Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration Friday issued a full-page advertisement in local newspapers urging people to end their self-imposed shutdown and resume normal lives.
“Closed shops. No public transport? Who benefits? Are we going to succumb to militants?” it asks.
The government has blamed militants for instigating the common people into violence, stone-pelting and hartals (strikes). “We are at the crossroads today. Do we permit age-old tactics of threats and coercion to influence us? Will threat and misinformation prevail or will we take informed decisions on what is best for us?” the advertisement says.
In the wake of the Narendra Modi government’s 5 August decision to scrap J&K’s special status granted under Article 370 and divide the state into two union territories, the authorities had imposed a massive communications blackout and restrictions on civilian movement in the region.
Weeks after, the authorities had begun lifting restrictions on civilian movement, but a ‘people’s curfew’ continued, and it still ensures a deserted look on the local streets. Schools and colleges are bereft of students, and businesses have remained closed, effectively puncturing the government’s claims of normalcy returning to Kashmir.
The only exception to this is the flea market in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk. While it used to remain open only on Saturdays earlier, the administration has now allowed it to operate on weekdays too.
The advertisement also says how ‘militant’ diktats have influenced people’s decisions. “Will we let a few posters and threats push us into not resuming our businesses. Into not earning or legitimate livelihood. Into not securing a rightful education and secure future for our children. Into not letting development boom for our Kashmir.”
A series of posters had come up in the Valley in September asking people to continue with their protest. Police did not verify if these were issued by militant groups or their sympathisers. Authorities have also denied the role of political parties or separatist outfits in fuelling the shutdown.
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‘Everything is normal’
The advertisement hints that the government is willing to put in more efforts to restore normalcy in J&K. But it would still be an uphill task with residents expressing apprehension about the administration’s move.
Bashir Ahmed, a local businessman from Srinagar, said, “The government has till now claimed that everything is normal in Kashmir. Then why are they still issuing advertisements on the 68th day of the shutdown.”
Another resident, Farooq Lone, an engineer, said it was perhaps the first time in his lifetime that the government had to issue advertisements asking people to “end the shutdown”.
“This means that things are not getting better. There is a communication blockade so we don’t really come to know how things are in other parts of Kashmir. But the advertisements clearly show that they aren’t well,” Lone added.
Nearly 43,000 landlines have been restored since 5 August when curbs were placed on communication. Nearly 7,000 mobile phones belonging to government employees have also been ‘white-listed‘. However, internet and mobile services for the rest of the population still remain suspended.
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It is better to write Governor of Jammu Kashmir rather than the government of Jammu Kashmir.
Our bloody Govt was saying that people are rejoicing ,please show us where you have seen that rejoicing.Now it is official that no transport ,schools are closed.
That means the Govt. is clearly lying and now as usual blaming neighbors for this agitation which is there from last two months.
We have become inhuman and taken Kashmir on brim.
Modi Ji enough otherwise we all in India will get divide if you continue religious divide.
This is a perfect example of nincompoops running the show in J&K administration. With extreme restrictions on freedom of movement, speech and communication in place, how do these ninnies in the administration headed by Nero Malik expect people to resume normal activities.
Psyops have a limited shelf life. Ordinary citizens have sound judgment, discernment, know what is in their long term interests. They should be treated as mature adults, not puppets on strings being pulled by external forces. A dialogue needs to be started with them, seeking their views and suggestions on some of the most consequential changes that have been made to their lives since Accession.