Jammu, June 1
A majority of people in Jammu and Kashmir are for “peace via war” in case Islamabad refuses to stop aiding and encouraging cross-border terrorism.
A snap survey carried out by TNS revealed that a majority of people in the entire Kashmir valley, in Doda, Poonch, Rajouri districts and other border belts in Jammu, Akhnoor,
R. S. Pora and Samba were fed up with the 13-year-long Pak-sponsored proxy war. “We want an and to violence and restoration of peace if it can be achieved via war,” said Mr Ghulam Rasool, a trader who sells Kashmiri handicrafts.
His sentiments were echoed by several travel agents whose business has been affected due to the situation. A number of travel agents wanted to remain unidentified while saying that “we want peace if it can be achieved through war.”
A police officer, who is on the hit list of the militants for having carried out a series of operations against the rebels, said: “I do not mind if India attacks Pakistan and there is an exchange of missile and rocket fire. I want to have a peaceful stint in service for another 10 years even if the war meant destruction of some villages and towns.”
The views expressed by some intellectuals and political leaders were similar to the one expressed by the police officer and those connected with trade and tourism.
“We have been in the thick of war, even if there has been no declaration about it, for the past 13 years. The number of civilian and security personnel casualties has been higher than one has witnessed in a
full-fledged war in 1965 and 1971.” This seemed to be the crux of the opinion expressed by people.
Citing a Persian couplet, a 70-year-old Kashmiri, whose only son was killed in crossfire between the militants and the security forces four years ago, said: “Dardi dandaan ikhraj dandaan” (if toothache prolongs, it is better to get the tooth extracted).
However, the APHC Chairman, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, seemed to differ with those interviewed by TNS. He said: “War is no solution. It will lead to disaster, death and destruction.”
He ruled out the possibility of open-armed conflict between India and Pakistan. He said “neither India can fight war on the soil of Pakistan nor can Islamabad cross the LoC and challenge troops in the Indian territory. He said both sides should “try to avert war.” He opined that talks were the only solution to this problem.
