The situation in Indian-controlled Kashmir is threatening to boil over, as protests by students in Pulwama threaten to escalate into a movement making many young people disillusioned, leading to massive trouble for the Indian government. CGTN’s Shweta Bajaj traveled to the troubled region to find out more about the severe and under-reported situation.
The protests started from Pulwama district college on March 12 when students clashed with protestors. The students are still angry, alleging that they were peacefully protesting when they were assaulted by the security forces. Many were injured. According to Fox News, Indian security forces raided a college in the region on April 15, reportedly in a bid to scare anti-India activists.
Indian soldiers in patrol/VCG Photo
Clashes between the forces and locals are common, but this time round things are worse than they look. A large group of students wanted to stop CGTN from filming unless their identities were concealed.
Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, the acting principal of the college said it’s tough to handle the emotions of young students who use stones as a way to protest against the security forces.
Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, the acting principal of the college/CGTN Screenshot
"The army showed restraint and went back. The students were angry because two days back during the local elections, civilian deaths took place,” said Mushtaq Ahmad Lone.
The tough job of maintaining peace and order in a volatile town where a young generation is taking to guns lies with Muneer Ul Islam, who is the District Development Commissioner of Pulwama. According to him, security forces are on the road towards maintaining peace and order. And even though he would like to remove them, its beyond his control.
Muneer Ul Islam, District Development Commissioner of Pulwama/CGTN Screenshot
"We are trying our level best that there is at least some level of semblance of normalcy. You should feel at least safe enough to move around. And for safety I have to take certain steps, ” said Islam.
In the last few days, many banks and weapons have been robbed by youths, who have reportedly already turned into militants. Locals said the government needs to open up channels of communication with locals to allow peace to prevail. Until then, this area remains and will remain volatile, as it threatens to blow up into a full-on internal conflict.
