Valley Of Discontent: Contempt For Politicians And Media Overrides ‘Azadi’ In Kashmir

“India is so down and out that it is robbing from the Reserve Bank. And you say you will develop Kashmir? Are you kidding?” Ahmad, 35, has kept abreast of the latest news despite the information lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir. He says there is reduced tourist interest this season. Hotels across Kashmir have been empty since the government forced tourists to leave on August 2, three days before it ended the State’s relative autonomy and divided it into two Union Territories.

Junaid, who only offers his first name, is jobless since the hotel where he works is shut. Until last year Junaid had worked in New Delhi with a tech company but returned when it began to lay off many employees.

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