Epilogue Magazine, November 2009

Jammu and Kashmir’s Monthly Magazine RNI : JKENG/2007/26070 ISSN 0974-5653
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Jammu, November 1, 2009 / Vol 3 / Issue 11 || Price Rs. 30 || Postal Registration No. JK-350/2009-11 || www.epilogue.in
BRIDGING
Divides
Via Talks & Trade
Special on First Anniversary of
Cross-LoC Trade
An Analysis of Joint Chamber

--------------
New Delhi's Fresh Peace Initiatives
---------------
Perspectives on Harnessing Indus Waters
INTERVIEW : NYLA ALI KHAN RESEARCH :
Author of Islam Women & Socio-Cultural and Economic

Violence in Kashmir Changes Among Muslim Rajputs
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F O R
35 T H E
Volume : 3, Number : 11
ISSN : 0974-5653
RNI : JKENG/2007/26070
www.epilogue.in
M O N T H O F N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9
The present issue coincides with two most

nd
important events in Jammu and Kashmir: 62
anniversary of state's accession to the Union of
India and first anniversary of Cross-LoC trade.
Subjects touched upon are of timeline
significance. An interview with Nyla Ali Khan
unveils the mind of the author of a fresh and
authentic study on Kashmir.
www.epilogue.in Vol. 3, Issue 11 Epilogue, November 2009

J&K MOVING FORWARD
M ay issue was one of the rare collections of ideas where 12 natives from
both sides of Jammu and Kashmir poured their ideas out of the heart on
how boundaries can be blurred and relations can be strengthened.
May 2009
LOK SABHA POLLS 2009
W ith Prof Rekha Chowdhary looking into various aspects, the May issue
offered a complete view of the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and
Kashmir. An interview with Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather explained
most critical questions on the state's economy
June 2009
THE FUTURE OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR
J uly 2009 issue offered a rare insight into the whole gamut of Kashmir
issue. An ACDIS, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign sponsored
study, which was the cover feature, examined Kashmir issue from different
A limited number of unbound back volumes is available in our stocks.

perspectives.
July 2009
A R E Y O U M I S S I N G O U R PA S T S T O R I E S
UNFOLDING THE LAND OF MOON
A ugust 2009 issue was one of the path-breaking in the life of Epilogue
magazine. The cover story explored many aspects of life in Ladakh and
carried a first hand of research on the state of media in the Himalayan cold
desert.
For booking your copies call us at 9797599365

August 2009
UNDERSTANDING J&K ECONOMY
A lost has been written and debated on politics of Jammu and Kashmir but
nothing much on the economy. Reading into J&K's annual budget that
was presented in August, Epilogue's September issue focused on
developmental and economic profile of Jammu and Kashmir.
September 2009
JAMMU AS IT IS
J ammu, along with Ladakh, has often complained of neglect within the
state of Jammu and Kashmir. October 2009 issue focused on regional
identity of Jammu. This issue was in follow-up to similar special issue on
Ladakh in August.
October 2009
3
Epilogue
g
www.epilogue.in CONTENTS
Editor
Zafar Iqbal Choudhary
r i dg i n Contributors to this Issue 4
B
Essential Entries 10
Prologue 13
s
Publisher
d e
Letters 14
i
Yogesh Pandoh
Div
Consulting Editor
D. Suba Chandran Books/Authors
Nyla Ali Khan
Associate Editors Challenging Hegemony of 38
Irm Amin Baig Static Versions of History
Tsewang Rigzin
Volume 3, Issue 11, November 2009
General Manager
Kartavya Pandoh Research
Socio-Cultural and Economic 44
Manager IN FOCUS changes among Muslim Rajputs:
Adarsh Rattan Bali Bridging Divides A case study of Rajouri District
(Marketing & Advertisement) in J&K
Dr. M. Mazammil Hussain Malik
Art Editor 9 A Window of Opportunity
B.G. Verghese
Keshav Sharma
Features
Research Officer 10 PM in Kashmir
A Journey to Himalayan Enclave 54
Raman Sharma An Olive Branch from
Manisha Shobarjani
Position of Strength
Epilogue Report Spreading the Lamp of 55
Phones & email
Learning - the Ladakhi Way
Office : +91 191 2493136
Zainab Akhter
subscriptions : +91 99060 27136 14 Promoting Cross-LoC Trade
A Trek Through Life 57
Editorial: +91 94191 80762 An Analysis of the Joint Chamber
Thinlas Chorol
Administration: +91 94191 82518 Moeed Yusuf
[email protected]
[email protected] 30 Harnessing the Indus :
J&K In Numbers
From Treaty to Governance
Printed and Published by Power Sectors 59
Perspectives from India
Yogesh Pandoh for Epilogue D Suba Chandran
NewsCraft from Ibadat House,
Madrasa Lane, Near Graveyard, 34 Harnessing the Indus
Bathindi Top, Jammu, J&K - 180012 Perspectives from Pakistan
and Printed at : DEE DEE Nausheen Wasi
Reprographix, 3 Aikta Ashram, New
Rehari Jammu (J&K)
Disputes, if any, subject to jurisdiction

of courts and competitive tribunals in
Jammu only.
RNI : JKENJ/2007/26070
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4 CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE
Chandran, D Suba (In Focus, P..), is Varghese, BG (Perspective, P..), one

Deputy Director at Institute of Peace of the most respected journalists,
and Conflict Studies, New Delhi and a authors in India, has remained an
Consulting Editor with Epilogue Editor of the Indian Express and
Hindustan Times. He was also Advisor
Chorol, Thinlas (Features, P..), is a to the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
Fellow with Charkha Communication
and Development Network working on Wasi, Nausheen (In Focus, P..), is
Ladakh Lecturer at the University of Karachi
Khan, Nyla Ali (Books & Authors, P..), Yusuf, Moeed (In Focus, P..) is a
is Associate Professor of English at the Fellow at the Frederick S Pardee
University of Nebraska-Kearney in Center at Boston University, a
United States. She is first Kashmiri Research Fellow at the Mossavar
woman scholar to have written a Rehmani Center at Harvard's Kennedy
highly researched book on Kashmir School of Government and a Research
conflict Fellow at Strategic and Economic
Policy Research in Pakistan. He has
Malik, Dr M Muzammal Hussain been involved in track II meetings on
(Research, P..), a research scholar, is Kashmir supported by United States
presently Associate Professor of Institute of Peace
Sociology at Government Degree
College Ramnagar in Udhampur Zainab Akhter (Features, P..), is a
district of J&K Fellow with Charkha Communication
and Development Network working on
Sobhrajani, Manisha (Features, P..), is Ladakh
a Delhi based independent researcher
working on the various aspects of
Kashmir conflict. She divides her time
between Delhi and Jammu and
Kashmir
Readers' requests for getting in touch with the

authors, for feedback, comments and further
discussions on their subjects of interest, are
welcome. Since all authors/contributors are not
interested in taking mails directly, the readers are
requested to send us interview requests at
[email protected] for passing on to the authors

5 NO T I C E BOARD
Essential Entries
ON REGISTER ON RECORD
APPOINTED: Wajahat
Habibullah is appointed Nation is committed to provide latest weaponry and
as State Chief other sophisticated gadgets to the troops for
Information maintaining sanctity of borders in J&K
Commissioner of J&K on
Oct 22. Until then CIC of President of India, Pratibha Patil during his visit to Rajouri
India, as an IAS officer he earlier on Oct 9
served J&K for nearly three decades
ELECTED: Raja Farooq

Haider Khan is elected
on Oct 22 as Prime
Minister of Pakistan There is a political problem in Kashmir and it has to
administered Kashmir be solved through dialogue…there will be dialogue
replacing Sardar Yaqoob with every section of opinion on Kashmir…there will
Khan. be a quiet diplomacy
HONOURED: Maharaja
Gulab Singh, the
Indian Home Minister P Chidambram, at a Press
founder of J&K, is Conference in Srinagar on Oct 14
honoured with a
commemorative stamp
on his 217th birth
anniversary. Stamp is released in
Jammu by MoS C&IT Sachin Pilot on
Oct 21.
It is a good and welcome sign. Hurriyat Conference is
committed to dialogue with both India and Pakistan
AWARDED: Noted to resolve Kashmir issue
journalist, author and
human rights activist Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, reacting to Home
Balraj Puri is nominated Minister's offer for talks
for Indira Gandhi Award
for National Integration
for year 2008. Puri also runs Institute
of J&K Affairs at Jammu and is a
leading public figure of the country
Our tourism potential is biggest economic advantage.
RELEASED: Separatist West is already enjoying Kashmir, now we need to
leader Shabir Ahmed adopt Look East policy to tap tourist from Taiwan,
Shah is released from Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore etc
prison on Oct 20 after
14 months detention. He Chief Minister Omar Abdullah while inaugurating Kashmir
was arrested in August festival on Oct 10
2008 while leading the symbolic march
to Muzaffarabad during Amarnath land
row
ARRESTED: A journalist 'The acts of terrorists across the globe underscore that
and Editor of a Jammu terrorism is a global threat which transcends borders
based News Agency and religions and is not linked to any specific sect or
called NAK is arrested religion or creed
by Police on allegations
of passing on security
Union Health Minister and Former J&K CM at Conference
information of Pak intelligence agency
ISI. He is booked under various
on 'Terrorism --National and International' organised by
sections of Enemy Act and IT Act Jama Masjid United Forum in New Delhi on Oct 27

6 P R O L O G U E
From the Editor
J&K and October Jinx
Zafar Choudhary
Every year, towards the end of October, opinion –'accession was subject to
Jammu and Kashmir is found engaged in ratification', 'accession was full and
serious debates, discussions and final'. The same story has been
introspections. Two prominent regions repeating year after year for last 62
of the state, Jammu and Kashmir years. The tragedy of Jammu and
Valley, are seen divided in opinions as Kashmir can be located in most of these
people attend symposia and seminars; articles which are repetition of almost
they participate in celebrations at exactly the same what these writers
some places and protests at others. had written and published 15 years
Elsewhere, in parts of India, in Pakistan back or 20 years back. Any discussion or
and in many parts of world, Jammu and writing going beyond these two well
Kashmir is at the center of discussions. formed opinions is seen with contempt.
They discuss the past to take cues for It can be called unpatriotic in some
future. It was in this year in 1947 that parts of state or disrespect to hundreds
this state acceded to the Union of India. and thousands of martyrs in other
Many discussions revolve around parts. It is now the third generation
accession –was it final or conditional. engaged in these discussions. Nothing
And then comes the day of October 27 has changed much. At Epilogue, we OCTOBER 2007
–the anniversary of landing of Indian have strongly been of the opinion that
Army in Kashmir. The Valley shuts down all stakeholders will have to look become a Rs 50 Million weekly trade.
to reiterate that there is a problem beyond the status quo to move This reflects that peoples on both sides
awaiting resolution. In Jammu, forward in Jammu and Kashmir. Some of the LoC are eager to shun the past
crackers are burst and sweets are will have to do a little climbing down and step into future arms-in-arms but
distributed to mark the event as a the ladder, others can take few steps they want the barriers to be removed.
historical victory. In rest of India, the upward to tell the world that Kashmir In context of J&K, Prime Minister of
day is celebrated as victory of Indian is no more any troubled region of the India Dr Manmohan Singh have often
secularism and defeat of two-nation world awaiting intervention of world reiterated that redrawing of
theory floated by Pakistan's founder powers. There are two successful boundaries is out of question but
Mohammad Ali Jinnah. In Pakistan this examples: militancy, of course, has making them irrelevant is the way
day is reminds the nation that one not ended but a ceasefire on borders forward. Translation of these words
important agenda still remains has been largely successful since into action can certainly change the
unfinished. Seen from different places, November 2003. This reflects a will for discourse Jammu and Kashmir is
there are different perspectives. For restraint. Following initiation of engaged in for 62 years. How many
half of the October, every year, editors Cross-LoC travel between parts of the more Octobers we need to turn our
of newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir state in 2005, the trade was launched backs to the past and face the future?
don't have to pursue with the writers in October 2008. Without even the
for the op-ed page columns. There is a basic facilities of banking and Feedback :
flood of articles with two sets of communications, it has now almost [email protected]

7 L E T T E R S
Readers Write
Communalism, Jammu's
own enemy
Rekha Choudhary's argument “in Jammu region there is a
political discourse that revolves around the issues
related to regional deprivation and neglect. Kashmir in
this discourse forms the center of power within the
state and is perceived to be dominating not only the
power structure of state but also controlling the
economic and material issues” is an objective assessment
of the regional problem (The Politics of Regional Identity,
Epilogue, Oct 2009). The feeling in Jammu that Kashmir
behaves as a big brother is lingering on for six decades
but the regional leadership (if there is any) needs to
share its responsibility. What defeats the cause of Jammu
is the fact that every agitation in the region launched for
the balance of power is based on communal premises.
SHEIKH NISAR AHMED

Kishtwar
Leadership vacuum
Had Viveyata Sharma been wrong in her opinion (The
Limits of Duggar Desh) on mass leadership in Jammu,
there would have been any complaints in the region.
OCTOBER 2009
Where is the political leadership in the region? The BJP
has a clear communal agenda and therefore can never
enjoy trust of entire region. The Congress always
negotiates power in its interest with whosoever calls shot
in Srinagar –yesterday it was PDP, today National
Conference, tomorrow it may be Hurriyat Conference. We Selective use of statistics
are reminded of 2002 assembly election campaign when
the grand old national party of Nehru and Gandhi Happy to note that Prof Hari Om stuck to just statistics
compromised with its political ideology to make regional (Jammu Region, the Story of Neglect, Epilogue, Oct 2009) and
empowerment of Jammu as a poll plank and later did not go much into the politics of regional bias on which he
succumbed to the pressure of PDP. Its leader Ghulam Nabi has written millions of words in past couple of decades. The
Azad referred to mainstreaming of Assam and compared problem, however, is that every issue can't be addressed be
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed with Lal Denga to justify figures alone. Even as Hari Om makes out strong arguments
Congress decision of offering power to PDP. Leaders in on discrimination against Jammu with his figures, he has
Jammu region have been the representatives of their own always chosen to use only one set of statistics which serves
assembly constituencies or at the most individual his standpoint. He would never talked about industries in
districts. The one from Bhaderwah does not know about Jammu, the upcoming of mega skyscrapers and most
aspirations of Kathua and vice versa. They have failed us. importantly the difference in total annual development
expenditure in Jammu and Kashmir Valley.
ARUN JAMWAL Mushtaq Ahmed

University of Jammu, Jammu Ganderbal, Kashmir

8 L E T T E R S
Readers Write
Dangers of quiet diplomacy Needed a follow-up

Union Home Minister P The effort to discuss Jammu (Jammu As
Chidrabram's policy statement, It Is, Epilogue, Oct 2009) is appreciated
recently in Srinagar, on New but much more could have been done.
Delhi's intentions to get engaged There are set of perceptions which
with different shades of opinion in discuss certain problems of development
Jammu and Kashmir in a 'quiet and politics but the broad contours of
diplomacy' to find out solution of Jammu region, diversity and clash of
Kashmir issues has been widely identities still goes unexplained. For
welcomed barring few exceptions example, problems and aspirations in
from BJP and the likeminded Chenab Valley region –districts of Doda,
parties. Chidrambram's opinion Kishtwar and Ramban have not been
that Kashmir is a political problem discussed properly. These regions have
and needs to be resolved through found just passing references. Editor
dialogue, though criticized by BJP may consider doing a follow-up on
and likeminded parties, is again a Jammu.
welcome statement. It is this part
of his statement (political SUNAINA KOTWAL
Bhaderwah
problem) which has inspired the
separatists to join the dialogue as
Government of India has always
refused to recognize Kashmir as a political problem. However, what Where is news?
confuses in Chidambram's statement is the proposed craft of holding Besides insights into issues of topical
dialogue in complete secrecy and revealing its contours only when the importance, we always look forward to
results are known. This is not fair. Is there is a problem that is about the read about important developments of
people of Jammu and Kashmir and those people who do not fairly represent the month in Jammu and Kashmir. Since
the people have no right to get engaged into a secret dialogue which there are no other media outlets in this
peoples don't know about. What happens when Mirwaiz Farooq of Hurriyat state informing us about Jammu and
Conference (or for that matter any other leader) arrives at an agreement Kashmir, Epilogue's section on essential
with the Government of India but the peoples refuse to accept that. Will stories would bring us a dossier of
they (New Delhi) discard the previous decision and initiate a fresh exercise? monthly developments which kept us
Any formula discussed about the future of Kashmir should be first put to the informed about state's strides on
public debate for getting feedback. Secret parleys can help the development and politics. It was
Government of India bring few separatist leaders into mainstream and not disappointing to see news section
resolve the issue. missing in October issue.
MIR IRFAN VIJAYAN MK

Srinagar Kottayam, Kerala
Honest statement
Anmol Sharma's article (Discrimination Symptoms in our DNA) is an inspiration for the youth. It calls for
breaking far from the narrow and divisive discourse of the so called leaders of regional empowerment
and charting our own course with an intellectual capital. His article, as bitter as always, bring home a
fact that how every Kashmiri contributes to the making of Kashmir and how every in Jammu is
responsible for the poor plight of the region. His understanding, “Kashmiri has now started exerting
himself as more academically…but on the other hand we (in Jammu) have no taste for reading good
books which espouse wisdom, world-craft etc”, is an honest statement on the state of affairs in Jammu.
NITIN KAPOOR, Jammu

9 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
A Window of Opportunity
B.G. VERGHESE
There is a window of opportunity opening in J&K that must not be missed once again. This follows the
Union Home Minister's statement that the Government intends to open and persevere with quiet talks with
all sections of J&K opinion, including those outside the mainstream like the Hurriyat and . None can claim a
veto or set conditionalities. Spoilers will be exposed.
The first and more important part of a J&K already discussed in recent years? Cross-border
settlement is an internal resolution on matters relations in turn will unfold and evolve over time.
of human rights, disappearances, displacement, One urgent new issue is climate change that
autonomy, livelihoods and development will hit J&K and the entire Indus basin. This will
generally. This must include bridging regional respect no boundaries and offers both a
divides. Pakistan can have no role in this and challenge and an opportunity. The Indus Treaty
must, rather, put right its own house in order in has worked fairly well. Both sides now need to
that part of J&K under its control which lacks the avail of Article 7 of the Treaty on “Future
autonomy and freedom enjoyed on this side. Cooperation” to move towards joint investigation,
The other part pertains to an external development and management of the three
settlement with Pakistan which can now Western rivers allocated to Pakistan (in which
realistically only be along the LOC on the basis of the Indian part of J&K has a modest share) but
making boundaries irrelevant (with no whose upper basins are controlled by India. This
derogation to sovereignty on either side) as alone will permit the optimal development and
basically agreed in principle. This means halting utilization of the full potential of the Indus basin
the trans-border infiltration and mindless for the mutual benefit not only of all the people
violence that Pakistan has wantonly indulged in, of J&K but also of India and Pakistan.
extending jihadi terrorism far afield to other Together with this, the Siachen issue can
parts of India, of which 26 /11 was a horrendous easily be settled by acknowledging the specific
example. There are no true non-state actors as and unambiguous 1949 Karachi Agreement
the jihadi organizations and Taliban have all delineation of the LOC beyond the last
been trained and sponsored by Pakistan and demarcated point at grid reference NJ 9842 and
cannot masquerade under new names. To say “thence north to the glaciers”, without leaving
that Pakistan is itself a victim of terrorism means any part as no-man's land as stipulated. Once
little as it is the monster Pakistan has long bred, this is done, the triangular area from NJ 9842
and even now patronises in part, that has turned running NE to the Karakoram Pass and NW to K2
on it. could be declared a Peace Zone and a scientific
No one either in J&K or Pakistan can plead park for joint Indo-Pakistan glaciological,
for more time to formulate their views. Nor can hydrological and meteorological studies, with
it be argued that “Kashmiris” must meet to international collaboration, in order to monitor
EXCLUSIVE TO decide on a common position before the internal and respond to climate change on the basis of
Epilogue dialogue commences. What will they discuss

that they could not discuss earlier or have
real time data.
This is the way forward.

10 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
PM IN KASHMIR
An Olive Branch from
Position of Strength
EPILOGUE REPORT
After months of mistrust and confusion, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has again warmed up the
atmosphere for peace politics in Kashmir. Along with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, his two-day visit to
the Valley has certainly put into motion a process to shorten distance between New Delhi and Srinagar. The
ball is now seen to have rolled down in the court of separatists.
I ndependence Day addresses of sections of opinion, including the Srinagar on October 14 allayed those
Indian Prime Ministers are heard with separatists. While his unexpected fears. Much to the pleasure of
rapt attention in Kashmir. It was the statement made the separatists to separatists he said the dialogue will be
historic speech of Prime Minister Atal accuse him of speaking in the “language on one-to-one and two-to-two basis and
Behari Vajpayee on August 15, 2002 that of power”, the Chief Minister Omar its results shall be known only after
that turned around the political Abdullah too was seen in a spot as on the some conclusions are arrived at. Even if
landscape in Kashmir. Vajpyee same day he had called for a dialogue the talks fail, such exercise gives face
recognized space of all shades of with separatists. PDP leader and former saving to the parties engaged in the
political opinions and promised free and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, process.
fair elections. He lived up to the a strong votary of dialogue, was blunt As Prime Minister unveiled his mind
expectations. The following months of enough in disputing Prime Minister's during his two-day visit to Kashmir, it
2002 saw most credible elections in the interpretation of the massive public appeared that Chidambram's visit, a
history of Jammu and Kashmir and then participation in elections. fortnight back, was ground preparation
began rounds of dialogue with Observers believe that Prime exercise. Had Chidrambram not
separatists. Prime Minister Manmohan Minister's statement was not quite out unveiled the dialogue blueprint in
Singh too carried forward legacy of of place as he sought to underline the Srinagar, Prime Minister's would have
Vajpayee and always addressed key significance of electoral democracy and landed in a Valley of mistrust and
issues from the ramparts of the Red Fort honour the people who participated in confusion as it was since August 15.
except for this year's Independence Day elections against all the risks involved. Responding to Chidambram's offer of
address which left the Kashmiris, However, for separatists the Prime dialogue, the separatists, particularly
particularly the separatists stunned. Minister's statement marked the end of the Hurriyat Conference headed by
The Prime Minister said that successful the road to dialogue before Home Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had set some
two rounds of elections in Jammu and Minister P Chidambram rekindled hopes conditions –downsizing of troops from
Kashmir –Assembly polls in late 2008 and in the middle of October. Chidambram's the civilian areas, release of political
Lok Sabha polls in early 2009 –with announcement of quiet diplomacy detenues and recognition of Kashmir
vigorous public participation is a proof opened a new chapter in the peace issue as a political problem. Half of it
that there is no space for separatist process which earned an across the was done by Chidambram during his
thought in the state. It was quite board welcome in Kashmir. Separatists October 14 Press Conference when he
significantly different from Dr Singh's have always been averse to the large said “there is a political problem in
speeches in the last over five years as he assemblies of dialogue (like the Kashmir and it has to be solved through
had repeatedly stated that his UPA roundtable conference which they dialogue”. Perhaps first such statement
government believed in talking to all boycotted); Chidambram's statement in from any Indian leader in several

11 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
decades. In the time between

Chidambram's departure from Srinagar
and Prime Minister's arrival on October
‘Willing to Talk to Anyone
28, two formations of Indian Army had
been pulled out of Kashmir Valley, a
prominent separatist leader Shabir
who has any Meaningful Ideas
Ahmed Shah was out of the jail after 14
months and the unrelenting hardliner
Syed Ali Shah Geelani was seen roaming
about freely, first time since March this
year. Then comes the Prime Minister's
visit who invites all for the dialogue who
have some meaningful ideas. His olive
branch extends to separatists as it also
goes to Islamabad. “I call upon the
people and government of Pakistan to
show their sincerity and good faith. As I
have said many times before, we will
not be found wanting in our response”.
Exhibiting the sincerity to initiate
dialogue on Kashmir at both levels –with
separatists and also with Pakistan, the
Prime Minister appeared quite
concerned about the question of
governance in Jammu and Kashmir. He
made a specific mention of local
governance and the development
process. “I would urge that time has
come for elections to local bodies be
held quickly. This will increase the
people's participation in the process of Text of Prime Minister Singh’s speech at the inauguration of
development”, said the Prime Minister the historic Anantnag-Qazigund rail line in the Kashmir
in his speech on inauguration of
Anantnag-Qazigund rail link. Refusal to Valley October, 28th :
empower the peoples at grassroots has
of late become a hallmark of flawed
governance in Jammu and Kashmir. Last
Panchayat elections were held in the
I am delighted to back in the valley of
Kashmir in the lovely season of
autumn. We will soon see the beautiful
The last time I came to Jammu and
Kashmir, the State assembly elections
were going to be held. Later, the Lok
state in 2000, after a staggering gap of golden hues of the season and the Sabha elections were also held. I am
more than two decades but Panchayats magnificent Chinar will soon be flaming happy that the people of Jammu and
were never constituted or empowered. red. Kashmir turned out to vote in these
Next elections were due in 2005 but I have come today to inaugurate elections in large numbers. I believe
never held. It was widely believed that the Qazigund-Anantnag rail link. I that it was a vote for a peaceful path to
denial of democracy at the grassroots is congratulate the Indian Railways and a better tomorrow. I applaud the
also a potential alienator. Chief Minister the people of Kashmir for this wisdom and good faith of the common
Omar Abdullah recently said that achievement. The day is not far when m a n o f K a s h m i r. T h e e l e c t e d
Panchayat elections will be held in next trains will run from Jammu to Srinagar government has a golden opportunity to
few months. through the Banihal Pass. consolidate the peace in the State.

12 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
In the last five years, the govern- Programme, The Ministry Tourism will about reports of receding glaciers.
ment of India has taken a number of train 300 youths of the state. In addi- I am happy to announce the launch
steps to bring development to Jammu tion, 200 youths will be trained and of the National Mission on Sustaining the
and Kashmir. We have tried to revive the deployed as tourist escorts during the Himalayan Eco-System. We wish to pre-
traditional connectivity between the Amarnath and Viashno Devi Yatras. The serve the sacred heritage of places like
people of the region. We took the bold ministry of Labour will train 8000 youths the Amarnath Shrine.
step of reviving the movement of goods in it is every year. The era of violence and terrorism
and people across the Line of Control on As part of the national programme is coming to an end. The public senti-
the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road on the the Ministry of Youth Affairs will deploy ment is for peace and for a peaceful res-
Poonch – Rawalakot road. I am happy to around 8,000 youth in Jammu and olution of all problems.
announce that the Central Government Kashmir on voluntary basis. They will When I came to office in 2004, I
has decided to fund the additional cost engage in public service such as clean- had said that our Government is com-
of Rs. 385 crore to build the heritage ing of the Dal Lake. mitted to having unconditional dialogue
Mughal Road that will connect Shopian I believe that the It Sector of J&K with whoever abjures violence.
with remote areas of Poonch and can be as developed of the country. We We had discussions with different
Rajouri. will fully support the efforts of the State groups. We had a number of round table
Unprecedented resources have in this area. I am happy that more than conferences. All issues were discussed.
been committed to the state for its com- 600 youth of the State trained under a WE tried to give voice to the demands of
prehensive reconstruction. But I recog- Central Government project have been all sections of the people. We have
nize that the benefits are tricking down employed in the IT sector recently. implemented a number of initiatives as
slowly. This state of affairs should I am happy to announce that the a result of this process.
change. We have to spend up the pace Government of India has decided to set I wish to say again today that we
of development in the state. We have up two Central Universities in J&K, one are willing to talk to anyone who has any
reverse the brain drain that has in Jammu and one in Kashmir. meaningful ideas for promoting peace
denuded state of many of its teachers, The majesty and splendour of this and development in Kashmir.
doctors, engineers and intellectuals. beautiful valley and culture of hospital- We want to carry all sections of the
We have to create the conditions for ity of the Kashmiri people are second to people with us in resolving the political
them to return and to be the instru- none. It magnificent lakes and forests and economic problems of Jammu and
ments of change and development. We have charmed travelers for centuries. It Kashmir.
want to strengthen in the hands of the offers the solemnity of the Budghist I had also said that I was ready to
State government so that they can monasteries of Ladakh, the treasures of discuss all issues with Pakistan. I did so
implement an ambitious development the Hazratbal shrine and the piety of not because of weakness but from a posi-
agenda. the Raghnuath Temple. Let us build tion of strength. We had the most fruit-
I would also urge that the time has Kashmir into one of the world's top tour- ful and productive discussions ever with
come for elections to local bodies be ist destinations. the Government of Pakistan during the
held quickly. This will increase the peo- The picturesque Dal Lake is the period 2004-07 when militancy and vio-
ple's participation in the processes of icon of the tourism have been funding a lence began to decline. Intensive dis-
development. project for the conservation of the lake cussions were held on all issues includ-
I appeal to the youth of Kashmir to but progress has been slow. I would urge ing on a permanent resolution of the
join in building a new Kashmir. I under- the state Government to set up a task issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
stand their frustration. But things are force to expedite the project. The For the first time in 60 years, peo-
changing. I huge them to think con- Centre has decided to commit addi- ple were able to travel by road across
structively about how to build their tional funds of Rs. 356 crore for this pro- LoC. Divided families were re-united at
futures. ject. We will also discuss with the State the border. Trade between the two sides
The Central Government will make Government how to expedite on going of Kashmir began. In fact, our overall
all efforts to involve the youth of the projects for the conservation of Wullar trade with Pakistan increased three
State in constructive work. Under the Lake and Manser Lake. times during 2004-07. The number of
'Skill Development to Employment' The Government is concerned visas that we issued to Pakistanis dou-

13 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
bled during the same period. An addi- ers and travelers. For a productive dia- cal conclusion. They should destroy
tional rail link was established. logue it is essential that terrorism must these groups wherever they are operat-
These are not small achievements be brought under control. ing and for whatever misguided pur-
given the history of our troubled rela- We will press the government of pose.
tionship with Pakistan. In side the val- Pakistan to curb the activities of those I call upon the people and govern-
ley, as militancy decline, trade, busi- elements that are engaging in terrorism ment of Pakistan to show their sincerity
ness and tourism began to pick up. We in India. If they are non-state actors, it and good faith. As I have said many
were moving in the right direction. For is the solemn duty of the government of times before, we will not be found want-
the first time there was a feeling among Pakistan to bring them to book, to ing in our response. In the words of the
the people that a durable and final destroy their camps and to eliminate poet :
peace was around the corner. their infrastructure. The perpetrators 'There are moments in history
However, all the progress that we when wrong decisions are taken; the
achieved has been repeatedly thwarted effects of which are felt for ages'.
by acts of terrorism. For the first time in 60 I appeal to the government of
The terrorists want permanent years, people were able to Pakistan that the hand of friendship
enmity to prevail between the two coun- that we have extended should be car-
tries. travel by road across LoC. ried forward. This is in the interest of
The terrorists have misused the Divided families were re- people of India and Pakistan.
name of peaceful and benevolent reli- united at the border. Trade In conclusion, I wish to convey my
gion. Their philosophy of hate has no good wishes to the people of Jammu
place here. It is totally contrary to our
between the two sides of and Kashmir. I hope that the future will
centuries old tradition of tolerance and Kashmir began. In fact, our bring a new ear of peace, reconcillation
harmony among faiths. overall trade with Pakistan and development.'
I strongly believe that the majority
increased three times during
of people in Pakistan seek good neigh-
borly and cooperative relations 2004-07. The number of Epilogue
between India and Pakistan. They seek visas that we issued to Available at
a permanent peace. This is our view as Pakistanis doubled during Jawahar Book Center
well.
The Cross-LoC initiatives have the same period. An Jawahar Lal Nehru University
been well received on both sides of the additional rail link was NEW DELHI
border. But I am also aware that they established. ---
are not as people friendly as they cold India Book Center
are. Trade facilities at the border are THIRUVANTHAPURAM
inadequate. There are not banking chan- of the acts of terror must pay the heavi- ---
nels. Customs facilities need to be est penalty for their barbaric crimes CNA Enterprises
strengthen. There are no trade fairs. against humanity.
The lists of tradable commodities need
DN Road, MUMBAI
It is a misplaced ideas that one
to be increased. Clearances for travel ---
reach a compromise with the ideology
take time. Pioneers of India and of the terrorists or that they can be used
KC Enterprises
Pakistan are languishing in each other's for one's own political purpose. Himayat Nagar, HYDERBAD
jails even after completing their sen- Eventually they turn against you and ---
tences. bring only death and destruction. The EBS News Agency
The fact is that these are humani- real face of the terrorists is clear for the
tarian issues whose resolution requires
Sector 22-B, CHANDIGARH
people of Pakistan to see with their own
the cooperation of Pakistan. We are ---
years.
ready to discuss these and other issues I hope that the government of
Bhargave Book Center
with the government of Pakistan. I hope Pakistan will take the ongoing actions University Center,
that a s result things will be made easier against the terrorist groups on their logi- ALLAHABAD
for our traders, divided families prison-

14 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
Promoting Cross-LoC Trade

An Analysis of the Joint Chamber
MOEED YUSUF
S
ince 2005, Pakistan and India have pursued out-of-the-box thinking on Kashmir
and have allowed nominal human interaction and economic exchanges across the
Line of Control (LoC). One of the most promising recent developments has been the
formation of the Federation of Jammu and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (Joint Chamber), the first formal joint establishment across the Line of
Control, which is poised to play a central role in future efforts at increasing economic
collaboration.
The Joint Chamber is still in its infancy and faces a number of critical challenges that are
indicative of the potential stumbling blocks any effort at enhancing economic collaboration
across the Line of Control is likely to face.
Currently, a consensus is missing on the future direction of the Joint Chamber. Not only are
the central governments in Islamabad and New Delhi skeptical about according this new body
a pivotal position in cross–LoC trade, but even the business communities in the Indian and
Pakistani parts of the state suffer from internal differences on the scope of the Chamber's
activities.
Perhaps most worrisome is the Kashmiri business community's reluctance to lobby
proactively for expansion of ties beyond trade in goods. Investment, joint ventures, and transit
trade through Pakistani Kashmir and Pakistan hold the real potential if economic
interdependence is to ameliorate the long-standing political tensions over Kashmir.
The Joint Chamber members need to agree on a clear vision for the Chamber, preferably
including concerns not only relevant to goods trade but also to trade in services, investment,
joint ventures, and transit trade. To cover this broad horizon the Chamber would have to
increase its capacity by involving entities such as trade associations and the civil society at large.
Before tangible gains can be made, the Joint Chamber needs a number of scoping exercises
to determine the true potential for economic collaboration on all fronts. The current dearth of
information is a major shortcoming in determining the specific areas that could expand the
hitherto nascent cross–LoC interaction.
The Joint Chamber is already engaged in advocating for an increase in the nominal goods
trade initiated across the LoC in October 2008. Protocols for physical travel and communication
between traders, marketing and banking facilities, and an expansion of the scope of
engagement are obvious next steps for this process.
The key to the Joint Chamber's success is to strike a delicate balance between nudging the
governments to open up and remaining pragmatic about the necessarily incremental nature of
the gains.

15 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
The India-Pakistan dispute over and Pakistani governments, acknowl- the outlook of the key stakeholders
Kashmir has proved to be one of the edge that these steps are only the regarding its potential, weighs the chal-
most intractable in the world. beginning of a process of economic col- lenges ahead, and recommends means
Traditionally, these two countries have laboration that could ultimately make to transform the Joint Chamber into a
remained preoccupied with concerns the LoC irrelevant for economic and body capable of playing an instrumental
about territoriality, sovereignty, princi- human exchanges. Most analysts remain role in expanding cross–LoC economic
ple of equality, and moral legitimacy convinced that only such expanded collaboration. The report is designed to
when approaching the issue. However, cross–LoC interaction can generate the provide both the business communities
their failure to find a breakthrough and kind of interdependence necessary to and policymakers with a clear sense of
the high costs associated with maintain- stabilize the area. While intermittent the steps needed to optimize the role of
ing the status quo have nudged tensions between India and Pakistan the Joint Chamber in enhancing
Islamabad and New Delhi to consider since 2006 have dampened the initial cross–LoC interaction. The analysis car-
fresh ideas for resolving the dispute. euphoria regarding cross–LoC ties, two ries a broader message: the case study
Perhaps the most promising develop- developments in October 2008 have proof the Joint Chamber— independent of
ment in recent years has been their vided renewed impetus for normalizing the fate of the Chamber
amenability to normalizing the state relations across the divided state: itself—highlights the clash of interests
through enhanced economic and human Islamabad and New Delhi initiated among the key stakeholders as well as
interaction between Pakistani and cross–LoC trade and business communi- the constraints on them, factors that
Indian Kashmir—previously no direct ties from Indian and Pakistani Kashmir constitute stumbling blocks for any
contact was permissible between the established a joint body to promote eco- effort to expand cross–LoC economic
two parts of the state. The hope is that nomic interaction—the Federation of exchange.
enhanced economic interdependence Jammu and Kashmir Chamber of The Joint Chamber
would act as a catalyst for ameliorating Commerce and Industry (hereafter In September 2008, on the side-
the conflict by creating a strong, indige- Joint Chamber). Although still tenuous lines of the U.N. General Assembly ses-
nous constituency that can push the two and not yet an effective platform to sion in New York, Pakistani President
states toward peaceful resolution of the facilitate cross–LoC business interests, Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister
dispute. the chamber is still the first formal joint Manmohan Singh agreed to implement
Commendably, Pakistan and India establishment across the LoC and thus the previously reached understanding
have not only proclaimed the goal of poised to play a central role in any to allow trade in primary products
enhancing cross–Line of Control ties but future effort to enhance economic across the LoC. The Pakistan-India Joint
have already made tangible progress exchange. Moreover, the organization is Working Group on cross–LoC confidence
toward this end. Shortly after the initia- the first non-governmental body of building measures, which had already
tion of the bilateral peace process in note; its presence complements the held meetings to negotiate the issue,
2003, a mutually agreed cease-fire was hitherto exclusively The views was tasked to finalize trade modalities;
enforced along the LoC. Since then, bus expressed in this report do not neces- subsequently, October 21, 2008, was set
service was initiated between Srinagar sarily reflect the views of the United as the initiation date for cross–LoC
and Muzaffarabad in 2005 and between States Institute of Peace, which does trade.
Poonch and Rawalakot. Fourteen not advocate specific policy positions. The decision to commence trade
months later, five LoC crossing points To request permission to photocopy or also provided an incentive to the busi-
were opened for relief assistance in the reprint materials, e-mail: permis- ness communities on both sides of the
aftermath of the devastating earth- [email protected] top-down approach to LoC to come together and discuss ways
quake in the region in October 2005, cross–LoC collaboration. In essence, the to optimize trade relations. Thus, from
and an understanding was reached to Joint Chamber provides a concrete October 9–16, 2008, a nineteen-
conduct cross–LoC trade in selected pri- opportunity to push forward the dream member delegation from the Azad
mary products of Kashmiri origin in of an “irrelevant” LoC. Jammu Kashmir (AJK) Chamber of
2006. This report examines the Joint Commerce and Industry visited Srinagar
Although critical in their own right, Chamber in detail. It outlines the basic and Jammu to meet their counterparts.
all stakeholders, including the Indian features of this new structure, analyzes The deliberations between the

16 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
business communities during the AJK posal. The Jammu Chamber was not that the Chamber cannot be officially
Chamber's visit led to the creation of part of these discussions; it was only registered as a joint entity unless
the Joint Chamber. The presidents of brought on board when the AJK delega- Islamabad and New Delhi are on board.
the Chamber of Commerce of Pakistani tion visited them following their visit to While both sides could separately regis-
Kashmir, Indian Kashmir (Valley), and the Valley. ter the new body without approval from
Jammu formally agreed to set up a joint The absence of any prior internal the national governments, doing so
body to bolster cross–LoC economic deliberations by either side regarding a would render the entity no different
interests. The Joint Chamber is limited joint set-up, however, meant that the than the individual Chambers that
to the three Chambers; other business Joint Chamber could not move beyond already exist.
entities such as traders' associations or mere formal agreement during the dele- Although the three relevant busi-
sector-specific groupings from the gation's visit. As it stands, the organiza- ness communities realize that the deci-
region are not represented in the body. tion exists only on paper: the Chamber sion to set up the Joint Chamber is a
The new structure's board will comprise has not been launched formally, neither beginning, their vision to solidify the
thirty-two individuals, sixteen of whom side has finalized its list of members, no body's presence lacks coherence. That
will be nominated by the AJK Chamber formal charter or mandate exists, no said, the following themes do find wide-
and sixteen jointly by the Indian decision has been made on establishing spread support as potential future
Kashmir and Jammu Chambers. The a physical presence, no meeting sched- objectives for the Joint Chamber:
Joint Chamber is headed by a president To increase contact between the
who is appointed on a rotational, two- two business communities through regu-
year basis, with the Pakistani and Indian lar meetings; these interactions would
The national governments
Chambers alternating the title. The allow the members to discuss avenues
president will act as the executive and on both sides reserve the for closer cooperation.
will be assisted by two senior vice presi- right to prevent the state To gain greater exposure to each
dents, one each from the Pakistani and other's markets and peoples.
governments from
Indian part of the state, and four vice To provide a forum to raise mutual
presidents, two from each side. As a recognizing the Joint concerns as well as a symbol of progress
goodwill gesture, the Indian side Chamber. in intra-Kashmir relations.
offered the inaugural presidency to Mr. To act as a pressure group to nudge
Zulfiqar Abbassi, the current president state and national governments to
of the AJK Chamber, for an initial one- ule has been determined, and financing implement their official vision of
year term. He is to hold the title until for the body remains uncertain. enhancing cross–LoC collaboration
October 2009, after which the Joint The Chamber also faces potential beyond mere symbolism.
Chamber members will select a new legal complications. For example, in To serve as an expert body that
president for a full two-year stint; the Pakistani Kashmir, article 8 and 31 (3) deliberates issues related to trade and
next term is likely to be awarded to a (d) of the Constitution prohibit the AJK investment and provides concrete
nominee from the Indian side of the government from starting any interna- advice regarding trade modalities and
LoC. tional joint trade venture on its own; avenues for trade expansion to the gov-
Neither side had envisioned creat- the Government of Pakistan retains com- ernments.
ing a joint body prior to their meetings. plete jurisdiction over such matters. To lobby for improved “governance
The Kashmir Chamber in the Valley had Similarly, article 370 of the Indian of cooperation”; this amounts to easing
only planned to offer a memorandum of Constitution enables the central gov- restrictions that do not strictly fall
understanding to the AJK Chamber. ernment to take charge of international within the trade and investment
However, the AJK group, encouraged by trade in Jammu and Kashmir when it ambit—primarily security and bureau-
the positive mood during the meeting, deems it necessary. In short, the cratic hurdles—but directly affect busi-
suggested taking the arrangement a national governments on both sides ness activity.
step further by instituting the joint reserve the right to prevent the state To galvanize other stakeholders in
group. After some hesitation, the governments from recognizing the Joint the economy—small-scale producers,
Kashmir Chamber accepted the pro- Chamber. These stipulations also imply retailers, transporters, marketing out-

17 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
fits, technical experts, academics, and near term; a leading figure from the direction of trade would overwhelm-
civil society at large—to support the ini- Kashmir Chamber in the Valley told the ingly favor Indian Kashmir.
tiative, thereby creating a sense of own- author that the business community The proactive approach taken by
ership and empowerment among a large strongly preferred other, smaller bodies the AJK Chamber in proposing the idea
section of the population on both sides to explore options of similar arrange- of the Joint Chamber then is somewhat
of the LoC. ments with their counterparts inde- puzzling. On the one hand, there is gen-
Since the Srinagar and Jammu pendently of the Joint Chamber. eral agreement across the region's busi-
meetings, the Joint Chamber has The AJK Chamber ness community that economic interac-
remained largely dormant. The body's The decision to form the Joint tion with Indian Jammu and Kashmir
only tangible output thus far has been a Chamber was a bold turnaround for the should increase. It also appears certain
set of recommendations, heavily business community in Pakistani that the AJK Chamber will not reverse
focused on improving the current Kashmir. Previously, the business itself on the issue of the Joint Chamber's
cross–LoC trade regime, which were enclave as well as the state government existence when the ongoing delibera-
passed on to the Pakistani and Indian in Muzaffarabad had been reluctant to tions among the region's business
governments for consideration. Apart pursue trade liberalization. For over enclave are completed. On the other
from this, the Chamber's decision to two years, the AJK Chamber had hand, the business community is not
form working groups to identify items deferred an invitation from their Indian unanimous on the pace at which they
that could be added to the current counterparts to visit Srinagar and would like cross–LoC ties to expand or
cross–LoC trade list has been held in Jammu to discuss trade related issues, on the role they envision for the Joint
abeyance. Similarly, a proposed recip- it did not extend a reciprocal invitation Chamber.
rocal visit by the Indian Kashmir and until recently, and its members did not Two competing visions exist in the
Jammu Chambers across the LoC is on attend workshops intended to allow the AJK Chamber. In addition to the philo-
hold. The present lull stems from the two business communities to interact. sophical difference on the utility of
sudden spike in Indian-Pakistani ten- The AJK business community's skep- trade expansion, these two visions also
sions in the wake of the terrorist attack ticism was in large part driven by mar- reflect the fault line along which power
in Mumbai on November 26, 2008. The ket realities. Pakistani Kashmir has sig- politics plays out within the Chamber.
sense of despondence that has pre- nificantly weaker economic prospects The political economy dimension is obvi-
vailed among the business community than the Indian part of the state; the ous when one examines the makeup of
on both sides since the Mumbai attack situation was further skewed toward the two groups. Those involved in indus-
suggests that the status quo may remain the Indian side after the 2005 earth- tries such as textiles and apparel in
until political tensions diminish. quake that devastated Pakistani which their Indian Jammu and Kashmir
The Lay of the Land: the Actors and Kashmir's economy. The Pakistani side counterparts are more competitive
their Preferences of the LoC is severely underdeveloped: tend to be circumspect about swift lib-
The preferences of the key stake- approximately 88 percent of the 4.4 mil- eralization. On the other hand, individ-
holders, namely, the Chambers on both lion people there depends on agricul- uals interested in areas such as power
sides of the LoC, the state governments ture and forestry as their principal generation where potential for mutual
in Indian and Pakistani Kashmir, and the source of livelihood while the manufac- gains is high form the most vocal sup-
Pakistani and Indian authorities in turing sector is in poor shape, with many port base for enhanced interaction.
Islamabad and New Delhi respectively, of the 917 industrial units having been At the core, all AJK Chamber mem-
are paramount to the evolution of the declared “sick.” Although Indian bers remain mindful of the necessity to
Joint Chamber. Other entities such as Jammu and Kashmir is one of the least cater to local industry interests.
traders' associations, small-scale pro- developed states in India, its agrarian However, those supporting swift move-
ducers, and retailers— which are known economy is rapidly industrializ- ment toward relatively free trade are
to wholeheartedly support enhanced ing—particularly in Jammu—and it upfront in stating their belief that
cross–LoC cooperation—remain outside already has a multifold advantage in pro- enhanced ties would ultimately benefit
the loop. Moreover, there seems to be ductive capacity over its Pakistani coun- consumers and producers on both sides;
little interest in exploring the possibil- terpart. In short, there is little doubt for Pakistani Kashmir they see the inter-
ity of expanding representation in the that in the near-to-medium term, the action providing impetus to investors

18 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
from Pakistan-proper to set up manu- discuss the body's future. the Joint Chamber yet are unwilling to
facturing units in the state, thereby The anomaly has at its root the complement each other's lobbying
enhancing productive capacity and brewing tensions between the two efforts. Unlike Pakistani Kashmir, how-
employment. This group views the Joint Chambers. The palpable political differ- ever, the challenge in Indian Jammu and
Chamber as a stepping stone to fulfill ences between Jammu and the Kashmir Kashmir is not to convince the
this ambition. Perhaps not surprisingly, Valley, which led to a rupture between Chambers of the merit of liberalizing
the AJK delegation that proposed the the Muslims of the valley and the cross–LoC economic ties. Rather, it is to
joint body had strong representation Jammuites in May 2008, resulted in the disaggregate the broader political tus-
from proponents of this view. two Chambers being hesitant to estab- sle within the state from the relation-
While proponents of the opposing lish any serious contact with each other. ship between the business communi-
view do not challenge the logic of this It was because of this falling-out that ties. Only then can the Valley and
argument, they are much more focused the AJK delegation had to meet sepa- Jammu Chambers arrive at an internal
on the short term. This faction calls for rately with the Kashmir and Jammu understanding about the division of
a more graduated approach whereby Chambers; it ended up conducting the labor in their roles within the Joint
Pakistani Kashmir's own potential is bulk of its negotiations in the Valley and Chamber and develop a combined nego-
taken into account before putting prom- only later sought concurrence of the tiating stance for devising strategies
ises on the table and is less enthused Jammuites. The internal politicking with their Pakistani counterparts.
about the Joint Chamber's abrupt Finally, some level of goodwill on the
announcement. At least one influential part of the Jammu and Indian Kashmir
businessman who shares this outlook This situation leads to a Chambers is necessary to accept an
conveyed to the author his bitterness conundrum whereby both equal representation and voice since
about the body's formation, arguing Indian Chambers remain the AJK group has a significantly less
that the possibility of a joint body was impressive portfolio.
committed to the existence
not on the list of talking points commu- The State Governments
nicated to Pakistani Kashmir's business of the Joint Chamber yet The Joint Chamber can expect a
community prior to the delegation's are unwilling to much more conciliatory attitude from
departure. This more cautious cohort is complement each other's the state governments on both sides of
likely to push for a thorough internal the LoC. Authorities in Srinagar and
debate on the scope of the Joint
lobbying efforts
Muzaffarabad seem committed to
Chamber's activities before developing exploring avenues to further liberalize
a unified stance on the issue. cross–LoC interaction. The government
between the business entities on the
Indian Kashmir (Valley) and Jammu Indian side also explains concerns in Pakistani Kashmir that left office in
Chambers among segments of the business com- January 2009 had made cross–LoC inter-
An interesting dynamic exists munity, especially in the Valley, about action a major pillar of its political pro-
regarding preferences on the Indian including the “other” Chamber in the gram. Arguably, the AJK delegation's
side of the LoC. Both the Chamber arrangement (some members of the AJK offer to set up a Joint Chamber rather
hosted in Srinagar as well as the one in delegation returned with this percep- than just signing a memorandum of
Jammu remain committed to expansion tion). The Federation of Chamber of understanding in Srinagar was a reflec-
of economic ties. Individually, both enti- Industries in Kashmir (FCIK), a Valley- tion of their confidence in the state gov-
ties have voiced support for the Joint based group also showed reservations ernment's support for moves designed
Chamber. This makes sense given the about handing over the founding presi- to expand cross–LoC economic ties.
disproportionate gains in the short- to- dency to the AJK Chamber even though Indeed, the relationship between the
medium term for the Indian side. the Jammu Chamber had accepted the outgoing government and the AJK
However, somewhat counterintuitive is arrangement without any apparent res- Chamber's leadership is widely believed
the absence of any joint efforts by the ervations. to have been the most cordial in recent
two entities to capitalize on their history; the latter exercised substantial
This situation leads to a conun-
mutual interest. Thus far, the Kashmir clout in political circles, a fact that led
drum whereby both Indian Chambers
and Jammu Chambers have not met to the already amenable government to
remain committed to the existence of

19 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
wholeheartedly back the Chamber's such a measure would cross Pakistan or Indian Kashmir. Both parties also feel
ambitions to play a proactive role in India's redlines. Yet, the fact that the that increased interaction would lead to
cross–LoC trade. The business commu- national governments are amenable to heightened intelligence deployment by
nity does not expect the incoming gov- the structure in principle, encouraging the other across the LoC. These con-
ernment to fundamentally change its as it is, does not imply that they would cerns apply not only to trade between
predecessor's stance, although it may quickly buy into its ambitions. Pakistani and Indian Kashmir, but even
have to face renewed lobbying efforts This is not to say that either side is more so to transit trade, investment,
by proponents of both likely to attempt to undo the process. In and join ventures through which reloca-
views—accelerated versus gradual lib- fact, the symbolism of the development tion of personnel across the LoC for
eralization—that exist among the AJK suits them; it is in line with their official extended periods would be legalized,
Chamber members. stance of allowing interdependence trade and investment facilitation would
The mindset is even more encour- between the two parts of Jammu become necessary, and, consequently,
aging in Indian Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmir. Beyond mere symbolism, how- the governments' hold on the process
lopsided near-term gains make it natu- ever, realizing the Joint Chamber's would inevitably be diluted. Therefore,
ral for the state government in Srinagar vision is likely to prove extremely chal- while a process that crawls along under
to view the prospect of enhanced trade lenging given that both Pakistan and the close watch of the two governments
favorably. The enthusiasm of state offi- India, despite having moved away from is diplomatically attractive, fast-track
cials was evident from their outright liberalization is not.
support of the idea of the Joint Concerns from Islamabad and New
Chamber during the AJK Chamber's The two countries see each Delhi are not just security related.
visit. Barring any negative directives other through a zero-sum Within the economic realm, one con-
from New Delhi, the Indian Jammu and lens whereby granting cern that both India and Pakistan
Kashmir government is likely to remain have—Pakistan more so than India—is
unilateral concessions is a
proactive in its efforts to expand the potential for intra-Kashmir trade to
cross–LoC interaction. sign of weakness. The become an excuse for Indian goods to
The National Governments strongest opposition on both find their way into the Pakistani mar-
The national governments in sides comes from the ket and vice versa. At the core, the
Islamabad and New Delhi continue to worry stems from a realization of the
bureaucracies weak trade governance capacity in the
hold the key to the future of intra-
Kashmir relations. Notwithstanding the two countries: both sides know that
ultimate ambition of allowing Kashmiri irrespective of the monitoring and
their traditional maximalist stances,
civil society to have a larger stake in policing measures put in place to
remain wedded to a security-centric
decision-making, both the Indian and check flows beyond the border of
paradigm in their outlook toward the
Pakistani governments remain unchal- Jammu Kashmir, a truly liberalized
dispute. The two countries see each
lenged in their ability to veto any trade regime would lead to products
other through a zero-sum lens whereby
Kashmiri aspirations. Without their from the other's heartland flowing into
granting unilateral concessions is a sign
agreement, developments like the Joint theirs. Pakistan has already had a bit-
of weakness. The strongest opposition
Chamber are highly unlikely to succeed. ter experience with the Afghan Transit
on both sides comes from the bureau-
That said, neither Islamabad nor New Trade facility whereby goods destined
cracies—the Foreign Office and the mili-
Delhi has yet signaled its intentions for Afghanistan regularly make their
tary in Pakistan and the Ministries of
regarding the joint body; neither capi- way back into Pakistan, creating sig-
External Affairs and Home Affairs in
tal has responded to the list of recom- nificant perversions in the local mar-
India—even though the political leader-
mendations the Joint Chamber commu- ket. This fear, combined with the
ship seems to have softened their
nicated to them after the creation of absence of any Rules of Origin agree-
stances considerably. Various elements
the body. Of course, it seems unlikely ment specific to Jammu and Kashmir,
within the Indian bureaucracy remain
that the business communities would has forced officials in both countries
wary of Pakistan's propensity to use
have gone ahead with formation of the to exercise extreme caution when
freer human and economic exchange as
Joint Chamber had they known that negotiating cross–LoC trade modalities.
a means to create greater unrest in

20 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
Current Cross–LoC Trade thousand people have traveled in over as the major reason. The transaction
The current trading arrangement is three years—due to the highly cumber- closure and payment process continued
fraught with stringent bureaucratic some clearance procedures.16 to cause confusion, ultimately resulting
impediments. Trade is restricted to Moreover, people in Indian Kashmir do in arrears of around 3.5 million Indian
duty-free access for twenty-one items, not even have the international direct rupees. Traders of other products have
all of which are primary products pro- dialing facility to communicate with also threatened to follow suit.
duced within the state of Jammu and their counterparts across the LoC via The Challenges Ahead: Looking
Kashmir. Moreover, goods on the posi- phone. Beyond the Current Trade Regime
tive list do not seem to correspond to The absence of banking facilities In the Kashmiri context, the under-
market realities. A number of items defy and the lack of permission to use lying rationale for bodies like the Joint
trade rationale as they are already Pakistani and Indian rupees for transac- Chamber is to create bottom-up pres-
available at lower cost within the tions is another concern shared by the sure to hasten the process of normaliza-
importer's market or the exporter has a business communities on both sides. tion between the two parts of the state.
more lucrative market available domes- The Joint Chamber has already voiced Ultimately, permanent improvement in
tically. Moreover, there is no marketing its preference to trade in the local cur- intra-Kashmir relations presupposes sub-
setup to promote goods from across the rencies, with the U.S. dollar as the ref- stantial economic interdependence
LoC; this limits the appeal even for erence for exchange purposes. On the across the LoC such that the costs of
goods not suffering from an adverse cost reversal become unbearably high.
differential. Interdependence, in turn, requires not
At present, trade can be con- The Joint Chamber should only a robust cross–LoC relationship
d u c t e d o n l y o n Tu e s d a y s a n d among the stakeholders in the eco-
Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. be looking to explore nomic sphere but also a streamlined
Transportation is another major impedi- avenues that would provide focus on specific aspects within the over-
ment. No more than 1.5 metric tons the business community arching relationship that are capable of
(MT) per truckload can cross the LoC creating the interdependence.
with attractive returns, thus
due to infrastructural constraints on Ideally, the Joint Chamber should
both sides. The small consignment size creating a genuine economic be looking to explore avenues that
makes trade unviable as the fuel, han- rationale instead of merely would provide the business community
dling, freight, insurance, and other mis- a symbolic one. with attractive returns, thus creating a
cellaneous costs are not necessarily pro- genuine economic rationale instead of
portional to the consignment weight. In merely a symbolic one. The absence of
addition, neither side has permission to banking front, the situation is even such a focus at present stands out as a
transport goods to their final destina- more troublesome as neither the critical challenge to the entity's future
tion. Trucks must be unloaded at check- Jammu & Kashmir Bank on the Indian viability. Currently, the business com-
points near the LoC, then reloaded onto side nor the AJ&K Bank on the Pakistani munities are focusing almost exclu-
local trucks and hauled to the destina- side has branches across the LoC; they sively on trade in goods between
tion. Apart from the cost element, this also have no direct correspondence and Pakistani and Indian Kashmir. It is only
is especially problematic for perishable thus do not allow cross-referenced within this traditional trading sphere
items. transactions. In essence, apart from that businessmen seem to have a con-
Furthermore, traders have no cash purchases or informal credit mech- crete action plan; virtually all other ave-
means to meet regularly. The visa anisms, no official closure is possible. nues are considered too far-fetched to
restrictions continue to be extremely There is already empirical evi- receive any serious attention at the
stringent for all residents, including dence of the impact of the glaring bank- moment.
businessmen. Even members of divided ing anomaly. Fruit growers from Indian The impulse to focus on trade in
families, for whom cross–LoC buses Kashmir suspended cross–LoC shipments goods is understandable and welcome
were instituted in 2005 and the visa within twenty days of the initiation of given the stringent restrictions in place
regime supposedly liberalized, have the process, citing lack of proper com- under the current regime. That said,
underutilized the service—only nine munications and payment mechanisms the Joint Chamber cannot afford to con-

21 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
centrate its energies so narrowly, espe- reduced dependence on Jammu as the arrangement is bound to disillusion
cially when goods trade between the Kashmir Valley's sole outlet to the rest many in the business community; the
two parts of the state is the least attrac- of India. danger is that an extended period with-
tive aspect of the economic relation- In light of the above, it is highly sur- out movement beyond cross–LoC goods
ship. Two critical links missing from this prising that the Joint Chamber has not trade will cause the Chambers to lose
picture are the potential for Indian deliberated the possibility of transit interest altogether and thus make them
Jammu and Kashmir to use the Pakistani trade and that there has been no push indifferent to a de facto reversal of the
part of the state as a transit route and from the Chambers on the Indian side, minor gains achieved thus far. This is a
exploring trade in services, investment, jointly or individually, to advocate early concern that some influential business-
and joint ventures. approval of the facility. The dynamic is men acknowledged during conversa-
The expected gains for the rather interesting. On the one hand, the tions with the author.
Srinagar and Jammu Chambers from keenness to move from the “to” to the The concern is even graver on the
trading with Pakistani Kashmir notwith- “through” arrangement with Pakistani trade in services and investment fronts.
standing, Indian Jammu and Kashmir's Kashmir is evident among the Indian Past studies have established that the
business communities have often raised Jammu and Kashmir business commu- real potential for a holistic cross–LoC
concerns about the market across the nity. In fact, some members are cate- economic relationship lies beyond
LoC being too small for it to be a major gorical in highlighting that transit trade goods trade. The similar nature of the
attraction. Indeed, this is legitimate, economies on the two sides of the LoC
not only because of the limited size of makes trade in goods useful only as a
the population on the Pakistani side of The internal contradiction starting point. The prospects for real
the LoC but also because of its meager in the stance of the business long-term gains lie in eight service sec-
purchasing power. Ideally, the Indian tors: tourism, forestry, waterways,
side is vying for a passage through enclave is obvious: while power generation, information technol-
Pakistani Kashmir to Pakistan-proper, they are bitter about ogy, education, anti-poverty programs,
the Persian Gulf countries, and beyond. government restrictions, and disaster management.
This is true for both Chambers in the Although the Joint Chamber men-
they have been unable to
Indian part of the state. Jammu would tioned joint ventures in tourism,
like to make use of Pakistani transport formulate a unified exchange in software industries, and
infrastructure to export from the ports position. contact between educational and tech-
of Karachi and Gwadar, which are much nical institutions as potential avenues
cheaper and more efficient than for consideration in its recent communi-
Mumbai, the port Jammu producers cur- is their only real interest. However, lead- cation to the governments of Pakistan
rently utilize. In fact, given Jammu's ers of the respective Chambers argue and India, the business communities are
strength in industrial production and its that the decision not to include transit unprepared to pursue these ventures
geographical location, the option of trade in the list of recommendations seriously.
exporting manufactured goods through communicated by the Joint Chamber to There is a lack of information on
the historic Jammu-Sialkot (Pakistan) the governments was deliberate; it was the specific avenues to explore regard-
route is even more attractive than trad- believed to be too controversial for the ing investment and joint ventures in the
ing across the LoC. For the Srinagar authorities to consider seriously. short to medium term. The business
Chamber, the appeal of the transit facil- The disconnect between the desire community often mentions broad areas,
ity is twofold. For one, the current for tangible gains among the business focusing only on the macro, sectoral-
transport route available to the geo- community on the Indian side—hence level picture. Thinking about non-goods
graphically isolated Valley is highly the interest in transit trade—and the exchanges remains extremely tenta-
undependable. There are frequent com- passive effort to move to the “through” tive. The lack of movement within the
plaints of perishable items being dam- arrangement implies that there is insuf- community is evident in the fact that
aged by the time they reach their final ficient pressure on the governments in the Joint Chamber set up working
destinations in India. Second, transiting Islamabad and New Delhi. This is self- groups to identify items that could be
through Pakistani Kashmir implies defeating because the present trade added to the current trade list, but

22 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
ignored the need to start parallel work Regularly exchange data on water flows Source: Moeed Yusuf, Exploring
on investment and joint ventures. and quality. the Potential for Economic
The internal contradiction in the Power generation: (1) Conduct a Development and Cross–LoC
stance of the business enclave is obvi- careful study of the power generation Collaboration in Jammu Kashmir,
ous: while they are bitter about govern- potential to gauge the amount of elec- Pugwash, Issue Brief, March 2007
ment restrictions, they have been tricity that can realistically be brought The Way Forward: Making the Joint
unable to formulate a unified position, to the grid; (2) Explore the possibility of Chamber Deliver
let alone pursue it, on issues related to a joint power generation project on the The following recommendations
transit trade, services trade, invest- LoC. suggest both steps the Joint Chamber
ment, and joint ventures. The business Information Technology: (1) itself needs to take and areas in which
leaders seem willing to take a more con- Pakistani Kashmir should utilize the soft- the body needs to lobby the state and
servative approach than is perhaps ideal ware development capacity across the national governments.
for a body set up to alter the status quo LoC by outsourcing assignments; (2) Viability of the Joint Chamber
in an intensely hostile environment. In Request Indian IT professionals to teach Bringing the Stakeholders Together
fact, an overwhelming majority seems at small IT training centers in Pakistani The very idea of the Joint Chamber
resigned to the fact that politics will Kashmir; IT students from Pakistani presupposes a consensus within the busi-
continue to trump the aspirations that Kashmir could also be sent to study in ness community on the existence and
underlie the Joint Chamber. While that the proposed Indian Technology objectives of the body. Neither side can
is certainly true at present, and is likely Institute in Indian Kashmir; (3) The claim to have fulfilled this prerequisite
to remain so in the near-to-medium Indian side could help their Pakistani yet. The foremost requirement then is
term, deferring the future of the Joint counterparts in setting up software tech- for business communities to be on board
Chamber to the political domain under- nology parks and other such IT ventures. in unison. In Pakistani Kashmir, an inter-
mines the very rationale for its exis- Education: (1) Initiate a small stu- nal convergence of opinion is required
tence, that is, to create bottom-up pres- dent exchange program for postgradu- whereby proponents of both views dis-
sure despite the adversarial framework. ate institutions; (ii) Share experiences cussed earlier (accelerated versus grad-
In essence, those who are on improving the quality of education; ual liberalization) are comfortable with
Areas of Interest for Investment and educational administrators (including the entity. As for Indian Jammu and
Joint Ventures as Identified by a nongovernmental ones) on the Pakistani Kashmir, both Chambers have to work
Previous Pugwash Study (supported side could build on their existing pro- out a mechanism to ensure that their
by USIP) grams for teacher training, either by interaction in the Joint Chamber is
Tourism: (1) Establish a Joint sharing best practices or exchanging immune to intrastate political turbu-
Travel Management Board; (2) Set up master trainers at teacher training lence. Specifically, the Kashmir Valley
hotel management training institutes in institutes across the LoC. and Jammu businessmen need to chart a
Indian Kashmir where individuals from Anti-poverty programs: (1) common negotiating stance vis-à-vis
both sides would be allowed to train; (3) Replicate the Rural Support Program New Delhi.
Set up vocational training institutes spe- (RSP) from Pakistan's Federally The Joint Chamber's creation not-
cific to the tourism industry on both Administered Northern Areas structure withstanding, business communities
sides. in Pakistani and Indian Kashmir; RSP top from the two sides also suffer from a
Forestry: (1) Involve communities brass could conduct orientation and trust deficit thanks to decades of state-
in Joint Forest Management projects training courses for their Indian coun- led propaganda. The fragility of the rela-
with assistance from civil society; (2) terparts and/or set up the program in a tionship was evident during the AJK
Institute public-private partnerships in few model villages in Indian Kashmir Chamber's visit across the LoC. For
the forestry sector; investors from the most desperate for tangible gains—the instance, the delegation found it offen-
same or opposite side of the LoC could business communities—are unwilling to sive that Pakistani Kashmir was referred
lease out land for regeneration and har- follow the path that is most likely to to as Pakistan “Occupied” Kashmir in
vesting. lead to those very dividends. The cur- one of the post deliberation
Waterways: (1) Hold joint environ- rent mindset creates a selffulfilling communiqués issued by the hosts. As
mental clean-up exercises; (2) prophecy. mentioned, the FCIK was also not too

23 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
enthused about granting the first presi- and its activities. The body should for- ations, technical experts, academics,
dency of the Joint Chamber to an AJK mulate a concise vision and specific and perhaps even members of the
representative. These minor episodes aims and agree upon issues such as the media. Although these representatives
signal the need for dedicated efforts to Chamber's physical presence, funding, do not need to be permanent members,
trust building. While increased contact meeting schedule, and other relevant they should be invited regularly to pro-
should help, both sides need to remain concerns. Specifically, Chamber mem- vide guidance. Such input could often
mindful of each other's sensitivities and bers should seek legal advice to work end up having a multiplier effect by gen-
exercise caution in their interactions. out means to register and locate the erating new ideas for cooperation.
Moreover, the Indian Chambers might body as a joint entity. The Joint Broadening the Joint Chamber's
consider making initial concessions in Chamber should also issue a formal char- representation will assist the new
their trade and investment approach ter. entrants as well. Their inclusion will
even if they defy economic logic. Such Delineating a clear vision for the provide them a channel to voice their
goodwill toward the weaker side could Joint Chamber would also require a fun- sector-specific demands. For exam-
go a long way to increasing trust and damental decision on the body's scope. ple, members of the education sector
diluting skepticism in Pakistani Kashmir. As previously mentioned, there is cur- have not even lobbied for implementa-
The Joint Chamber must take the rently a disconnect between the norma- tion of recommendations by previous
national governments into their confi- tive aim of acting as the pivot for any working groups on the subject in part
dence. This is essential to satisfy legal because they lack organization and a
concerns as well as to ensure smooth platform to do so, something the Joint
functioning of the entity. An immediate Chamber would be able to provide.
task concerning all Chambers is to cre-
Business communities from Addressing the Communication Gap
ate a strong constituency in support of the two sides also suffer The above tasks presume an ability
the Joint Chamber in Islamabad and from a trust deficit thanks on the part of the Joint Chamber mem-
New Delhi. Chamber delegations should bers to remain in contact, and meet
meet with relevant ministry officials
to decades of state-led
physically and relatively freely.
periodically in the coming months to propaganda. Business communities on the two sides
explain the rationale of the joint body cannot afford to wait while govern-
and ease concerns harbored by the ments consider requests for relaxation
bureaucracies. Regular contact with the of visa and communication restrictions.
national governments should allow the issues related to cross–LoC economic Even a favorable decision in this regard
business communities to gauge interaction and the overwhelming focus will likely only come after protracted
Islamabad and New Delhi's redlines. on goods trade. The Joint Chamber, negotiations between the national gov-
Keeping these in mind, the Joint being the only common platform, must ernments. Two alternatives could be
Chamber should develop a stance that approach the issue holistically by pursued. First, outside actors could
neither ruptures their relationship with including concerns relevant to trade in assist in creating opportunities for busi-
the respective governments nor defers goods, services, investments, and joint ness community representatives and
wholly to the authorities on issues of ventures in all sectors of interest. other relevant stakeholders to meet
utmost business interest. At present, Without such an approach, the business periodically. Donor groups and inde-
their outlook errs substantially toward community is certain to lose interest. pendent facilitating organizations could
the latter. Should the above course be pur- arrange meetings such as dedicated
Permanence and Vision of the Joint sued, the Joint Chamber members workshops and conferences where one
Chamber would have to revisit their capacity. or two days are reserved for Joint
The Joint Chamber needs to bring Currently, the body suffers from an Chamber meetings.
permanence to its own existence. Based extremely narrow membership base. A second, less preferable, but inno-
on the internal convergence of opinion The Chamber will have to bring within vative idea is to set up a joint Web site
on both sides, working groups from the its fold representatives of service sec- to exchange information and negotiate
thirty-two-member body should deter- tors with cross–LoC potential, invest- trade deals. A model exists in the form
mine the precise nature of the entity ment consultants, smaller trade associ- of the Jammu and Kashmir Chamber of

24 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
Traders and Manufacturers Cooperative ing conferences at neutral venues that exercises could be designed such that
Limited. This is a limited liability entity could be implemented within a set time they maximize the involvement of and
conceived by the president of the frame. Likewise, members from the interaction among Chamber members,
Jammu Chamber, Ram Sahai, to pro- tourism sector could be brought thereby simultaneously building trust
mote cross–LoC interaction. While the together to discuss specific avenues, and enhancing capacity.
cooperative is largely symbolic at this modalities, and requirements to jump- The need for a scoping research
point, a key aspect of it is a “joint Web start the industry. exercise is as acute in the investment
site,” which is supposed to symbolize LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR sphere. Currently, virtually no informa-
cross–LoC unity. Taking this idea as a EXPANDED TRADE AND INVESTMENT tion exists at the subsector level, a nec-
starting point, the Joint Chamber Web Information Collection essary prerequisite to identifying the
site could become an interactive com- The Need for Concrete Research viability of specific investment and
munication and data center for busi- Arguably, the most serious impedi- joint venture projects and the steps
nessmen: it would contain updated ment to a long-term plan for trade required to enact them. Again,
information allowing businessmen to expansion is the absence of accurate researchers, preferably from within the
gauge market price data, trends, and data on the market structure in state, should be tasked to conduct
other relevant statistics. If agreeable, it Kashmir. Lack of interaction between detailed investment studies at the
could also house a secure portal where the two sides over the years has meant subsector level.
business deals could be negotiated and that neither has specific information The potential flow of trade through
closed. about the precise nature of the market Pakistan, should Islamabad allow Indian
The information gap between the across the LoC. More alarming is the fact Jammu and Kashmir to use its territory
business communities on both sides of that information is scant even within for transit purposes, should also be
the LoC and organizations such as the the respective parts. For instance, researched. A scenario-based exercise
United States Institute of Peace, Pakistani Kashmir lacks a detailed mar- could forecast the potential revenue
Pugwash, Conciliation Resources, and ket study of its own potential as well as gains for Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir
South Asia Free Media Association who up-to-date, disaggregated data captur- under various royalty tariffs. This would
are committed to facilitating intra- ing production and trade information. give Islamabad and Muzaffarabad a
Kashmir normalization must be over- This makes it virtually impossible to pro- clear sense of the benefits likely to flow
come. The business communities should ject the impact of trade liberalization, from the arrangement. Thus far, no con-
be forthcoming in communicating and thus convince skeptics—be it busi- crete information is available due to
requests for assistance that can be nessmen or governments—about the data deficiencies on the Indian side,
addressed by these outside actors. By potential gains from enhanced interac- where disaggregated data for trade and
the same token, interested parties tion. production is not easily accessible.
should continue to explore avenues for Only detailed market studies on Approaching the Governments
supporting the process. Clearly, the both sides will highlight the respective The suggestions put forward thus
Chambers remain the key actors to tap. comparative advantages and allow trad- far are required to make the Joint
However, these organizations should ers to sensibly agree on the amount and Chamber a viable entity as well as to
also consider broadening their contacts scope of trade in the short- to-medium provide it with an empirical basis to pur-
to include much the same cohorts as the term. That said, none of the Chambers sue its agenda of cross–LoC economic
Joint Chamber: smaller trade associa- have the wherewithal to conduct such a interaction. Once the joint body is on a
tions, technical experts, service sector comprehensive study themselves. sound footing and has a clearer agenda
individuals, and investment consul- Independent organizations or consul- of specific measures it would like to see
tants. Furthermore, greater attention tants would have to undertake the work implemented, it should begin lobbying
should be paid to sector-specific exper- in collaboration with the respective the state and national governments. Its
tise. For example, academics from both Chambers. Ideally, researchers from efforts should span the entire economic
sides, who remain tentative in within the state should be identified to spectrum—trade in goods and services,
approaching their counterparts across participate; the AJK and Jammu & investment, and joint ventures.
the LoC, could be brought together to Kashmir Universities would be the obvi- The Joint Chamber is already
discuss publishing joint papers or hold- ous institutions to tap. That said, these focused on the present trade arrange-

25 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
ment. Some of the trade facilitation in Jammu and Kashmir that cross–LoC the trade facilitation process, a Kashmir
measures that need to be pursued have trade would only be attractive to it if Trade Agent, nominated by the respec-
been communicated to the national gov- the export of manufactured products tive business communities and
ernments, both by the Joint Chamber as from the state were allowed. The group approved by the state government,
well as sanctioned groups such as the has forwarded a list of fifty-two items should be appointed on both sides of the
Indian Working Group on strengthening that it wants included on the approved LoC to oversee the process and act as a
cross–LoC relations. Overall, the follow- list. liaison between the business enclave
ing measures deserve attention; a num- If the two sides allow the trade of and the national governments.
ber of these are applicable to aspects of manufactured goods across the LoC, a Facilitating Transport and Travel
the economic relationship beyond tradi- mutually acceptable Rules of Origin A number of actions could be taken
tional goods trade. framework specific to Jammu and to improve movement and access:
The Composition of Current Trade Kashmir will have to be devised by Currently, only the Srinagar-
Trade should be allowed seven India, Pakistan, and the state govern- Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot
days a week. In addition, the number of ments. While the South Asian Free Trade routes are operational. All historic
items on the approved list should be Area (SAFTA) provides a ready frame- routes, including Mirpur-Naushara,
increased and these items should be work, it is highly unlikely that New Delhi Tithwal-Chilhan, Gurez-Astore-Gilgit,
selected based on market realities, not and Islamabad would allow the respec- Chumb- Pallanwalla, Kargil-Skardu, and
arbitrary choices by Pakistani and Indian Kotli-Rajori, should be examined for
officials. The India-Pakistan Joint traffic and trade potential and
Working Group on cross–LoC Confidence
Once the joint body is on a reopened where appropriate. If transit
Building Measures is mandated to sound footing and has a of Indian Kashmiri goods through
review the list of items periodically. The clearer agenda of specific Pakistan were permitted, the Sialkot-
Joint Chamber should lobby the Working measures it would like to Suchetgarh route, both road and rail,
Group to expand the list at their next would also become appealing. Full truck
meeting, if not sooner. As a start, items
see implemented, it should loads of twelve to fifteen MT should be
proposed by one side but not included begin lobbying the state and allowed in order to lower per unit
during the negotiations should be revis- national governments. expenditures for the traders.
ited. From India, these would include Necessary infrastructure should be
cricket bats, silk products, prepared to ensure smooth operations,
pharmaceuticals, gems and jewelry, tive Chambers to issue certificates of including strengthening roads and
honey, and cut flowers while from origin. The concern is obvious: the other bridges.
Pakistan the expanded list would con- side could allow goods not meeting the Trucks should be allowed to carry
tain precious stones, salt, marble, origin criteria to be exported in the goods to their final destination rather
onions, garlic, and pine nuts. Other guise of intra- Kashmir trade. That said, than having to unload at the LoC; spe-
items which could potentially be traded as technically challenging as this issue cific truck companies and drivers could
across the LoC (the actual scope for may be, without a Rules of Origin agree- be issued security clearances and passes
doing so will depend on the results of ment, it would be impossible to move that would be renewed periodically.
the market studies recommended ear- beyond trading in primary items pro- Trucks could still be subject to security
lier) include: silverware, copperware, duced wholly within Jammu and checks.
seeds, sewing machines, fluxes and Kashmir. One option could be to allow The trade centers and truck termi-
chemicals, juices and jams, canned the Chamber from the opposite side to nals that are already planned at each
food (from India), fertilizers and rice verify each Certificate of Origin after LoC crossing point must be designed
(from Pakistan), and leather and examining facts about a particular prod- with the expansion of trade volume in
leather shoes (two-way flow). uct's supply chain. However, this mind. Specifically, trade centers should
Moving beyond primary goods assumes transparency in information be able to host cross–LoC business meet-
would be a natural and urgently needed sharing and physical access to the other ings, trade fairs, and small-scale retail
subsequent step. The FCIK has already side. markets rather than serving simply as
communicated to the state government Finally, to allow local ownership of formal facilitation complexes.

26 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
A travel permit system should be services between the two sides is also a ble; estimates of future returns are
initiated whereby traders (and other hindrance to trade. Postal services already being scaled back. Therefore,
stakeholders relevant to economic should be allowed as they are across the the Pakistani authorities are likely to
facilitation) could be issued security international Indian-Pakistani border; look for other potential clients; Indian
clearances and trade passes; cleared local and international courier agencies Kashmir, and India-proper, are obvious
businessmen could then be allowed to should also be allowed to operate. choices. Depending on the outcome of
travel across the LoC in their own vehi- In the absence of banking services, the number-crunching exercise sug-
cles rather than having to use the bus trade and investment ventures cannot gested in this report, it is not incon-
service or at least be allowed to cross be expected to flourish. The Joint ceivable that the potential returns
over and park at the trade centers and Chamber should continue to press the from a transit facility arrangement
use local transportation to reach their Indian and Pakistani governments to would trump concerns about some of
final destination. allow AJK Bank branches in Srinagar, the goods leaking into the Pakistani
In order to enhance interaction Jammu, and Poonch, and Jammu and market, especially if the modalities
and exposure to the other side, periodic Kashmir Bank branches in Mirpur, allow the Pakistani side complete logis-
trade fairs and industrial exhibitions Muzaffarabad, and Rawalakot. tical control once the consignments have
should be organized on both sides. As Furthermore, SAFTA's currency stipula- entered its territory.
mentioned, these could be held at the tion allowing for trade to take place in Conclusion
trade centers if the infrastructure per- local currencies should be applied to The six-decade-long Kashmir dis-
mits. Small-scale retailers of products intra-Kashmir trade. pute has caused tremendous human and
on the permissible list and edible items Beyond the Traditional Trade Sphere economic costs. This is an aspect of the
could be issued a cross-over permit and Regarding services trade, invest- conflict that is often overlooked. The
allowed to set up daily bazaars in the ment, and joint ventures, the scoping present thaw in Indo-Pak relations has
trade centers across the LoC. exercises suggested previously are a nec- provided an opportunity to use cross-
The Essentials for Trade: Marketing, essary prerequisite to formulating a con- LoC relations as a means not only to
Communications, Banking crete action plan going forward. In light increase the prosperity levels of
If the items to be traded and the of the facts revealed by the market and Kashmiris on either side but also to use
infrastructure to move them are the investment studies, the Joint Chamber the interaction as a means of ameliorat-
“hardware” of trade, then marketing, should put together a priority list of ing conflict. This hope is based on the
communications, and banking are the future actions—related specifically to liberal theory of economic interdepen-
“software.” concrete projects—and lobby the gov- dence, which argues that by increasing
Legal provisions should be made to ernments in parallel with their efforts the economic incentive for peace,
allow marketing companies from both on the traditional goods trade front. trade-driven interdependence brings
sides to operate across the LoC. As a Initiatives that are less likely to be con- amelioration of interstate conflict as a
start, exporters from one part could be troversial in the current security- welcome political externality.
allowed to hire local marketing compa- centric environment in Islamabad and Allowed to reach its true potential,
nies from the other side. New Delhi should be given preference. cross-LoC trade in Jammu Kashmir
Efficient trading patterns are Finally, accurate estimates of the could produce the kind of interdepen-
unlikely to develop without regular potential revenues from transit trade dence liberal trade theorists envision.
phone contact. Indian Kashmir must may spur interest in the Pakistani While further expansion in trade in
allow international direct dialing to Kashmir and Pakistan governments. This goods is the obvious next step, the main-
enable Jammu and Valley businessmen will be especially true if the multimil- stay of the interaction over the
medium-to-long term is likely to be in
to call their Pakistani Kashmir counter- lion dollar Gwadar port project under-
the trade in services, joint ventures,
parts freely. At present, cell phones can taken by Islamabad fails to deliver the
and cross-LoC investment spheres.
be used but most individuals avoid these kind of dividends Pakistan expects from
Moreover, transit trade facilities for
given the potential for harassment by the inflow of Central Asian goods
Indian Kashmir are certain to create an
intelligence agencies. transiting the facility. The turmoil in
added incentive to maintain normalized
The absence of postal and courier Afghanistan makes this all but inevita-

27 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
ties. Finally, the human interaction clamp down on their aspirations and an views and several other members of the
between these divided peoples that eco- overly deferential posture that would business community in Azad Jammu and
nomic ties will inevitably create will per- leave the Joint Chamber at the mercy of Kashmir and the Lahore Chamber of
haps be a potent force against regres- political relations between Pakistan and Commerce and Industry for their valu-
sion toward active hostilities over the India. able inputs. He is also grateful to Mr.
territory. No matter how challenging, mea- Happymon Jacob for soliciting infor-
This is where efforts from a body sures necessary to keep the business mation from the business community
like the Joint Chamber become so community interested in cross–LoC in Indian Jammu and Kashmir and to
important. Presently, the governments interaction must be pursued; the enor- the Research Society for International
of India and Pakistan manage issues mity of the challenge cannot be allowed Law, Lahore, Pakistan for providing
regarding cross–LoC activity closely. to dissuade the business enclave. After their opinion on the legality of the
Given their security-centric outlook, all, few believed prior to the initiation Joint Chamber. Finally, he wishes to
the economic interaction remains of the peace bid that duty-free thank Marie Pace, A. Heather Coyne,
unpredictable, and indeed unattrac- cross–LoC interaction, as it stands David Smock, Jonathan Cohen, and the
tive. Under such circumstances, it is today, would be possible. And certainly anonymous reviewers for their valu-
only bottom-up pressure from non- no one could have imagined that a joint able comments.
governmental bodies that can hope to platform would be formulated and ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FROM EPILOGUE
inject a broader perspective into the accepted, even if notionally, by the gov- Epilogue express sincere
official mindset. This requires a deli- ernments of Pakistan and India. Yet both gratitudes to the United State Institute
cate balance in the Joint Chamber's are reality today. of Peace for granting us permission to
approach; the body's members need to ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FROM AUTHOR reproduce this exclusive report. This
remain pragmatic, avoiding an overly The author wishes to thank Zulfiqar report was commissioned by USIP’s
aggressive attitude that would unneces- Abbassi, Ch. M. Saeed, Masood-ul-Hasan, Center for Mediation and Conflict
sarily provoke the governments to and Mubeen Shah for detailed inter- Resolution.
MAKE YOUR CONNECTION TODAY
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JAMMU & KASHMIR
POLITICS
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VIEWS & NEWS
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STRATEGIC AFFAIRS
28 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
TIMELINE
Described as second biggest intra-Jammu and Kashmir, the Cross LoC trade was launched on October 21-22, 2008
between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad and Poonch and Rawalakote after an agreement between India and Pakistan.
A team of traders from Pakistan Administred Kashmir visited Jammu and Kashmir in October last year to finalise the
trade modalities with their counterparts on this side. A similar visit of traders from Indian side to Pakistani side still
awaits clearance.
Largely seen as a placating measure after two months of political turmoil in the state in 2008, the Cross-LoC trade is
being run purely on trust and barter in complete absence of banking and communication facilities.
There has not been even a single review meeting of Indo-Pak Joint Working Group on Cross-LoC trade since it was
launched. Traders from both sides also never had an opportunity of a formal meeting to review progress.
Reopresentatives of PaK Chamber visted J&K in October 2009 on invitation of Center for Dialogue and Reconciliation
a Mumbai-Haryana based NGO. They had meetings with their J&K counterparts but there was no official
participation.
While the trade volume on Poonch-Rawalakote route is improving week after week, it has almost come to neglible
on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route. Lack of proper roads on Pakistani side is stated of the reason, even as traders in the
Valley admit that they are more interested in transit trade.
Since April 2009, many Kashmiri traders switched over to the Poonch-Rawalakote route as the cross-LoC trade on
Uri-Muzaffarabad route was virtually suspended in few months after launch.
On September 30, the Cross-LoC trade on Poonch-Rawalakote route touched an all time high at Rs 5.34 crore amidst
a very high demand of moong dal among the traders of Indian side Jammu and Kashmir. Out of Rs 3.31 crore imports
from PaK, moong dal alone valued Rs 2.5 crore volume.
he Cross-LoC trade on Poonch-Rawalakote route ran into trouble in the middle of July after traders on both sides
started retruning trucks load of goods after blockage of good in barter by many traders. The matter was later
reolved through meeting at the crossing point the next week.
Cross-LoC trade suffered another roadblock towards the end of May when custom authorities blocked exchange of
items which did not have the certificate of origin within Jammu and Kashmir. Chinese garlic, coconut kernel and
brown cardamom were three such items. Trade was resumed on June 7 when authorties allowed temporary
exchange of these items.
Truckers were accused in August of smuggling Pakistani SIM cards of mobile phones and subsequently four drivers
were arrested on August 4. While security agencies believed hand of Pakistani Army to send in communication
gadgets for use of militants but some traders were of different view. This may have been done to facilitate
communication between traders near LoC as there are no direct phone links.
Onion, garlic, dry fruit, fresh fruits, prayer mats, Peshawari sandals, moong dal are among the major items of import
from PaK. Vegetables, particularly tomato, fruits, honey, spices and coconut kernels are among the major export
items from J&K

29 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
CARRYING FORWARD
Traders from both sides of state say that they have invested in peace at the cost of their businesses but now it is
becoming increasingly difficult for them to carry on the trade under present circumstances. They have called for
immediate meeting of the Indo-Pak Joint Working Group on Cross-LoC trade to review progress and remove bottlenecks
for future trade. Among the major recommendation made by the traders from both side, at a meeting organised by the
Center for Dialogue and Reconciliation in Srinagar on October 11, included:
FACILITATION
There should be provision of multiple trade passes for the engaged traders. Once this is agreed upon, the Joint
Ø
Federation of Jammu and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry should be given the authority to
recommend the members from their respective sides for multiple entry trade passes.
Visit of traders to either side of the Line of Control should not be made hostage to the Cross-LoC bus services. The
Ø
traders should be allowed to use their own cars untill the LoC crossing points.
There should be hassle free clearance of goods.
Ø
There should be provision of meetings between the traders to make a periodic review of progress on trade. This
Ø
meeting should involve the stake holders from both sides.
INFRASTRUCTURE
ØThere should be free and open channels of tele-communications between both sides of the Line of Control. When
people from PaK already have the facility of calling up in J&K, the government should consider on priority making
it a two way process.
ØThere should be an expansion of loading and unloading areas at the LoC clearance points. The authorities may
probably consider making warehousing facilities where traders are allotted sheds to park their 8 to 10 trucks at a
time for loading an unloading at convenience.
ØImmediate provisions of banking and postal facilities.
ØRoads and bridges should be improved on both sides so that at least trucks carrying 15 tonne load can pass over.
EXPANSION OF SCOPE
ØThe prerogative of selecting items, whenever, should exclusively rest with the stakeholders.
ØLoC trade, for all practical purposes, should be purely driven by the market demand.
ØAll items produced and manufactured in both sides of Jammu and Kashmir should be allowed for trade but again
stakeholders should be allowed to fix the priorities.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
ØThere should be involvement of the stakeholders from both sides in all decisions pertaining to the LoC trade.
ØAll traditional routes between both sides should open with express priority to the routes with trade potential.
ØThe LoC trade should not be limited to fixed days and it should be declared as an all-days trade.

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HARNESSING THE INDUS :

From Treaty To Governance
Perspectives from India
D SUBA CHANDRAN
I
nvariably every comment on the those who actually negotiated the prolonged negotiation in the 1950s, led
Indus Waters Treaty (1960) between treaty in the 1950s, on both sides failed by the World Bank, in a different
India and Pakistan have focussed to achieve the interests of their regional and international environment
that despite the wars of 1965, 1971 and respective countries. – immediate pangs of partition,
1999 and a border confrontation during Finally, the Treaty was signed in settlement of refugees, Kashmir in the
2001-02, India and Pakistan have not 1960, almost fifty years back, in a United National, Cold War and Pakistan
violated the Treaty. Besides, this is seen different political, economic, being a part of the US led pact, while
as the only success story, between India demographic, ecological and energy India insisting on pursuing a non-
and Pakistan; hence there is a hesitancy environment. Today there has been a alignment approach to its international
to tinker/amend the treaty. considerable change in all these five affairs. Regional pulls/pressures within
True, the treaty has survived the areas. Should India and Pakistan take India and Pakistan along the Indus
four wars, a border confrontation and into account the contemporary issues/ Waters basin were relatively less, if not
military stand offs; however, if the problems/challenges in managing the totally non-existent during that period;
Treaty could be violated, it can be done Indus Waters, or keep it aside, for the hence neither the Indian government in
only by one party to the contract – India. fear of not tampering something that is New Delhi nor the Pakistani government
Pakistan, being a lower riparian state, believed to be working smoothly? How in Rawalpindi/Islamabad had to take
cannot violate the treaty, unless it can India and Pakistan work together to into account the regional political
prefers to pursue a military action, to make optimum use of the Indus Waters? demands for “their share” of water on a
implement the Treaty. A radical section How can both countries get ready to particular river system.
within Pakistan has been claiming that address the impending environmental, Also, during the 1950s the federal
Islamabad should even consider the use demographic, economic and political governments in India and Pakistan were
of nuclear bombs, to protect its water challenges, through efficient strong vis-à-vis provincial governments.
rights. management of the Indus Waters? The latter was more dependent on the
Though India claims that it has not Finally, should India and Pakistan, waste former and in most cases, regional
violated the treaty in principle, some of all their energies in accusing and politics was very much controlled by the
its constructions, especially relating to defending, what could be done and not governments at federal level. In India,
barrages and dams, are seen by Pakistan done, legally under the IWT, or should the towering personality of Jawaharlal
as against the Treaty. India put forwards both countries think beyond pure legal Nehru and the Congress played an
its own reasons to undertake those terms? In short, should the focus be important role on this process, while in
constructions, to make better use of the “legal” interpretation of the IWT or Pakistan the pressure at the national
water systems in J&K and the Indus Water “Governance”? level between the military and polity,
surrounding region. SHARING THE INDUS WATERS: MAJOR kept the regional politics at a low key
It is also interesting, while on the ISSUES/PROBLEMS level.
one hand people on both sides talk The Indus Waters Treaty is likely Today the situation is different at
about the IWT as the most effective one face greater stress in the near future, political level, in terms relations
(comparatively) in the last five for the following reasons. b e tw e e n f e d e r a ti o n a n d p r o v-
decades, on the other hand, there have Changed History inces/states in India and Pakistan.
been numerous complaints on how The IWT was signed in 1960, after a Regional politics and parties play a

31 IN FOCUS
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larger role at national level, and the fed- will be his primary emphasis – at the Indus Waters will become an
eral governments have to take into national and international levels; his increasing bone of contention, not only
account the regional aspirations. On the domestic and foreign policies are likely between the two countries, but also
Indus Water basin, Sindh, Balochistan, to reflect this basic exposition. between the regions/states/provinces
Punjab, NWFP, Northern Areas and the Clearly, this has already placed in these two countries. In fact, there
governments on both sides of the LoC in enormous stress on the effective use of are already clear signs of an impending
Srinagar/Muzaffarabad play an impor- water in both countries – for the pur- disaster on managing the waters at
tant role in the national politics. poses of irrigation and generation of national and bilateral levels. For J&K,
Clearly, the political situation in electricity. Worse, these demands on on both sides of the LoC, Indus rivers are
the Indus Water basin today, is not what the water resources for agricultural and likely to be primary source of energy
it was fifty years back. Given the prog- industrial purposes are likely to expand production. Invariably all the projects –
ress in the last two decades, one is likely in the coming decades. Pakistan in par- Baglihar, Kishenganga, Mangla and
to see more problems in the next decade. ticular has been facing an energy crisis Diamer-Basha are facing political and
Both New Delhi and Islamabad should in the last couple of years; given the technological problems, in terms of cre-
consider this important change, and what ating electricity, besides issues
is likely to happen in the next decade. between the provinces and federation,
On the positive side, one should The political situation in in terms of governments of Srinagar and
also consider the positive break- the Indus Water basin New Delhi, Muzaffarabad and
throughs that have taken place in the Islamabad, and the Northern Areas
last one decade, despite the military
today, is not what it was administration and Pakistan. Besides
and political upheavals at the bilateral fifty years back. Given the the huge uncomfort that the lack of elec-
levels. Both countries have matured and progress in the last two tricity creates for the ordinary people,
taken certain measures, for the first it energy insecurity also affects indus-
decades, one is likely to see
time in the last sixty years, for example trial production and any new invest-
opening the LoC for the movement of
more problems in the next ment and tourism sectors. Who would
people and goods. Prime Minister decade. Both New Delhi like to visit those hill stations, how ever
Manmohan Singh has made a statement and Islamabad should scenic they are, if there is electricity
on making the borders irrelevant only for a few hours, every day?
consider this important
between the two countries. Despite the Differences Within and the Disasters
negative happenings, the political atmo-
change, and what is likely Without
sphere today, is not how it was sixty to happen in the next As mentioned above, internal dif-
years back. Both countries should be decade. ferences within India and Pakistan have
willing to pursue a bold political step, in the potential to become a major crisis,
terms of harnessing the Indus Waters. straining the IWT at the bilateral level.
Demography, Industrialization and problems associated with the energy First, there is a clear divide between
Increased Emphasis on Water production and the equation between Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and the fed-
Unlike the 1950s, both countries the independent power producers and eral governments on the nature and use
have grown tremendously, in terms of the government of Pakistan, one could of IWT. The people and government of
their population and industrialization. only conclude the energy crisis will con- J&K, where the Indus and most of its
Despite the expansion of various sec- tinue. For India, to achieve and sustain important tributaries flow through, are
tors, agriculture still remains the pri- a nine percent growth as Manmohan against the IWT, as they feel it is against
mary focus of occupation for many in Singh has envisaged, energy security is their interests. A resolution was passed
rural India and Pakistan. In this decade, equally important; with the Iran- in J&K Legislative Assembly in 2002, call-
both India and Pakistan have achieved Pakistan-India gas pipeline now placed ing for annulling the IWT. A section
new heights in their economic growth in a limbo and the Indo-US nuclear deal inside J&K even considers the IWT as an
and have a high expectation for the next unlikely to produce large scale electric- Indo-Pak conspiracy against the
decades. Manmohan Singh has categori- ity in the near future, India's energy Kashmiris. The Kashmiri grievances are
cally stated that 9 percent growth rate demand is no less. based on emotional and economic

32 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
issues; for Kashmiris, water and land the Northern Areas. A government offi- that the glaciers are receding and all
have always been an emotional issue. cial was suspended for writing a book on the major Himalayan river system –
Second, J&K also considers the IWT the Mangala dam; subsequently all his Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra are
as an economic liability. Majority in J&K books were banned during 2002-04 and likely to face shortage of water supply.
consider that the IWT discriminates the accused for “anti-state and an attempt Unfortunately, neither India nor
Kashmiris by not letting them tap the to promote nationalist feelings amongst Pakistan, at the governmental levels
potential of Indus and its tributaries in Kashmiris.” have initiated any major studies – either
terms of using the waters for agricul- Fifth, the four provinces of independently or jointly. While the envi-
ture, transport and energy. It is believed Pakistan are deeply divided within, in ronmentalists in India and Pakistan have
that the losses that the IWT cause to terms of sharing the Indus waters. The undertaken some excellent studies,
J&K are around 8000 crores annually. In controversy over the construction of their acceptability by the governments
the recent months, there appears to be Kalabagh alone will amplify internal is yet to happen. With an expanding pop-
a politicisation of waters, by the opposi- problems relating to the water conflict. ulation and growing energy and eco-
tion party against the government, While Punjab wants to build the dam at nomic needs, any decline in water flow
purely for political reasons. Mehbooba any cost, leaders of Sindh has warned will only increase the stress on the IWT.
Mufti, the leader of the opposition, has Islamabad to choose between Kalabagh Given the inter-state and intra-state
been making statements on the “Loot of and federation, meaning that construc- political and emotional issues along the
Water”, primarily to embarrass the gov- tion of the dam will result in Sindh walk- Indus river basin, the possibility of
ernment. Given the fact the ethnic ing out of the federal structure. water scarcity resulting in water wars
Kashmiris are extremely emotional Ineffective Water Governance between the states and within them,
about “land” and “water”, this is South Asia as a whole has a serious cannot be completely ruled out.
another powder keg. deficit relating to water governance. All It is imperative, that India and
Third, the people of Northern countries in SAARC fail to use water judi- Pakistan and their sub regions work
Areas consider the IWT against their ciously; as a result, there is a huge together to address the growing con-
interests. The controversy over the con- water wastage. Besides, despite know- cerns and avoid any future conflict over
struction of Diamer-Basha dam high- ing that water is previous commodity, the sharing of waters. IWT has an inbuilt
lights the tensions between Northern South Asia has failed to evolve alternate provision to rework sections of this
Areas and Islamabad on sharing the modes of irrigation; canal and river irri- treaty. India, Pakistan and its sub
Indus Waters. Many in Northern Areas gations are the most preferred in South regions should work together towards
feel that Islamabad has not provided Asia. creating Indus Water Treaty – II,
any political status to the region, pre- Methods like drip irrigation and addressing the issues mentioned above.
cisely to exploit them over the Indus crop rotation to use the available water IWT-II could very well be a conflict pre-
Waters. They argue, had Northern Areas judiciously, are yet to be effectively ventive measure relating to water
been a political entity, Pakistan then evolved. South Asia as a whole, wastes issues along the Indus river basin..
would have to share the waters and roy- water. DEBATING THE OPTIONS
alty. Worse, a section also believes, that Receding Glaciers & Shrinking Sources What are the options available for
while the Basha dam will submerge All the above mentioned India and Pakistan? The extremists in
parts of its land and result in displace- issues/demands focus on the increasing India have already talked about the
ment, the royalties will go to the NWFP. demands on the Indus Waters, based on abrogation of the Indus Water Treaty.
Fourth, Pakistan occupied Kashmir, the presumption that the supply will Nothing would harm India more than
has a serious problem with the rest of continue, as it has been in the past. abrogation of a treaty, which was nego-
Pakistan on Mangala dam. Muzaffarabad What if there is a reduction in supply, tiated along with the World Bank, and
feels exploited by the rest of Islamabad purely on geological/environmental rea- withstood the sea-saw relations of the
over the Mangala dam; the construction sons? two countries. Besides, the interna-
in Mirpur has dislocated the entire city, Studies on the Himalayan glaciers tional ramifications, in terms of India
whereas the benefit goes to Pakistan. highlight the possibility of a decline in adhering to treaties and agreements
Islamabad is too sensitive about any water flow in the Indus and its tributar- that it has signed, it would have a series
water related issues involving PoK and ies. Invariably every one agrees today, of implications for similar treaties it had

33 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
signed with its other neighbours. India effectively harness the Indus Waters work on these issues. The IWEG should
has similar treaties on water with Nepal jointly. spearhead independent meetings in
(Mahakali Treaty) and Bangladesh (Gan- RECOMMENDATIONS India, Pakistan and both sides of the
ges); any abrogation of the IWT will India and Pakistan could consider LoC, with a larger group, in terms of
affect the confidence India's neighbours the following, given the issues/ prob- addressing the main concerns of the
on similar treaties relating to water. lems related to the IWT, and those stakeholders in the national and
Internally, it will also set a bad pre- which are likely to arise in the next regional capitals.
cedent for the states, that are fighting decade. Joint Study of Glaciers and Effective
over sharing of water; for examples, Debate on Indus Water Treaty – II Use of Waters
Karnataka and Tamilnadu, with the for- From New Delhi's perspective, it is Both India and Pakistan should
mer being the upper riparian and the important to realise that internal politi- jointly invest in encouraging independ-
latter being the lower riparian, in terms cal and emotional situation regarding ent scientific/environmental studies on
of sharing the waters of Cauvery river. the sharing of water in Pakistan and in the Himalayan glaciers and give them
Second, unilateral abrogation of J&K is likely to have a negative impact the necessary access. There have been
the IWT is also unlikely to make the on the IWT as a whole. Experts like BG numerous proposals already on convert-
energy situation better in J&K. Given Verghese have already pitched for an ing the Siachen into a peace/science
the level of bad governance and corrup- Indus Water Treaty – II, which is impor- park, and monitor the developments.
tion involved in many of these projects, tant from New Delhi's perspective to There is a need for such a focus on all
abrogation of the IWT is not likely to look into and prepare for the future. the glaciers of the Himalayas, from
result in J&K becoming a gainer in terms IWT-II does not call for the abrogation of which most of the perennial rivers of
of harnessing the waters. IWT, or a parallel treaty; it only aims at, India and Pakistan originate.
Pakistan, has been threatening to making the existing treaty more effec- Given the fact that countries like
use even nuclear weapons to secure tive, taking into account political, eco- Nepal and Bangladesh also depend on
their water rights. It is a political rheto- nomic and environmental develop- the Himalayan source, it would be pru-
ric aimed at local audience. Pakistan is ments in the last five decades, and dent to include them, along with China,
unlikely to do anything like that, except those changes likely to take place in the which also has a stake here on the
objecting to any and every project coming decades. Brahmaputra system.
relating to the western rivers, and per- A collaborative background research it would be prudent to include
haps give more support to the move- Clearly, neither India nor Pakistan them, along with China, which also has
ment of militants. None of these options has a vision, in terms of what needs to a stake here on the Brahmaputra sys-
are likely to benefit Pakistan in the long be done, except for reacting to a tem.
term, in terms of effectively harnessing domestic audience. There is a need for a Reducing the Water Rhetoric
the Indus Waters. Indo-Pak history has joint, but impartial research that would Both in Pakistan and India, along
numerous examples of where the provide alternative approaches to with both sides of LoC, there is so much
Pakistani military exercises have led address the present and future chal- of political rhetoric, which is actually
them to, ever since the IWT was signed. lenges emanating from the Indus Waters harming everyone, including those who
It is neither in India's interests to Treaty. are making this statement. There is a
unilaterally abrogate the IWT, nor in Indus Waters Experts Group clear need to avoid “the loot of our
Pakistan's interests to wage a water war. As a corollary of the above exer- waters,” “decide the dam over federa-
The extremists on both sides, in worst cises, there is a need to form an Indus tion,” “we will use any weapon, includ-
case scenario may pressurize for such an Water Experts Group (IWEG), comprising nuclear to secure our water rights,”
option, which could be undertaken, but ing six to ten experts, from different and “abrogate the treaty, for we give
with no positive results. Both the above backgrounds, who have been working them the waters, but they send terror-
options, will only hamper the water rela- with the governmental and non- ists.” While the extremist elements are
tions further and negate, whatever has governmental sectors like BG Verghese, unlikely to reduce their rhetoric, noth-
been achieved so far. Clearly, the only Ramaswamy Iyer and Arshad Abbasi, ing is stopping the moderate elements
option is engage with each other to who have undertaken some pioneering to raise their voices in favour.

34 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
Harnessing the Indus

Perspectives from Pakistan
NAUSHEEN WASI
T he Indus Water Treaty (1960)

brought to an end, the 12 year old
canal water dispute and became
the basis of resolving any water disputes
which appeared after that. The treaty
consists of three parts: the Preamble,
twelve articles and Annexes A-H.
Almost, fifty years after the Treaty
has been in signed, today, it is under
stress. The following questions need to
be addressed from an Indo-Pak
perspective: Does the Indus water
treaty address the issue of river waters
between India and Pakistan today? What
are the new issues/ problems emerging,
in relating to water ? What specific
measures need to be pursued to
effectively harness the river waters?
How do we address future water needs
of both countries?
Indus Waters Treaty: A Short
Introduction
The Indus flows through the north-
west of India and Pakistan. It arises
within Tibet from a holy lake called
Mansarovar, the mouth of the lion. After
rising in Tibet, the Indus runs north- the British annexation of the area but in were developed --- Bari Doab and the
west between the Karakoram and the a rudimentary form. The irrigation Sutlej Valey Project. Originally designed
Himalayas. In Kashmir, the river crosses network constructed during the British as one scheme. With the partition of the
the Line of Control (LoC) and enters rule, especially after 1885, was based subcontinent in 1947 , including the
Baltistan. The principal tributaries of on perennial canals which led off from province of Punjab, the Indus system
the Indus in the west are Kabul and river-spanning weirs and headworks. was also divided; while the headworks
Khurram rivers, while its five main Vast areas which had remained fell to India, the canals ran through
tributaries in the East are the Jhelum, inaccessible under the traditional Pakistan With a view to attaining the
Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej and Beas rivers. irrigation system were brought under most complete and satisfactory
The British laid the foundation of the cultivation by this canal system. In the utilization of the waters of the Indus
Indus Basin River System in the late 19th Punjab, two major systems of irrigation basin and recognizing the need for
Century. The system did exist prior to

35 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
fixing and delimiting the rights and constructed or being constructed by one some changes in the design of the dam
obligations of each country in relation of the two parties. The negotiations including reducing the height of the
to the other , both states, as a part of over these issues involve divergent dam and to the permanent closure of
the Indus Waters Treaty agreed to: concerns and interests, based on their the diversion canal after the hydel plant
All the waters of the Eastern interpretations of the Indus Water had been commissioned.
rivers, namely Sutlej, Beas and Ravi, Treaty. The major disputes have been The resolution of this dispute was
shall be available for the unrestricted over the following projects: hailed in both countries and is still
use of India except for domestic, Salal Dam quoted as a case of successful
nonconsumptive and agricultural use by After the signing of Indus Waters dilpomacy over water sharing between
Pakistan. Pakistan shall receive for Treaty, the first dispute India and Pakistan and India due to the
unrestricted use all those waters of the Pakistan were engaged in was over the concessions made under the Salal
Western Rivers namely the Indus, construction of the Salal Dam by India Agreement signed in April 1978.
Chenab and Jhelum. India shall be on the Chenab River. Under the terms of Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation
under an obligation to allow the flow of the Treaty, India submitted its plan to Project
these waters and shall not permit any The second challenge to the treaty
interference except for domestic use, Almost all the disputes over came regarding the construction of the
non-consumptive use, agricultural use Wullar Barrage, as it is called by
and generation of hydroelectric power.
water that have arisen Paksitan, or Tulbul Navigation Project as
If a party is to plan an engineering between India and Pakistan termed by India. The dispute arose in
work on any of the rivers, it will first are about dam projects 1984 when India began to build the
notify the other party about its plan. constructed or being barrage and navigational project at the
A Permanent Indus Commission mouth of the Wullar Lake on the River
constructed by one of the two
shall be constituted comprising one Jhelum. In 1986, Pakistan referred the
Commissioner as representative of each parties. The negotiations case to the Indus Commission, and in
country. The Commission will meet over these issues involve 1987 work was halted on the project by
regularly at least once a year divergent concerns and India. The main point of dispute is that
alternately in India and Pakistan. Any Pakistan views the project as a storage
interests, based on their
question which arises between the work while India claims that it is a
parties concerning the interpretation or interpretations of the Indus navigational project. These divergent
application of the Treaty shall first be Water Treaty. positions are further urged in the light
examined by the Commission. If the of specific provisions of the Indus
Commission fails in reaching an agreement the Permanent Indus Commission for Waters Treay. For Pakistan, the project
on the question then a 'difference' will be Pakistan's approval in 1968. A run of the- violates Article I (11) that prohibits both
deemed to have arisen. river hydroelectric project, Salal was parties from undertaking any 'man-
A 'difference' at the request of deemed crucial for the agricultural made obstruction' that may cause a
either Commissioner shall be dealt with needs of the Indian Punjab and change in the volume of water. Article III
by a neutral expert; if the neutral economic progress of the country. In (4) prohibits India from storing any
expert informs the Commission that in 1974 Pakistan officially objected to the water on the western rivers. Further,
his opinion, the difference should be design of Salal project arguing that it sub-para 8 (h) entitles India to construct
treated as a dispute, then a 'dispute' will did not confirm to the criteria for design incidental storage work on the western
be deemed to have arisen. A court of of such hydroelectric projects laid down rivers only after the design has been
arbitration shall then be established to under the Treaty. During the course of scrutinized and approved by Pakistan.
resolve the dispute. the negotiations, several options were Its storage capacity should not exceed
Dams on the Indus: Major Challenges discussed for reaching to a final 10,000 acre feet of water. Pakistan
Almost all the disputes over water settlement including resort to the argues that the existing water level in
that have arisen between India and arbitration procedure provided in the the Wullar Lake is enough for small
Pakistan are about dam projects Treaty. Finally, India agreed to make boats to navigate between Baramula

36 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
and Srinagar, so there is no need to store Jhelum in Azad Kashmir by 27 per cent, MWs of electricity capacity. The design
additional water. It further argues that affecting power generation capacity of of the dam was submitted to Pakistan in
the dam's storage capacity was 32 times the 1.6 billion Neelam-Jhelum 1992 and, without much delay, Pakistan
more than the 10,000 maf capacity hydropower project in Pakistan. protested over the design of the dam
provided under the Indus Waters Treaty. By May 2004, India confirmed that and demanded a halt to its
India, on the contrary, contends it had started constructing some c o n s t r u c t i o n . H o w e v e r, t h e
that despite the broad principles components of the project. On severe construction continued as the two sides
governing the Treaty, India has been critisicm in April 2006, India offered to exchanged further details.
allowed, under certain conditions, to modify this project and submitted a The Baglihar water dispute is the
construct a barrage in the light of revised plan in July 2006. In the revised most specific of all these disputes
Article 3 (4) conditions, which are plan India agreed to convert the storage between the two countries
enlisted in Annex D and E of the Treaty. and power generation project into a foregrounding their, fears, perceptions
India views the project as an attempt to run-of-the-river project and construct and dilemmas on water sharing. For the
make the Jhelum navigable, not a pondage in accordance with the Indus first time, the neutral expert clause in
reservoir. Controlling water for the Indus Waters Treaty was invoked. In
navigation is permissible under the May 2005, Raymond Lafittee, a Swiss
Treaty. civil engineer, was appointed by the
Hostile anti-Pakistan
More than a dozen rounds of talks World Bank as the neutral expert. After
have been held to date over the
segments in India view the a detailed analysis of about 13,000
construction of this barrage but it Indus Waters Treaty as dams across the world, talks with both
remains the oldest and longest lasting giving undue concessions to parties and visiting the dam site, he
water dispute between India and Pakistan, which Prime gave his verdict on Baglihar in February
Pakistan. 2007. Both parties agreed to abide by
Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project
Minister Nehru signed to the final verdict. Yet, this decision was
The Kishanganaga project is 'purchase peace'. Since it did not followed.
another controversial water issue not bring peace to Kashmir, IWT: Internal Problems
between the two countries. The 330 MW they want to revisit the Besides these dam project, there
hydroelectric project is located about are several internal and regional issues
concessions given to Pakistan
160 kilometers upstream of that strain the Indus Waters Treaty. The
Muzaffarabad and involves diversion of under the Treaty. most important is the view of the
Kishanganga or Neelum River, as is people in Jammu and Kashmir who see
known in Pakistan, to a tributary, Bunar Waters Treaty. However, Pakistan the Treaty as exploiting their rights by
Madumati Nullah of the River Jhelum rejected the plan maintaining that the both India and Pakistan. And their call
through a 22-kilomtre tunnel. project still had objectionable aspects. for its annulment as an economic
Pakistani objections are based on Pa k i s t a n c o m m u n i c a t e d t h e s e liability. People of the northern areas in
the grounds that the project will have objections to India later in a detailed Pakistan are also opposed to n dam
an adverse effects on the Neelam- report. The issue figures on the agenda projects in Pakistan like the Mangla
Jhelum link project that Pakistan of talks every time between the two dam.
initiated in 1988. A second diversion of countries; however, bilateral talks have Second, hostile anti-Pakistan
the water of Kishenganga river to so far failed in reaching a settlement. segments in India view the Indus Waters
Jehlum would ruin the Neelam valley in Baglihar Hydel Power Project Treaty as giving undue concessions to
Pakistan. It is feared that the project Located on the River Chenab in Pakistan, which Prime Minister Nehru
could reduce Pakistan's total water Doda district, the Baglihar hydropower signed to 'purchase peace'. Since it did
availability from an estimated 154 maf project is one of the nine major not bring peace to Kashmir, they want to
to about 140 maf, a shortage of about 8- hydroelectric projects identified by revisit the concessions given to Pakistan
9 per cent. Further, it is also expected India on the Chenab. Divided into two under the Treaty.
to reduce the flow of water in the River phases, the project would install 900 Third, Pakistan also has serious

37 IN FOCUS
Bridging Divides
problems regarding the sharing of Indus the projects planned by India on the great complexity. They are expensive to
waters among its four provinces. This is western rivers calling them a violation build, involve destruction of habitat
evident with entrenched controversy of the Indus Water Treaty. Nonetheless, and heritage, and relocation of whole
being present in the country on every India does not accept this view and communities. They also need water, and
planned dam. The shortage of water has takes defensive positions. storage strategy does not consider
deep political, economic and social RECOMMENDATIONS where the water to fill dams and
effects. For example, farmers in Sindh Keeping in view the different reservoirs will come from. It is time for
point their fingers at Punjabi landlords, dynamics of the water problem, experts the strategy to harness our water
and accuse them of 'stealing their share' are talking of an Indus Water Treaty II resources to change from being a large-
of the Indus's water. both in India and Pakistan. One feels scale capital- and technology-intensive
Finally, there are environmental that this issue should be taken up and environmentally degrading option
and ecological changes which call for seriously and negotiations on the Indus to management-intensive and
consideration. Because of climate Waters Treaty II be taken up in good ecologically balanced development
change, the Himalayan glaciers are faith. If India and Pakistan take a relying on indigenous technology.
melting at an alarming rate. For water political decision to restructure their Political considerations, of course,
resources, this means an increase in relations, they will have to ensure that cannot be ignored while dealing with
water initially due to flooding. Within water serves as a link to bring them the water issue on technical grounds,
the next 50 years, however, experts together, rather than taking them especially keeping in mind the present
believe there will be a 30 to 40 percent further towards conflict. Water needs distrust in India-Pakistan relations and
drop in glacial melt because the glaciers to be managed as a commodity. It is their history of antagonism. Hence, the
will have receded. A strategy to create essential to jointly set up an two countries should seek international
more storage capacity for water is the organization with representatives from support, perhaps again with the World
only option available, but one has to both countries, whose functions would Bank taking the lead to negotiate a
remember that glacial melt is not only entail identifying short term and long sound water sharing and usage
water but also silt that will reduce the term supply capacity of the basin and its mechanism. Mediation in case of water
capacity of the reservoirs. This aspect integrated development, setting up of disputes resolution has worked between
has not been considered at the political infrastructure and coordinating India and Pakistan in the past and would
level or at least has not gained activities of the different technical solve another great concern -- financing
prominence. agencies. the projects if India and Pakistan agree
Essentially the following two India and Pakistan should adopt a on something.
features have shaped Pakistan-India transparent approach to development
water politics: problem relating to sharing water and KNOWLEDGE
The underlying concern of both invite interdisciplinary ØJama Masjid is one of the oldest and the
states is the political aspects that water communications. Often, the findings of most spacious of all the mosques in
entails. This aspect is believed to be the geologists escapes the notice of Kashmir, situated in the heart of the City.
The area of the mosque is 384 ft x 381 ft
catalyst behind the hydropolitics in sociologists, anthropologists and spacious enough for over thirty thousand
which both countries are engaged. economists, but the reverse is also true. people to offer prayers at a time.
Thus, the discussion on water issues has Therefore, a holistic approach is ØThe Railway network in J&K State is the
always been there in almost every required to understand the background highest altitude railway network in India.
Presently the railway network in the State
dialogue between India and Pakistan, and functioning of highly sophisticated
exists upto Udhampur district and the rest
and now it figures in the high level talks irrigation systems. between Udhampur to Qazikund is under
that reflects the dominance of water Besides, it is time that India and construction. Intra Kashmir railway line
from Qazigund to Baramulla is near
issues. Pakistan along with other countries in completion and has been laid open for
Most of the time, Pakistan being the region come up with conservation railway traffic from (Nowgam) Srinagar to
the lower riparian follows up on these policies, instead of creating more Anantnag on 11th October in 2008.
issues on sharing of waters more storage, that they have focused on for ØTulip Garden in Srinagar is the largest
vigorously. It has objected to almost all long. Dams are environment issues of garden of Asia.

38 B OOK S / AU T HOR S
Conversation
NYLA ALI KHAN

Challenging Hegemony of
Static Versions of History
I n literary intellectual and political circles of Jammu and Kashmir a

new book is making waves these days. To say that “Islam, Women
and Violence in Kashmir :Between India and Pakistan” more or less
picks up the threads where Aatish-e-Chinar (Flames of Chinar) had left
around three decades back won't be amisstatment. The new book not
only tells the remaining story of Kashmir but also goes down the
history bringing about fresh perspectives through a painstaking
research. “Islam, Women and Violence in Kashmir” is therefore a
scholastics work, first of its kind of any Kashmiri woman scholar, who
goes through hundreds and thousands pages of history, travels across
length and breadth of the state and revisits the hearts and minds of key
players and eye witnesses to tell the world the story of Kashmir. The
author, NYLA ALI KHAN, Professor of English at the University of
Nebraska-Kearney in United States, says that her book is a tribute to
the resilient spirit of the inhabitants of Jammu and Kashmir. What
makes Nyla's book most credible is the fact that her work does not
reflect anywhere that she is granddaughter of the illustrious leader
Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
With this issue, Epilogue launches a three part conversation series
with Nyli Ali Khan as she responds to questions posed by ZAFAR
CHOUDHARY. We are also reproducing excerpts from her book and
readers are welcome to send questions for the author.

Conversation
Since your book “Islam, nationalist, and ethnonationalist help readers think critically and
Women and the Violence discourses in JK. constructively about the ethical
in Kashmir: Between India In my book, I seek in the collision implications of various approaches to
and Pakistan” hit the of modernity and communal memory a research selection, evidence gathering
bookstalls, it is being horizontal relationship producing techniques, inextricable link between
described by readers and intersectional spaces between social power and structures of
reviewers as first of its different cultural realities, times, and inequity, and the production of
kind. First in depth study ways of reflecting upon the knowledge. The reprehensible
by a woman…. first construction of my own subjectivity. I endeavours of the Indian and Pakistani
thorough study of the have tried to underscore the dire need establishments to rewrite history
tragedy of Kashmir” etc. to retrieve and renew contact with our impelled me to undertake the book-
How is it first of its kind? national culture but also recognize the length study of the politically
Although there is a plethora of richly dangers of mythologizing historical tumultuous situation in the state of J
nuanced books on the complexity of and cultural pasts. Acknowledging our & K which has led to an increase in
the Kashmir issue, Islam, Women, and complicity in oppression, gender-based violence. In my book I
the Violence in Kashmir, is the first have made an honest attempt my to
book written by a Kashmiri woman provide my interviewees with a
from an interdisciplinary perspective legitimate forum at which they voice
seeking to challenge the hegemony of My book, Islam, their political, cultural, and social
statist versions of history and ideologies without fear of reprisal or
Women, and the
foreground the versions of history that erasure. The ethnographic field
have been relegated to the Violence in Kashmir: research, which I undertook, was a
background. My book, Islam, Women, Between India and method of seeking reconnection by
and the Violence in Kashmir: Between simultaneously belonging to, and
India and Pakistan is a labour of love
Pakistan is a labour resisting, the discursive community
into which I put my heart and soul. It of love into which I of traditional Muslim Kashmiri and
is an interdisciplinary work in which I Gujjar rural women. I was further
put my heart and motivated by the desire to critically
have deployed not just literary
analysis but political critique; history soul. observe the sociopolitical discourse
as a revisionist project; erosion of the in Kashmir through from the margins
cultural syncretism of J&K; instead of from an elitist center. My
significance of retrieving our rich goal was to engage in reflective
reconceptualizing paradigmatic action as an educator working with
cultural heritage and building a whole
structures, and mobilizing cultural and diverse cultural and social groups. I
new edifice on our legacy; role of lay
political coalitions is riddled with conflict wanted to examine the systems that
women during the awaking of
but it is the need of the day for us to have generated the culture of silence,
nationalist sentiment in J&K in 1931,
engage in these processes, in doing in which the political elite has been
during the resurgence of the
which I have employed all my energies. complicit.
separatists movement in 1989, the
increase in gender violence because of
the brutal militarization of the State; It appears, unlike most of “…… Kashmir: Between
and finally, the nuclearization of J & the members of your India and Pakistan”, the
K. I have used self-reflexive and family, you are scholar title clearly suggests
historicized forms, drawn on my first and then anything Kashmir a victim, in equal
heritage and kinship in Kashmir in else. What was the parts, of India and
order to explore the construction and primary motivation for Pakistan. This is contrary
employment of the Kashmiri political writing this book? to the popular perception,
and cultural landscape, and gender in First off, the interdisciplinary at least in Kashmir valley.
secular nationalist, religious approach in my book is designed to Your comments.

Conversation
Kashmir is a parchment on which nation-states, I emphasize that it is have access to the priceless archival
various discourses, nationalist, upto us, the people of J&K, to bring material collected by my maternal
ethnonationalist, secular nationalist, about restitution in a war-weary and uncle Sheikh Nazir Ahmad, who was a
Islamist, militaristic, have been battle-ravaged society. We cannot young and zealous political activist
inscribed and reinscribed for several confuse the idea of the nation with during the heyday of the Plebiscite
decades. Since the dawn of the the practices and power of the nation- movement and was persecuted during
Independence and Partition of India, states of India and Pakistan. the autocratic repression of the
the aspirations of the people of J&K autonomous status of J & K. He has a
have gone unheard in the cacophony well-developed sense of the various
of the vacuous political rhetoric While researching I was historical discourses, dominant and
voiced by Indian and Pakistani fortunate to have access to peripheral, which have been inscribed,
mainstream politicians, who have erased, and reinscribed on the
made no bones about their myopic the priceless archival political and sociocultural matrices of
political agendas and political strings material collected by my Kashmir. I also talked with Ghulam
attached to any developmental aid maternal uncle Sheikh Mohammad Shah sahib about the
given to J&K. The long history of nationalist awakening in J & K in the
discriminatory treatment of the
Nazir Ahmad, who was a 1930s and later the duplicitous
populace of J&K, the discriminatory young and zealous policies implemented by Pandit
nature of which was further political activist during Jawaharlal Nehru and his ilk to break
aggravated by the visibility of their the revolutionary spirit in the State.
perceived difference of, has created a
the heyday of the Plebiscite My mother, Suraiya Ali Matto, who
negative self-image in many Kashmiris, movement spent invaluable time with Sheikh
which hasn't been redressed by the Mohammad Abdullah sahib while he
militarization of the region. Kashmiris was in externment in Kodaikanal from
have time and again attempted to You have depended 1965 until 1968, reminisced about that
chart a viable course in the choppy significantly on the oral period. Last but not least, my father,
waters of duplicitous subcontinental history. You met people Mohammad Ali Matto, was generous
politics but have always been and have named them. with the scholarly materials in his
subjected to political and social After all your family is also library and enriched me with
constraints. We still have a long way an essential part of narratives of the consciousness
to go in recognizing the dire Kashmir's history. Who do movement, beautifully interweaving
consequences of trauma brought on by you relied most (in the the personal with the political and
political turmoil, military brutality, family) on in gathering social.
the dadagiri of militias and information for your work.
paramilitary divisions of the police, History is not a seamless narrative in One of the good things
and fear psychosis created by such which all the pieces effortlessly fit about you book is that it
happenings. There are people who do together. On the contrary, History with originates from margins
not have recourse to the judicial and a capital “H” is replete with gaps, and touches upon
administrative machinery. It is omissions, erasures, and strategic perspectives of varied
unfortunate that the more manipulations. The use of oral history hues. You are essentially
unaccountable state-sponsored in my book addresses the complex from elitist background.
agencies have become in J&K, the ways in which challenges to an How you have able to keep
more aloof and gluttonous our established or state-sponsored your self away from your
bureaucratic, military, and discourse might be voiced from the background in leading with
administrative machinery has become. periphery, which recognizing the objectivities.
The culture of impunity has grown power of centrist discourses to defang Working on my book enabled me to
around India and Pakistan like nobody's the theory and practice of resistance. critically appraise political, cultural,
business. Given the reality of the two While researching I was fortunate to and social discourses which my

Conversation
locations of privilege hadn't allowed appraised not just the history of the issues of representation and
me to question previously. I have been Kashmiri nationalism dominated by the knowledge production. The primary
conscious of the limited elite but I have carefully looked at the question for me is “Who is speaking
representations in some other works politics of the people and the political and who is being silenced?,” enabling
on Kashmir which reflect the power mobilization engendered by such me to recognize the legitimacy of
relations between those who politics. Popular mobilization in J & K knowledge produced from the point of
represent and those who are during the 1930s and 1940s took the view of the local subject, like the
represented. For me, my maternal form of uprisings, which was a primary vaakhs of Lalla-Ded; the cultural and
grandfather, Sheikh Mohammad locus of political action. This potent religious knowledge disseminated by
Abdullah sahib, has always been a political resistance was led by people Nund Rishi; the determination of the
larger than life figure, whom I revere. like Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, women's militia in 1948; the stoicism
I question some of his political Chauhary Ghulam Abbas, Mirza Afzal and perseverance of the Association
decisions but am fully cognizant of the Beig, Maulana Masoodi, Ghulam of Parents of Disappeared Persons;
collision of the ideas of self- Ahmad Ashai, Kasap Bandhu, who did the conviction of the workers of
determination, identity, and unity not have access to the echelons of political parties who maintain the
propounded by the young members of power and spoke vociferously from the vibrancy of the credo of self-
the Reading Room Party and the margins. Their activism made determination; the collision of the
Plebiscite Front with the brutal force substantive forays into established idea of self-determination with
and suppression wielded by the Indian discourses and structures of power. I military oppression on the
and Pakistani nation-states. I have have engaged constructively with contentious site of nationalism.
Islam, Women, and the Violence in Kashmir:

Between India and Pakistan
BOOK
T
he once paradisiacal region coveted by calculated. In the soul-enchanting spring the hills
Excerpts kings and mystics alike, albeit for and plains are filled with blossoms; the gates, the
different reasons, where snow-covered walls, the courts, the roofs, are lighted up by the
peaks majestically tower over flowing rivers and torches of the banquet-adoring tulips. What shall
streams bordered by lilies gently swaying to the we say of these things or the wide meadows and
cadences of the gentle breeze, by a quirk of fate, the fragrant trefoil?" (Rogers 1914: 114)
has become a valley of guns and unmarked The breezes of Kashmir, which once had the
graves. The paean of the Mughal emperor power to heal every trauma, now cause searing
Jahangir in 1620 to the enthralling and spiritually wounds. The throes of pain, palpable in every
healing beauty of Kashmir bespeaks the withering flower and trembling leaf, can lacerate
passionate longing it engendered: the most hardened person. The ripe pomegran-
"If one were to praise Kashmir, whole books ate trees that once bespoke a cornucopia now
would have to be written. Kashmir is a garden of seem laden with an unbearable burden. The lit-
eternal spring, or an iron fort to a palace of kings – urgies in mosques, temples, and churches that
a delightful flower-bed, and a heart-expanding once provided spiritual ecstasy are now jarring
heritage for dervishes. Its pleasant meads and cacophonies. The comforting solitude that one
enchanting cascades are beyond all description. could thrive on in various spots of the Valley now
There are running streams and fountains beyond seems like a psychosis-inducing solitariness.
count. Wherever the eye reaches, there is What happened to the Valley that provided inspi-
verdure and running water. The red rose, the ration to poets, saints, and writers? Where is the
violet and the narcissus grow of themselves; in beauteous land in which even a dull-witted
the fields, there are all kinds of flowers and all writer could find her/his muse? Where are the
sorts of sweet-scented herbs, more than can be majestic chinars, the fragrant pine trees and the

Conversation
luxuriant weeping willows that provided Kashmir in 20th matter of government.' segment of the population. The counter-
harbour to those buffeted by the fates? The saga of Kashmir has been one of insurgency operations undertaken in J&K
The mesmerizing Mughal gardens in the oppression, political persecution, and by the Indian military and paramilitary
Valley with their refreshing springs and undemocratic policies. Since the perva- forces were ferocious and cruel, and
breathtaking waterfalls bemoan the sion of an exclusive cultural nationalism, have alienated the disillusioned popu-
state of the riven land, the polluted religious fundamentalism, and rampant lace.
streams and the devastated people. political corruption it has become a chal- I start from the premise that the syn-
The se ductive beauty of the Valley lenge to lead a dignified existence in J & cretic ethos of Kashmir has been violated
of Kashmir that evoked a desire to live to K. The armed conflict has changed politi- by the outburst of religious nationalism,
the hilt, untarnished by sordid passions cal combinations and permutations with- secular nationalism and ethno-
and murky politics, is now blemished out either disrupting political, social, and nationalism that have facilitated politi-
with army camps and militant hideouts. gender hierarchies or benefiting cal and social structural violence. The
The plight of the repressed Kashmiri is marginalized groups. The social, eco- well-crafted theoretical fiction of a syn-
similar to that of Adam and Eve in the nomic, political, and psychological brunt cretic culture by the advocates of a
Garden of Eden, after their wilful defi- of the armed conflict has been borne by Kashmiri polity empowered them in a cir-
ance of Jehovah. The palpable contrast the populace of Kashmir. The uncertainty cumscribed fashion to choose an idiom
between the enchanting beauty of created by fifteen years of armed insur- within which they could arbitrarily
Kashmir and the glazed eyes of its people gency and counter-insurgency has per- remove the distinction between religion
is cruel. The redness of roses that once vaded the social fabric in insidious ways, and politics. I consider the shape of
awakened sensuality now evokes the vio- creating a whole generation of disaf- women's empowerment or lack thereof in
lent bloodshed and loss of innocent lives fected and disillusioned youth. Lack of the syncretic ethos of Kashmir, and the
that mangle the landscape. The land in faith in the Indian polity has caused new languages of resistance, negotia-
which dervishes meditated to willingly Kashmiris to cultivate an apathy to the tion, and empowerment it adopts in the
renounce the self is now a chessboard for electoral process because it is a given cacophonous social and political situa-
wily politicians. that persons best suited to carry out New tion created by various nationalist dis-
Delhi's agenda will be installed in posi- courses. I draw from the cultural and ideo-
The strains of mystical music are
tions of political import, regardless of logical spaces I was raised in; the cher-
now drowned out by the cacophonous
public opinion. The earlier enthusiasm ished verses of the Sufi poetess Lalla-
sounds of hate and virulence. The lush
that accompanied democratization Ded, in whose immortal poetry the leg-
meadows carpeted with daisies and
seems totally futile in the current leader- endary beauty of Kashmir endures pain
lupines now reek of death and destruc-
ship vacuum in the state. Lack of and strife but lives on; conversations with
tion. The soothing fragrance of pine-
accountability among the J & K polity and my maternal grandmother that are
covered hills has now been overwhelmed
etched in my memory; informative and
by the odour of false promises and false bureaucracy has caused a large number
enlightening discussions with my par-
hope. of people to toe the line by living with the
ents, who have continued to live in the
The tranquility of the region has fundamental structural inequities and
strife-torn Valley through years of
been shattered by the heavy hand of violence, instead of risking the ire of
unbearable hostility and the psychologi-
political and military totalitarianism. groups and individuals in positions of
cal trauma of armed conflict with an
The region resembles a vast concentra- authority. Political organizations in the
unparalleled stoicism; informal conver-
tion camp, swarming with soldiers. Police Valley have eroded mass bases and are in
sations with friends and acquaintances
or military barriers abound in both urban a moribund state. There seems to be an
who are victims of the politics of dispos-
and rural areas, and intimidation is a unbridgeable gulf between figures of
session; the extensive reading that I have
rather common occurrence at these authority and the electorate, who have
done over the years on the conflictual
checkpoints. The Valley seethes with a been deployed as pawns in the devious<
history and politics of J & K. I also draw
repressed anger generated by the humili- /o:p> political game being played by
from the field work conducted during my
ating brutality inflicted by Indian troops. Indian and Pakistani state-sponsored annual trips to Kashmir in July 2005, 2006
The history of Kashmir is replete with agencies. The glaring lack of a well- and 2007 among predominantly agricul-
egregious errors. As one scholar, Vincent equipped infrastructure in the Valley tural communities in areas bordering the
H. Smith (1928: 176), wrote, 'Few regions makes unemployment rife and under- Line of Control between India and
in the world can have had worse luck than scores the redundancy of the educated Pakistan. Against the backdrop of the

Conversation
politically tumultuous situation in J & K descension by simultaneously belonging indigenous cultural institutions in J & K.
which has led to an increase in gender- to, and resisting, the discursive commu- In chapter three, 'Political Debacles', I
based violence, I attempt to show that nity of traditional Muslim Kashmiri and underline the repercussions of India's
the muted voices of marginalized Gujjar rural women. I was further moti- anti-democratic strategies in the state
laypeople, particularly women, have not vated by the desire to critically observe which instigated oppositional and dissi-
been raised loud enough against the the sociopolitical discourse in Kashmir dent responses. In chapter four,
atrocities to which they are subjected by through an oblique focus from the mar- 'Militarization of Indian-Administered
Indian paramilitary forces, Pakistan- gins instead of from an elitist centre. My Jammu and Kashmir', I delineate the fun-
sponsored insurgents, counter- goal was to engage in reflective action as damental structural inequities in the J &
insurgency forces and religious funda- an educator working with diverse cul- K polity, exacerbated by political and mili-
mentalists. I also emphasize the neces- tural and social groups. I was challenged tary intrusions of the Pakistani adminis-
sity of foreg-rounding women's perspec- to examine my own locations of privilege tration and the engendering of political
tives in issues of nationalist ideologies, and seek emotional empowerment in resistance. In chapter five, 'Negotiating
religious freedom, democratic participa- order to understand the systems that the Boundaries of Gender, Community,
tion, militarization, intellectual free- have generated the culture of silence. and Nationhood,' I analyse the effects of
dom, judicial and legal structures, in a This culture generates problematic ste- nationalist, militant, and religious dis-
milieu that does not co-opt them into reotypes, alliances, and biases within courses and praxes on a gender-based
mainstream political and cultural dis- and outside the community. hierarchy. I write about the radical politi-
courses or first-world feminist agendas. I seek in the collision of modernity cal and socioeconomic changes in the
Using self-reflexive and historicized and communal memory a horizontal rela- role of Kashmiri women between 1947
forms, drawing on my heritage and kin- tionship producing intersectionalities and 1989. I report the reminiscences of
ship in Kashmir, I explore the construc- between different cultural spaces, two of the three surviving members of
tion and employment of the Kashmiri times, and ways of knowing the self in the women's militia that was formed at
political and cultural landscape, and gen- relation to the family, society, and the the height of the struggle against politi-
der, in secular nationalist, religious nation- larger cultural landscape. Acknowledging cal and military tyranny. I address the tra-
alist, and ethno-nationalist discourses in our complicity in oppression, reconcept- ditional freedoms and prerogatives of
J&K. I question the exclusivity of cultural ualizing paradigmatic structures, and Kashmiri women in the land of a spiritual
nationalism, the erosion of cultural mobilizing cultural and political coalitions luminary like Lalla-Ded.
syncretism, the ever-increasing domi- is riddled with conflict, but it is the need of I have chosen to deploy oral evi-
nance of religious fundamentalism, the the day for us to engage in these processes. dence in my book, which has allowed me
irrational resistance to cultural and lin- In chapter one of this book, 'Con- to approach events, notions, and litera-
guistic differences. I also question the flicting Political Discourses', I delineate tures about which there was meagre evi-
victimization and subjugation of women the origins of the Kashmir conflict and dence from other sources. The use of oral
selectively enshrined in the prevalent the perspectives on it. I look at the dis- history has empowered my interview-
regressive social discourse and the uncriti- course of 'Kashmiriyat' as a significant ees/correspondents; people of J & K, in
cally rendered folklore of traditional attempt to form a national consciousness significant ways, bringing acknowledg-
Kashmiri Islamic and Hindu cultures. in order to name its cultural alterity ment of hitherto disregarded opinions
The upsurge of gender-based vio- through the nation. In the second chap- and experiences. In some instances, I
lence has circumscribed the mobility of ter, 'Cultural Syncretism', I analyse the have taken the liberty of reproducing e-
women who are caught between the recorded poems and paradigmatic say- mail responses, which I received from my
devil and the deep blue sea. I, for one, ings of Lalla-Ded, a Sufi mystic. I retrieve interviewees, verbatim. I was keen on
would not have been able to conduct my the rich details of her life that have been providing personal reminiscences from
field research without the armed body- relegated to the background in the docu- participants about landmark events with-
guard my parents provided for me. As a mented version of history. I incorporate out mediating between oral evi-
woman, it would have been difficult and hitherto unpublished opinions of scholars dence/historiography and more elitist
dangerous for me to venture into of Kashmiri and Urdu literature as well as versions of history. My primary goal is to
secluded rural areas which are cordoned of scholars of mysticism in the Kashmir ensure that future generations of the for-
by paramilitary troops. The ethnographic Valley on the impact of Lalla-Ded on the mer princely state of Jammu and Kashmir
field research that I undertook was a Kashmiri Muslim and Kashmiri Pandit com- do not forget, because if we stop remem-
method of seeking reconnection sans con- munities. I also foreground the revival of bering, we stop being.

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Socio-Cultural and Economic Changes among Muslim Rajputs:

A Case Study of Rajouri District in J&K
DR. M. MAZAMMIL HUSSAIN MALIK
T
he present Paper deals with bounded on the north side by District Muryan period, the town of Rajouri was
socio-cultural and Economic Poonch, on the south by Jammu, on the a great trading centre. Hiuen Tsang who
changes among Muslim Rajputs of east by Udhampur and on the west, by traveled through this area in 7th
Rajouri District. The efforts have been Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir century A.D., mentioned about the hill
made to explore the historical (Mirpur area). Rajtarangni, the anicient State of Rajapuri, the land of the kings.
background of the Rajouri as well as chronicle of Kashmir which was written Still earlier in the Budhist period it
Muslim Rajputs, their socio-cultural and during the period of Sultan Zain ul Abdin formed a part of Gandhar territory
economic conditions and changing mentioned its old name as Rajapuri, (Afghanistant, Ghandhar and Tashkent)
pattern. The Paper accommodates the from which the present name has been and latter it was included in the domain
concept of Rajputs, historical derived. Albruni visited Rajouri with called Darabhisanga which comprised
background of Muslim Rajputs, their Sultan Masaud in 1036, AD., he has also the hilly stretch from Poonch to Kashmir
conversion to Islam, caste stratification stated in his book “India” the name of during that period Laharkote (presently
and socio cultural and economic Rajouri as Rajavari. Loran Mandi) in Poonch and Rajouri had
changes. Primary social institutions like The socio- cultural and economic emerged as two independent and
Family, marriage, education, polity and history of Rajouri goes back to the Vedic powerful states of the area. In 11th
economy have been used as parameters period. In Maha Bharata there was a century A.D. Rajouri was ruled by
to limit the broader concept of socio- kingdom which was known by the name chiefs of the Paula Dynasty under the
cultural and economic setup. The of Panchal Desa. The king of that State suzerainty of Kashmir in 1097A.D.
process of change has been examined in was Panchal Naresh whose daughter Rajouri emerged as principality in
the traditions, customs and rituals Daraupadi was married to Pandavas. about 1003 A.D., the first ruler of the
related to family and marriage, Most of the historians identify Panchal Paul dynasty was Raja Prithivi Paul, and
educational standard and Desa as the region in the mountains of last was Raja Amna Paul (1194 AD).,
opportunities, political activities and Panchal Range which cradled the whole later on the Paula dynasty was
economic status of the Muslim Rajputs districts of Rajouri and Poonch. F.F. Concluded by Raja Noor ud Din, he
before and after 1989. Pargitor has stated that second branch migrated from Punjab and Killed Raja
Rajouri and Poonch are the twin of immigrants crossed Himalayas in the Amna Paul, he was the first Muslim
hilly districts of the Jammu and Kashmir north- west and settled in Rajouri and Jarral Rajput Raja who laid the
state having rich Historical background Poonch areas. Rajouri, Bhimber, and foundation of Jaral Muslim Rule in
of their own and previously considered Naushera, were included with in the Rajouri in (1194 AD), Kingdom Remained
as the land of 'Rajas'. The district territory of Abhisar which was earlier in the hands of his clan for seven
headquarter of Rajouri is located in the one of the hill State of Punjab Kingdom. centuries. Rehiemullah Khan with his
South – West of Jammu and Kashmir The early fragmentary record indicated son Raja FaqirUllah Khan were the last
State situated at the distance of that in the 4th century B.C., there was a Muslim Jaral Rajput rulers of Rajouri,
153.km, from Jammu. It lies between federal type of political set up in the when Maha Raja Gulab Singh Captured
700 to 74o-4, East longitude and 32o-58 north west of India, which included Rajouri on 21 of October 1846. Rajouri
to 330-35, North latitude and was Abhisar with Rajouri its capital. At the was merged in to a tehsil of Bhimber
separated from the erstwhile backward time of Alexander's invasion, Rajouri District. Rajouri bifurcated from
District Poonch. The District Rajouri is was at the height of its glory. During Bhimber District and affiliated with

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Reasi District in 1904 A.D., after the area, where as, the whole Muslim martial reputation. They are in
independence, Rajouri Became part of population of the district is stratified Pakistan and northern India, In Pakistan
the newly constituted Poonch-Rajouri into various caste groups. Muslim Rajputs generally took part in
District. On 1st. January 1968, Rajouri RAJPUTS: The term Rajput is government services and in politics,
was declared as new district in the map derived from Sanskrit word “Rajputra” Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers,
of Jammu and Kashmir State. found in the Vedas, the Ramayana, and Governors of Provincial states,
Social Structure of Muslim Rajputs: Mahabharata. It has been used by the Ministers, such as Quaid e Azam
Presently Rajouri town is the warriors and the Rulers, with passage of Muhammad Ali Jinnah the father of
administrative headquarter of the time there were many kshatriyas. The Pakistan his ancestors belongd to Bhatia
District It lies at both the banks of the primogeniture allowed only the oldest clan of Rajput from Paneli village in
river and is a meeting place of different male offspring of a king to succeed him, Kathiawar, Gujrat. Many Pakistani
roots leading to Kashmir, Poonch, the rest were known as Rajputras.The politicians belong to Rajput clans who
Lahore, and Jammu etc., it is at the word Rajput is claimed to be a changed served as Prime Minister of Pakistan.
elevation of 3094 ft. from the sea level. term of Rajputra. Gradually it became a First elected Prime Minister of Pakistan
According to Census 2001, 6 Tehsils 7 caste. Rajputs regard themselves as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was Bhutta Rajput of
Blocks and 77 Panchayats covering 381 being descended from the vedic warrior Larkana, Sindh Momammad Khan
villages constitute Rajouri District. class known as the Kshatriyas. To Junejo the 11th Prime Minister of
Nearly 45% of the geographical area of differentiate them from ordinary Pakistan was Junejo Rajput of Sindh. In
the District is covered with forest. Kshatriyas the word Rajput was used, politics of Pak occupied Kashmir, Muslim
Administratively whole District of which literally means "son of a King." Rajputs played a significant roles the
Rajouri has been divided into seven Rajputs are divided in to 36 major clan leading politician in POK, Sardar
tehsils, these are Rajouri, Kalakote, belong to one of the three great Sikandar Hayat Khan belong to Muslim
Naushera, Sunderbani, and patrilineages, which are: Rajput clan. Muslim Rajputs have been
Thannamandi, and in addition to that The Suryavanshi lineage claiming recognized in history as the warrior
Dharal Malkan is the 7th tehsil declared descent from Surya, the Hindu Sun god, aristocracy, and were designated by the
in 2007.All the tehsils of the district in English it is called Solar Dynasty, it is British Empire as a Martial Race and
have their own socio cultural and one of the oldest dynasty of the recruited into the Imperial Army.
economic importance. kshatriyas. Muslim Rajputs have been engaged in
The whole District is populated The chandravanshi lineage, the Pakistani military in large numbers,
with different religious and caste claiming descent from “Som” which reaching ranks of Generals and the
communities with deeply rooted literally means "Moon." In English called highest grade, as 7th Chief of Army Staff
customs and traditional system. The This Lunar Dynasty, it is also old but General TikkaKhan and the 10th Chief of
whole population of the area is younger than the Sun Dynasty. Som was Army Satff General Asif Niwaz Khan
comprised of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and the first king of this dynasty. Janjua.
Christians. The total population of the The Agnivanshi .lineage, this Conversion of Muslim Rajputs:
district Rajouri is 4, 83000 out of which lineage claming descent from Agni, the Various Rajput clans had converted to
Hindus constitute 39%, Muslims Hindu God of fire. Only four Rajput Islam during the early 12th century and
constitute 58%, Sikh and others clans are expected to be belonged to since conversion have remained loyal to
constitute 03% of the total Population. this lineage, they are Chauhans, their faith. They were converted to
Total Muslim population of the District Parmara, Solanki and Partiharas. Some Islam by the Muslim Sufi missionaries of
Rajouri is 2, 80,140 and Muslim Rajputs scholars also include Nagvanshi and the famed Chistiya, Qadriya orders and
estimated population is about 1, 45,672 Rishivanshi a separate lineage. many others reasons. Some conversions
which constitute 51.99% of the total Literally, Muslim Rajputs are the also took place for political reasons.
Muslim population. Muslims of Rajouri Rajputs that converted to Islam The The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal
District have been classified into four Raj-Puts (Sons of King) were ruling royal Dynasty encouraged the martial clans to
categories, such as Rajputs, Gujjars, warrior clans of South Asia from ancient convert to Islam. Conversions to Islam
Kashmiries and 'others' The Gujars and times has a long and well documented continued into the 19th century even
Kashmiries are the linguistic divisions of history of warrior kings and a strong during the period of the British Raj.

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Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru mentioned, (caste/social class), in matters of Rajouri district that is martial in spirit
“The fact of subsequent conversion to religion they were highly with a fierce pride of lineage and
other faiths, did not deprive them of individualistic. It is worth noting as a tradition it is not out of place to
this heritage; just as the Greeks, after rule, conversions to Islam were group mention here quotation of Encyclopedia
their conversion to Christianity, did not conversions. Among the upper castes Britannica, (1911edition), “The
lose pride in the mighty achievements individuals may change their religion tradition of common ancestry permits a
of their ancestors, of the Italians in the almost an entire village would poor Rajput yeoman consider himself as
great days of the Roman Republic and convert...group life as well as their well born as any powerful landholder of
early empire...Christians, Jews, functions continued as before with only his clan, and superior to any high official
Parsees, Moslems. Indian converts to minor variations with regards worship of the professional classes. No race in
these religions never ceased to be etc.” India can boast of finer feats of arms or
Indian on account of a change of their Sir Denzil Ibbetson repre.(2002) brighter deeds of chivalry, and they
faith.” ('Discovery of India' oxford uni- has referenced the prominent positions form one of the main recruiting fields
press, 1985). of the Muslim Rajputs and indicated for the Indian army of the day. They
He also mentioned his personal their courage and valiant martial consider any occupation other than that
experience about the Muslim Rajputs tradition, and similarity with the Hindu of arms or government derogatory to
as, "I grew to know; the Rajput peasant counterparts in some regions. their dignity, and consequently during
and petty landholder, still proud of his J.M. Wikeley in 'Punjabi Muslman' the long period of peace which has
race and ancestry, even though he might (1991) has stated, “The general followed the establishment of the
have changed his faith and adopted conversion of the Muhammadan Rajputs British rule in India, they have been
Islam. More importantly he bears from Hinduism is supposed to have content to stay idle at home instead of
testament to the fact that despite his taken place towards the end of the 13th taking up any of the other professions in
change of faith, a Rajput is still a or early 14th century AD. The which they might have come to the
Rajput.” Muhammadan conquests undoubtedly front”. Rajputs of Rajouri District have
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru has also accelerated this change of religion, but been divided into two religious
referenced the impact of mass appeal the preaching of several renowned communities, i.e., Hindu Rajputs and
of the Islam in the process of Muhammadan saints, especially Bawa Muslim Rajputs. Both the Rajput
conversion, as, "The impact of the Farid of Pakpattan, whose eloquence communities have common caste titles
invaders of the north-west and Islam on drew large numbers to hear him, helped and common origin.
India had been considerable. It pointed considerably to this end” Caste Stratification Among Muslim
out and shown up the abuses that had The majority of Rajputs in Rajouri Rajputs:
crept up into Hindu society-the District is Muslim Rajputs their origin is Historically Muslim Rajputs of
petrifaction of caste, untouchability, claimed from Rajisthan, Gujrat, Rajouri District have been classified into
exclusiveness carried to fantastic Punjab, Haryana and H.P. Though the two major groups represented by two
lengths. The idea of brotherhood of Muslim faith is against belief of a person linguistic division i.e, Pahari and Gojri, on
Islam and of the theoretical equality of being born from Sun, Moon, and fire, account of regional variation the clan
its adherents made a powerful appeal, but even Muslim Rajputs feel proud of speaking Gojri language is not considered
especially those of the Hindu fold who being belonging to Rajput Clan. They Rajputs in the area. The Muslim Rajputs
were denied any resemblance of equal often reference the bravery of their have been stratified into various sub
treatment.” ancestors in the battle fields of the past castes such as, Jarral, Malik, Chauhan,
He also indicated the conversion of and they extend equal status to the Janjua, Chib, Domal, Gakhar, Feerozal,
Hindu upper castes to Islam, "Some parallel clan that is Hindu Rajputs. At Khokhar, Manhas, Bhatti, Thakkar,
individuals belonging to the higher the time of any conflict with non Rajput Kamlak, Salahria, Manial, and Thakyal
castes also adopted the new faith, communities, the Hindu and Muslim etc. As such there are more than 36 sub-
either because of a real change of Rajputs communities emotionally unite castes of Muslim Rajputs exist in Rajouri
belief, or, more often, for political to protect their prestige. Still they like District. Still the caste hierarchy has been
economic reasons though all their social to serve in armed forces. While maintained by the Muslim Rajput clan on
structure was based on the group observing the attitude of the Rajputs of the pattern of Hindu Rajputs.

47 RESEARCH
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Jarral Rajputs: Historically were Ghori in 1193 A.D., and consequent Rajputs their conversation is believed
the Rajas of Rajouri. The majority of downfall of chauchan Kindom at Delhi, to be taken place during the Muslim
Muslim Jarral Rajputs settled in Rajouri, the clan was probably split up in to small Rule in India. They maintain familial and
while on the other hand who have not groups, who, when arrived in other matrimonial relation with other Muslim
embraced Islam scatteredly settled in States could not be treated at par with Rajputs.
Hoshiarpur, Shiwaliks, Kallanoor the ruling races. In Kangra the Chauhan Domal Rajputs: Domal Rajputs are
(Punjab). It is also claimed that Bandala Rajputs claim to be first grade Rajputs originally a branch Janjua Rajputs.
clan of chamba (H.P) also traces its and have matrimonial relation with Since the time immemorial they were
origin from Jarral Rajputs. They are Katoch (Bigley, A.H and Cunningham Hindu Rajputs. Among Muslim Rajputs
Chandervanshi Panduas Clan. After Paul 1972). Most of the Chauhans live in Dharm Chand and Purabh chand were
dynasty Rajouri was ruled by Jarals who Jammu and Kashmir and some of them two brothers hailing from the 7th
happened to be the descendents of Raja have embraced Islam. They are generation of Raja Chib Chand of
“Jir-Rao”. The first Jarral Rajput who recognized as sub caste of Gujjars. Bhimber Pakistan. Dharm chand the
embraced Islam was Raja Sab Sinah, Their conversion is considered to be the elder brother of Purabh chand first
from the fifth generation of Raja Jir period of the down fall of Prothivi Raj embraced Islam at Delhi and could not
Rao. He embraced Islam along with Chauhan during the dominancy of return to Bhimber because of familial
some relatives and his own son Neel Mohammad Ghori in 1193 A.D., they are conflicts. It is also believed that he was
Sinah, in 1174. A.D., during the period settled in adjoining area of Pir Panchal, killed on the way while retuning to
of Sultan Shahab- udin Ghori. Later on Dodason Bala, Mangota, Fethepur, Bhimber. When the members of the
the name of Neel Sinah was converted Behrote, Dharal and Nadian etc. Their community came to know that Dharm
as Nooruddin. Nooruddin ruled Rajouri means of substances is cattle rearing. chand embraced Islam at Delhi, they
and Kingdom Remained in the hands of Some are leading semi nomadic life they made Purabh Chand the king of the
his clan for seven centuries. Jarral never extend matrimonial relation with Bhimber. Later on Purabh chand also
Rajputs settled in Town of Rajouri other Rajputs except Salaria, Kataria, converted to Islam after becoming the
(Ander Kote), Badhoon, sunderbani Soods, Sango etc which are the sub King of Bhimber and changed the name
Tehsil, Behrote, Dand Kote, Dahral and castes of Muslim Gujjars. from Purabh chand to Dom Khan,
Various other Villages of District Janjua Rajputs: Rajput clan claim (second son of his father) thus Domal
Rajouri. They extend Matrimonial descent from Raja Mal, a Rathore Rajputs claimed their descendency
Relation with parallel Rajput clan Rajputs who migrated from Kanoj early from Raja Dom Khan, after some time
Maliks. in the 10th century during the period of he migrated from Bhimber and settled
Malik Rajputs: Malik Rajputs were Sultan Mohamood and embraced Islam. in Rajouri Village Rajdhani. Raja Dom
the Hindus came from Punjab and Janjua Rajputs are settled in Rajouri Khan was buried at Narrouni a small
Haryana. Akbar gave a title of Malik to a and Poonch district have common village Near Rajdhani. Domal Rajputs
clan of Rajputs; they were given historical background. They extend still celebrate his death anniversary
preference in Akbar's Army and deputed matrimonial relation with Khokhar every year by offering Fateha at his
on the crossing points of Kashmir vally Rajputs. grave. Domal Rajputs reside in various
on the high reaches of Pir panchal. Later Chib Rajputs: Origin of Chib villages of Manjakote block of Tehsil
on, they embraced Islam. This clan is Rajputs can be traced from Raja Dharm Rajouri and constituting about 35% of
located in the higher parts of Rajouri chand alias Shadab Khan of Bhimber. total Muslim Population of Tehsil
District lying at the foot of Pirpanchal The Name of Chib Rajputs as a clan Rajouri.
Range. The place is known by the name started after the name of Raja Chib Gakkhar Rajputs: the clan is
of the Rajput clan as Darhal Malkan. Chand 7th descendent of Raja Dharm considered to be the off springs of
They have also settled in the other Chand. They are mostly settled in Sultan Gohar of Asphan Iran, (Tarikh
Districts of the State like Doda, Poonch, Daghwar, havalie, Dehrakote, Rajdhani, Aqwam e Poonch 1941), Seven
Vally of Kashmir and some villages of Shahdra Shrief, and some other villages generation of Sultan Ruled Tibet and
district Rajouri. of District Rajouri. The accurate period Kashmir, the last ruler of the clan was
Chauhan Rajputs: After the defeat of their conversion is not available but it Rustam Gakkhar. But Sir Lepel Griefen
of Prithvi Raj chauhan by Mohammad is expected that like other Muslim

48 RESEARCH
Sociology
disagreed the claim of the clan and time most of them settled near predominantly in Pakistan. Bhatti
stated that two sons of Sultan Sikandar, Jehlam, Pindadan Khan, Ahmed Abad Rajputs of Rajouri district are Muslims
were Sultan Ali Shah and Shahzada Shai and Pothar. In Rajouri District Khokhars and claim their origin in Punjab and
Khan. They were also known by the are residing in various villages. Marriage Rajasthan. A section of Muslim Bhatti
names of 'Sultan Zainulabedin' and 'Budd among Kutab shai Khokhar and Rajput Rajputs is associated with Ahmedi
shah' they used to quarrel among Khokhar is permissible. They constitute School of thought. Other Muslim Rajputs
themselves Shai Khan took support of about 4% of Muslim Rajput population. restrict matrimonial relation to Ahmedi
Hindu Rajput Raja Jasrat Gakkhar, and Manhas Rajputs: Manhas Rajputs and Gujjar Bhatties.
became the king of Kashmir. Jasrat claim their descent from lord Rama of Thakkar Rajputs: The clan
Gakkhar along with his tribe entered the Ayodhya. It is also said that Jamwals are connects their origin with Hindu
Kashmir first. Thus Gakkhar Rajputs of also descendants of Manhas Rajputs. Thakers, which is considered to be a
Rajouri are the progenies Jasrat Muslim Manhas Rajputs of Rajouri and superior Hindu Rajput caste in Jammu.
Gakkhar. They remained Hindus up to Poonch are the descendants of Raja Thakkar Rajputs claim that before their
1008 A. D. and embraced Islam during Joug Rao, who was from the 58th conversion to Islam they were Hindu
the period of Shabuddin Ghori '(Tabqat e generation of Raja Jamboo lochan. Raja Thakers. In Rajouri District they came
Akbari vol.3, 1920) after the downfall of joug Rao had two sons, Millan Hans and from Samba District, due to which both
Mughal rule in Punjab the Gakkhar Surej Hans Maharaja Hari Singh was the Hindu and Muslim Thakers use the
moved from Punjab towards different from 35th generation of Surej Hans. title of Sambyal Thakers and Sambyal
parts of Jammu and Kashmir State. They Manhas clan belonged to the generation Thakers respectively. Majority of this
have matrimonial relations with other of Millan Hans being descendant of caste are settled in Rajdhani,
Muslim Rajputs. They settled in Shahdra Millan Hans they were known by the Thannamandi and Saj villages of Rajouri
Shrief, Rajdhani, Saj, Behrote Nagrota, title of Manhas. Manhas Rajputs of District.
Dahral, Budhal and various other Rajouri and Poonch are Muslims but Kamlak Rajput: Majority of the
villages of Rajouri District. those who live in Jammu are Hindu Kamlak Rajputs settled in Azamatabad a
Feerozal Rajputs: the Rajput clan Rajputs. They performed certain rituals village situated in north of
is also considered a branch of Gukhar similar to that of Hindu Rajputs at the Thannamandi Tehsil. The clan claim
Rajputs. Feerozal Rajputs of Rajouri time of Marriage and other occasions. that they are the descendants of Raja
District are the generation of Gukhar They have matrimonial relation with Azamat Khan Kamlak, who migrate from
Firoze Khan. This Rajput clan embraced other Muslims except Gujjars. Budhal to this village, presently some
Islam during the period of Sultan Bhatti Rajputs: The Rajput clan Hindu and Muslim Kamlak Rajputs are
Shabuddin Ghori. They settled in traces its origin from lord Krishna residing in different villages of Tehsil
various villages of Poonch and Rajouri (Tariekh aqwam -e- Poonch 1941) Bhatti Budhal. Both the communities claim
such as, Kallar morah, Kullutta, / Bhatti is a Rajput caste and is one of common origin and have some common
Pemrote, Darian Narr Feerozalan etc, the largest tribes among Rajputs in customs and rituals.
Chandyal, Behrote, Lah and Saj. They India. It is also a prominent Gujjars and Socio-cultural And Economic
have established matrimonial Ralation Jat gotra. They are found in North India Changes: The socio-cultural and
with other Muslim Rajputs. and Pakistan. Rawal Jaisal Singh was a economic condition of Muslim Rajputs
Khokhar Rajputs: There are two descendant of the Bhati Rajput clan. He has been studied with the reference of
branches of Khokhars one is known as founded the city of Jaisalmer in 1156 familial, matrimonial educational,
Kutub Shai Khokhar and Rajput Khokhar. AD., he built a fort on a hill called political and economic aspects of
Kutab Shah married the daughter of Trikuta. Bhati Jats were horse riders and Muslim Rajputs to make the study
Hindu Rajput Raja. The off springs from warriors. Their reign spread to the limited
them are even today known as Kutab Punjab and beyond, to Afghanistan. Family and Changing Pattern: The
Shai Khokhar. Rajputs Khokhar were the Most of the Bhatti Rajputs are Muslim family is a complex and dynamic
domiciles of India and were originally along with significant Sikh, Hindu and institution in India and for many
the followers of Hinduism, later on they Christian populations. The Muslim and decades, several studies were carried
embraced Islam and with the passage of Christian population of Punjabi Bhatti is out to understand this complexity.

49 RESEARCH
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Family performs same functions every creates long time strife among the and rituals, the major objectives of the
where. In the past joint family was a brothers and sisters in the family. marriage is to perpetuate the lineage.
common pattern among Muslim Rajputs Considering the size of the family The proposal of the marriage was
of Rajouri District. It consisted of among (645) respondents 81% of the initiated by the 'Barbers' who also
father, mother and two or more married respondents are of the view that in the performed allied rituals like calling the
sons, their wives and children. They ate past family was comprised of 6 to 15 participants with the consent of the
together at a common hearth and members, where as at present the size heads of the family of Brides or
shared a single house, owned land in of the family is comprised of 3 to five Bridegrooms. Hindu Rajput code
common and worked together in the members, because the community dictates that Rajputs can only marry
fields. The young married sons understudy was unaware of the amongst other Rajputs. However,
continued to live with their parents and importance of family planning and tradition of marriages into only one
reared their children in common never adopted contraceptive measure group or clan because of caste
courtyards. The old women enjoyed the to control the birth rate of the restrictions is not permitted in Islam
commanding charge of giving daily community, but at present the people theoretically, though this should lead to
ration of food to daughters in law in are aware of the problems caused by a great change in the traditional Rajput
extended family. The father runs the large size of the family. While marital policy after conversion. But it is
farms and remained active comparing past with the present not so, as in the case of Muslim Rajputs
authoritative figure until they are very significant change has been observed in of Rajouri District. The custom of
old. Among Muslim Rajputs generally the structure of the family of Muslim Rajput endogamy is still persists among
after the death of the father the joint Rajputs of Rajouri District. Muslim Rajputs. They took wives from
property was divided among his sons, In reference to the status of other dominant Aristocratic Muslim
but in some family's property was not Women among Muslim Rajputs, majority clans except Sayyed. This was observed
divided, rather the eldest sons of the of the respondents 89% have elicited that some Rajput clans of Punjab
family took charge of the head of the that in the past the women of the intermarried into other clans of foreign
family and all the younger extended full community were ignored in various descent. However, Muslim Rajputs of
support, cooperation and respect to spheres of life and birth of female child Rajouri District still follow endogamous
him. But with passage of time a major is considered as bad omen and did not pattern of Marriage, rarely they get
changes have taken place in the familial enjoy liberty in the general familial and wives from other castes but don't give
aspects of the Muslim Rajputs of Rajouri matrimonial affairs, 98% of the daughters to them. In the past only
District. The first break in the joint respondents have expressed that 'NIKAHA' ceremony differentiates the
family system usually comes when a parental property moveable and marriage of Muslim Rajputs from Hindu
man and his wife decide to have a immoveable was inherited only to the Rajputs' Other customs and ritual were
separate hearth this step may be taken male members of the family and performed commonly by both the
with overt good nature and willingness females were ignored in property communities, such as 'Sehara Bandhi',
on both the sides and may be matters, Where as at present they are 'Drum beating', keeping swords on the
rationalized on the basis of dealt with the same way, enjoy the shoulder of Rajput Bridegroom by
convenience, some time it results from same status with some social himself at the time of 'Baraat', wearing
tensions and quarrels among the restrictions. Thus no change has taken special dress of same colour by all the
women of the family. place in the past and present attitude of 'Baraties', taking services of Molvi and
Viewing the change in the family community understudy related to the Pandits and some other customary
pattern, after 1989, the Data indicated female members, as the civil laws and mischief were made at the occasion of
that Majority of the respondents 63% religious citation remain ineffective to marriage. Traditionally among the
observe nuclear family system and change the attitude of the community. Muslim Rajputs dates of marriage had to
perceive that joint family system Marriage and Changing Pattern: be communicated to the relatives and
cannot justify the needs of all the Marriage among Muslim Rajputs is friends eight days before the actual
members according to their income and socially considered important, which is date of marriage, otherwise the
some partial attitude of the parents performed with certain social customs invitation was not acceptable to them.

50 RESEARCH
Sociology
After 1989 some changes have taken respondents are of the view that in the facilities, only one degree college 13
place in the matrimonial systems and past there was no dowry system but now higher secondary Schools and few
allied rituals among Muslim Rajputs of the dowry system among the Rajputs is middle and primary schools were in the
Rajouri District due to rapid increase in a common practice. District.
urbanization in the District and Thus the significant change has Change has taken place after 1997-
advocacy of 'Jammat Tableegh', in rural taken place in the institutions of family 98 in educational sphere of the
areas. and some aspects of marriage that has community. The educational facilities
In matrimonial context majority of been observed by the comparison of have been increased in the area by the
the respondents 86% elicited that past and present familial and State government with result that at
presently the services of the barbers are matrimonial patterns. present the literacy rate in the district
not considered important and now Educational Standard and is 57.65, total educational institutions
marriage proposal are initiated by Change: Educational status of Muslim in the District are 1250, including 04
friends and relatives. Rajputs of Rajouri District was Degree colleges( Education department
in the process of mate selection relatively low since the past. They were and Digest statistics 2005- 07). A rapid
87% of the respondents have stated that not encouraged to send their children to change has taken place in attitude of
in the past educational accomplishment the school by the educated people of the people towards education by the
of the boys and girls was not the criteria the community. The Literacy rate dint of mass migration of the people to
in the settlement of marriages among among the Muslim Rajputs is less than the town of Rajouri in 1997- 98 due to
Muslim Rajputs of Rajouri, but now the the other castes (Gujjars and the impact of militancy in the area.
educational accomplishment is taken in Kashmiries) of the District. Majority of Majority of the Muslim Rajputs took
to account at the time of mate the Rajput students could not complete refuge from the hilly and rural areas and
selection, the respondents 91% are of even their school education up to the settled in the City of Rajouri and
the view that they observe caste 10th level, so dropped out from the Jammu, those who were financially
endogamous pattern of marriage and school due to the financial constraints well-off availed the educational
they are against the encouragement of of the parents and uncertainty of future facilities of the urban area and poor
Rajput exogamy. career. The data (M.Phil Dissertation Rajputs get exposure of the city life and
In the pattern of marriage, the 1994) indicates that, 15% to 20% of the started working as manual labuorer,
performance of rituals and other children's population of the Rajputs admitted their children in the city
customs like, divorce and dowry system went to school. Among total drop-out schools.
majority of the respondents 88 % hold children, Rajputs drop-out children Viewing change in the educational
the view that on account of the constituted 73% of the total drop-out standard of Muslim Rajputs, the data
preaching of Jammat Tableegh and children of the district from first to has indicated that 83% 0f the
impact of the militancy in the area the primary level. Among total Rajputs respondents are of the view that in the
performance of un Islamic rituals like drop-out children of the same level, past members of the community were
Sehra Bandi, Drum beating and allied female drop-out children constituted socially and economically backward due
rituals have been restricted, 82% of the 76%. The major causes behind the to illiteracy and lack of educational
respondents prefer monogamy as in the victimization, was the geographical facilities but at present the community
past having more than one wife was a location, extreme poverty, traditional members are aware of the values of
common practice, 91% of the beliefs, orthodoxy and mass illiteracy. education due to which they are
respondents have stated that the rate of They were unable to send their wards encouraging their wards to seek more
divorce were less in the past but particularly the girls' children at the and more education. Majority of the
increasing presently, due to the distance places to get education and Respondents 96% hold the view that in
increasing number of working women, they prefer the children to graze the the past the Muslim Rajputs and their
selection of mate at infancy stage and cattle in the field or (male children) to counter parts Gujjars were leading
early marriages due to the threat of work as labourer and earn money to similar way of life but presently Rajputs
terrorism and rapid increase in fulfill the basic needs of the family. are lagging behind in all the
urbanization in the District. 84% of the More over, there was lack of educational developmental aspects in general and

51 RESEARCH
Sociology
educational sphere in particular due to were bonded laborer from generations. government services, where as, 23% of
the provision of Scheduled Tribe The Indo Pak war of 1965 and 1971 and the total population depend upon cattle
reservation to Gujjars and depriving land ceiling process in J&K have also rearing, 16% of the total population is
The Rajputs under the banners of badly impacted the major agriculture working as manual labourer. Among
'Paharies' as their children are un able to economy of the community, since the them 09% of the labourers are working
compete them and feel insecure future community was economically self outside the state, as, in Mumbai,
career. 82% of the respondents hold the sufficient before 1990, due to political Punjab, and H.P., on account of non
view that in the past Rajputs were not turmoil in the state the economy of the availability of work avenues in the
giving preference to the women community got major setback, the State. The major portion of the youth is
education and still the problem persists people were forcibly pushed from the unemployed), the economy of the
as only few community members are villages and their crops were destroyed District is not satisfactory and more
encouraging the girls to go to the during peak season by the army in than 60% of the population is living
schools and collages to seek education, conducting search operation for the below the poverty line.(District
58% of the respondents are of the view militants. The people took refuge in the Statistic and planning, data 2004-05)
that In the past community members town in miserable condition. the major The youths of the area is badly effected
force their children to work in the field occupation of the District's population is by the prevailing limited economic
or to do manual labourer to fulfill the agriculture and allied activities (Census resources. Due to extreme poverty and
basic amenity of the family instead of 2001), due to the Geographical unemployment some people even
sending school and still the practice is disadvantage, mass poverty and indulge in illegitimate sources of
common in hilly and remote areas, they illiteracy the Rajputs are economically earning, either they smuggle forest
are not aware of the legal restriction on backward, now the small farmers of the wood or join militancy in the State for
the child labour. community have little pieces of land their means of subsistence.
Thus little improvement has been holdings, kacha houses, most of the Viewing the change in the economy
made by the government of J&k by agricultural area is located on the hill of the community under study data has
providing local reservation to the slopes where irrigation and tractor indicated that Majority of the
Resident of Backward Areas and facilities can not be availed. On the respondents 93% hold the view that in
expansion of educational facilities at other hand due to snow fall in hilly area the past, major economy was
broader level due to which change has only Kharief crop is possible in their agriculture but with the passage of time
taken place in educational standard of fields, in addition to that there is lack of and increase in population, the
the community in urban area of the employment, and manual workers go community members have engaged in
District. But Majority of the Rajputs in outside the state in search of job. At other economic activities, like
remote area is not aware of the present Major economy of the people is Government services and manual skill
government facilities that have been agriculture but it can be expected that a and un skilled labour and a section is
granted for them. Thus the change has single source of income which cannot working out side the State due to non
taken place in the attitude of present fulfill the basic amenities of a particular availability of work avenue. 86% of the
generation more over they have the community does not deserve to be respondents admitted that in the past
sense of competition. recognized as the economy of the their economic condition was not
Economic Status and Change: The community. On the basis of the study, progressive because there were no
Economic condition of Muslim Rajputs the whole economic structure of Muslim proper economic planning or
of District Rajouri was relatively better Rajputs of the District Rajouri is divided programmes actively initiated by the
before 1947; the community members into four categories: (i) Rajputs with Government, but now the government
were serving in army or holding Agricultural activities, (ii) Rajputs with is expected to be serious in
agricultural assets. It declined with the Government services. (iii) Rajputs with rehabilitation of economic lose which
impact of war of 1947, Majority of the cattle rearing, (iv) Rajputs working as happened during militancy(after
Rajputs were the land lords and having manual labourer. 48% of the total 1989),by initiating various
sufficient land for cultivations, in the working population is engaged in developmental and rehabilitative
past other communities were working in agriculture economy while, 13% of the measures and programmes. 89% of the
their fields as agricultural tenants some working Population is engaged in respondents are of the view that the

52 RESEARCH
Sociology
women of the community were not society. Various attempts are made to and necessary condition to stimulate
permitted to engage themselves in any analyse socio-cultural and economic development in all other institutions of
economic activity outside the home, changes in terms of specific models society. This has been proved in correct
due to which the community was which are based on the experience of in present study. The urbanization has
economically backward but with the change in a particular societies. impacted the structure of the family
mass urbanization (1997-98) and Generally sociologists are focusing on and changed it from joint to nuclear
victimization of widowhood due to the questions relating to change, form and also discarded some
militancy in the area women have direction and rate of change and factors traditional and futile practices, The
started taking part in economic responsible for bringing social change. marriage pattern and rituals in context
activities to nourish their children and Viewing the factors of change in socio- of endogamy and other allied rituals are
slightly improving the economy of the cultural and economic pattern of also impacted by the urbanization with
family. 76% of the respondents hold the Muslim Rajputs, it has been emphasized the result that 3% to 6% of the marriages
view that in the past youth were not that socio-cultural changes are brought among Muslim Rajputs are performed
aware of the available government about due to the cumulative impact of a out of castes, with Kashmiries and other
facilities, for improving economic host of interrelated factors. Generally, non Rajputs in Rajouri District. It is
condition, but at present various the factors like, demographical, considered a major change among the
developmental programmes have been technological, geographical, ecological people of the area.
launched at rural level like self factors and the process of urbanization In regard to education the change
employment schemes, IRDP, ICDS, and industrialization bring about social has been observed in the general out
NREGA etc. and people are get aware of change in all the societies of the world. look of the parents and students due to
the benefits to some extend as well as After 1997-98 a large scales urban social contacts. In economic
fast track recruitment scheme have shifting of the Muslim Rajputs from sphere the impact of urbanization is not
b e e n la u n c h e d to re d u c e th e remote and hilly areas to the city of proved fruitful but considered as the
unemployment by the state Rajouri due to militancy allied factors in process of rehabilitation of the
government. the areas. The chunk of population from economic lose caused by leaving the
Thus it is observed that the slight Rajput dominant tehsils of the District agricultural land without cultivation,
change has taken place in the economic has changed demographic structure of only the government employees and
sphere of the community due to the the Rajouri town permanently or skilled and unskilled manual labourer
efforts and rehabilitative measures of temporarily to avail the urban facilities could manage house holds in the town.
the government to compensate the of education, and struggling for the Thus abrupt migration of the people
economic lose due to militancy in the improvement of their social and from rural to urban led to the both
areas. economic condition. Thus urbanization positive and negative consequences.
The political system of the in Rajouri is the major factor of bringing Negative consequences are associated
community understudy is not different about change in the attitude of the with the state of loss of ones culture,
from other communities of the area, the people, the term urbanization refers to homes, livelihood and economic
change has also been observed in the the movement of population from belongings. The positive consequences
political setup of Muslim Rajputs. Since agricultural to industrial work and from are that the people have new
the past Muslim Rajputs have effective rural to urban places of residence either perceptions and aspirations in the
representation in the national and state by the pull or push factors. realms of all aspects of social life.
politics holding position of MLA, It is generally emphasized that the Procedure of the Study: The
Minister and Speaker in state assembly. change that has taken place due to the present study is based on the
At present Raja Shabir Ahmed Khan, impact of urbanization is considered exploratory design that includes survey
MOS belongs to Muslim Rajput developmental aspect of change and of the literature related to the
community of District Rajouri. More development is defined not only in community understudy, experienced
over the present youth is politically terms of economic dimensions but also survey, contains informal interaction
aware than that of the past. in terms of socio-cultural dimensions, with experienced persons and analyses
Changing Factors: Social change is until recently, the popular notion was of insight stimulating cases among a
the law of nature, it occurs in every that economic growth was a sufficient large population of the community

53 RESEARCH
Sociology
under study. The Process of change has considered Rajput clan due to regional but Major factor that played significant
been examined on the basis of variation. The community is stratified role after 1996-97 is Rapid urbanization
comparison of administrative data into various sub castes and still majority and allied push factors, due to political
related to study of pre and post period is practicing caste endogamy, though turmoil in the State, that uprooted a large
of 1989. The primary data has been some customs and rituals have been section of the community from their
collected by using Interview Schedule changed. The structure of the joint settlement took refuge in Rajouri town.
comprised of items related to socio- family has been changed into nuclear Thus it is suggested that the
cultural and economic aspects of the family. The traditional educational government should provide more and
community. In all 645 respondents system is also in transformation; change more facilities for the upliftment of the
constituting sample of the study as has taken place in political system, still community by providing Scheduled
heads of the households belonging to remarkable change cannot be claimed Tribe Status to the community at par
four Muslim Rajputs populated tehsils of particularly in economy of the with their counterpart Gujjars.
the District have been interviewed. The community instead of the Government Awareness campaign by NGOs and
Data has been analyzed and interpreted efforts. Socio-cultural and economic enlightened members of the community
on the basis of item analysis method. backwardness' among the Muslim should be launched at mass level in the
Conclusion: On the basis of the Rajputs was due to their traditional area for general awareness of the
above discussions it can be concluded beliefs and social practices, mass community to get the benefits of
that Muslim Rajputs of District Rajouri illiteracy, unapproachable geographical modern technology and prevailing
have rich socio-cultural history. region, unawareness, poverty, and schemes operative in the area. Political
Historically whole Muslim Rajputs have orthodoxy. Various factors are leaders should be sincere to watch the
two linguistic divisions, i.e., Gojri and responsible for bringing about socio- benefits of the Community at state and
Pahari. The Gojri speaking section is not cultural change among the community national level.
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54 F EATURE S
Travelogue
A Journey to
Himalayan enclave
MANISHA SOBHRAJANI
I
recently travelled by road from Leh permission from the Biama Brigade to go me: The climate was so harsh that 'eggs
to Kargil, and it was a journey unlike up to the village, which is known for the become tennis balls, and orange juice
any other – either within Jammu & last few surviving Aryans who live there has to be boiled'. The photo gallery was
Kashmir or outside. The Indus river (Aryans are considered to the semi- overwhelming, and I made a mental
came along till Batalik, and then nomadic tribe which wandered in to note of coming back to spend more time
changed course to make its way into India from Central Europe around 1500 there.
Pakistan. The stark naked, brown BC, establishing the beginnings of the As I was leaving, I thanked the
mountains provided a very 'Indian Culture'). soldier on duty who had very patiently
unwelcoming terrain, but the curves The Army has set up a Women's and kindly answered all my questions,
and turns got friendlier as one got used Empowerment Centre where women and shown me around the memorial. He
to them. from the village are taught tailoring. I even wished me a pleasant onward
On my way, I crossed village have grudged this for all the years that I journey. Overloaded with emotions, I
Nehmo, from where came the Leh Berry have been working in Jammu & Kashmir said to him that it was because of him
juice until it got embroiled in – any civil society initiative for women and innumerable other jawans like him
controversies, and the manufacturing ends up in tailoring/ embroidery that people like me were walking 'free'.
stopped. Nehmo is also known for its schools, as if women can't do anything He returned the compliment by saying
sole woman Panch (head) who else! However, I also do realise that this civilians were equally important. He
contested the Panchayati Raj elections is something which comes naturally to went on further to say that thousands of
in 2001, and got elected to the village women; something that does not need people worked hard day and night to
council. Tashi Yangskit was the first and too much 'exposure'! prepare food and warm clothing, and
only female voice in the first and only The high point of this journey was a arranged to carry weaponry etc. uphill
Panchayati Raj elections held in Jammu visit to the Drass War Memorial. Drass so that the soldiers could fight, and
& Kashmir. and Kargil became household names eventually win the war. I can't
I crossed many Border Roads after the infamous summer of 1999. remember a more humbling moment!
Organization (BRO) boards which read: National Highway 1D passes through It made me dwell on the futility of
'You are being watched by the enemy'. I Drass, connecting Srinagar and Leh. war. Certainly nothing original about
briefly stopped over at Khalsti for a Drass also happens to be the coldest this reflection, but something very
quick snack as I was told it was the last inhabited place in India. Situated personalised. Ten years since Kargil,
point where one would get any food amongst Tiger Hill, Tololing and Three have we – India and Pakistan – moved
until Kargil. I kept eyeing the apricot Pimples - the three ranges captured by forward on any front? Leave alone the
trees which dotted the entire route the Pakistani Army in early 1999 which larger Indo-Pak issues, have we moved
from Leh to Kargil, and were laden with led to the war of Kargil - the memorial is any further on the cross-border/ intra-
so much fruit that they seemed to be awe-inspiring, to say the least. Kashmir initiatives?
weighed down under the weight. The Kargil war was fought through Perhaps the only effort which has
I was keen to visit Darchiks - the the months of May and June, and in the moved anywhere is the cross-LoC trade
last village in the Batalik sector - which soldiers' accounts accompanying the – of course not without its controver-
is under Army surveillance due to its many photographs at the memorial, sies. No doubt the cross-border trade is
proximity to the LoC. I had to seek there is one in particular which struck at a very fragile crossroads right now. A

55 F EATURE S
Life Stories
recent visit to
Chakkan da Bagh con- Spreading the Lamp of
firmed the same.
There was talk of
trade exchange of
Learning–the Ladakhi way
products which are
not J&K specific (I
understand this is
one of the pre- ZAINAB AKHTER
conditions for the
products being
L
traded!). adakh in the eastern part of child-centered, joyful and meaningful
However sym- Jammu and Kashmir, a high- learning activities. And stressed on the
bolic it may be, it altitude desert region, on the use of games, songs, stories, field trips,
does exist. And now upper reaches of the Indus River, shares and low-cost teaching aids.
that it has com- borders with both China and Pakistan. In 1994 SECMOL launched
pleted a year, we This strategic position by itself has been Operation New Hope (ONH), to overhaul
must extend all the single-most important factor in the primary education system in the
efforts towards sus- opening this isolated rural society. With Government schools in Leh district. This
taining it. Perhaps it high priority on defence since the addressed the foundational causes of
is the only ray of 1960's, it has attracted subsidies from the malfunctioning of the educational
hope in the the Central government and system especially in remote villages.
sequence of events development activities such as schools The ONH movement rests on the
beginning with the and other institutions was initiated. convergence of three sectors on the
Mumbai attacks, Today Education has taken centre- Government, the Non-Governmental
going on to the con- stage in national policy and the priority Organizations (NGOs), and the village
troversial meeting accorded to it is justified. For any communities.
between Indian society to develop, Education is the One of the key components of the
Prime Minister foundation and this stands true for ONH was to inculcating a sense of
Manmohan Singh Ladakh where the education system was community ownership of the
and his Pakistani in disarray. Government schools did government schools , to ensure
counterpart Yousuf
not function properly remained in dire accountability. This was the motivation
Raza Gilani at
need of repairs. There was a complete for a concentrated campaign and the
Sharm-el-Sheikh,
lack of involvement of the families and creation of VECs (Village Education
and ending with the
village communities in schools Committee. VEC's elected by the
very recent meeting
This is where the local government villagers themselves have one third
of the two foreign
“Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development women members and include at least
ministers –
Nirupama Rao and Council (LAHDC) along with some highly two students.
Salman Bashir - in motivated NGO'S stepped in to don the The move has caught the
New York. mantle to revamp education system at imagination of the people and the
Manisha the grassroots. The efforts of SECMOL momentum was palpable. It essentially
Sobhrajani is a Delhi- (Students Educational and Cultural transformed them from passive
based independent Movement of Ladakh) an organization bystanders bemoaning the crumbling
researcher working founded in 1988 by a group of young government educational facilities to
on the various Ladakhi's with the aim to reform the taking the onus of improving it
aspects of the
educational system have been stellar. It themselves. From 1997, SECMOL has
Kashmir conflict. She
can be reached at attempted to change the attitude and organized more than 10 batches of
manishasobhrajani@e approach of the people towards intensive training for 1000 VEC
pilogue.in teaching, from "chalk, talk and stick" to members. The training uses group

56 F EATURE S
Life Stories
discussion, brainstorming and role-

plays to develop techniques of problem
solving and planning.
To promote transparency and
a c c o u n t a b i l i t y, m e m b e r s l e a r n
accounting and book-keeping. Insights
and knowledge gained by the VEC
leaders are then shared with the
community where the level of
receptivity has been found to be high. .
After the success in Leh District, a
similar reform movement has started in
Kargil District
For taking the flame of education
beyond established villages to remote
areas in Leh, SECMOL runs a hostel to
groom community representatives who
are willing travel and work in such
areas. There they combine their
educational training with actual
developmental work in the villages. It education while instilling in them the a keen desire, a commitment to
also provides media training to spirit and skills to take this learning education in its widest possible sense.
interested students in basics of video forward in their respective regions. It Rather than addressing a single
including shooting and editing, audio, has intervened at other levels too, aspect SECMOL has looked at the needs
photography, reporting and layout. addressing availability of of the region in its entirety. These have
The emphasis on reaching out to infrastructure. Middle and high schools ranged from content and syllabus,
village communities is accompanied by in several remote villages face teacher training, infrastructural needs
expansion of reading materials, both problems because of lack of support and and community participation. It has
course and for extra reading available infrastructure. In response to one such then evolved an expansive system which
to teachers and students. Keeping in case in the high mountainous region of takes into account multifarious needs of
mind, the region's needs in developing Changthang plateau, SECMOL opened a a society, a region which remains
material related to the cultural, social, solar heated residential school in distinct from the rest of the country and
regional context, SECMOL's sister September 2001. This combined the even within J&K in terms of its history ,
concern Melong Publications publishes a resources allocated to middle and high terrain, its culture and language.
variety of genres. Books on Ladakhi schools and was able to provide free Today in its 2 decade long journey,
language, food, children's stories, board and lodging for students for whom this commitment and efforts have paid
school books and teaching materials traversing the mountain terrain on a off, lighting up young lives in Ladakh. A
designed specially for Ladakh are its daily basis was difficult. standing testimony to this has been the
forte. Being culturally appropriate, This was a pioneering move, which big jump in enrolment and retention of
students find it much easier to grasp the has since been picked up by the children in areas of their work had
messages than from books suited to government to establish similar increased to such an extent by 2006,
other regions. residential high schools in other far- that it was jokingly said that the new
SECMOL has developed an flung areas of Ladakh. Students being problem in the school system was
innovative way of training students trained at SECMOL are being absorbed in overcrowding!
from remote areas to become teachers the education department of Leh. They Charkha Features
while they pursue higher secondary are making it to the teacher selection {This article has been written under
School education in Leh. The idea is to list brought out by the J&K the “Sanjoy Ghose Ladakh Women
not disrupt the process of regular Government. All of this emanates from Writers' Award 2008-09}

57 F EATURE S
Life Stories
A Trek Through Life
THINLAS CHOROL
Growing up amidst the mountains in Ladakh, the story of a young girl fired by a dream to become a
professional trekking guide, a male-dominated field. The rejection she faces from travel companies and
the support from individuals and groups mark her journey to realize her dreams.
I was born in a small village with In SECMOL I met many volunteers up before me. What was a part of my
around 60 houses called Takmachik and I went trekking with some of them. growing up experience could become a
about 120 km from Leh, Ladakh . In One of the women asked me to come way of life, a career option, She
my village, all the 60 families are with her as a guide. Previously, she had a pursued this and together we went to
divided into groups to take turns at bad experience with a male guide, who meet with the organization “Snow
grazing the goats and sheep on the had tried to coerce her into having sex Leopard Conservancy” which runs such
mountains.. We also would make trips with him. Distraught, she had programs in the region. Although it did
to collect grass and store it so that abandoned the trek and fled. And now not quite work out with this particular
during the long harsh winters, the was understandably weary of taking a organization, the experience of this
animals have adequate fodder. male guide along. She knew that I have foreign women believing in me, left a
Sometimes my father used to go up trekked before and though I said I did huge impact on my life.
everyday for 3 or 4 weeks to collect not the route, remained keen to hire me
I decided to pursue it on my own
grass in the quantities required. as a guide and offered to pay me my
steam and approached two travel
As a child during my holidays , I use charges. I had been born in the
companies. At one of them, the person
to go up on the mountain with my father mountains and spent my childhood
in charge asked me if I did monastery
and our herds. I was afraid that amidst them. It was natural for me to
tours. He was taken aback on hearing
something may happen to him if he was slip into that mode and become for the
me say categorically, that I wanted to
alone. My mother had died when I was a first time, a trekking guide!
work as a trekking guide. I was rejected.
baby and I had only my father, whom I It was an altogether different
At the second company, it was worse. I
cared about deeply. I did not really cut experience from my childhood
wanderings. I found I was attracting a was clearly told that local society would
any grass, I just went because of my
lot of attention with local people not accept a woman going up on the
father and because I loved the peaceful
coming up to me and speaking to me in mountains with a group of tourists.
mountains.
English saying they had never seen a These were bitter experiences, leaving
This was the bliss of my childhood
Ladakhi female guide ever before. In me dejected, my dreams seemed on
which I still miss in the village which I
still love. But then life changed and I fact so remote was the possibility of the verge of being shattered.
went out into the world to get myself an encountering one, many of them But help was near. I shared my
education and explore possibilities for thought that I was Japanese! angst with my English teacher, Becky
my life ahead. After Class 10th , I had to The trek turned out to be who was from America and found a
leave my village to further my studies. I wonderful and the woman enjoyed it much needed supporter in her. She
was selected for the SECMOL (Student immensely. She suggested that I think encouraged me to pursue my dreams
Educational Cultural Movement of about becoming a guide as a profession. and paid my fees for mountaineering
Ladakh) hostel in Phey, around 25 km It was the first time, I had got advice of courses. Later, Becky introduced me to
from the Leh Town. this kind and suddenly the world opened a travel agency, she knew well and they

58 F EATURE S
Life Stories
said they would hire me! It was I knew a travel companies. I faced a similar time experience the real Ladakhi way
turning point for me and I had to prove situation everywhere. of life.
myself to all those who believed in me. But I persisted in my efforts. And Over time, a few travel companies
I did a few courses to upgrade my my lucky break came in 2004 again came to know about our work and
knowledge and skills and also to show through SECMOL. They opened a travel approached me to be a trekking guide
the agency that I was really serious company called “Around Ladakh with and I began to get hired for their treks.
about my work. I first did Students”. Most of the guides were This is what I loved doing the most and
mountaineering course at the Nehru women, all of them were doing cultural such opportunities encouraged me and
Institution Of Mountaineering and guide and monastery tours, except me. gave me a confidence, a renewed faith
National Outdoor Leadership School I was for the first time a full-fledged in myself.
(NOLS India) . It was here that I really trekking guide! It was a dream come I have learnt a lot on my journey
learnt how to live in the wilderness. true and my joy knew no bounds. This and enjoyed it immensely. Women who
Generally in Ladakh, students was the beginning of a journey for me. I are interested in the outdoor field or
work as a guide without any formal observed that generally it was very any field dominated by men should be
training. Men are hired by company expensive for individual tourists to patient and keep the competitive edge
even if they do not have this training, travel to different regions in Ladakh and sharp. I have learnt that if a woman has
any familiarity with trekking routs or get a sense of the local life there. In the courage to do something in male
work experience. In spite of my my present capacity, we use homestays world, it will be a lot of hard work, but
training though, in the beginning it was for taking up groups where tourists can the sweet rewards of success will surely
very difficult for me to get hired by the stay in homely comfort and at the same be hers in time.
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59 J &K IN NUMB E R S
Power Sector
20,000 MW Capacity
The estimated hydro power potential of the state is 20,000 Megawatts (Mws), of which 16480 Mws have been identified.
Out of the identified potential, only 2318.70 Mws or 14 percent have been exploited so far, consisting of 758.70 projects
under Central Sector i.e. 690 Mws (Sala Hydro Electric Project) and 480 Mws (Uri-I Hydro Electric Project) and Dulhasti 390
Mws. The prestigious Baglihar Hydro Electricity Project, with a capacity of 450 Mws was commissioned during 2008-09.
2120 MW Peak Demand Rs 6.19 Per Unit Cost of Supply

The base load requirement of the State is about 716 Mws and peak demand is The power tariff in J&K State is
currently pegged at about 2120 Mws. The sixteenth All India Power Survey has determined by an Independent
projected an increase in power demand of Jammu and Kashmir from 1706 Mws Regulator known as State Electricity
i.e., 9640 Mus during 2004-05 to 2120 Mws i.e. 14750 Mus during 2008-09. By Regulatory Commission (SERC). It came
2010-11, the demand is expected to touch 2441 Mws i.e. 14321 Mus and 4000 into existence through SERC Act 2000.
Mws i.e. 19500 Mus by 2020-21. It has issued two tariff orders for the
years 2007-08 and 2008-09.
The average cost of supply comes to
Rs. 6.19 unit. However, the
agricultural consumers have been
1278.99 Cr Proposed Outlay provided power at Rs. 1.84 unit. During
Under Power Sector Rs. 3875.82 crores were approved as outlay for the years the year 2008-09, 204.88 MUs of power
2007-07, against which Rs. 3045.15 crores were spent on all the valued at Rs. 126.82 crore (cost of
projects/schemes. An amount of Rs. 8196.95 crores have been earmarked for supply to Rs. 6.19 unit) has been
all this sector under 11th Five Year Plan which is 112 percent more than that consumed by this category of
of 10th Plan outlay. The approved outlay 2008-09 is to the tune of Rs. 1096.14 consumers. These consumers have,
crore, out of which 705.76 crore have been spent upto January 2009. however been billed for Rs. 37.72
However it is anticipated that the expenditure will touch about 1567.82 crore crore @ Rs. 1.84 unit. Thus a subsidy of
during current year. Proposed outlay for the year 2009-10 is to the tune of Rs. 89.10 crore has been availed of by
1278.99 crore. these consumers and it work out to
70.26% of the cost of supply.
63% Aggregate Losses

Management of any Sector determines the health of that sector. An inefficient management leads to chaos and acts as a great
hurdle in development of that sector. Only 32.50 percent of the energy through out was realised in the year 2009-07 and it is
expected to grow to the tune of 37.18 percent in the year 2007-08, which is one of the lowest in the country. The
transmission and distribution losses are about 50 percent while as rest 13 percent are collected loses making it an aggregate
of 63 percent. Collection efficiency is only between 65-70 percent.
Around 55.28% Tariff Realisation 95% Electrification

During the year 2006-07 an amount of Rs. 395.26 crore By the end of March 2008, out of 6417 inhabited villages,
were realised against the total target of Rs. 7111 6152 were electrified thereby, registering 95.87 percent
crore, thereby constituting 55.28 percent of the average. Out of 9278 hamlets, 6600 (71.14 percent)
targeted revenue realisation in the power sector. hamlets were electrified. Besides, 1246 Harijans Basties
During 2007-08, revenue of 693.24 crore has been were electrified. Number of installations rose to 1241054
realised. during 2007-08

60 J &K IN NUMB E R S
Power Sector
Rs. 200 Cr Renovation Project

The Board of Directors of State Power Development Corporation headed by CM Omar Abdullah has approved renovation and
modernization of redundant and outdated power projects. These include: Lower Jehlum Power House which is 30-years old
having 105 MW capacity, Chenani Power Project which is 60 years old with 30 MW capacity, Upper Sindh Stage-II which is 24
years old having 105 MW capacity and Ganderbal power plant which is 60 years old with 20 MW capacity. It has been decided
to invest Rs 200 Crore for modernization of these projects. The Board also gave approval for starting Baglihar stage –II Project
with 450 MW capacity. The earlier phase with 450 MW capacity is already in operation. With the start of the new second
stage the Baglihar Project will be able to provide 900 MW of electricity which will play a vital role in strengthening the Power
capability of the State and also help in economical development.
1000 Micro Projects

The Army is engaged in construction of 1000 micro Hydel electric projects
in J&K under BADP and operation Sadbhavana at a cost of Rs 10 crore.
Under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan, hydro electric project Uri
phase-II with the capacity of 240 MWs, Nimmo, Buzgo with a capacity of 45
MW, Chutak with the capacity of 44 MW, Bursar with the capacity of 1020
MW and Kishenganga with the capacity of 330 MW are the central sector
power projects. Pakal Dul hydro electric project with the capacity of 1000
MW has been taken up as a joint venture between J&K State Power
Development Corporation, NHPC and PTC at a cost of Rs 3480 crore. Under
Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidutikaran Yojna (RGGVY) all un-electrified villages
and hamlets are proposed to be covered during the current year at an
estimated cost of Rs 700 crore.
Under State hydel policy, 10 power projects have been awarded to various
IPPS through two stage transparent competitive feeding process. These
power projects included Athwatto, Baramulla over Madumati nallah with a 1353 MW Shortfall
capacity of 10 MW, Tangmarg project in Baramulla over Ferozpur nallah, Total availability of power from all the
Aharbal project in district Pulwama with a capacity of 22.5 MW over Vishow sources is just around 8170 Mus, the state is
nallah, Hirpora project in district Pulwama with a capacity of 12.00 MW under stress to purchase power from other
over Rambhir nallah, Brenwar project in district Budgam with a capacity of sources. To meet the restricted
7.5 MW over Doodganga nallah, Kahmit project in district Kupwara with a requirement of 9523 Mus in the current
capacity of 4MW over Kahmit nallah, Bonfyar project in district Baramulla year, the State may require to purchase
with a capacity of 12MW in Hapathkhai nallah, Mandi project in district additional 1353 Mus through U.I. and short
Poonch with a capacity of 12.5 MW in Mandi nallah, Ranjala Dunadi project term purchased besides banking
in district Doda with a capacity of 15 MW in Lower Kalnai nallah and Drung arrangements with Punjab, Haryana and
project in district Kathua with a capacity of 5 MW in Ujh nallah. Chatisgarh.
Rs.18912.25 Cr Programme Rs 5.12 Cr Invested, Abandoned

Rs. 18912.25 crore have been earmarked The Gurez and Tulail Valley in Kashmir have no availability of hydel power.
under the Prime Minister’s Presently Gurez and Tulail valley are being supplied electricity 6 hours a day
Reconstruction Programme for from 15 Diesel Generator sets with capacities ranging from 20 KVA to 320 KVA
development of power in the State. This located at various suitable places. The work on 2 MW Ashtan Nallah was
includes an amount of Rs. 14,952.41 taken up in 1986-87 and an expenditure of Rs. 512.97 lakhs has been
crore in the Central Sector for incurred on the project till March 2007. Work on the project was abandoned
generation of power and Rs 2811.00 due to upcoming Kishenganga hydro-electric project as the entire Dawar area
crore for strengthening transmission and where Asthan Nallah Project is located was getting submerged due to
distribution network/BHEP in the State construction of dam for Kishenganga project. Tenders for another project
sector and an amount of Rs. 1148.84 namely 1.05 MW Tulail were invited under IPP phase II & III but no response
crore under Accelerated Power was received. Two more schemes namely Achhora Dawar and Bagtore SHPs
Development Reforms Programme have been identified for which pre-feasibility reports are under preparation.
(APDRP). Therefore, in Gurez, there is no possibility of light at the end of dark tunnel.

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Jammu and Kashmir’s Monthly Magazine RNI : JKENG/2007/26070 ISSN 0974-5653

An Analysis of Joint Chamber

INTERVIEW : NYLA ALI KHAN RESEARCH :

Author of Islam Women & Socio-Cultural and Economic

RAKESH KUMAR GUPTA

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Taking J&K Closer to World

The present issue coincides with two most

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T he Indus Water Treaty (1960)