Immediately after the earthquake which rocked Kashmir in the month of 8th October 2005 and left behind sorrow and loss of lives and assets in the valley, CASA intervened with its relief and rehabilitation interventions in the remotest areas of Kashmir valley including areas close to “No man’s Land”. With the help of local NGOs & their networks and the local administration, CASA supported disaster victims with relief, food and temporary shelters. As post immediate relief CASA initiated rehabilitation measures through repair of damaged houses and construction of new houses in the most affected villages.

The engagement of CASA during relief and rehabilitation phases in the valley provided a very close and deeper experience of the conflict and resultant trauma of the common Kashmiri in the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir i.e. Jammu, Srinagar (Valley) and Leh region. This experience from various sections of the society as well as different development actors and also the security situation in the regions, helped CASA to understand the context and paved the way to work in Kashmir focusing on conflict management apart from the relief and rehabilitation work. LCP indeed has helped and has became the key process for CASA to continue its intervene in Kashmir directly and through voluntary action groups such as NGO Coordination Federation, COVA and others.

LCP Interventions-Kashmir

Realizing the need to work in the conflicting situations in Kashmir, CASA organized an Orientation Programme on LCP on 17th and 18th July 2006 at Shimla for NGOs and partners from Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Total number of participants from Kashmir were 8 out of 40. This was the first opening for CASA as well these NGOs from Kashmir with CASA apart from earthquake interventions.
Further realizing the need to focus specifically on Kashmir, CASA discussed with CNI-SBSS and planned to organize another orientation programme with NGOs and their networks. This was proposed to be conducted during 3rd quarter of 2008 but had to be postponed due to extreme conflict on land allotment issue to Amarnath Shrine Board. Thus it was re-scheduled and organized on 3rd and 4th December 2008 at Srinagar. Total 30 participants were present during the two days workshop and with good number of female participants.

Positive Experiences in the orientation workshop-Srinagar, Kashmir

1. The case study of Tajikistan was widely accepted by the participants as they could relate it to their own context. Infact, they shared that you just change the names in the case study and the whole story can describe the situation of Kashmir, Thus, it is more suitable to the local context.
2. The enthusiasm and participation on both days was quite high and thus significant as this was the time of Eid celebration. The participation level was extremely high during the workshop.
3. Participation of female members was very encouraging and they took equal part in the discussions,
4. The time was of elections and curfew was clamped almost every alternative day. Still participants attended in spite of tension in the area.
5. Even media covered the event and expressed that it would contribute to peace building in the region.
6. Participants liked the concept of LCP and expressed the need to continue this in future.
7. Urdu or Hindi is widely accepted and understood with ease than English and the whole programme conducted in Urdu and Hindi was appreciated by the participants.
8. The weather was hostile with mercury dipping to 2-3 degree Centigrade. Still the attendance was sustained.
9. There is strong desire to move ahead from the current situations amongst people and the NGOs.

Future Strategy in Kashmir

The participants have expressed keen desire that CASA should continue with the concept of LCP in Jammu & Kashmir.   With the discussions with the NGOs and their federations as well as within CASA, it has been emphasized that we should intervene in Kashmir strategically through LCP intervention in partnership with CNI SBSS (which will be further discussed).

The following strategy/process shall be pursued in J & K.

1. Organising more orientation workshops in the State.
2. Working together with CNI-SBSS.
3. C.  Train people from Kashmir through TOT on LCP with participants from other Hindi speaking states.
4. If need arises, specific TOT for valley partners.
5. Integrating and creating synergy with Mountain Forum Himalayas, a platform facilitated in the Himalayan region by CASA, RECOPE of the North East India and other forums emerged through CASA’s efforts and with CASA.

CASA shall continue the process further in Kashmir as it is important to strengthen such interventions in the state and strengthen civil society initiatives and voluntary action.