I was in and around the Valley for the last several weeks. In fact, I have been regularly visiting the state since 1991. And, whenever I close my eyes, the scenes of J&K that come back are those of security forces manning each life. Yes, each life. There is no free movement for even the most ordinary who are performing nothing beyond the mundane. Vehicles can be stopped anywhere and though the women are spared the humiliation of being bundled out for the mandatory search, the men and boys are told to sit on their haunches. If they do not have their ID card, they may have to do even more humiliating exercises like ‘uthak-baithaks’ or doubling up in full public view. Until about last fortnight, the dreaded Special Task Force, often referred to as ‘Farooq’s special fauj’, could barge their way into any home and, under the security laws operational in the state, they could single out and pick up just about anybody for interrogation. And, as the lawyers of the ‘Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons’ point out, interrogation can end up in death. This is why there’s no great mystery attached to the fact that there are an estimated six thousand young men of the state who are missing. So, even if you try to hum the normalcy-is-returning-to-the-state song, it is likely to be drowned out in the cries of widows and mothers. If you wander around the Boulevard or visit the few restaurants along the stretch, cops wouldn’t be faraway, keeping a wary eye on the activities of those who dare to sip tea as the sun begins to set over Dal Lake. By 6.30 pm Srinagar comes to a standstill. By 8 pm, you simply have to be indoors unless you’re brave enough to wait at police ‘nakas’ and answer queries. There’s one club in operation, the Amar Singh Club, and two theatres, the Broadway and Neelam, where movies are shown with cops everywhere. Valley-based psychiatrists say that it is the women who have paid the greatest price for this state of affairs but, going by my observations, I believe it is the men. Look closely at Kashmiri men and you’ll notice that a great majority stand hunched. I remember once, while visiting Anantnag and Sopian when electioneering was in full swing, requesting a uniformed man to stand close to a bunch of local children for a photo. The moment he came closer, the children shrank back as if they were being attacked. In the interiors, the fear is much more apparent as there just isn’t any accountability and nobody can be approached for justice. Worse, nobody even questioned this state of affairs with the sole exception of Mehbooba Mufti. She was the only one who had the guts to take on the STF men. If someone faced harassment, he or she just had to telephone her and she would drive down and question the police. When I later met up with her for an interview, it was more than obvious that she was determined to see that the continuing humiliation of the people ends. After all, even searches can be conducted in a civilised manner. Giving the people here back their dignity will have to be Mufti’s first task.
