Peace, harmony, recriminations and disappointments were all part of the year 2011. While there was no violence in the summer of 2011 as compared to the turbulent times in previous years, the mood in Kashmir remained sullen, tinged with disappointment and the unfulfillment of promises. Militancy was down but all indicators suggested that cross border terrorists were once again regrouping to cross over and create increased instability during 2012. Ceasefire violations by Pakistani security forces along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) registered an increase towards the latter part of the year.
Jammu & Kashmir saw record tourists in 2011 and many an ordinary Kashmkiri rejoiced at the decrease in violence levels and the resumption of the tourist inflow which is always a welcome development. An estimated 12 million tourists visited the state in 2011.
However, lack of violence did not suggest that "normalcy' had returned to the state. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tried but could not dissuade the Army from lifting the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act from parts of the state. This was a great disappointment as was the Indian government's inability to act on the report submitted by their Interlocutors appointed to suggest confidence building measures for the people of the state. These developments helped the separatist camp step up rhetoric against the Omar Abdullah government. The main Opposition party in the state, the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), too stepped up its attacks on the ruling party, creating a tense political atmosphere.
The year 2012 has opened up with the hope that something concrete would be done to meet the aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir and create conditions conducive for the return of normalcy.
