Political vacuum in J&K

Context: The constitutional changes and reorganisation of the erstwhile state of J&K distended the role of security forces without much focus on political and administrative outreach.

Present challenges in Jammu and Kashmir:

• Heavy footprint of uniformed forces: Routine summons to police stations, arrest of youth along with prolonged lockdown has increased disaffection.

• Alienation of people: by bringing in the domicile law and setting up of a delimitation commission by the government.
• Denial of legitimate legal remedies:

• The adjournments of petitions challenging the validity of the constitutional changes. 
• Hesitation in holding the executive accountable in habeas corpus petitions.
• Restrictions on media and the Internet

• Pakistan sponsoring terrorism: The terrorist camps and launch pads are fully active in PoK. For E.g

• The interception and killing of 13 infiltrating terrorists in May.
• Surge in local recruitment to terrorist ranks in south Kashmir.

• Apathy of administration: State administration which is operating from Jammu, is not able to to initiate confidence-building measures leading to an increased trust deficit among the people.

• E.g.  A mohalla committee collecting donations instead of seeking government relief, to rehabilitate families whose houses were damaged in a recent anti-terrorist operation.

• Lack of economic activity: Trade and industry immensely suffered since August 2019. Covid has also affected tourism and pilgrimage-related economy.
• Restrictions on the Internet have impaired trade and the functioning of health infrastructure and educational institutions.

WAY FORWARD:

• Citizen-centric governance: The administration will need to allay the growing perception of neglect of the valley through all-round development.
• Lt Governor and his team must be given a free hand in day-to-day decision-making by becoming  single-point contact with the Centre.

• Political and administrative outreach: It is time to redeem the situation through vibrant civil back-up instead of relying on the uniformed force.