What motivates the separatists to wean themselves away from India?
I think that trend is on the decline. If you look at the 1990s, the entire spectrum of terrorists operating in J&K were local Kashmiris. Today, 70 to 80 per cent of those operating are non-Kashmiris, they are not from India. I think that shows how the separatist elements are unable to motivate and wean away a significant number of local Kashmiri youth. It is also true that certain things cause a problem like the continuing economic stagnation, lack of economic opportunities, stray incidents of human rights violations. Because the moment security forces step outside the purview of the law, it becomes very difficult to perhaps suggest to the same youth that their future is secure in this environment. This is something which we have to protect ourselves against. Do you see any contradictions in election issues in regions like Ladakh which desires Union territory status and in Jammu which wants statehood? Elections always throw up new issues. I am concerned that the division of Ladakh on r
