Psychological scars: The cost of conflict on children of Kashmir
The Kashmir conflict is a decade-long territorial dispute between two nuclear powers, Pakistan and India. The conflict which has changed a peaceful valley into a death valley or a zone of tragedy and turmoil. Every aspect of human life has been affected by this conflict. The political debates and military skirmishes influence the headlines; the most disastrous consequences of this conflict are endured by its young population. Kashmiri Children continue to live under a constant fear, deprivation, and violence that not only threatens their present well-being but also poses risks for future. These invisible victims suffer the loss of their innocence and traumatize childhood, which gave them psychological scars and socio-economic hardships. Kashmir has witnessed multiple wars and an insurgency since 1989, which caused unrest and significantly impacted the lives of Children. Several UNICEF reports have shown that the suffering of Kashmiri’s including children who have been directly or indirectly affected by the conflict. Loss of family members, injuries, disrupted education, and psychological trauma have added more in the sufferings of innocent Kashmiri children.
The severe disruption of education is one of the tangible impacts on Kashmiri children. Due to curfews, Internet shutdowns, communication blackouts, and lockdowns, students are unable to complete their education. In 2019, curfew was enforced for over 200 days in Kashmir, which led to the closure of educational institutions. According to a report by the International HR Association of American minorities 1990: “Constant disturbances in the valley have changed the entire life pattern of inhabitants, especially children. The entire concept of childhood has undergone a radical change in the valley. The children do not go to kindergarten or learn nursery rhymes or play with the toys, as normal children would do. Neither are they brought up under loving tender care of their parents in a free atmosphere. Instead, their memories of childhood consist of an atmosphere surcharged with fear, terror, constant violence, unrest and constant insecurity.” In 2018,the Kashmir education initiative reported that: “Over 300,000 students were directly affected by these disruptions in the Kashmir valley.”
In all this tense situation, the psychological impacts on children is deep. Heavy militarization, armed skirmishes and continuous exposure to violence has caused widespread mental health problems specifically post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and panic attacks among innocent children. The Journal of Royal Society of Medicine published a study which shows that: “More than 80% of children surveyed in conflict areas of valley showed symptoms of PSTD and depression.” The frequent encounters with military, pellet guns injuries and violent protests has left many children in trauma. Reports issued by research section of Kashmir Media services states that: “Indian troops and police personnel martyred 452 children from Jan 2001 till May 31, 2011 and killing by paramilitary forces have rendered 107,418 children orphaned since 1989.”
In addition, Kashmiri Children faces health issues. Limited access to healthcare facilities during curfews and lockdown resulted in chronic illness and untreated injuries. Pellet guns has caused serious injuries including partial or total blindness. As reported by Doctor Association Kashmir: “From 2016 to 2018, over 1,500 people were injured by pellet guns among them approx. 200 children.” These injuries has not only gave physical disabilities, it has also deepens the psychological wounds of young survivors.
In Kashmir, Everyday life is a constant struggle for survival. Their basic rights has been denied. The lack of recreational opportunities paired with loss of normalcy has created a feeling of isolation and hopelessness among young children. Every children life’s matter, there are so many stories which showcases the impact of conflict on children overall well-being. One of the story of boy named Tufail Ahmed Mattoo who was brutally killed by Special Forces in June 2010 during a protest in Srinagar. He was coming back from tuition where he was struck at close range by a teargas canister fired by troops that ended his life and caused unrest across valley. His father Ashraf Mattoo has called for a justice but it has not served yet. The grief is ongoing and memory carried by his father symbolizes the deep and everlasting emotional wounds. Like Tufail, every Kashmiri Children carries some story which shows the tragic impacts on young lives.
Child detention in Kashmir is another cause of concern. Many organizations have been reported on it. UN office of high commissioner for human rights in its 2018 and 2019 reports have shown the concerns over torture and arbitrary detention of children. Human Rights watch and Amnesty International have reported that children under age of 14 years old have been detained under public safety act and further their act was justified by Juvenile Justice act. Children named Faizan Rafiq Hakeem, who was a 14 years old boy detained without charge or trial by Jammu and Kashmir police. Another boy named Faizan Sufi who was 12 years old was arrested and was booked under the harsh sections of Ranbir panel code.
The long lasting conflict imposes a multitude of risks including a lost generation. The Kashmiri children lack of access to education, mental and emotional breakdown remains an obstacle in healthy development. In fact, studies shows that children growing in conflict zone are more likely to experience difficulties in forming relations, suffers from behavioral disorders and limited opportunities for social mobility. Despite these difficulties, Kashmiri Children and the communities remains resilient. Different organizations are working for providing normal life to the children. There are many stories of youth from Kashmir advocating for peace and HR.
In a nutshell, The Kashmiri children are among the most vulnerable victims in this prolonged and bitter conflict. No children deserves to be live in fear. The impacts of such conflicts steal the childhood. There is an international law UN convention on rights of child which gives all rights to children. The impact of this conflict will have a consequences for decades to come. Sufferings of Kashmiri children must addressed properly, but it requires a multi-layer approach. The conflict must be resolved in accordance with UNSC resolutions. Kashmiri children deserves to be live with dignity and peace. Preventing their suffering is not only a moral duty, it’s a foundation for lasting peace in the region. Every step toward peace, justice and inclusion will provide a better future for Kashmir and its children.
About the Author: Ayesha Tahir, intern at YFK and a student of International Relations at NUML Rawalpindi.
