A group consisting of concerned citizens visited Kashmir for a follow-up to their October 25-27, 2016 visit.

The visiting group consisted of the following:
1. Yashwant Sinha (Former Indian External Affairs Minister )
2. Wajahat Habibullah (Former Indian Chief Information Commissioner and former Chairman of India's National Minorities Commission)
3. Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Kapil Kak
4. Bharat Bhushan (Editor, Catchnews) and
5. Sushobha Barve (Executive Program Director of Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation – CDR)

...However, they believe that India will have to stop ‘pretending’ that it doesn't know what the problem in Kashmir is – it must recognize the ideological as well as the spontaneous nature of the anger that permeates the Kashmiri mind. If India is seeking only a ‘temporary peace’ then that can be achieved by revoking laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the Public Safety Act(PSA). That will certainly lead to the emotional tempo cooling down but Kashmiris Point out, “Do not mistake that for a permanent solution.”

It was also suggested that India should not oppose the China Pakistan EconomicCorridor as CPEC is seen by Kashmiris as revival of the Silk Route of yore. In fact,India should participate in it so that the Kashmiris can benefit from it.

Recommendations:

• Improve the human rights situation in Kashmir & encourage more humane attitude by the security forces with the public
• The State Government already has before it proposals regarding police reforms of Committees set up by MHA. These may be considered soon.
• Urgent psychological counseling to be provided to minors being released from detention. We suggest that a plan for counseling is put in place for this; based on the experience of similar efforts in 2010.
• Allow assemblies/meetings of people for holding discussions on subjects that are of concern to the common Kashmiris and for free expression of ideas and views.
• Interface between civil society groups and district civil and police officials for confidence building should be initiated

A copy of this report was made available courtesy KashmirLife.