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| People hope for settlement of water dispute | | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 10:-It is neither euphoria nor excitement in the Kashmir valley over Delhi's announcement on reopening of the channels of dialogue with Islamabad. Instead it is hope among people that the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir may register a marked improvement once the two sides resume the dialogue.
An interview with a cross section of people in the valley indicated that majority of people were hopeful that while Islamabad will take steps to check infiltration of militants,Delhi may direct the security forces,operating in Jammu and Kashmir,to desist from dealing firmly with the civilians during operations against the militants.Many among the masses believe that in the ensuing dialogue between the two sides the possibilities of resolving the Kashmir issue were bleak.
General impression in Kashmir is that when the 60-year old issue failed to get settled through series of talks between the two sides in the past there were no such compulsions on the part of Delhi and Islamabad to hasten the process of its settlement.It is so because both sides do not have a solution that could satisfy people of Jammu and Kashmir,besides Delhi and Islamabad.A number of people said that "we shall feel happy if the two sides are able to resolve the water dispute" on the plea that any settlement could allow the Government of India to complete five major power projects which are to be built on the Chenab and the river Jehlum.
Possibily inconvenienced by prolonged power cuts during the last one year people want the two sides to review the Indus Water Treaty of 1960.They said during the last 30 years Pakistan has been raising one hurdle after another once it came to know that the Government was building a power project in Jammu and Kashmir.The result was inordinate delay in the completion of a number of power projects,including the Dhul Hasti and the Bhaglihar.One senior PDD engineer said that the Dhul Hasti project was completed after 23 years and the cost escalation of the project besides the Bhaglihar was enormous.
Police functionaries in Srinagar are of the opinion that if the two sides remain engaged in purposeful talks it could motivate Islamabad to ensure that infiltration of militants into Jammu and Kashmir was totally halted.Once it happened the level of militancy related violence will witness marked drop. Once it materialised the security forces may not need to carry out operations against the militants which invariably resulted in a lot of inconvenience for the civilians. On police officer said that people will have no complaint against human rights violations by the security forces.
One cell phone dealer said that drop in militancy related violence and infiltration would create a situation in which the Government of India may not have to impose ban on pre-paid cell phone services.The Government will have no reason to keep the troops deployed within the valley.Delhi may immediately repeal the Armed Forces (special powers) Act and the valley could be spared of frequent shutdowns and protest rallies.No wonder,soon after the prospects of the Indo-Pak dialogue brightened people have been seen visiting shrines and mosques where they pray for the success of the Delhi-Islamabad talks.
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