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| Post Abrogation: Terrorism or tourism- Kashmir’s defining choice | | | Vanshika
Kashmir is undergoing a silent but profound transformation. A region once gripped by the bloodied hands of terrorism is now striving to reclaim its identity—not as a land of conflict, but as a cradle of peace, progress, and prosperity—a paradise on Earth.
As we enter the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, credit for transforming Kashmir—from conflict to calm, from terrorism to tourism, from separatism to nationalism, from shutdowns to shopping, from stone-pelting to sports, from violence-scarred buildings to modern infrastructure, from bombings to smart beautification, from terror sympathizers to business associates, and from fundamentalism to spiritualism—goes to the relentless efforts of the administration led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Kashmir and the powerful leadership in New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
This change has been made possible by the combined efforts of the IAS steel frame and its leadership, the security forces—Army, police, and paramilitary—all backed by intelligence and other enforcement agencies of the government. These individuals are the true heroes—often taking brickbats from some quarters but widely appreciated by the majority of people in Jammu and Kashmir, who hope this governance setup continues for a few more years, until peace and security become the new normal and tranquility becomes a way of life.
The past five years in Jammu and Kashmir have been nothing short of historic—a golden chapter in a long and tumultuous story. Kashmir saw a remarkable transformation—quiet, steady, and deeply powerful. Under the stewardship of the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and the unwavering support of the Union Government, peace and normalcy have not only returned to the valley but have also taken root. It is a chapter in history that few could have imagined, and many had never dared to hope for. Law and order prevail. Fear has receded. The once-relentless cycle of violence—marked by bomb blasts, grenade attacks, targeted killings, massacres of Hindus, kidnappings, exodus, and cross-border infiltrations—has been dismantled. Efforts to revive it are being resisted.
This transformation did not happen overnight. Terrorism in Kashmir was like a multi-pronged octopus—its tentacles reaching deep into society through separatism, fundamentalism, political manipulation, media propaganda, hawala financing, and both underground and overground support networks. Each limb of this octopus was nurtured by forces across the border, feeding on the vulnerabilities of Kashmiri youth and the emotional wounds of a divided past.
But the administration responded with precision and purpose. It deployed what it called the ‘Ashta Prahar’ and “Ashta Samhar”—a policy of eight-strike measures and eight-fold dismantling of the terror ecosystem. Every component of the terror network was treated separately but strategically, using dedicated operations. From eradicating the militant infrastructure to cutting financial lifelines, from cracking down on semi-separatist politics to reforming governance structures, the state pursued a comprehensive cleanup.
They tackled each arm of the terror octopus one by one—targeting not just terrorists and terrorism, but also separatists and separatist ideology, overground and underground support networks, financial and hawala channels, political setups promoting soft separatism, compromised elements in government, bureaucracy and the justice delivery system, media and journalists glorifying terrorism and separatism, certain sections preaching fundamentalism and violence, as well as biased think tanks, intellectuals, and Track-II players.
This mission—arguably one of the largest anti-terror operations on Earth—not only neutralized threats but also birthed a new vision for Jammu and Kashmir. A fresh energy surged through the valley. A youth force emerged, empowered by opportunities and disillusioned with violence. From stones to software, from separatism to sensitivity, from terrorism to tourism—Kashmir began walking a new path.
On the law and order front too, this five-year period post-abrogation has been defined by peace, normalcy, and a return to dignity. In a land once stained by conflict, the rhythm of daily life has finally found calm. The same streets that once echoed with stone-pelting, tear gas, and protests now carry the sounds of tourists, schoolchildren, and bustling markets. Above all, terrorism—the grim shadow that loomed over Kashmir for more than three decades—has dropped to its lowest levels in 36 years.
But to understand the weight of this change, it is important to revisit where Kashmir once stood in terms of peace and normalcy with respect to terrorism, separatism, and law and order.
In 1996, when Farooq Abdullah led the National Conference government, terrorism was rampant. Killings, massacres, ambushes, and bomb blasts were daily occurrences. The data points to the highest number of civilian, security forces, and terrorist killings in that period. Then in 2002, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took office heading the Congress-PDP government, promising a “healing touch,” but the atmosphere of underground terror and visible separatism continued to fester. Terrorism figures in many aspects remained high, with several major terrorist attacks during that period.
In the years that followed, particularly under Ghulam Nabi Azad’s PDP-Congress alliance, the 2008 Amarnath land row agitation sparked what came to be known as “agitational terrorism.” This wasn’t just about guns anymore—now, hartals, stone-pelting, mosque announcements, and online disinformation became weapons of unrest. Jammu and Kashmir were split into Hindu Jammu versus Muslim Kashmir. The administration collapsed under the weight of it all, forcing Governor’s rule.
By 2009, Omar Abdullah’s NC-Congress coalition inherited the chaos, but instead of healing, the situation worsened. In 2010, the death of 17-year-old Tufail Mattoo in police firing triggered one of the longest unrests in Kashmir’s history. For six months, the valley was in flames. The slogan “Ragdo Ragdo”—meaning “Crush them”—became the rallying cry. Nearly 120 youth were killed, primarily in clashes with the police. What began as grief turned into orchestrated violence, and the government appeared helpless. In fact, it was triggered by a statement from the CM himself. While the PDP poured fuel on the fire, the NC had earlier played its own part during the land row agitation. Ironically, the same leadership of Omar Abdullah that oversaw such periods of bloodshed now questions the current peace, calling it “inorganic.” But if peace means saving a hundred young lives, then perhaps inorganic is exactly what Kashmir needs—and credit goes to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for saving the lives of Kashmiri children.
Then came 2016. The killing of Burhan Wani, a local Hizbul Mujahideen commander turned social media icon, ignited another violent uprising during Mehbooba Mufti’s tenure. For several straight months, Kashmir burned. One hundred and sixteen civilians were killed, over 8,000 security personnel injured, and thousands of youth were left blinded or maimed by pellet guns. Government buildings, schools, and police stations were torched. Hartals brought life to a standstill. More than 5,000 FIRs were filed—most later dropped in a political compromise to regain control. No one was held accountable for the youth who were pushed into fire and fury. The NC added fuel. It was followed by the Kathua rape and murder case.
But everything changed on August 5, 2019.
The abrogation of Article 370 was not just a political decision—it was the start of a new era. Under Lieutenant Governor G. C. Murmu and predominantly Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s leadership, peace became not just a possibility but a policy. They did not buy peace through source money and political bargaining but implemented policies, plans, and perspectives (3Ps) to sow and harvest peace. And it worked.
The results were remarkable. Terrorism activity has drastically come down. For the first time in decades, Kashmir witnessed negligible terror acts. Civilian killings, once a frequent headline, are at an all-time low. Terror attacks, bombings, fidayeen strikes, kidnappings, and extortion attempts have become rare events. Security forces no longer face the same scale of danger, and there have been virtually no civilian deaths caused by security operations. The valley is no longer held hostage by fear. Instead, it is learning to breathe again. The Happiness Index rose. Investment returned. Large-scale youth events, conclaves, sporting tournaments, and film shoots brought vibrance to the streets that were once battlegrounds.
On the law and order front post-abrogation, there are no stone-pelting incidents today. No shutdowns, no mosque-led calls for protest, no road blockades, no hartals, no shuttered businesses, no terrorist mob mournings, and no clashes in the streets. There are no new Tufail Mattoos. No new “Ragdo Ragdo” during LG rule.
Even political leaders attempted to trigger unrest by politicizing Parvez Gujjar’s killing in Jammu recently and pushing Jammu and Kashmir into violence and mass agitation, as seen in the past. However, the LG administration foiled their designs by ensuring justice to the family. The LG did not allow any further loss of life in the planned unrest that aimed to snowball this cross-firing incident into a larger agitation. This is how LG administration brought clam in a fluid situation.
For the first time in decades, Kashmiris are not burying their children after street confrontations. Schools are open. Markets flourish. Women move freely. Tourists are returning in record numbers. The silence is no longer born of fear—but of long-awaited relief.
Some critics call it “forced peace.” But this peace has saved lives. It has given Kashmiris something far more powerful than any speech or slogan—hope. If such peace is inorganic, then let it be proudly so.
And with peace came tourism.
The valley bloomed—literally and metaphorically. Tourists from across India and the world returned to soak in Kashmir’s unmatched beauty. From Gulmarg to Pahalgam, hotels brimmed, local businesses thrived, and employment soared. The tourism sector became one of the largest stakeholders in this new Kashmir. The LG administration’s success in stabilizing the region post-abrogation of Article 370 was finally bearing fruit. “Terrorism is out, tourism is in” became the new slogan.
However, peace remains fragile—and terror, though weakened, still lurks in shadows.
This bitter truth was made evident by a horrifying attack in Pahalgam, where terrorists—reportedly backed by Pakistan—targeted 26 innocent Hindu tourists, including husbands of newlywed brides. It wasn’t just a massacre—it was a strike at the very heart of Kashmir’s healing journey. But something else has changed too—public sentiment. The valley did not erupt in sympathy for the attackers. The tourism industry mourned the victims. The local population stood with the rest of India. This shift—quiet but profound—shows that the people are choosing peace over propaganda.
On the other hand, the attack sent shockwaves across the country and beyond. Tourism nosedived. Hotel bookings were cancelled. Pilgrimage routes went silent. Even the sacred Amarnath Yatra saw an unprecedented drop in attendance.
Despite anguished appeals from local Kashmiris—especially those dependent on tourism—India responded with deafening clarity: Terrorism and tourism cannot coexist.
This was not just a geopolitical message to Pakistan, but a powerful signal to the people of Kashmir. The rest of the country, and indeed the world, expects Kashmiris to draw a firm moral line. Supporting, sheltering, or even silently condoning terrorism—whether as overground workers, facilitators, influencers, or sympathizers—cannot go hand in hand with aspirations for peace and prosperity. If the dream is to welcome visitors, investment, education, opportunity, and development, then the terror networks must be rejected entirely—no matter how silent or indirect the support may be.
If Kashmiris truly want to see their land transform into the paradise it once was—a beacon of knowledge, a fountain of art and culture, a haven for nature lovers and spiritual seekers—then the message must resonate in every home: No more terror. Not from our soil. Not from our society. Not from our families.
The choice is now before Kashmir—continue to rise with the winds of change or be dragged back into darkness by the remnants of violence. But the hope is strong. The youth are stepping up. The people have tasted the fruits of peace. The wheels of transformation are in motion.
The time has come for Kashmir to embrace its destiny—not as a battlefield, but as a bridge of harmony, heritage, and hope.
Kashmir was once a land of saints and scholars, of music and poetry, of snow-capped beauty and spiritual depth. If it is to become that again, this golden phase must not fade into another tragic chapter. It must define a new identity.
Let Kashmir rise again—not with slogans, but with smiles. Not with guns, but with growth. Not with “Ragdo Ragdo,” but with relationships, employment, and bright, enlightened roads ahead.
The choice today does not lie with Delhi. It does not lie with Islamabad. The choice is Kashmir’s alone. |
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