bullets-to-ballots-a-palpable-shift-in-kashmir-s-landscape

As the vehicles navigate the treacherous mountain paths, the transformation is palpable. Campaign slogans have replaced the echoes of gunfire, and polling stations stand where militants once held sway. "Five years ago, I wouldn't have dreamed of openly supporting a candidate," confides Abdullah, a local shopkeeper in Handwara market. "Now, look around — there are posters everywhere."

The change is most evident in the political landscape. Sajad Gani Lone, once a hardline separatist turned politician, now campaigns vigorously. At a rally in Langate, Lone's voice booms across a sea of supporters: "I promise you development that will transform this region beyond recognition." His journey from advocating armed struggle to championing "development with dignity" epitomises the broader shift in the valley.

 

Yet, remnants of the past linger. The heavily guarded Line of Control (LoC) serves as a stark reminder of the region's contested history. In Seemari, the last village before the LoC, an Army officer who requests anonymity notes, "The situation has improved, but we remain vigilant. Cross-border provocations have decreased, but haven't ceased entirely."

 

The abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 marks a watershed moment for the region. While initially meeting with resistance, its impact is increasingly apparent. "People have suffered enough," says Hannah, a researcher at Kashmir University. "There's a growing realisation that development and peace go hand in hand."

 

This sentiment is echoed by Sajid Ali from Gurez, a remote area once heavily infiltrated by militants where despite its isolation, enthusiasm for the elections runs high. "We want schools, hospitals, and roads," he asserts adding "For too long, our basic needs were overshadowed by conflict."

 

The statistics tell their own story. By January 2023, over 750 militants had been neutralised, with local recruitment plummeting. The first two phases of polling saw participation rates of 61.38 per cent and 57.31 per cent respectively, numbers unthinkable a decade ago. Unlike in the past when there were boycott calls by separatist groups calling the polls a "futile exercise" that would never "fulfil the aspirations of the people", there is no call for boycott indicating a change in mood.

 

However, it is not as if everything is back to normal, challenges remain. In hushed tones, some express scepticism. "Will these elections truly change our lives?" whispers Fatima, a young student in Kupwara. "We've been disappointed before."

 

Cautious optimism

 As the sun sets over the snow-capped peaks, casting long shadows across the valley, the future remains uncertain. The transition from conflict to democracy is neither simple nor guaranteed. Yet, as polling booths replace militant hideouts and ballot papers supplant bullets, there's a cautious optimism in the air.

 

In the words of a seasoned local journalist, who has covered the region for three decades: "Kashmir's story is still being written. But for the first time in years, the ballot seems mightier than the gun." With the three phases of polling concluding soon, all eyes are on Kashmir. The results for Jammu and Kashmir may well determine whether this shift towards democracy takes root, potentially ushering in a new era for a region long accustomed to turmoil.

 

Till recently, the very mention of Kupwara or Hindwara, the region along the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) raised goosebumps as it invariably was accompanied with bad news. The writ of the militants prevailed here and whether people liked it or not the word of the militants was their command. 

 

But not anymore, the region that saw closedowns at the drop of a hat, has opted for democracy over the gun. Though, the tension is still palpable as militancy is far from being over, but people are willing to give it a chance. It is not just the ordinary man on the road but all those who once supported the idea of attaining an independent Kashmir with the force of the Kalashnikovs.

 

The winds of change are apparent. The reality of abrogation of Article 370 has begun to sink in. People have suffered a lot from the conflict between those with a perceived ideology and the men in uniform defending their homeland. The obvious choice for them is to choose ballot over bullet. In this endeavour there are many former militants, who are directly or indirectly vying to get elected in the polls that take place in the third phase today.

 

In this northern end of the country, a river known as Krishna Ganga in India and Neelam in Pakistan serves as a natural boundary. The Line of Control (LoC) creates a stark division in both life and culture in the two countries bound by emotions and blood, but separated by politics and animosity between India and Pakistan.

 

A mountain divides the population on either side. To the left lies Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, while to the right is Seemari, the last village of North Kashmir.

 

Against a backdrop of war, bloodshed, gunfire, and shelling, these border villages on the Indian side are deep into the elections. Campaign vehicles traverse the area, accompanied by heavy security and constant surveillance. These border villages will participate in the democratic process during the final phase of elections.

 

One among them in the race is former hardliner Sajad Gani Lone, himself contesting from both Kupwara and Handwara constituencies as Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference candidate. He had contested the Parliamentary elections from Baramulla but lost, so he is now desperate to win from either of the two seats.

 

From supporting the gun his ideology has changed to "development with dignity", highlighting his journey from separatist movement to democracy. He fights the candidates of INDIA bloc and the Awami Ittehad Party of Engineer Sheikh Abdul Rashid.

 

Lone tells people in his rallies across Handwara to vote for him if they need educational institutions that will change the destiny of their children. "I promise you that there will be so much development that you will not be able to recognise this area." A couple of years ago, the only sound that reverberated from rallies and protests was: "What do we want? Azadi, Azadi". The same people are now looking for "Azadi" from militancy.

 

He addresses people by saying he will not lie to the people of J&K. The Kashmir issue will be resolved only when two statesmen sit in New Delhi and Islamabad. Privately, he admits that Kashmir will remain an integral part of India and one has to accept and move forward. The struggle from "Azadi" will now move to bring development and minimise the suffering of the people.

 

Lone's father Abdul Gani Lone won from Handwara constituency multiple times. Lone himself won from Handwara in 2014 and was a minister in the PDP-BJP government from the BJP's quota. However, in this election Lone wants to shed the perception of his association with the BJP as he believes that it hurt his prospects in the LS polls. In one of the rallies, he even raised slogans against the BJP.

 

The outcome of the third phase of polling across Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts is keenly being watched as it tests the political future of prominent leaders from mainstream parties that include the People's Conference, Apni Party, National Conference (NC), and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), besides those supported by the Jamaat and individual militant groups.

 

These include former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beg, former Ministers Taj Mohiud-Din, Sajjad Lone, Syed Basharat Bukhari, Ghulam Hassan Mir, and Imran Ansari representing. But more than that the turnaround in militancy is expected to take place here by preventing local support to infiltrators across the LoC.  

 

Langate, the hometown of Engineer Rashid, who was elected to Parliament from Baramulla while being lodged in jail, is expressing optimism. People here are hoping that these elections will bring better infrastructure and attention to local issues like healthcare and education, something that has been ignored for the past three decades on account of militancy.

 

Enthusiasm for electoral process

Further up in the mountains, Gurez, the remotest of areas in North Kashmir and once heavily militant infested is also showing great enthusiasm in the electoral process. It's a region where treacherous mountain paths wind betwixt yawning chasms and soaring peaks, flanked by majestic Kashmir willows — famed for their cricket bat timber — and lofty deodars reaching skyward. Running across the LoC, both nations maintain vigilant security, with India employing a triple-tiered security system, staying on high alert to ensure an incident-free election process.

 

Post-Article 370 abrogation, terrorism has waned significantly, alleviating civilian distress. By January 2023, over 750 militants had been neutralised, with local recruitment plummeting, despite sporadic cross-border provocations. The post-election phase will be a time to watch as the results could swing between political empowerment for some and disappointment for others.