Curfewed Night is a book written by Kashmiri journalist Basharat Peer. It is an insider's account of the conflict of Kashmir, dealing with how common people are caught in the crossfire between the armed personnel and the militants. It talks about the insurgency or the resistance movement going on in the valley for more than twenty years now, against the Indian state. Author has tried to give a voice to the people who have suffered all these years through forced migration , rapes, killings, assassinations, protests, curfews, torture, crackdown, massacres as well as humiliation and disappearances of the loved ones. The role played by different stakeholders in the conflict such as the Indian state and the army, separatist leaders of the valley,the religious fundamentalist groups, cross border as well as Kashmiri militants, the common people as well as those who have benefited from this conflict have been depicted by the author in a very unbiased fashion. However the unhappiness with the Indian state as well as its response to the whole issue of the Kashmir dispute can be easily noticed while going through the book. The book is also an excellent narration of how the youths of Kashmir had to forgo their aspirations and dreams and were forced to take up arms against much powerful Indian state. It gives a good idea of how the kashmiris continue to feel alienated from the Indian state.
Mere saying that kashmir is an integral part of india is not enough.We need to observe and feel the pain which common people have suffered in these brutal twenty years.Their suffering cannot be compensated by any means.The most beautiful place on earth has become the most dangerous place on earth.We need to understand the processes which made this transition possible.Its really very brutal and deeply hurtful.The author has rightly said that the conflict and pain might disappear from the streets (which doesn't seem a reality as of now)but they would never vanish from their souls.
Mere saying that kashmir is an integral part of india is not enough.We need to observe and feel the pain which common people have suffered in these brutal twenty years.Their suffering cannot be compensated by any means.The most beautiful place on earth has become the most dangerous place on earth.We need to understand the processes which made this transition possible.Its really very brutal and deeply hurtful.The author has rightly said that the conflict and pain might disappear from the streets (which doesn't seem a reality as of now)but they would never vanish from their souls.
