Though the emotive issue of land ownership acted as the trigger, the real reason for mass anger is the perception that the political status quo is being traded officially as a permanent solution to the conflict. This uprising should have established before those formulating Kashmir policy in New Delhi and Islamabad that the Kashmir problem has its epicentre primarily in Kashmir, and so a solution will come only out of Kashmir. The obsession to look for answers in Islamabad, or through engaging a Kashmiri leadership closer to Pakistan, will never help resolve anything on the ground. The complexion of the protestors, especially their age group, their anger and their motivation, is itself a new phenomenon. It is a new and harsh reality that needs to be immediately understood so that we do not encounter another wave of thousands of angry young men taking to Kalashnikovs. This nine-day uprising has been a wake-up call: absence of war does not necessarily mean peace; and unless the issue is resolved permanently, we will always get the feel of a temporary ceasefire.

muzamil.jaleel@expressindia.com