of late, is
that all diplomatic roads going
out of or coming into India are
not through Kashmir. This has
released more diplomatic space.
Growing warmth and an urge of
peace and cooperation between
India and Pakistan has allowed
India to use its diplomatic
energies on other issues like
economic cooperation and
political associations at
international level.
The good development, of late, is that
all diplomatic roads going out of or
coming into India are not through
Kashmir. This has released more
diplomatic space. Growing warmth and
an urge of peace and cooperation
between India and Pakistan has
allowed India to use its diplomatic
energies on other issues like economic
cooperation and political associations
Epilogue Ø
17 ×
November 2008
at international level.
How do you look at the Indo-Pak
relations post-Musharraf?
There is a policy of continuity with
change and both partners are moving in
that direction. General Musharraf and
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
developed a strong capacity to talk to
each other which is an asset for any
course of dialogue to continue in
future. Pakistan has a lot of internal
problems which we are well aware of.
The experience is that a sustained
dialogue initiative has always suffered
in its long term continuity. However,
the indications coming from new
civilian government in Pakistan are
encouraging and promising. Hopes are
there for a stronger course of dialogue.
Cross-Line of Control trade between
two parts of Jammu and Kashmir is
being given a lot of importance in
context of peace process. Do you see
this road leading to some mutually
aspired destination?
Of course yes and this development
deserve the importance it is getting.
Instead of being distant, India and
Pakistan need to inch closer to each
other. And when Kashmir can become
a bridge between both, this
development carries a lot of
importance and meaning. There are
many areas of cooperation. For
example, Pakistan should have stakes
in Iran's gas pipeline to India. These
issues of trade and transit are of
mutual importance benefit and
should be explored further to
minimise the irritants.
- Zafar Choudhary
 I N F O C U S
ELECTIONS 2008

The Challenge
Of 2008
Zafar Choudhary

Six years after New Delhi restored its credibility internationally by holding free and fair elections in Jammu and
Kashmir, this time there is a challenge of legitimacy. Elections to Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly have always
been a matter of keen international interest as much as the Kashmir issue is. The secessionists and their supporters reject
elections as farce and charade as they call for referendum to determine status of Kashmir. Though this is not a case in
Jammu region where elections are welcomed as a festival and are contested keenly. With elections in Kashmir, New Delhi
and mainstream political parties within the state seek to answer the referendum demand. More participation in elections
means louder answer to the separatists. As state gets into full poll mode, the challenges of legitimacy are clearly much
higher than ever. Even if the separatist campaign of boycott fails to have impact (which is unlikely) there are other factors
also for disillusionment of voters. For their credibility and fairness the 2002 elections had raised the public expectations
in democratic process and to a certain height. At one stage people, particularly in Kashmir Valley, had come to realize that
along with separatist agenda mainstream politics too is worth practicing to the extent of having a government for running
day to day processes of life. However, the coalition government –the outcome of 2002 elections –was the worst experiment
for the people in almost all regions. Not that the previous government was too keen and clean but post-2002 public stakes
in the government were far higher than ever. A dirty competitive politics within the coalition partners left very little for the
public to look at the good that may have happened during their regime.
Phase Assembly Segments
1 (Nov 17) Gurez, Bandipora, Sonawari, Nobra, Leh, Kargil, Zanskar, Surankote, Mendhar, Poonch
2 (Nov 23) Rajouri, Darhal, Nowshera, Kalakote, Dangan, Ganderbal
3 (Nov 30) Karnah, Kupwara, Lolab, Handwara, Langate
4 (Dec 7) Uri, Rafiabad, Sopore, Sangrama, Baramulla, Gulmarg, Pattan, Chandoora, Budgam, Beerwah,
Khansahib, Char-e-Sharief, Gulabgarh, Reasi, Goold-Arnas, Udhampur, Chenani, Ramnagar
5 (Dec 13) Tral, Pampora, Pulwama, Rajpora, Wachi, Shopian, Bani, Basholi, Kathua, Billwar, Hiranagar
6 (Dec 17) Noorabad, Kulgam, Home Shalibugh, Shangus, Bijbehra, Pahalgam, Kishtwar, Inderwal, Doda,
Bhaderwah, Ramba, Banihal, Devsar, Doru, Kokernag
Hazratbal, Zadibal, Idgah, Khanyar, Habba Kadal, Amira Kadal, Sonawar, Batmalloo, Samba, Vijaypur,
7 (Dec 24)
Nagrota, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu-East, Jammu-West, Bishnah, RS Pura, Suchetgarh, Marh, Raipur-Domana,
Akhnoor, Chhamb

FACT FILE ELECTIONS IN J&K

Party Position : 1957 Assembly Elections

J&K
Total Number of Seats 75 Percentage of Total seats
J&K National Conference 68 90.66
Praja Parishad 05 06.66
Harijan Mandal 01 01.33
Independent 01 01.33

Epilogue Ø
18 ×
November 2008
 I N F O C U S
ELECTIONS 2008
J
ammu and Kashmir is under direct rule (Governor's
administration) since July 10, after the fall of
Ghulam Nabi Azad led coalition Government as key
ally the Peoples Democratic Party had pulled out a
fortnight earlier on Amarnath land row. Elections to
J&K legislative assembly were due to be held by the beginning
of October and a new assembly was required to be in place by
November 20. When everyone was keenly looking at the next
move, the Election Commission was clearly seen in a double
whammy on whether to hold polls now or put off for some six
months. Risks were both way clear. Holding elections now with
dismal public participation could have been an adverse
publicity internationally and putting them off a rather serious
embarrassment. The message was clear –things are not quite
in control in Kashmir Valley. When two main regional parties
–the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party –put
their foot down it was almost concluded that elections were
being putt off till early next year. However, on October 19, the
Election Commission took all by surprise when it announced a
staggered seven-phase election schedule beginning October
24 (notification), the first phase on November 17 and last
phase on December 24. This is the longest election exercise
ever held in Jammu and Kashmir. Counting of votes will begin
on December 28 and the new government is likely to be in
place in New Year eve.
What is at stake?
While announcing elections, the Chief Election
Commissioner N Gopalaswami said, “we are taking a risk”.
His statement with political overtones though does not
sound good from a constitutional authority but the
observation Gopalaswami certainly reflects upon the ground
realities. Till 2002, Jammu and Kashmir elections always
remained a subject of criticism within and outside India.
There has been a bad history of rigging elections and fixing
governments on whims and fancies of New Delhi in clear
violation of the peoples' verdict. Situation in Kashmir was
never normal but it was the blatant rigging in 1987 elections
FACT FILE ELECTIONS IN J&K
Region-Wise Party Position in 1957 Assembly Election
Total Number of Seats Kashmir Region Jammu
of seats
J&K National Conference
(Total seats)
42
Region
24
Praja Parishad - 05
Harijan Mandal - 01
Independent - 01
Epilogue Ø
19 ×
November 2008
which turned the Valley into a bloody battle ground as it
continues 20 years later. It is understood that Kashmir issue
is so complex that a resolution can not be found in a single
summit meet or in a single war. There has to be a sustained
peace process involving a credible dialogue between New
Delhi, Islamabad and people of Kashmir to steadily move
towards a resolution. There have been many such initiatives
in the past but the one launched by then Indian Prime
Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee with General Pervez Musharraf
of Pakistan has so far been most credible and sustainable.
The courage and will with which Vajpayee ensured free and
fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir in 2002 had emerged as
a sustainer of the peace process as people had, largely, their
faith in democratic instruments restored. Six years later,
there is a crisis of legitimacy. The Kashmir Coordination
Committee, an amalgam of all separatist parties, Bar
Association, trade lobbies etc, has drawn up an elaborate
schedule of protests, demonstrations and shutdown which
runs almost parallel with the election schedule. All eyes
focused on Kashmir have little to do with nature of the
government after elections. What exactly they look at is the
voter turn out and public response to elections. This time
even militant violence can not be blamed for low turnout.
The most bizarre feature of this present five-month long
agitation in Kashmir has been the fact that no role of gun has
been seen anywhere in mobilizing or intimidating the public.
Hours after the Election Commission announced poll
schedule, the separatists, prominently Mohammad Yaseen
Malik of JKLF announced a schedule for boycott campaign. “I
appeal the Chief Election Commissioner of India to
understand and endorse our right of campaign for not to
vote…this is also democratic”, said Malik. Despite veiled
criticism from democracy campaigners and civil rights
activists, the government has launched a crackdown on anti-
election campaign and started bundling separatists in the
lock-ups. If there is still a poor turnout even in absence of
gun and strict crackdown by the government, it can be an
embarrassing moment for India even as the peace process is
thrown back to square one.
Ladakh
02
J&K
-
-
-

VALLEY SCENARIO
Even poor turn out is not bad idea
V oter turn out being
anyone's guess,
Kashmir Valley is up for
most interesting electoral
battle of the times. In
1987 and 1996, the
National Conference being
lone player in the Valley
had field day. In 2002, a
tough competition from
Peoples Democratic Party,
a first time player, saw NC
falling from grace and not
without humiliations as it
veterans including the
Chief Ministerial
candidate Omar Abdullah
lost to very little known
faces mostly first timers.
NC got 19 seats and PDP 16
in the Valley. This time it is
a tough competition not
only between NC and PDP
but also for both as there
are new players and
internal dissidents in the
fray. Congress always had
a limited constituency in
the Valley. Last time it
bagged five seats and this
time it has to be seen
whether it can retain the
previous tally as the party
has been worst sufferer of
image on Amarnath land
row in both regions. The
FACT FILE ELECTIONS IN J&K
1962 Assembly Elections : Contested and Uncontested
Total Number of Seats
Contested
Uncontested
I N F O C U S
ELECTIONS 2008
8109 POLLING STATIONS
state Congress president is
a Kashmir face and the
party is banking heavily on
him for securing some
Jammu and Kashmir has 8109 polling stations for 87 assembly seats in Valley as it does
segments. The maximum number of 999 polling booths will be not see quite promising
established in Jammu district while as the newly-carved out prospects in Jammu region
Ganderbal district will have the lowest number of 142 polling this time. Prof Saif-ud-Din
Soz, the Union Water
stations. As far as the constituency with the maximum polling
Resources Minister, is state
stations is concerned, Leh with 183 stations tops the list while as Congress president and
Gurez has the lowest number of 25 polling booths. incharge of the election
In Leh Assembly segment, Polling Station 181 – Anlay Fu is the committee.
highest polling station situated at an altitude of 5,000 metres.
National Conference
Polling Station No: 10-Sunudo, in Nobra Assembly segment, will
seems to have learnt some
be the smallest polling station having 10 voters only. lessons from the past. In
As many as 603 polling stations will be situated at an altitude of 2002, Omar Abdullah, who
8,001 to 13,000 ft. with the maximum of 183 located in Leh was anointed as party
president a year before
constituency, followed by 158 in Kargil constituency.
–the third straight in the
As many as 196 polling stations will fall in the altitude of 7,001 to hierarchy –was projected
8,000 ft. with Poonch Haveli constituency having the highest as Chief Ministerial
number of 32 polling stations followed by 25 in Kokernag candidate. He had the
obvious inabilities of
constituency. Shopian constituency will have maximum of 89
taking along the veterans
polling stations and Wachi constituency 84 polling stations at who once worked under
height of 6,001 to 7,000 ft. A maximum of 3,606 polling stations grandfather, then father
will be at an altitude of 5,001 to 6,000 ft. with Batamaloo and were now required to
constituency having the largest number of 126 booths followed play second fiddle to him.
His anointment as party
by Sopore with 115. Another 2,829 polling stations will be
president and then
located below 5,000 ft. with Gandhinagar constituency having projection as Chief
maximum of 162 and Jammu West constituency 163 polling Ministerial candidate was
stations. all the developments in
such quick succession that
75
41
Percentage of Total seats
54.66
J&K
34 45.33
Epilogue Ø
20 ×
November 2008

neither he nor the party cadres were able
to comprehend and make their heads
clear. Six years later, Omar appears to be
little mature and his ears put down to the
ground. The elder cadre in the party has
been given a role and honourable
position. He has chosen to take backseat
and Farooq has been projected as Chief
Ministerial candidate. In a shrewd
manner a word has been out in the public
by partymen and Abdullah sympathizers
in bureaucracy that the National
Conference is being trusted by New Delhi
to lead the race. With a history of New
Delhi's fixed up governments, such words
have the potential of generating a
positive wave.
Poor voter turn out is always an NC
advantage. Being the largest and oldest
party in state, NC has its committed
cadres everywhere. In Valley NC is the
only party with a formidable urban base
which is still a dream for other parties. In
case of a poor turn out, NC's committed
cadres may be a few dozens to couple of
hundreds, still turn up to polling booths
and that is where the party enjoys
unparalleled advantage.
For ten days after announcement of poll
schedules, the Peoples Democratic Party
played with an interesting suspense on
its poll participation. At the end of daily
meetings at residence of the Mufti's the
party had to say only one thing, “we are
yet to take a decision on our poll
participation”. These statements were
being made when most of the shortlisted
FACT FILE ELECTIONS IN J&K
1962 Assembly Elections : Party Position
Total Number of Seats
J&K National Conference
75
70
Praja Parishad 03
Independent 02
I N F O C U S
ELECTIONS 2008
candidates had already been asked to fan
out to their constituencies without
wasting anytime. PDP wanted to send
across a message that it was in mood to
contest elections in the prevailing
scenario but a decision to this effect had
to be finally taken to avoid unscrupulous
(read NC) to take advantage of a clear
field. So, the final announcement came
on October 28.
Poor turn out is though a potentially
dangerous disadvantage for the PDP, but
it has very little to loose in the urban
areas where poll boycott is usually
effective. PDP has carved out a rural
base but the field is not free of
challenges.
Other challengers in Valley's electoral
landscape are Peoples Democratic
Forum, J&K Democratic Party, the
CPI(M), a newly emerged alliance of
displaced Kashmir Pandits, the Awami
National Conference and more than 20
potential independent contestants.
The Peoples Democratic Forum had come
up under the leadership of Hakeem
Mohammad Yaseen as a rag-tag alliance
of over a dozen independent winners
after 2002 elections. Though they
claimed to neutralizers of friction
between major alliance partners PDP
and Congress but eventually emerged as
a power lobby. The PDF therefore
managed to get eight ministerial berths
in Mufti government. Later least five
Percentage of Total seats
93.33
04.00
02.66
Epilogue Ø
21 ×
November 2008
independents switched over to the
Congress and most of the remaining
broke far in their individual identities.
Hakeem still grew up the PDF and is now
fielding candidates in central and north
Kashmir constituencies. His men may not
be in a position to win but most of them
being PDP dissidents may influence the
results unexpectedly.
J&K Democratic Party has been floated
by one of PDP founders and former
Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir. He is yet to
name any face who can actually win from
anywhere but again his efforts are erode
PDP base and become a power equalizer
lobby after elections. The Congress is
believed to have decided fielding a
candidate against Mir who is equally in
touch with National Conference.
CPI(M) has one seat in 1996 assembly and
two in 2002. Party is not expected to
improve its tally beyond this number but
all three parties –NC, PDP and Congress
–are ready to spare the seats where
CPI(M) contests. The race is all about
keeping the potential opponents at bay
and securing an ally for post-poll
scenario.
One of the most interesting features of
this year's elections in Kashmir Valley is
the overwhelming participation of
Kashmir Pandits. This is a good sign as
the displaced community may get a
proper representation in the assembly.
But unfortunately, the way Kashmiri
Pandits are preparing for elections may
J&K

not help any of the candidates. Before
their migration, the Kashmiri Pandits
had a significant vote share in at least
13 assembly constituencies in the
Valley. Their deciding factor only grew
after migration as in view of poor
turnout in the Valley, the migrant
voters had the key to fortune of
contestants. While they did not chose
to contest elections even in the voting
they did not take a keen interest.
Raman Matoo was the only KP
legislator in 2002 and his father-in-law
PL Handoo in 1996. This time,
however, the KPs are showing an
overwhelming interest in elections
and are fielding candidates of their
own. Unfortunately there is no
consensus in the community and upto
half a dozen candidates are jumping
into fray in each constituency. This
may mar prospects of anyone of them
winning from anywhere.
Awami National Conference of former
maverick Chief Minister GM Shah is in
the poll battle first time. Shah is
brother-in-law of Dr Farooq Abdullah.
He is known better for his 1984
adventure when he toppled the Farooq
government with Congress support.
Though Shah is aging, his son Muzaffar is
leading campaign and wide Khaleda
(Farooq's sister) is likely to be one the
20 contestants the party is planning to
field. Few months back Shah had a
meeting with the Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh signaling to the home
constituency that he is still a power to
reckon with.
FACT FILE ELECTIONS IN J&K
1962 Assembly Elections : Party Position Region-Wise
Total Seats
J&K National Conference
Kashmir
42
Praja Parishad - 03
Independent - 02
I N F O C U S
ELECTIONS 2008
JAMMU SCENARIO
Truly competitive election
T he political landscape of Jammu
region is not quite the same as it was
some four or five months back. The two-
two and half years later when agitation
broke out on Amarnath land row, the
Congress stood as the worst sufferer of
month long agitation on Amarnath land discrimination campaign. There were two
row has left the region polarized but with components involved –the Sangh Parivar
announcement of elections there are accused the Congress of hurting Hindu
some positive signs of resilience and sentiments by revoking Amarnath land
restoration of the social fabric and transfer order and the very revocation of
political order. order was projected as undermining the
sentiments of the people of Jammu.
Lead players in the region are Congress, Congress was pushed to the wall and its
BJP, National Conference and Panthers leaders ran for cover. Seen in that
Party. Of late, Bahujan Samaj Party too perspective the Congress is up for biting
has made significant inroads and the dust but still things are not quite gloomy
Peoples Democratic Party is up for a for the party.
significant competition at some half a
dozen constituencies and may even win a BJP tried to make maximum out of the
couple of seats. Jammu agitation and it had to be like this
as entire campaign was managed by the
Congress had contested the 2002 Sangh Parivar. Though the party regained
elections on an agenda which was not its foothold by aggressive revival of the
expected from a national political party Hindutva sentiment in at least five out of
of its stature. The party endorsed that ten districts of Jammu region but BJP has
the Jammu region has been discriminated no more remained the lone custodian of
against by all government in past to keep this vote bank. Shiv Sena, Kranti Dal,
the Kashmir constituency pleased. The Jammu State Morcha and some
slogan did really work but it had to independent leaders who were active
backfire soon. Congress won 15 seats in during the agitation are all in the field
the region (against 8 in 1996) and later seeking a seat in the legislative assembly
saw five independents falling in its kitty. and a seat sharing pact is very unlikely.
Under the coalition arrangement PDP was This multilateral division of vote bank
given first term to lead government and directly helps the Congress in those
in November 2002, Ghulam Nabi Azad of constituencies where BJP and its
Congress created a history of sorts by ideologically compatible outfits have a
becoming first Chief Minister who was foothold.
born and brought up in Jammu region.
Even arch opponents like BJP described it National Conference though has a
as moment of glory for Jammu. However, significant presence in all constituencies
Jammu
26
Ladakh
02
Total
70
J&K
- 3
- 2
Epilogue Ø
22 ×
November 2008

of Jammu region but it is
in the districts of Rajouri,
Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar,
Ramban and Reasi where
party has a stronghold. In
most of these constitu-
encies the party faces a
direct contest with
Congress while in a couple
of segments in Rajouri and
Poonch, the Peoples
Democratic Party is in a
formidable position.
Ticket distribution is
always a problem for all
parties in twin border
districts of Rajouri and
Poonch where caste
polarization between
Gujjars and Paharis is
unprecedented. A history
of elections in these two
districts (seven constitue-
ncies) suggests that the
contest is often between
two castes and not parties.
Panthers Party improved
its tally from one in 1996
to four in 2002. After
National Conference and
Pe o p l e s D e m o c r a t i c
Party, Panthers Party of
Bhim Singh is the only
regional outfit with a
significant and growing
base. The party could
have improved its tally
further in ensuing
elections but its leader
Bhim Singh puts in too
FACT FILE ELECTIONS IN J&K
1967 Assembly Elections : Contested and Uncontested
Total Number of Seats
Contested
Uncontested
I N F O C U S
ELECTIONS 2008
much energy in making a
64, 97,593 VOTERS statewide presence for
which the party is yet to
The total electorate in the state is 64, 97,593 including 33, 52,147 male grow.
voters and 31, 45,446 female voters. Jammu district comprising 11
constituencies has the highest electorate of 9, 43,389 including 4,78,545 A new entrant in the
electoral landscape of
male and 4,64,844 female voters while Leh district comprising two
Jammu is Bahujan Samaj
assembly segments has the lowest number of 74,396 voters including Party. BSP has four seats
37,623 male and 36,773 female voters. Gandhinagar assembly segment in 1996 and its tally fell
has the highest total electorate of 1,52,100 with the maximum of 78,663 down to only one seat in
male and 73,437 female voters. Nobra constituency in Leh district has 2002. Few months later
the lowest electorate of 11,863 with the minimum of 5,943 male and its lone MLA joined the
coalition government as
5,920 female voters.
Minister and later
The Srinagar district has 8 constituencies with 5,57,265 voters
switched its loyalties to
including 2,88,984 male and 2,68,281 female electors. The Kupwara the Peoples Democratic
district comprising five assembly constituencies has an electorate of Party. After its Utter
3,41,004 voters including 1,77,860 male and 1,63,144 female voters. Pradesh experiment of
The Baramulla district spread over seven assembly segments has an social engineering, BSP
electorate of 5,18,215 including 2,68,347 male and 2,49,868 female redrew its Jammu plan
and posed a challenge to
voters. The Bandipora district covers three assembly constituencies with
the Congress,
an electorate of 1,86,069 including 96,848 male and 89,221 female particularly in
voters. The newly created district of Ganderbal includes two constituencies where
constituencies with a total electorate of 1, 37,495 including 71,336 male Dalit vote is significant.
and 66,159 female voters. The five assembly segments of Budgam district Jammu region has seven
comprise 3, 83,914 electors including 1,98,815 male and 1, 85,099 constituencies reserved
female voters. for Scheduled Tribes. Till
recently, the BSP was
The Pulwama district has four assembly segments and newly created
well positioned but
districts of Shopian and Kulgam have two and four segments, internal bickering and
respectively. The Pulwama district has total of 2, 92,959 voters split in the party on
including 1, 51,635 male voters while Shopian has 1, 39,475 voters election eve has put it
including 67,173 female voters. The Kulgam district has a total of 2, on a weak pitch. Recent
83,733 electorate with 1,47,449 male voters. The Anantnag district resignation of its state
spread over six constituencies has 4, 20,534 electors including 2, 17,249 president and joining
National Conference is
male and 2, 03,285 female voters.
seen as a moral crasher
The Kargil district has two segments with 78,117 voters including for the cadres and
38,770 male and 39,347 female voters. voters.
75
22
Percentage of Total seats
29.33
J&K
53 70.66
Epilogue Ø
23 ×
November 2008

LADAKH SCENARIO
Six years after LUTF versus none, it is now all versus LUTF
B etween 2002 and 2008, politics in
Ladakh has taken a full circle. 2002
was a milestone in Ladakhi politics
when the local units of all political
parties were dissolved to float a joint
platform sending across a clear message
that creation of Union Territory
dominates the election agenda in Leh.
Soon after elections, not only the local
units of regional and national parties
were revived but also the winning
candidates established their affiliations
with non-Ladakhi parties. Six years
later, the Union Territory agenda is once
again back. Unlike the 2002 scenario of
Ladakh Union Territory Front (LUTF)
versus none, in 2008 it is going to be 'all
versus LUTF and NC combine'.
Ladakh had been an independent
kingdom for about eight and a half
centuries until it was invaded and made
a part of Jammu and Kashmir by Dogra
king Gulab Singh's army led by General
Zorawar Singh in 1834. People of Ladakh
have been very proud to be Indians right
from the day when Ladakh became a
part of the Indian Union following the
declaration of an independent India.
However all leaders of Ladakh,
irrespective of their association to
different political parties today, have
always voiced to have separate Ladakh
from Jammu and Kashmir. Ever since
FACT FILE ELECTIONS IN J&K
1967 Assembly Elections : Party Position
Total Number of Seats
J&K National Conference
Praja Parishad
BJS
Independent
I N F O C U S
ELECTIONS 2008
Ladakh became a part of the
democratic India, people of Ladakh
have always wished to have direct links
with New Delhi and accordingly the
leaders of this trans-Himalayan enclave
have demanded different arrangements
from time such as North Eastern
F r o n t i e r A r e a ( N E FA ) t y p e o f
administration, Central Administration,
and the Union Territory status to
preserve Ladakh's unique cultural,
linguistic and the geo-climatic
conditions. With its unique conditions
Ladakh is like a different country to the
rest of Jammu & Kashmir.
When the negligence towards Ladakh
continued for the by the then state
governments, the Ladakh Buddhist
Association launched an agitation 1989
in support of UT demand. Three
Buddhist youth were killed during the
agitation. The agitation was suspended
only when and the then Prime Minister
Mr. Rajiv Gandhi intervened and
proposed the Hill Council status on the
pattern of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill
Council. Subsequently a tripartite
agreement was signed by the Center
Government, State Government and the
LBA and the UT demand was suspended.
The Ladakh Autonomous Hill
Development Council was finally
constituted in 1995 and the Indian
75
61
08
Percentage of Total seats
81.33
10.66
03 04.00
03 04.00
Epilogue Ø
24 ×
November 2008
National Congress could win all 26
seats. However after National
Conference government was formed at
the state in 1996, it used all tactics to
destabilize and defunct the newly
constituted Hill Council. Dr. Farooq
Abdullah's government had been very
reluctant to further empower the Hill
Council. When time approached for
assembly elections in 2002 Leh's all
political leaders came on a single
platform by disbanding their respective
parties and formed the Ladakh Union
Territory Font (LUTF). The newly
formed party succeeded to elect Mr.
Nawang Rigzin Jora and Sonam
Wangchuk Norbu (Pinto) unopposed for
the State assembly from Leh and Nubra
constituencies respectively.
But the much hyped LUTF soon detected
with some cracks as one day the Bhartya
Janata Party (BJP) was found restored.
The members of the LUTF previously
belonged to different political parties
with different ideologies seemed to
have found it difficult to adjust with one
another. The major split in the LUTF
occurred when the Indian National
Congress restored its office in 2004 by
installing Tsering Samphel, who at
present is the member at the ST/SC
commission, as its president. In 2005
the third LAHDC Elections were held
between the Indian National Congress
J&K
 I N F O C U S
ELECTIONS 2008

and LUTF. LUTF registered a thumping
majority by sweeping 24 seats out of
26. Thuspstan Chhewang, MP Lok
Sabha from Ladakh also contested the
Hill Council election from Lower Leh
constituency and won by a landslide
margin. When the LUTF-led Council
was formed Chhewang continued as the
MP Ladakh and vacated Lower Leh
constituency for a re-election.
Meanwhile people started blaming LUTF
for its ineffective Hill Council and
secondly for having no strategy to strive
for the UT demand. The by-election for
the Lower Leh constituency was held
after one and half year of the LUTF Hill
Council in power and LUTF lost to
Congress and Congress Party registered
a landslide victory.
LUTF was a great platform if it was used
to strive for common interests. Rather
there has been narrow minded politics
within LUTF which all Ladakh knows
very well today. LUTF was formed to
save Ladakh from political parties which
support solutions like Greater
Autonomy for the State but after the
recent LAHDC election in Kargil, LUTF
joined hands with National Conference
which can be seen as a politics of power.
Two councilors who belonged to LUTF in
the Leh LAHDC have recently joined the
Congress Party on account of difference
they developed with the leaders of
LUTF.
The LUTF has now entered into a tacit
understanding with National
Conference as well as Bhartiya Janta
Party. LUTF was formed on the plank of
Union Territory demand, NC is a party
for Greater Autonomy and BJP seeks
abrogation of Article 370 which gives
J&K special status. This mix of three is a
unique paradigm. The challengers on
the front are Congress in Leh and Nobra
and Zanskar and independents in Kargil.
Peoples Democratic Party and Panthers
Party have for first time fielded their
candidates in Ladakh region.
WITH INPUTS:
Basheer Ahmed in Baramulla, Mir
Javed in Srinagar, Tsewang Rigzin in
Leh, Sheraz in Kargil and KD Maini in
Poonch

The University of California, Berkeley

Invites applications for the 2009-2010
S.V. Ciriacy-Wantrup Postdoctoral Fellowships
in Natural Resource Economics and Political Economy

The S.V. Ciriacy-Wantrup Postdoctoral Fellowships in Natural Resource Economics and

Political Economy will be awarded for the 2009-2010 academic year to support advanced
research at the University of California, Berkeley.

For the purposes of this fellowship, natural resources are defined broadly to include
environmental resources. The fellowship encourages, but is not limited to, policy-oriented
research. Applications are open to scholars from any social science discipline and related
professional fields such as law and planning, who will make significant contributions to
research on natural resource economics broadly defined. Preference will be given to
proposals whose orientation is broadly institutional and/or historical, and which are
conceptually and theoretically innovative. Proposals with a primarily statistical or
econometric purpose are not eligible for consideration.

Application deadline is December 8, 2008.

For more information, please visit: http://research.chance.berkeley.edu/ciriacy/

Epilogue Ø
25 ×
November 2008
 I N
ELECTIONS 2008
J&K ELECTIONS
Answers To Some Most Frequently
Asked Questions
......
RISK FACTOR
Elections to Jammu and Kashmir
Legislative Assembly have been
announced at a time when state is
An expert on passing through most unusual
electoral politics circumstances. Fact that Election
and co-author of Commission had to take such a long
book ‘Elections in time in deciding schedule and the
Jammu & Kashmir’, announcement did not come without
Prof REKHA a “risk factor” observation of Chief
Election Commissioner N
CHOWDHARY
Gopalaswami underlines prevalence
responds to
of an unsuitable atmosphere. When
questions compiled
the timing of elections was debated
by Epilogue
there were two main points of
Editorial Desk. An
consideration: early elections with
internationalliy
poor turnout a bad publicity and
recognised authority deferred elections a bad news for
on J&K affairs, India internationally. How do you
Rekha teaches look at the legitimacy and credibility
political science at of exercise at this stage and under
University of Jammu these circumstances?
C
ertainly this must have been one of the most difficult
decisions for the Election Commission to take. In
normal circumstances as these were before the month
of June this year, the scheduling of elections would have been
no problem at all. The situation was very conducive for
elections at that time. Since May 2007, election rallies were
being organized and were attended by large number of
people. However, situation has changed dramatically during
FACT FILE ELECTIONS IN J&K
Epilogue Ø
26 ×
November 2008
F O C U S
last four months. The electoral space that had been gradually
extended since 2002 elections has shrunk now. The separatist
organizations which were finding themselves irrelevant have
gained the central space. In this context, it is very clear that
the level of electoral participation would be quite low. Before
the situation changed, it was expected that there might be
more than 60% voter turnout in the Valley, however, now the
voter turnout might be quite low. The factor of poll boycott
might work effectively. Interestingly, earlier this year, Mirwaiz
Omer Farooq was quite hesitant about giving the call of poll
boycott, since he was not sure whether that call would be
headed or not – so much euphoria about electoral politics was
at that time. However, now there might by voluntary boycott
and separatist organizations may not have to work very hard
for it
Despite the chances of lower voter turnout, the Election
Commission has taken the decision to go ahead with the
election. It must certainly not be an easy decision and the
Commission must have taken into consideration all the options
and possibilities. Not holding the election would have meant
keeping the State under the Governor's rule and after the
expiry of six months of this rule, imposing President's rule. The
absence of democratic politics and a total political vacuum of
the mainstream politics would also not have been healthy for
this state.
The 'risk factor' is there, because of the low participation, the
credibility of the election might be lower. This is certainly
problematic in the context of the 2002 elections which had
regained credibility for electoral process. Legitimacy of the
J&K
 I N F O C U S
ELECTIONS 2008
electoral process or the lack of it is certainly an important
issue for the politics of Kashmir. Many of the problems of the
state are linked with the lack of democratic space, in general
and the lower credibility of the electoral process, in
particular. There is a strong perception, especially in Kashmir,
that elections have been manipulated and the governments
have been imposed from the Centre. 2002 Assembly election
went a long way in reversing this impression. That was a very
important exercise from the point of view of restoring
confidence of the Kashmiris in the electoral process. Held
under the international glare, this election was seen to be
relatively fairer than earlier elections. The peculiarity of the
2002 Assembly election was that unlike the 1996 Assembly
election, it was not held under the supervision of the security
forces and there were not many allegations of coercive voting.
The voter turnout was uneven but whatever the level of
voting, it was quite voluntary. There were constituencies
where the voter turnout was less than 5% (Amirakadal,
Habbakadal, Batamaloo, Khanyar, Idgah, Zadibal) and there
were constituencies with higher than 60% voter turnout
(Gurez, Uri, Karnah, Charar-e-Sharief). Despite the average
30% voter turnout in the Valley, there were districts in north
Kashmir which saw reasonable voter turnout (53% in Kupwara,
46% in Bugam and 40% in Baramulla.
Electoral exercise, on the whole, was seen to be quite
legitimate and this had the implication of giving legitimacy to
the elected government during the period 2002-2008. So much
was the positive impact of the 2002 elections, that the
electoral and the mainstream political space was quite
extended in the period after that. During the by-polls which
were held in 2006 in the three constituencies of the Valley the
voter turnout was as high as 76% for Rafiabad, 69% for Pattan
and 64% for Sangrama.
The expansion of the electoral space was visible not only from
the higher voter turnout but also from other processes in the
mainstream politics. Till 1996, the legitimacy of the
mainstream politics was so affected that it was not possible for
the political leaders to hold any meeting in Kashmir. In fact,
there was no campaigning in the Valley during this election.
Campaigning could not be properly organized even during the
FACT FILE ELECTIONS IN J&K
Epilogue Ø
27 ×
November 2008
2002 elections. With the exception of a few constituencies of
northern Kashmir, where few big rallies by the 'proxy'
candidates of People's Conference (a well-known part of the
separatist amalgam, the APHC) were organized, normal
electioneering could not take place in the Valley. In fact, after
the first phase of elections, the violence was intensified and
not much of campaigning could be possible.
However, during the last few years, not only the space for
mainstream politics was expanded but the electoral politics
was reinvigorated. Though elections were due in September
2008, but the political parties had started preparing for the
elections as early as May 2007. Since that time, there have
been rallies after rallies organized by the political parties. One
year before the election was due, it seemed that election time
had come and the political parties had started their election
campaign.
It was therefore expected that the 2008 elections would not
only become more participatory but would also contribute to
enhancing the credibility of the electoral and the mainstream
political processes. In the present situation, the political
reversal is going to affect not only the legitimacy of the
electoral process but also that of the government that would
be formed after that.
STAGERRED SCHEDULE
Look at the schedule of elections, it is
too staggered. Except for the large
states like Utter Pradesh, elections in
seven phases are hardly held to any
assembly in India. Besides weather,
do you see a strategy in schedule as,
in case of Kashmir Valley, areas under
relatively lesser influence of
separatist sentiment have been
listed in first phase?
E
lections in Jammu and Kashmir have to be spread in
various phases for the simple reason that it is not a
normal electoral exercise. It is a militancy infested
J&K
 I N F O C U S
ELECTIONS 2008

state and the State has to prepare for meeting the challenge
of violence during the elections. Even during 2002, election
was spread in four phases. There was intensified violence
during that elections. There were large scale killings of
political activists, candidates, security forces and even
civilians. There were as many as 172 militant attacks and 115
security persons and 159 civilians were killed. Among those
killed were two candidates, Sheikh Abdul Rehman who was
an independent candidate and Mushtaq Ahmed Lone who
belonged to the NC and was then the Law Minister of the
State.
NOTIONAL IMPORTANCE
Seen from Indian perspective,
particularly with reference to New
Delhi's handling of Kashmir issue,
elections to J&K legislative assembly
have always been considered and
projected as an exercise which goes
far beyond basic purpose for electing
a government. Please comment on
the legitimacy of elections and their
relations with the 'National Interest'.
process was started in the first Assembly election when all
but two seats were returned unopposed. During this election
there was en masse rejection of nomination papers of the
only opposition party, the Praja Parishad on trivial grounds.
The trend of rejection of the nomination papers and
uncontested returns continued through the next few
elections. Though the phenomenon of uncontested returns
did not continue after the fourth general election, but
elections were seen to be manipulated in other ways.
The contested legitimacy of the elections has always remained
problematic. However there were well known exceptions like
1977 Assembly elections. Even the 1983 Assembly election had
some credibility. It is certainly true that the legitimacy of
election or the lack of it certainly had its reflection on the
'Kashmir problem'. A credible electoral exercise like 1977 had
the impact of lowering the level of discontent in Kashmir.
However, an election perceived to be highly rigged like the
1987 Assembly election had the severe implication of throwing
the State into the phase of militancy and separatism.
Since 2002, the issue of legitimacy of elections has
assumed new meanings. In fact, 2002 Assembly election
was seen as a very big confidence building measure for the

E lectoral process, or to that extent any political

process related with Jammu and Kashmir, has
generally been seen in the context of the 'national
interest'. Electoral manipulations, for which this state has
been infamous, have generally been justified in the name of
national interest. Right from the first election, the electoral
process has faced the crisis of legitimacy. There has been
manipulation of the electoral process through various
mechanisms. For instance, during the first four Assembly
elections, there was the phenomenon of uncontested
returns. The elections were so manipulated by the ruling
party that it could manage huge majorities within the
Assembly by suppressing opposition of all kinds. Hence,
there was no competition at all, and the candidates
belonging to the ruling party would be declared elected
without having to go through the electoral process. The

FACT FILE ELECTIONS IN J&K

In 2002 Assembly Elections, National Conference President

Omar Abdullah was party’s Chief Ministerial Candidate. He
contested election from family’s pocketborough seat of J&K
Ganderbal in Central Kashmir and lost to a little known Qazi
Mohammad Afzal of Peoples Democratic Party. A biggest
humiliation for Abdullah dynasty so far.

Epilogue Ø
28 ×
November 2008
 I N
ELECTIONS 2008
people of the State, especially the Valley. The 2002 election
took place at a time when the Government of India had
started preparing for the comprehensive peace process.
Seeking to restore the trust of people of Kashmir in the
Indian State as well its democratic institutions, Atal Bihari
Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India had offered a
'free and fair' election to the Kashmiris. Held under the
international glare, it was seen to be quite credible
election and helped restore the confidence of people in
the electoral process. The fact that an incumbent
government had been changed through the participation
of people rather than through the intervention of the
Centre had the impact of boosting the confidence of
people in the democratic processes.
CHALLENGES
It took a long time and great effort to
undo the damage of 1987 assembly
elections which apparently
worsened the Kashmir issue by
alleged denial of democratic space to
genuine competitors. 2002 assembly
elections came to be seen as
trendsetters for their largely
recognized fairness. 21 years after
the most controversial elections how
do you look at the challenges of
present elections.
I
n the context of the legitimacy attained by the 2002
Assembly election, it is already a set back that the 2008
elections are not going to be held in the normal
circumstances. The way things were moving till May this
year and the way there was an electoral upsurge in the
Valley, it would have reinforced the legitimacy of the
democratic processes. That election is now taking place in
a different situations, this in itself is the biggest
challenge. As the situation appears at present, the low voter
turnout may give leverage to the separatists to contest the
FACT FILE ELECTIONS IN J&K
Dr. Farooq Abdullah has been declared as NC’s Chief
Ministerial candidate but he is unlikely to contest election
from anywhere. Congress does not have a tradition of declaring
leader in elections, PDP too has adopted same policy
Epilogue Ø
29 ×
November 2008
F O C U S
legitimacy of elections. But much depends upon how the
electoral exercise unfolds. It will have to be seen as to how the
political parties are able to meet the present situation. Will
they be able to hold the electoral campaign, will there be
possibility of voting in certain constituencies, will the cadre of
the local parties be able to mobilize their supporters in their
strongholds? Much will depend on the nature of participation.
However, one can see that the effect of the poll boycott may
be felt the most in the urban areas, mostly the district of
Srinagar. But it has to be understood, that this district has been
regularly boycotting elections and even in 2002, the overall
voter turnout here was around 11 percent. However, in the
pre-June situation, there was every possibility that even here
the voter turnout would be substantial. But now the major
question remains whether the trend of lower voter turnout
constantly seen in the district of Srinagar will be followed in
other districts as well?
IN SEPARATIST CONTEXT
Please comment on electoral politics
in Jammu and Kashmir in separatist
context.
I
nterestingly, every election since 1996 has been of great
interest to the separatists. They have been responding to
the elections through their politics of Poll Boycott.
Elections provide a challenge to the separatists in the context
of the relevance of their politics. Hence, they tend to take
every electoral exercise very seriously and indulge in reverse
campaign asking people to boycott the polls. From this point of
view, each election is as much a challenge to the mainstream
political parties as to the separatists. For the separatists, the
criticality of the challenge of election has been increasing due
to the expansion of the mainstream politics during last few
years.
In the initial period of present phase of conflict, the
mainstream political space had totally collapsed and the
separatist politics had completely overtaken the politics of
J&K
 I N F O C U S
ELECTIONS 2008
the Valley and there was a total vacuum in the mainstream
politics. With the ascendancy of the gun on the one hand and
the political upsurge on the other, there was no scope for the
mainstream politics and therefore the mainstream political
leaders and parties had gone into hibernation for a long time.
How the electoral space had totally collapsed could be seen
during the 1989 Parliamentary elections when most of the
people preferred to stay away from the electoral exercise.
Only 5.08% voters turnout was recorded in Anantnag
constituency and 5.48% in Baramula. Srinagar seat was
returned uncontested since there were many candidates
ready to contest elections.
Ascendancy of the separatist politics continued throughout
the period of nineties, even though elections were
organized in 1996 both at the Parliamentary and Assembly
levels. However, by the end of the decade of nineties, the
mainstream politics started expanding itself and by the time
the 2002 Assembly election took place, the mainstream
politics had regained some political space. Since 2002, there
had been a continuous expansion of the mainstream politics,
with the result that an overlap started developing between
the separatist and the mainstream politics.
It is in the context of the overlap between the separatist and
the mainstream politics, that the electoral politics had been
posing serious challenge to the separatists, not only in the
context of the relevance of their relevance but also in the
context of the legitimacy claims that such elections may
create for those who tend to equate electoral response with
the support towards the Indian State. As the electoral space
had been expanding since 2002 elections, the separatists
had sought to respond to this challenge by referring to
distinction between the 'Governance' politics on the one
hand and the politics for 'ultimate resolution of the problem'
on the other. However, even after making such distinction,
the separatists were affected by the possibility of higher
voter turnout in the elections.
How the electoral politics affects the separatists could be
FACT FILE ELECTIONS IN J&K
According to official voter statistics of state election
department, Anlay Fu Polling Station in Leh Constituency has
lowest number of voters - only 10. However, what government
has concealed is more interesting. Tarkundi polling station in
Poonch has only 6 voters. Barring family in this village of 3000
all illegally crossed over LoC to Pak Since 1990.
Epilogue Ø
30 ×
November 2008
seen just before June this year. With an upsurge in the
electoral politics, there was lot of pressure on the
separatists. While some of them had given a call for poll
boycott, there were others who were not very confident
whether such a call would work or not. There were clear cut
indications that if the situation had not turned the way it has
turned over last few months, the boycott call might not have
been very effective.
AGENDA
In 1996 assembly elections, the
dominant agenda was restoration of
democracy and the largest player
–the National Conference –contested
on plank of restoration of greater
autonomy. In 2002, the dominant
agenda was credibility of elections
and main plank was restoration of
peace. What, do you think, sets the
agenda this time?
T
here are lot of issues raised by the political upsurge
in Jammu as well as Kashmir during the last four
months which would form the agenda of the
elections. However, different political parties would be
using the issues in different manner. For instance, the
agitation of Jammu will become the reference point for
the BJP, Panthers Party and other Jammu oriented political
parties. Jammu's regional assertion would be the major
issue for these parties.
Already these parties are raising the issue of de-
limitation in a rather big way. The issue of regional
aspirations would be raised by the Congress as well.
The issue of Autonomy will again be the focus of
National Conference campaign, though it will be
focusing on different issues in different regions. The
resolution of conflict and violation of Human Rights may
form the basis of its campaign in Kashmir. In Jammu, it
may refer to the regional aspirations and at the sub-
J&K
 I N
ELECTIONS 2008
regional level, it may touch upon the issues of intra-
regional and inter-community relations. Human Rights
violations in the Valley and the peace process may form the
major agenda for the PDP though it may also emphasise on
issues like opening of roads and trade between Indian side of
Kashmir and the Pakistan administered Kashmir.
CAMPAIGN
Post Amarnath land row, the regional
gulf has widened in Jammu and
Kashmir. It is difficult even for a
common man to go public with a
single set of opinion in two regions. Is
it, any way, possible for the political
parties to take a common agenda to
all regions when regional voices are
too sharp? If not, won't it be a
deceptive and opportunist election
campaign for all?
T
here may be two kinds of responses. For the political parties
like the National Conference which have constituency in
both the regions, their campaign might help build some
bridges between Jammu and Kashmir. But for the political
parties like the PDP in Kashmir and BJP in Jammu, their
political campaign will raise the shrill in the regional politics.
OUTCOME
National Conference returned with a
nearly two-third majority in 1996
assembly elections when polls were
held after a six-year long political
vacuum. Congress and BJP had eight
and seven seats, respectively,
Bahujan Samaj Party and Janta Dal
had four each. In 2002, the elections
threw a hung assembly. An alliance
between various parties was the only
FACT FILE ELECTIONS IN J&K
J&K Legislative Assembly has 87 seats to be contested
(2 nominated) Kashmir Valley has 46, Jammu 34 &
Ladakh 4. Earlier this year 8 new districts took shape.
20 constituencies fall in 8 newly created districts.
Epilogue Ø
31 ×
November 2008
F O C U S
way to form a government and the
experiment did not go well. This
time, do you see possibility of any
political party gaining sufficient
numbers to form government of its
own?
I
f the elections had been organized before the month of
June this year, there would have been a fractured mandate
in the Valley. Politics of Kashmir was quite vibrant and the
competition would have been very intense. The intensity of
the competition would have been defined not merely by the
rivalry between the NC and the PDP but also because the
increasing number of political parties preparing themselves
for the poll. However, with the change in the situation, the
intensity of the electoral competition would be missing and
the electoral mandate may not be that fragmented. NC may be
in a position to gain quite a number of seats.
However, the electoral verdict in Jammu will remain
fragmented. In fact it might be more fragmented than it was in
2002. In 2002, the Congress was able to get a chunk of seats in
the region. But this time, it may not be able to get as many
seats both due to the anti-incumbency factor as well as due to
the fall out of the two months' agitation. In the final outcome,
the 37 seats of Jammu may be divided among the Congress,
BJP, NC, Panthers Party. Depending on the nature of
mobilisation, the BSP may also regain few seats. A few seats
may be captured by the independents as well.
On the whole, there are lots of possibilities about the formation
of government. One thing is very clear that like 2002, the NC
would emerge as the largest party. But depending on how large
this party is, the composition of the government would be
decided. In the situation as it is emerging, if the NC is able to get
a substantial number of seats in the Valley, it may be able to form
the government on its own or with the help of independents.
However, if it is not able to sweep the Valley, in that case there will
certainly be a coalition government headed by the NC.
J&K
 R E P O R T
LOC TRADE

Trans-LoC Trade
Trucks Lift LoC Barriers

Epilogue Newsroom

D
escribing October 21, 2008
as a Red Letter day in the
post-1947 history of
Jammu and Kashmir will
not be an exaggeration
even though all eyes are focused on
translation of a ceremonial beginning
into a lasting process of bridging the
wide divides. Over 61 years after last
truck plied on the Jelhum Valley
road, 14 load carries crossed the Line
of Control on both sides to mark the
beginning of Trans-LoC trade –a
biggest Confidence Building Measure
of the century.
Actual trade with prospects of
economic benefit on both sides may be
a long way yet, the exchange of goods
on both sides of Line of Control has
come as a biggest booster to the

Visiting delegation traders from Pakistan administered Kashmir at Suchetgarh outpost closed to Indo-Pak International Border near Jammu.
Pakistan surfaced port city of Sialkote is just 11Kms from here. Jammu based traders want Suchetgarh-Sialkote route opened for trade.

Epilogue Ø
32 ×
November 2008

stagnant peace process between India
and Pakistan to ease tensions on
Kashmir. True to the spirit, the first
consignment exchanged between both
sides and on both routes –Srinagar-
Muzafarrabad and Poonch-Rawalakote
–carried mostly gift items instead of
properly worked out commodities for
trade. These gifts which included fruits,
vegetables, pulses, spices and
handicrafts have been estimated at Rs 8
lakhs.
Shortly ahead of the launch of Trans-LoC
trade a 19-member delegation of
traders and industrialists from the
Pakistan administered Kashmir visited
Jammu and Kashmir to make a market
assessment and work out modalities.
The delegation headed by Zulfikar
Abbasi, a hydel industrialist, had wide
ranging meetings with the trade lobbies
in Srinagar and Jammu and visited the
industrial facilities. Deliberations were
though successful to the extent that
traders from both sides made first one-
to-contact and got an idea of trade
potential but the modalities could not
be finalized as the government had left
everything to them. In their own
capacities traders enjoy hardly any
authority to decide on currency of
exchange and setting up of enabling
infrastructure to facilitate the trade.
Therefore, the trade is likely to remain
casual to the undecided modalities,
insufficient infrastructure and
lackadaisical bureaucratic attitude till
traders from both sides join hands to
exert pressure on their respective
governments to remove the
bottlenecks. The traders from both
sides have agreed in principle to form a
joint business chamber and Abbasi has
been offered to take over as first
president. The formation of this joint
R E P O R T
LOC TRADE
business chamber is still far from reality
in view of a wide gulf between traders
of Srinagar and Jammu and rival trade
lobbies in Srinagar.
The trading posts — Salamabad near Uri
in Kashmir and Chakothi, two km inside
Pakistan administered Kashmir received
their first consignments on October 21
hours after Jammu and Kashmir
Governor NN Vohra flagged off the
trucks from Salamabad and PaK Prime
Minister Sardar Attique Khan saw off
carriers from Chakothi on other side.
The crossing of the LoC followed almost
the same modalities as the Srinagar-
Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote
bus services, but with a difference —
vehicles from each side actually crossed
the Aman Setu. The bus passengers walk
across to board a different vehicle after
crossing the bridge.
In this case, the respective cargo
vehicle drivers were given temporary
passes and escorted in convoys to the
trading centres at Salamabad and
Chakothi. The drivers remained
confined to the trading centres and
waited while the unloading and loading
is complete.
But the reaction in the Valley to what
could be a historic moment in ties
across the LoC has been largely muted.
The reality is far from the objective of
linking Kashmir to markets in Central
Asia.
The state's trade federations have said
confusion over basic issues such as
currency usage, communication
between the two sets of traders, lists of
traded items and the logistics of
transport and travel papers has meant
that the effort might remain only
Epilogue Ø
33 ×
November 2008
symbolic.
“We don't know what currency we have
to deal in. For the first few days we will
be using a barter system where we fix
the worth of the goods based on the
exchange rate between the Indian and
Pakistani rupee. Then the deliveries will
be done,” said Mubeen Shah, president,
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and
Industries (KCCI).
“We have met the government.
Considering how volatile the market is
now, we want to trade in a risk-free
currency,” said A M Shirazi, president
Chambers of Commerce and Industries
Kashmir (CCIK), while pointing to the
fluctuating Pakistani rupee.
According to the traders, the fact that
one can't make calls from Kashmir to
PaK has hampered efforts to place
orders. Initially, the KCCI would assist
by preparing the bills in its own name in
the absence of proper buyer
information. “We are non-profit
organisation. We won't be doing this
forever,” said Shah. Though a
delegation of PaK had come, Shah said
they were not representing buyers. The
delegation from Indian side of Jammu
and Kashmir is now slated to travel
across LoC sometimes towards the end
of November and it is only then that the
buyers' information and requirements
can be worked out.
Though the government has maintained
that the Indian delegation must be one,
the three rival trade federations in
Kashmir — KCCI, CCIK and Federation
Chamber of Industry Kashmir (FCIK) and
their counterparts in Jammu, the
Jammu Chamber of Commerce and
Industries —want independent
 R E P O R T
LOC TRADE

representation.
Don’t Link Trade
In spite of the political clamour to open the LoC
for business, the traders are jittery about the
With Kashmir Issue
prices that they will get in PaK because of the
Interview
economic turmoil in Pakistan, including the high
Raja Zulqarnain Khan
inflation prevailing there. “We have no idea how
much our apples will fetch there. But we are sure President, Pakistan administered Kashmir
it will be much lower than what we get from
consignments to the rest of India,” said Sajaad How do you look at this beginning?
Khan, an apple farmer in Baramulla district, one
of Kashmir's biggest apple growing regions. Trade facilities between two parts of Jammu and
Kashmir were long due and they will not only boost the
Confusion is far deeper on the Poonch-Rawalakote economic profile on both sides but will also help in
route. Traders in Poonch were never taken in cementing the ties between people. I am sure this
beginning will go a long way in improving life and
confidence either by government or the business
economy of people on both sides.
chambers in Srinagar or Jammu. Interestingly, the
Jammu based traders have hardly any interest in
taking the Poonch-Rawalakote route which is 250 What is the public perception about
trade ties on your side?
kilometers from Jammu. “We would prefer
N o w s h e r a - J h a n g a r Tr a n s - L o C r o u t e o r
Suchetgarh-Sialkote Trans-IB route”, says Ram Of course, our people are overwhelmed
Sahai, the President of Jammu Chambers of and they look forward to enhanced
relations. While the businessmen are
Commerce and Industries. Therefore, when
elated over the prospects of profitable
trucks rolled down the LoC trade routes, there
trade the common people see trade link
was neither a truck nor a packet of commodities
as an opportunity to revive relations
from Jammu markets. Even the Jammu based with their dear ones in Indian Jammu
traders stayed away from the ceremonial launch and Kashmir.
of trade links.
Do you think trade ties can pave way for lasting
In such a scenario, the Poonch-Rawalakote route resolution of Kashmir issue?
is bound to fail eventually. A day ahead of the
launch of truck service, the Foreign Secretary It will be unwise to link trade with Kashmir issue.
Shivshanker Menon admitted in New Delhi that Trade is a good omen and it strengthens relations
modalities were yet to be worked out for Poonch- between both sides but it has nothing to do with
Rawalakote route. It was a trade in haste. Unlike resolution of Kashmir issue. Government of India and
Jammu based traders, the business community in Pakistan should engage in a meaningful dialogue and
Poonch did not boycott the launch. The local involve people of Jammu and Kashmir for finding the
Beopar Mandal (association of traders) collected lasting solution. Killings in Kashmir and other
fruits and vegetables from the market and sent violations of human rights hurt us deeply and give us
them across as gifts as Governor's Advisor HH wounds which can not be repaired by trade. All types
Tyabji launched the truck service. Next day, of human rights violations must end in Kashmir to
create a congenial atmosphere for dialogue.
Pakistan administered Kashmir President Raja
Zulkarnain Khan drove to the last LoC point on
Poonch-Rawalakote route to see off the trucks -Raja Zulqarnain Khan spoke to KD Maini at Poonch
from other side which too carried gift items. LoC on October 22

Epilogue Ø
34 ×
November 2008
 R E P O R T
LOC TRADE

This Is No Trade
‘We Are Investing In Peace Process’
Interview with
ZULFIKAR ABBASI
President, Muzaffarabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries
What attracts you to trans-LoC trade
with Jammu and Kashmir? Are you
looking at economic expansion or
investing in peace process?

Jammu and Kashmir is land of our

ancestors. It is a part of our own home
where did not have any access for last
60 years. We are not going to do
anything new. It is just the resumptions
of ties broken at the time of partition.

I must make one thing clear; it is not the

money which brings us here. We are
actually keen and sincere in
contributing our bit to the peace
process. If you look at the manner in
which Cross-LoC trade is being rolled
out it is not a business of profit; it is out
and out a business of loss. Aware of all
the bottlenecks and losses we are still
serious about going ahead because we
respect the gesture behind this (Cross-
LoC trade). Of course, in the long term
we would try to convert these losses
into profit but at the moment we are
ready to bear all losses for a long term
profit of peace and cooperation
between two parts of Jammu and
Kashmir.

The decision on Cross-LoC trade has been

taken at highest level in India and
What is the public response to this Despite some element of skepticism
Pakistan –between Prime Minister
gesture in Pakistan administered there is an overwhelming public
Manmohan Singh and President Asif Ali
Kashmir and do you find a matching response on both sides of the divide.
Zardari –and now it was our turn to push it
response on this side as you may have Skepticism stems from misconceived
forward. We did not want to share blame
observed during last five days. notions due to lack of any
of failing this Confidence Building
communication channel. People in
Measure between both countries on
I am surprised at the kind of response. Pakistan administered Kashmir are
easing tension over Kashmir.

Epilogue Ø
35 ×
November 2008

overwhelmed as they see in this trade
link a route to revival of their relations
with the people of this side. When we
set out for this journey on October 9 we
had very little idea of public response
this side. But during my stay and
deliberations in Srinagar as well as in
Jammu I am amazed at the kind of
response. People on both sides, I feel,
are eager to break all barriers.
It took a staggering two and half years
for delegation to actually materialize
this visit. This inordinate delay had
given a perception that businessmen
in Pakistan administered Kashmir
were not interested in trading with
this side for the fear of Jammu and
Kashmir's dominance on the markets
across LoC. There was a feeling that
you had very little to send across this
side while the products and produce
in Jammu and Kashmir could have
flooded your markets.
Again, this is due to lack of
communication channels. These are
misconceived notions. On the contrary
we were told that the only market in
Jammu and Kashmir is that of unrest
and violence…there is alarming
unemployment and majority of people
are victims of hunger. This still is the
general public perception on our side.
However, fact of the matter is that both
sides have huge potential and the trade
relations can give a mutual fillip to the
economies. Whatever advantages and
disadvantages are almost similar on
both sides.
We had devastating earthquake in
October 2005 which put us 50 years
back. But with international assistance,
a world class infrastructure is coming up
in Pakistan administered Kashmir and
Jammu and Kashmir can obviously make
huge contribution to that. Eventually it
R E P O R T
LOC TRADE
has to be our mutually shared
infrastructure and economy. There are
many things, for example rice, on our
side which can meet demands here.
Similarly, fruit and vegetables from this
side can fully meet our demands. Our
spices and recipes can also be of huge
demand here. This one visit or one
meeting can not help zeroing down on
demands and availabilities on both
sides. We have to make a sincere
beginning in right direction and the
process will gradually grow. Industry on
this side of divide is far better then ours
but we enjoy the advantage of better
and more skilled manpower.
Both sides are a land of opportunities.
India and Pakistan have conflicts over
use of water resources which are the
biggest wealth both sides. We can think
of having joint venture in hydel projects
which on one hand will convert tensions
into cooperation and on other hand will
give a boost to economy. We can have
joint ventures in tourism which
emerging as one of the biggest
industries of the world. We can have
joint ventures in horticulture,
floriculture, cold storages and
distribution system. See, Kashmir Valley
is a fertile ground for growing world
class flowers. We can take these flowers
to Europe and Gulf in next 10 to 14 hours
which reduces the cost of transport and
minimizes risk of perishing.
What are the bottlenecks in a practical
Cross-LoC trade?
Initially this trade is full of bottlenecks. As I
pointed out above, we are participating in
the Cross-LoC trade under present
circumstances to push the peace process
and with a hope that practical measures
are taken to make this initiative success
and not just a ceremonial gesture to
eventually fade away.
Epilogue Ø
36 ×
November 2008
The list of commodities to be exchanged
is an eye wash but the gesture behind
this is magnanimous which needs to be
appreciated. This is a first step towards
a journey which we have to travel
t h o u s a n d s m i l e s t o g e t h e r. We
understand that this trade will push the
peace process but even minimum basic
requirements of infrastructure are not
in place. With only 1 to 1.5 metric tonne
truck allowed to ply on Cross-LoC route,
we can probably exchange gifts with
each other and not the commodities for
trade. After all we are not dealing in
precious stones that a truck load of
material would suffice. This is not a
business of profit…this is business of
straight loss.
We do not have any dependable or
minimally workable communication
system between two sides. When you
can't talk to each other over phone, you
don't have any postal, parcel or courier
services…what kind of trade you can
think of? Trades are not done
incommunicado. We are about to start
trade which needs enhanced contacts
but experiences are not quite impressive
when we look at Cross-LoC bus services.
Permit system is too cumbersome and
lengthy. Just imagine, if an apple grower
applies for permit when produce is ripe
for the markets and he gets permission
when season is over. Can there be trade in
such situation?
We –representatives of the Chamber of
Commerce and Industries in Jammu,
Srinagar and Muzaffarabad –should give
shape to a joint Chamber and pursue
these issues with Governments of India
and Pakistan.
The bottlenecks listed above are no way
an indication of the insincerity of our
respective governments. The
governments indeed are sincere enough

which is why today we are here
together. These issues will have to be
addressed to make this initiative
successful. This trade should an inland
exercise as good as it can be between
Kashmir and Jammu or between
Muzaffarabad and Rawalakote.
So what measures do you suggest for a
smooth and practical Cross-LoC trade?
First and foremost requirement of doing
business with each other is free
communication channels. Travel
restrictions should be eased; telephone
and postal services should be put in
place. Making traders casual to the
fortnightly bus service will eventually
fail this process. Traders should be
provided with permanent free travel
permits and safe parting system so that
they can move across the Line of Control
at their own convenience in their own
vehicles. Branches of banks should be
opened in each others' territory and
dual currency (Pakistani and India)
should be allowed for exchanges. Dual
currency system is a respectable way of
honouring sanctity of Cross-LoC trade as
dealing in Dollars or Euros will give an
impression of trading between two
sovereign countries which can worsen
things diplomatically. And most
important requirement is that an
enabling infrastructure should come up
on both sides of Line of Control as also
on way to each trade destination.
Experts on trade and economy argue
that if pushed in proper perspective
this Cross-LoC trade can be one billion
dollar and its scope can expend
beyond the boundaries of Jammu and
Kashmir to India and Pakistan.
This is an overenthusiastic observation
and has to be viewed with caution. The
intra-Kashmir trade has been decided to
be a zero tariff regime which is difficult
R E P O R T
LOC TRADE
Business delegation from Pak and their J&K counterparts at an industiral exhibition in Jammu
to be sustained in long terms. If no tariff
is charges, the trade can touch any
heights but Ministries of Finance and
Commerce will certainly go wary about
this. And if tariff is charged the volume
will not expand as one would have
expected. India and Pakistan are
already trading through two routes
–Wagah and Munabao. There has to be a
balance between all routes. Currently
the total trade volume between India
and Pakistan is far less than the actual
potential. You can see India is world's
largest producers of tea and Pakistan
one of the major consumers but still
they don't trade in this sector directly.
Vice versa is the case with cotton. There
are a lot of real and perceived barriers
which will take a long time to go.
Cross-LoC trade has been initiated as a
measure of peace process between
India and Pakistan and a Confidence
Building Measure on Kashmir. Can
trade really bring peace?
Trade alone is of no help. I am of the
opinion that agreement on Cross-LoC
trade underlines a strong urge between
India and Pakistan to make Jammu and
Epilogue Ø
37 ×
November 2008
Kashmir a land of cooperation instead of
a land of conflict as it has been for
years. But sir, here we must understand
that burying real issues under carpet
and feeling happy over cosmetic
measures may backfire at some stage.
The peace process between India and
Pakistan must continue to resolve
Kashmir issue and trade can used as a
multiplier to the peace efforts and not a
solution of the problems.
What are your major fears?
Our fears are obvious. India and Pakistan
have a history of agreeing upon many
Confidence Building Measures but all of
them could not be sustained. The hurry in
which this Cross-LoC trade has been given
green signal indicates some motives of
appeasement. We fear a slowdown and
eventually collapse of the trade ties after
ceremonial launch. This is the kind of
impression we have obtained here in
Jammu and Kashmir under the prevailing
circumstances and in the backdrop of
whatever has reportedly happened over
past few months.
- Zafar Choudhary