Paradise lost

Kashmir remains a difficult and dangerous valley up in the Himalayas and control over its territory a possible nuclear flash point. The Kashmir dispute makes the Crusades look like a family argument. Being the oldest, unresolved, international conflict in the world, the squabble between India and Pakistan over who owns this snippet of land could turn that part of Asia into a living hell. Or rather, a dead hell, since both countries have nuclear weapons. Since 1989, Kashmir has been in the grip of a separatist insurgency against Indian rule that has so far left tens of thousands dead. The violence has continued despite peace moves by India and Pakistan, which hold the region in parts but claim it in full. Post October 8, 2005 disastrous earthquake which left thousands dead, the efforts by both countries to open the ceasefire Line of Control for allowing Kashmiris to meet their relatives divided since 1947 also could not bring tangible peace. The separatist violence and counter measures by Indian state to contain the rebellion is still a part of everyday life for the people of Kashmir. India has an estimated 700,000 soldiers in Kashmir, fighting nearly a dozen rebel groups since 1989. In many areas, the region has the feel of an occupied country, with soldiers in full combat gear patrolling streets and frisking civilians. The collateral damage, as they prefer to call it, is too large. Nearly 70,000 people, most of them civilians, have died in the 18-year-old conflict though official figure is only about 41,000. Since 2004, India and Pakistan have resumed peace talks over Kashmir. Little progress has been made though there is a sort of optimism… But a small incident of hostility brings situation back to square one…

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