Introduction to KashmirForum.org Blog

I launched the website and the Blog after having spoken to government officials, political analysts and security experts specializing in South Asian affairs from three continents. The feedback was uniformly consistent. The bottom line is that when Kashmiris are suffering and the world has its own set of priorities, we need to find ways to help each other. We must be realistic, go beyond polemics and demagoguery, and propose innovative ideas that will bring peace, justice and prosperity in all of Jammu and Kashmir.

The author had two reasons to create this blog. First, it was to address the question that was being asked repeatedly, especially, by journalists and other observers in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, inquiring whether the Kashmiri society was concerned about social, cultural and environmental challenges in the valley given that only political upheaval and violence were reported or highlighted by media.

Second, the author has covered the entire spectrum of societal issues and challenges facing Kashmiri people over an 8-year period with the exception of politics given that politics gets all the exposure at the expense of REAL CHALLENGES that will likely result in irreversible degradation in the quality of life and the standard of living for future generations of Kashmiris to come.

The author stopped adding additional material to the Blog once it was felt that most, if not all, concerns, challenges and issues facing the Kashmiri society are cataloged in the Blog. There are over 1900 entries in the Blog and most commentaries include short biographical sketches of authors to bring readers close to the essence of Kashmir. Unfortunately, the 8-year assessment also indicates that neither Kashmiri civil society, nor intellectuals or political leadership have any inclination or enthusiasm in pursuing issues that do not coincide with their vested political agendas. What it means for the future of Kashmiri children and their children is unfathomable. But the evidence is all laid out.

This Blog is a reality check on Kashmir. It is a historical record of how Kashmir lost its way.

Vijay Sazawal, Ph.D.
www.kashmirforum.org

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Number One Killer

The verdict is in - the dubious honor goes to roads


More Deaths due to Road Mishaps Than Militancy in J-K in 2010

Jammu and Kashmir has recorded more deaths in traffic accidents than due to militancy in 2010.

"More people have been killed and injured in road mishaps in the state than in militancy. The death toll in road mishaps is almost double than the number of people killed in militancy last year," a senior police officer said.

As many as 889 people were killed and 7,178 were injured in 5,053 accidents in Jammu and Kashmir upto November end 2010, he said.

However, there were only 488 incidents of militancy in which 475 persons, including 232 ultras, were killed in 2010 in the state, he said.

There were a large number of traffic violations for which 3,29,651 vehicles were fined for violation in 2010 in J&K, he said.

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