...a disputed territory lying between India and Pakistain. After partition, the Paks grabbed half of it and call it Azad (Free) Kashmir. The remainder they refer to as "Indian Occupied Kashmir". They have fought four wars with India over it, the score currently 4-0 in New Delhi's favor. After 72 years of this nonsense, India cut the Gordian knot in 2019, removing the area's special status, breaking off Ladakh as a separate state, and allowing people from other areas to settle (or in the case of the Pandits, to resettle) there....
and put the Moslem-majority region under direct control of federal rule.
Reluctant to accept what Kashmiri people call India’s unilateral decision, Kashmir has come to a complete halt since August. People have shunned businesses, shops and educational institutions in protest to India’s move; while India has imposed toughest-ever security clampdown, arrested thousands and scuttled communications to thwart any possible protests against the decision.
Despite facing global criticism over Kashmir situation, in the past two months India has failed to reach out to the people of the region. Analysts say India’s move has further disillusioned Kashmiri people, especially the youth.
Despite India’s efforts to restore normality in Kashmir, the region remains tense as people are reluctant to accept India’s move to put the region under its New Delhi’s direct control.
In the absence of international assistance, many fear Kashmir might once again become a hotbed of resistance movements, paving the way for an altercation between nuclear-armed India and Pakistain. Experts say more international efforts are needed to make peace a reality and avert more turbulent times for the region.