Chapter 3 continues…

People have accordingly been demanding the opening of Kargil- Skardu bus service to revive their cultural links with Ladakh region especially Kargil and surrounding region. Ladakh and Baltistan share a common history, culture and natural heritage. In fact, prior to 1947, Baltistan was part of the Ladakh Wazarat. They feel that by not allowing the bus service Pakistan is probably preventing their attempts at cultural consolidation and development of cultural linkages across the line of control.

“Rebellion and resentment, that have been brewing among people of the Northern Areas, is fast reaching a crescendo against persecution by the Pakistani armed forces, the continuing denial of legal and political rights, and devious attempts at demographic engineering in this strategic region.”

The acts of violence In Gilgit area are indicative of the damage being done to Northern Areas in the absence of any genuine democratic and constitutional mechanism to solve their problems. The people feel that they are non-citizens or at best second-class citizens. The Kargil episode, which involved a large number of casualties of jawans from the area, added a whole new set of grievances. As in many other areas of Pakistan, the federal government’s hand is seen behind sectarian terrorism, which is believed to be a tool being used to divide the people.

This deep mistrust of government is the main reason behind attacks on state property and officials, whenever any sectarian incident takes place or any other serious complaint emerges. It is also an indicator of the peoples’ lack of ownership of government properties and facilities.

The region is legally the part of India and the Indian Government has of late started voicing its concern on the denial of constitutional rights to the people of the region. The alienation of the population in this crucial region provides India a good leverage against Pakistan and diminishes the importance of valley-based groups.

To be continued…