Kashmir bleeds, once again: Can India afford to ignore the voices of Kashmiris?

Srinagar, July 11: For mainstream India, Kashmir is a land of trouble, militancy and bloodbath. One of the world's most beautiful places, Kashmir unfortunately has been deprived of peace for long--always finding itself in the throes of violence.

In the last few days, Kashmir is once again seething in pain as 21 people died following large-scale protests by civilians in the wake of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by the security forces on Friday (July 8).

As blood flows freely on the streets of Kashmir and government machineries make their best efforts to quell people's protests, the plight of common Kashmiris can't be ignored. While most of the debates and discussions revolve around security forces and militants, the voices of the common Kashmiris are often being dishonoured or at times gagged.

Once again authorities on Saturday (July 9) suspended mobile internet services in Kashmir Valley to check the spreading of rumours by anti-social elements following the death of Burhan. Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in various parts of the Kashmir valley.

How long the centre and state governments can afford to rule by muzzling the voices of the people of the valley? How long the army can fight against young boys as small as nine years old from pelting stones on their convoy?

The answers to these complex questions are definitely not easy. But we can always try to listen to the voices emanating from the valley. Here we bring you a few tweets--echoing the sentiments of the local people of Kashmir-- as #KashmirSiege was trending on the micro-blogging site, Twitter, on Sunday (July 10):

"Dear world wake up, I got Internet after two days India is starving us, poisoning, gasing & killing us, please save us #KashmirSiege," tweeted Daniyal Bashir (@Daniyalbr).

"Use of pellet guns that have blinded more than 50 children -reports on ground #UNForKashmir #KashmirSiege," tweeted Inshah Malik (@InshahMalik).

"Where are international authorities? #KashmirSiege," tweeted Fatimah Manshad (@FatimahLove92).
"So are we winning or are we losing? I am so confused. All I know is that Innocent Indians are being killed. #KashmirSiege," Darab Farooqui (@darab_farooqui).

"Our hearts bleed on #KashmirSiege but our premier adopted criminal silence! It shows he keeps his personal business dear than awam & HRights," Mehreen Sibtain (@Mehreen_Sibtain).

OneIndia News