1 Year of Abrogation of Article 370 From J&K : Not Gun, Employment & Livelihood Are Big Questions in the Valley

Srinagar : A year after the abolition of Article 370, many new colors have started appearing in Kashmir. People are worried about employment and livelihood. Most people in the valley have no sympathy for Pakistan and separatists, who are constantly pursuing the agenda of malicious propaganda. Disillusionment with mainstream Kashmiri leaders is also seen in a big way in the interaction with the local people. Apart from panchayats, new leadership is emerging at many levels. People have complaints on many issues with the government. Many people continue to have love for Article 370. But they have started speaking against terror. Because they feel that the common Kashmiris have come under target due to terrorism and interference of Pakistan.

A year after the end of 370, employment is the biggest question before local people. Most of the recruits are at a standstill. Complaints of not having a work is common among local Kashmiris. Many people also see the possibility of external interference in their right with the abolition of Section 370. Many people are also questioning the occupant policy. But on the other hand a large number of migrant workers coming back to Kashmir is telling a different story. It is being claimed that despite the COVID crisis, about 50,000 migrant workers have returned to the valley.

An official said, flights to Srinagar have started filling up and there are also a large number of outside workers. The abolition of Article 370 has also raised hopes of many new groups in the last one year. Who previously felt themselves neglected.

According to an officer associated with the security force, a major change is being felt in large part of the valley that the local people do not oppose action on terrorism. Like Burhan Wani, the trend of making terrorists a hero has reduced. Earlier there were incidents of stone pelting on seeing a police car. Apart from the claims of the police administration, local people also believe that these incidents have reduced. Most people seem concerned about the education and employment of their children.

Farooq, a resident of Srinagar, says that Pakistan has set the fire. Pakistan itself is hungry-naked, what will they give us? We want our children to get employment. Let the conditions be fine. Everything will improve if you get work.

Farooq of Kashmir Valley does not hide his fascination with special status even after one year after the abolition of Article 370. He said people are still unhappy. But in the changed circumstances, there is also hope from the government regarding development and employment.

Another local citizen Shakeel said that if the work is found, the minds of the children will not go astray. Farooq said, one of my sons did B.Tech, there is no work here, we sent him to Bangalore to do M.Tech. Now he will do the job there. It is not good to keep him here. If the work is not found, their brains are washed.

First it was 370, now COVID finished the tourism  one thousand rupees a month. What will happen with just one thousand rupees, says Majid. If the tourists get well, then we have nothing to do with politics.

A Jammu and Kashmir police personnel living here, hiding the name, said that things are changing. Road is being built. Work has started at many places. But many people are still not happy with the abolition of Article 370. They feel that they do not have work. People from outside states will buy land here, if they get work, then the rights of our people will be taken away. The big concern of local people is about their rights.