The second step in the four point proposal for the “out of box” solution of the most complex Kashmir problem suggested by the President Musharraf in a recent TV interview pertains to “Demilitarization” of identified “Kashmir”. According to him “Demilitarization” would mean withdrawing of troops from all the civilian areas and keeping these in two to three main garrisons, leaving the maintenance of internal security to local police. He probably forgot to mention about the repeal of the draconian legislations giving unbridled powers to these forces in dealing with civilian insurgency. The practical implementation of the measure can be judged only after the actual ground situation of the security forces is considered. For all practical purposes, Kashmir valley or rather the whole State is at present like an oversized cantonment. As soon as one enters the State through the gateway of Lakhanpur, the Security Forces camps start on both sides of the highway. Main concentration starts from Samba onwards. Nearing Jammu it increases substantially and from Tawi crossing the entire river bank up to the bridge is with the Security Forces. After leaving the city, the same scene starts from Nagrota and culminates into a massive presence in Udhampur, which is virtually a Security Forces City. From here onwards every township on the highway has Security Forces and paramilitary camps though with a smaller strength. After crossing the tunnel, the concentration increases from Qazigund onwards and the biggest ever presence is at the entrance to the city of Srinagar in the Badamibagh Cantonment which is virtually a city in itself. It is complete in every respect with residential areas, schools, hospitals, shopping areas, and recreational places. Apart from the main cantonment there are other smaller ones as also the headquarters of RR (Rashtriya Rifles, the counter insurgency force) in different districts. In the city itself there is huge presence in different parts of both Security Forces and paramilitary forces. Apart from this there are smaller detachments of paramilitary forces guarded by bunkers and surrounded by barbed wire in almost all civilian localities of both old and new city housed in migrant houses, guest houses, and hotels. Every major road crossing has pill boxes with machine guns. After leaving the city and proceeding towards Uri, one observes that the entire highway and all the towns en route have Security Forces and Paramilitary establishments. The similar situation is in all tourist resorts and other district headquarters. In proportion to the local population, it must be the largest concentration of security forces anywhere in the world. The Srinagar Airport which is the first entry of an outsider to the valley is in fact a military air base. Only a small portion of the airfield is used by the civilians. As the plane comes in to land, the only thing visible is rows upon rows of military aircraft and anti aircraft guns and missiles. One has the eerie feeling of landing in a war zone. The entry and exit from the airport remind one about the most high security prison with high steel gates, rolls upon rolls of barbed wire and security pill boxes and bunkers with machine guns. Now take the major highways and roads leading to some resorts and other important places. These are all guarded by security forces (ROP, road opening parties) on a daily basis. Soldiers are deployed after every hundred metres or so, on all such roads. It must be involving deployment of thousands of troops everyday. Apart from this one can observe foot patrols of army and paramilitary forces every where, in towns, villages and almost every locality of the city. Another common sight are armoured vehicles moving continuously on all important roads, streets and sometimes even inside narrow lanes. The most awesome are the jumbo size anti-mine vehicles of the Security Forces. These are really frightening and one tries one’s best to keep away from these. The status of official buildings and even public offices is well known. These look more like high security establishments than public facilities. In some of the Civil Lines areas where top functionaries of the Government reside almost all buildings are very well protected. These do not look like private residences of city dwellers but resemble mini forts. Added to this Security Forces and paramilitary presence are the local police with their hundreds of security vehicles. According to an estimate there are more than 5,000 security vehicles in Kashmir alone. The strength of local police exceeds a hundred thousand men. In normal circumstances, the security forces are governed by their own laws within their own establishments and are subject to all civilian laws outside their own barracks. However, the two draconian legislations, “Armed Forces Special Powers Act” and the “Disturbed Areas Act” have delegated to security forces such vast and unquestionable powers that the entire valley and its peripheral areas resemble a totalitarian police state. The writ of the security forces runs in every sphere of day to day life. They get preference over every thing due to “Security Reasons” and for safeguarding the “National Interest”. Their actions are above local laws. They can violate all traffic restrictions and regulations and no one has the courage to challenge or stop them. Slowly they are outnumbering the locals in many places. Kashmiris are now used to their overwhelming presence and do not even notice it. However, for outsiders especially from Europe and America, such a large presence of gun totting uniformed soldiers makes them somewhat uncomfortable. They feel that they have landed in a war zone! There is always a debate about the actual number of troops in Kashmir. Some even put the number at a million troops of all kind. The concentration of such a large force creates tension and stress both among the local population as well as among the security forces themselves. During last decade and a half the stress related illness among the civilian population has gone up over a hundred times. Compared to few thousand cases before the turmoil, now it is reported that the number of patients with psychosomatic disorders and other stress related problems is few hundred thousand. Among the forces themselves there have been numerous cases of suicide and fratricide. On an average 30 to 40 cases every year. This year the number has gone up to 140. The prominent human rights activist Gautam Nawlakha in a recent seminar on human rights held in Srinagar said that the Government of India every now and then claims that the number of militants has come down drastically over the years, but still the concentration of the security forces personnel is the same. He added that the same shows that they are here to control the population that has become rebellious since they are demanding their right to self determination. There is a general feeling that this large force is not to keep militants at bay but to prevent a mass upsurge resembling the open revolt of 1990 when millions came on roads demanding “Azadi”. It is because of this that all civilian areas have been put under a cordon of bunkers and pill boxes. No civilian gatherings for any reason whatsoever are allowed any where in the valley. In view of the above analysis of the security situation, it is difficult to imagine a way forward. It can only happen if the two leaders take some bold and drastic decisions. However, it must be emphasised that such a step would be the most welcome Confidence Building Measure for the people of the State in general and if accomplished, could open a way for the ultimate solution.