Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Cause for concern

It is with extreme concern and apprehension that the nation is watching the escalating violence in Jammu & Kashmir. Religious fundamentalists and separatist outfits are having a field day, stoking the raging fire. Instead of handling the crisis — the fallout of the allotment of land to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and its cancellation — responsibly, all political parties have jumped into the fray with an eye on the coming Assembly elections. During troubled times like these, the people should unite and cast aside their differences to fight communalism.

Devi Gopinath,

Thiruvananthapuram

The blockade of the Jammu-Srinagar Highway by protesters in Jammu was unwarranted. It has affected decades of cordial relations between Hindus and Muslims in the State. The government should allow the movement of people across the Line of Control so that all the routes leading to the Kashmir Valley can be opened up and the people of the Valley can be well connected with the outside world.

Sameer Ramzan,

Srinagar

It is unfortunate that 20 people have lost their lives in firing by the security forces in the last two days in Kashmir. The security forces should not have opened fire on those who wanted to march to Muzaffarabad on Monday.

The proposal to cross the LoC was certainly not a threat or as dangerous as it was made out to be. Those who live in Muzaffarabad are also Kashmiris who have been divided by India and Pakistan. What is wrong if the people reunite and do business with one another? We cannot win the hearts of Kashmiris by force. We must help them in times of need — when a blockade has been imposed by the activists of the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti and essential services have been prevented from reaching the Valley.

S. Dipole,

New Delhi

The decision by the people of the Kashmir Valley to march to Muzaffarabad to break the economic blockade was a reflection of the fragile nature of the Kashmir issue. The ongoing commotion in the State cannot be regulated by using coercion. It is time to hold a proper dialogue. The status quo approach on the issue is only paving the way for disenchantment among the people of the State, thereby giving rise to unrest.

Raoof Mir,

Hyderabad

The political unrest prevailing in Kashmir over the land transfer issue shows no signs of a let-up.

The death of 20 protesters, including senior Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz, is sure to escalate tensions. It is unfortunate that parochialism has engulfed a State where communal harmony existed for years.

R.S. Sreeram,

Thiruvananthapuram

Muslim organisations of Kashmir say they are prepared to provide all the required facilities to the Amarnath pilgrims but oppose the allotment of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board to put up temporary shelters. This means non-Muslims are welcome in the Kashmir Valley only as tourists.

K.N. Ramani,

Coimbatore

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