These days the word “rattle” has acquired many meanings in Kashmir. As usual every event in Kashmir has multiple aspects. During last two decades of turmoil things have become quite murky and one is never able to get to the real truth. Just sometime back the proposed power project at “Rattle” in Jammu created a rattle which resulted in the Chairman of the J & K Bank getting sacked. This had happened after the PDP leaders gave a press conference regarding kick backs amounting to Rs.500 crores in the said power project. They alleged that Omar Abdullah had received these kick backs during the allotment of the work on the project. In turn Omar Abdullah threatened to sue the PDP duo for defamation. The sacking of the Chairman J & K Bank was attributed by some sources to leaking of this information to PDP as the Bank is supposed to have been involved in the deal. However, there were reports of some other allegations like refusing to toe the government directive of keeping bank branches closed on Sundays and disbursing less cash through ATM’s to break the peoples’ will during the present agitation. It is quite well known now that the government is bent upon breaking the resolve of the people in continuing the three month old agitation. The latest “rattle” came on the Eid which was expected to be peaceful day after violence filled month of Ramadan. In fact, the leaders of the agitation had declared three days of total peace and relaxation to allow the people to celebrate the festival in peace. The day did start with peaceful offering of Eid prayers all over the valley. The trouble started from Hazratbal where Geelani had planned to offer Eid prayers before his arrest. His followers had already collected there and were supposed to have been waiting for Omar Abdullah who was scheduled to offer Eid prayers at Hazratbal after Geelani’s arrest. His programme was reportedly cancelled in view of the possible threat posed by Geelani supporters. In spite of the fact that the crowds there burnt police vehicles and set the shrine police post on fire, there was restraint on the part of the security forces and they fired only in the air to chase away the mobs.

However, the attention from Hazratbal turned to Eidgah where Moulvi Umer Farooq offered Eid prayers and addressed thousands of people. The twist came when Umer Farooq announced the leading of a procession to Lal Chowk. The Lal Chowk chalo call had been given by these parties a number of times but the government had every time scuttled it by imposing curfew and barricading the spot. It was for the first time that the people got an opportunity to assemble in strength in Lal Chowk. Before the arrival of the main procession, the people from the local area had already taken over Lal Chowk. They raised green flags over the clock tower and a number of neighbouring buildings. However, the real trouble started after the procession reached Lal Chowk and speeches were made. The first target was the CID office in Maisuma. But the most intriguing part is the targeting of the buildings across the river about a kilometre away from Lal Chowk. These buildings are surrounded by almost 20 feet high brick walls and iron grill. There is only one strong Iron Gate for entry which is always locked. How did the crowd get in and set the buildings on fire? The fire brigade and Police control room are hardly few hundred meters from the spot. The fire could have been easily controlled before it could spread to all the buildings. Moreover, the first scenes of event telecast live showed the tops of the buildings with leaping flames. There were no shots of crowds around the area in the electronic or the print media. Did the fire start from the top or the base? This is a puzzle which can be solved only by probing the incident thoroughly. Incidentally, the offices which got completely destroyed along with all the records are those of the Headquarter of the State Power Development Corporation, Chief Engineer Power Department, and the Headquarter of the Crime Branch of the State Police. The present “rattle” may be connected to the past “Rattle” also!

In any case, the situation in Kashmir has taken a turn for the worst. The entire valley has been put under the strictest ever curfew. The curfew is enforced strictly even during the night which was not earlier done. The paramilitary is out in strength not only on the main roads but even in the internal roads and lanes. Even the media personnel are not being allowed to move freely. In fact, almost all the local cable channels did not telecast their news bulletins as their reporters were unable to move! Kashmiris have been virtually encaged! The entire valley has been converted into an oversized cantonment. In fact, there are more uniformed persons around than civilians. One fails to understand the motive and strategy behind the mindless violence? In spite of the fact that all the prominent leaders of the popular movement have condemned the violence especially the burning of government property yet these incidents have continued to occur all over the valley. There is a big question mark as to who are behind this? It has been amply demonstrated that the peaceful mass uprising has helped the cause of Kashmiris throughout the world more than the two decades old militancy. Unfortunately, there are so many agencies as well as splinter groups of the popular movement operating in Kashmir that is impossible to pin the blame on any particular section. In addition, there are innumerable beneficiaries of conflict taking maximum advantage of the present situation. It must be the longest ever siege in any part of the world. There are many theories going around regarding the government’s strategy of imposing endless curfews and restrictions. It is thought that the government is banking upon tiring out the agitators regardless of the consequences to the common people. However, such a strategy is having a reverse effect. It is adding to alienation in a geometric progression. Peoples’ anger is growing fast and they have started defying curfews as a matter of routine now. Curfew is the last resort with the government and its failure does not bode well. The “Children of Conflict” leading the present turmoil are least scared of death. The government in Delhi has to understand that it is not an uprising but a total revolution. The uprisings are instigated and led by few known persons and die down as soon as these are detained or eliminated. Revolutions are not created or instigated. These happen in the minds of the people and do not have a known leadership. The entire mass of people is the leader as well as the followers. In fact, every Revolution throws up a new leadership. The Kashmir situation seems to have “rattled” the authorities in Delhi and instead of coming to a consensus they appear to be pulling in different directions. Time is running out fast. In fact, it may be already too late now! Delhi needs to urgently decide on something to douse the flames. Otherwise, the “rattle” may turn into an explosion impossible to contain!