Why Separatism transitioned to Armed Violence: Death of the Peaceful Protest and the many Massacres

While the roots of the Armed Militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has roots in the 1960ies, the Armed Militancy was not the sole movement for freedom in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the early 1990ies, peaceful processions and demonstrations dotted Kashmir. But these were not to last. 

Sopore Massacre 

In 1993, at least 43 people were murdered in Sopore by soldiers of the Indian Border Security Force. These 43 people were just passengers. These were, undoubtedly, reprisal killings for the killing of a BSF soldier by JKLF militants early that day.

Gawkadal Massacre 

In 1990, fire was opened upon peaceful protestors in the Gawkadal area of Srinagar by the Indian Paramilitary. 23 protestors are said to have died, while the survivors claimed that the actual number was more than 200. Militant numbers intensified after this as more and more youth joined the insurgency. 

Bijbehara Massacre 

The Indian Armed Forces fired upon a crowd of Kashmiris, which resulted in more than 50 deaths and around 200 injured. The Indian claim that they were ambushed by militants was rejected.

Hawal Massacre 

In 1990, the Indian Paramilitary fired upon a peaceful funeral procession of Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq. More than 60 were killed and 200+ were injured. 

Zakura Massacre 

More than 30 protestors were shot dead at Zakura crossing in 1990. The protestors were calling for a UN-sponsored plebiscite. 

Handwara Massacre 

In 1990, the Indian Armed Forces opened fire upon peaceful protestors in Handwara, Jammu and Kashmir. This resulted in 21 deaths. 

Nawa Kadal incident, 2020

On 19 May, 2020, the armed forces attacked the Nawa Kadal - Kanimazar area of Srinagar in search of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants. 12 houses were burnt down, many were injured (3 of whom died later), and a few militants were killed. Such a ferocious destruction was called a deliberate, indiscriminate destruction of Kashmiri property by the locals. They said that gunpowder was used to set the houses alight. 

Shopian Fake Encounter 

In 2020, a trio of "militants" was killed by the Indian Armed Forces. Claims were later made by various locals that these weren't militants. An inquiry later admitted that the trio was a group of labourers and not militants. 

Peaceful protests amidst such a situation?

If innocent passengers could be killed by the Indian Paramilitary and Army, what chance is that a similar fate would not be met by peaceful protestors? And thus, with such incidents, peaceful protests in Kashmir dwindled. This was replaced by an intensified militancy and frequent stone-peltings. 

The militancy in Kashmir, with roots in 1960ies, and formal commencement in 1989, continues till date. An intially secular, indigenous fight, is now replaced by a Jihadist struggle.