And that's where the notion of a plebiscite falls flat on the ground, because if there was a choice, an independent country is what most would seek within the Valley. The belief by many of my Pakistani friends here that the entire troubled region of Kashmir is clamouring to join Pakistan is quite mistaken.
Jammu is Hindu majority (65%) and Ladakh has a sizeable Buddhist population (45%-50%). Any strife and feeling for 'azadi' is very much Valley-centric. However, I have a close Pakistani friend who visited Srinagar from the UK in July, with his wife and family. His wife's uncle is in the judiciary in Srinagar.
I asked him what it was like, what he came across, what did the locals say to him. He said that almost everyone he spoke to said that if they were to get azadi, that would mean independence. No one desired to join Pakistan, nor was there any love for India. The anger towards India was apparent when they mentioned the sacrifices they'd made, the men and women they'd lost.
What he did also mention is that India is investing considerable amounts within J&K, micro-financing and credit agreements to help with business creation are in full throttle, and infrastructure and expenditure is something the GoI hopes will win over Kashmiris.
Our infatuation with Kashmir despite the desperate troubles and problems we face continues to boggle the mind. I spoke to my cousin in Pakistan earlier and he was complaining about the load-shedding (1 hour on, 1 hour off). We're at the end of September, and load-shedding is still a daily cancer. Is that what we're waiting to bless those of Srinagar with?
LoC as the permanent border is the only realistic solution. Let's work to implement that, and let's close this sore chapter once and for all.