Even in as violence-stricken and bloodsmeared an atmosphere as what prevails in the Kashmir Valley, the lynching of a police official during prayers at the Jama Masjid in Srinagar marks a despicable low. It testifies to brutality having been bequeathed to an entire generation.

Since even a week later details of the incident are clouded in contradictory versions, and jumping to conclusions would only exacerbate an explosive situation, the need for a professional probe cannot be over-emphasised ~ to call for an impartial or independent inquiry would be futile, no one in Kashmir can be considered independent and impartial any more.

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That is the legacy of the awful failure of both Central and State governments: with the former turning a blind eye to a rapidly-declining situation, and in keeping with characteristic political belligerence re-committing itself to a bullet-for-bullet brand conflict-resolution.

The state government is caught up in debilitating contradictions, the “temptations of office” preventing it from throwing in the towel and allowing Governor’s Rule to try and restore a little credibility to the administrative apparatus. Perhaps it is too late for even that to succeed, though the home minister tries to convince the nation that things are under control.

It would be self-deception to perceive the lynching of the police officer as distinct from schoolgirls joining in the stoning of security personnel, the killing of a young Army officer on leave to attend a wedding, or sustained attacks on the military undertaking counter-insurgency operations.

A vicious circle is spinning out of control with educational institutions being “raided” by the forces, the Army commending the use of a civilian as a “human shield”, massive ignoring of basic human rights, and the politically-convenient clubbing together of an alienated people with Pakistan sponsored terrorists. Even worse, those who advocate attempting to negotiate a way out of the impasse are being accused of sedition.

Rather late in the day, local Army commanders are trying to revive the sadhbhavana exercise of yesteryear, but Army Headquarters will not acknowledge that publicly ~ it would detract from the “we will give them a bloody-nose line” articulated by the Chief. Various statistics point to unprecedented levels of violence and deaths, of both security personnel and civilians ~ without militancy having been contained. In fact the number of “local” militants has reached an all-time high.

Mehbooba Mufti is clearly out of her depths, and with an administration in disarray the “clout” of the separatists is growing ~ in their frustration the people have no other source of hope than azadi. Right now, even “band-aid” treatment appears unworkable, a solution next-toimpossible.

Much of that stand-off being the refusal of the two governments to admit that they are pursuing a disaster-destined course. Kashmiriyat has been lost, Kashmir itself is at risk.