In the Kashmir Valley separatists always raise an alarm regarding security forces but never speak when militants do something wrong. This summer, the Amarnath Yatra passed off peacefully, and the separatists did not disrupt life in the Valley.

THOUGH THEY tried hard separatists did not get any issue to disrupt peace in the Valley but finally they got it and seem not to miss the opportunity. Yes, this is what happened this summer in the Valley, despite their repeated efforts to flare up every small issue to disrupt normalcy they failed to gain momentum but finally they got it in the shape of the custodial death of Nizam.

The death of a 28-year-old youth in Sopore has triggered widespread resentment among the people in the Valley. The youth was picked up by police for interrogation in the case of another murder of a youth of Sopore but died in custody.

As the incident is unacceptable and the case is a gross violation of Human Rights, there were every apprehension of widespread protests across Valley, the government put Hurriyat Leaders and PDP Chief under house arrest as they make provocative speeches which could lead to more violent protests, which may result in more loss of state exchequer as well as human lives.

It is pertinent to mention here that past three summers in the Valley were marred by violent protest and demonstrations being instigated by these Kashmiri patriots wherein several human lives were lost and resulting in huge economic loss to the state.

This year as we all know, the summers were peaceful and tourists, especially Shri Amarnath pilgrims, came in huge in numbers and the figure had crossed 6 Lakh mark, and various other visitors also rushed to the valley to enjoy the cool summer days. The reponse would not have been in such large numbers if the conditions had not been conducive.

Now, if the protests and demonstrations will gain momentum, these tourists will move to other safe destinations to enjoy their vacations, which ultimately will result in economic loss to commoners who are running from pillar to post to cater to their daily needs.

The government had acted swiftly to the incident and immediately suspended three police officials and even transferred the concerned Superintendent of Police, Sopore, and also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the custodial death so that those behind the death may be brought to book. Not only this our young and dynamic Chief Minister even said that the inquiry will be completed in days, then why these separatists are threatening the government with violent protests, and asking people to lodge violent protests.

The million-dollor question here is that why these separatists don’t make a shutdown call when armed militants kill innocent civilians in the name of Jihad, why do they don’t condemn such incidents.

It is to be recalled here that in February this year militants forcibly barged into the house of one Ghulam Nabi Dar, at Muslim Peer in Sopore, and gunned down his two innocent minor daughters “Arifa” and “Akhtar”. One Mohd Ashraf was killed last week in Sopore, another Sarpanch of Sopore got killed at Regal Chowk, Srinagar, Two police personal were killed at Nowgam Police Station, One Inspector namely Shabir of Bemina was killed by an unidentified gunmen at his residence. Recently, there was an attack on a police post in Sopore which caused fatalities to the policemen.

Were not these condemnable acts?

But interestingly, there was pin drop silence in the Separatist camp over these incidents. No condemnation, No shutdown call, Amazing!

There are number of other examples that also can be listed here but will all go in vein as it hardly matters for these Kashmiri patriots.

Though their demand to stop custodial deaths cannot be challenged because it's violation of right to life as the basic principle as in the Charter of Human Rights is that no one - be it a murderer or a criminal - will be denied Human Rights or say Right to Life.

The resentment amongst the public is all right in this case and the culprits whosoever it is should be brought to book but the fact is, all this will take time and the civil society should remain calm in cases of brutalities or any crime committed by the police and let the law take its own course. Only if the government fails to reach logical conclusions or their investigation is not upto expectations of the public - only then it should come on the roads as every citizen has a right to protest, and a protest in such a shameful act should be lodged but in a peaceful manner.