When the moment turned dark

S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @Svs037 

February 14 2019 will be a date that cannot go out of our memories so easily. Whole nation came to a standstill on that day.

It was on that fateful day last year, 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel  lost their lives owing to a suicide attack by terror elements. This was undoubtedly the darkest moment of 2019, the aftermath of the ghastly incident proved the point beyond all doubt.

Several Kashmiri students, vendors located across the country had to undergo highly unpleasant experiences. Students were evicted from their homes.

For most of Kashmiris living in other parts of India, life turned no less than a torture, for they were viewed with an eye of suspicion. Sources pointed out that Kashmiri students, residents fleeing from other parts of the country had reached hundreeds.

A point of solace was the response shown by fellow Indian citizens. Many of them offered shelter to those evicted. But the uncomfortable moments continued.

The valley was pushed into a silence soon after the popular Article 370 was done away and Jammu and Kashmir was changed into a union territory. A long clampdown pounced on Jammu and Kashmir. Internet became non-existant.

While the martyred got a big salute, things did not remain smooth. Indian community conducted a protest outside Pakistan High Commission. A Pakistani prisoner who was lodged in Jaipur Central Jail was beaten to death by other inmates.

IAF aircrafts crossed LOC and dropped bombs in Balakot which is said to have been housing camps that train terror elements. The fighter crafts of our IAF did come back quickly after dropping the payloads. But our own brave fighter pilot did end up getting captured after a dog-fight between fighter jets of India and Pakistan.

These kind of events are not new, attack on Indian army camp in Sunjuwan in Jammu on 10 February 2018 is a good example in this regard. Only firm measures will ensure that events never happen.