The Kashmir India doesn't want to know

The angry, popular resistance by the Kashmiri people has left many Indians confused, with many believing it is mass anger incited by pro-Pakistani forces (read Hurriyat) or a major plot organised by the "deep state" in Pakistan.

What is problematic is this is not the first mass burst of anger. Even after the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, there was no serious repercussion in Kashmir. It is a fact that major upsurges in the Valley are based on a bedrock of anger simmering for some time.

On the face of it, the latest was the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani in an encounter with the Kashmir police.

But that was the recent cause based on the dissent and anger in Tral and South Kashmir. Burhan's brother and father were repeatedly summoned to police and army camps for interrogation. This is commonplace in large parts of Kashmir.

But Burhan's family was despairing, for their prolonged presence in the camps meant a loss of income in that period. Later, the death of his elder brother in an encounter left a deep impact on Burhan. He took to arms in his teens.

As part of his separatist campaign, he used social media to attract adherents to Hizbul Mujahideen. This became a political threat to the PDP, which has its origins in South Kashmir.

By this time, the charismatic Burhan Wani had attacked and killed civilians linked with the local government and three policemen. A senior PDP leader from South Kashmir told the press that he would have to "be taken out" as he was a serious political threat.

It was a disastrous mistake. Given the wellspring of anger and alienation from the state government, this led to angry mourners in tens of thousands crowding at Wani's funeral in Tral.

He rapidly became a martyr. The anger and violence spread out of South Kashmir to Srinagar and its other parts. At the time, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, her Cabinet and other politicians failed to go to the disturbed areas and calm the people.

The police and the Army became the alternative to Kashmiri politics. Pellet guns termed "non-lethal" were aimed at the heads of rioters, leading to many losing their vision.

Live bullets not rubber bullets were used, as were lathis. The long standing order that the weapons be fired below the waist was observed in the breach.

That is why 36 Kashmiris lost their lives and several others injured - some seriously. Till date, no Union cabinet minister has landed in Srinagar to provide support to the besieged state government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi apparently has more important engagements abroad.

This disregard and callousness by the Union government has been commented on widely in Kashmir.

This could lead to a homegrown terrorism, with many unemployed, dissatisfied youth going in for outfits like Hizbul Mujahideen, as the secular JKLF no longer exists as an alternative.

Despite much talk and promises by both the secular parties and the Sangh Parivar, very little has been done for the rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits since 1990.

If the Indian power elite want to lose Kashmir, they are going about it in the right way. But the Indian people want a prosperous and satisfied Kashmir.

Kashmiris, including all communities, have suffered neglect since the Indus waters treaty. Despite waters emanating from Kashmir being of sizeable quantity, the state was not given sanction to dam water for electricity generation.

Virtually, no industrialisation has taken place. Unemployment, including of the educated, is rife. Diseases, including psychiatric illnesses are widespread.

The beauteous vale of Kashmir has been reduced to a sad state, because successive governments starting from Nehru have neglected the state.

Unless this perilous and exceedingly unjust situation is systematically and comprehensively remedied, Kashmir cannot stabilise.

This would be a gross betrayal of Kashmir by those who rule India.