Ain’t no fence high enough?

Apart from a lifeline for thousands of farmers, the historic Ranbir canal has remained a favourite place for swimmers, mostly young boys and girls, during summer months to cool themselves with the icy cold water of the Chenab. But now, the authorities seems to have changed their mind. The government has erected a concertina wire on the banks of the canal, which is preventing people from having an access to water. The use of Rajinder Park has already been restricted ever since it was taken over by J&K Bank for maintenance. However, there are many who are ready to defy the rules. In the words of a young boy who regularly visits the area, “No matter how hard they try to stop us, we will find a way to breach the fence.” 

Advertisement

State BJP ‘knows better’

As the Union Ministry has decided not to extend the unilateral ceasefire after the completion of the Ramzan month, state BJP leaders have a reason to feel they are more intelligent than their Central leaders “who are unaware of the ground situation of J&K”. The J&K BJP had vehemently opposed the decision of announcing unilateral ceasefire, but their suggestion was ignored by “those sitting in Delhi”. There was strong anger among local BJP leaders and workers against stifling of their voice by the central leadership. Now when Union Home Ministry has announced to carry out anti-terror operations in J&K, local BJP leaders say those who are taking decisions “while sitting in ACs rooms of Delhi” are not aware of the ground situation. Some local BJP leaders say even though they are more capable of solve the Kashmir problem, the central leadership has a superiority complex even when they (central leadership) know nothing about the complexity of J&K. 

Less takers for team games

Sports training centres in the winter capital are having more registration of new trainees opting for individual games than traditional team games due to poor performance of state teams in sports such as football, hockey, cricket, basketball etc. Disciplines such as gymnastics, badminton, table tennis, judo and fencing are favourite among the trainees who are attending practice sessions in both morning and evening sessions. Many medals have been bagged by players at national level in these disciplines, especially in gymnastics and fencing. “There is very little scope for games like football and cricket in the state and that is why majority of parents want their children to opt for individual games,” Kamal Gupta, a parent, said. 

Pilgrims’ dilemma 

As the “unconditional ceasefire” announced by the Government of India ends on Sunday after the holy month of Ramzan, people are anticipating that the forthcoming Amarnath yatra will be violence free. For this, they say the Centre should come up with a foolproof strategy for the safety of the pilgrims. The yatra, which starts on June 28, is likely to draw thousands of devotees from across the country. The report of 35 militants waiting in PoK to attack Army installations is worrisome and the safety of pilgrims under such circumstances is an important factor. With militants attacks a regular feature in the Valley, many pilgrims from Jammu are sceptical about joining the yatra this summer.