Agent, Agent Everywhere

There are whispers in the Valley these days as people are anxiously waiting for October 8

- Toibah Kirmani

THIS town is full of shadows-wrote Kashmir's celebrated short story writer Amin Kamil in 'The Shadow and the Substance'. He talked about the mushrooming of government informers and spies in the Valley for surveillance.

In the story, Manohar-the protagonist-is spying on people for the State but ultimately realises that even he is not immune to surveillance. The story is based on the premise of distrust.

There is a lot of distrust in the Valley these days. It's election time after 10 long years. There are whispers of all kinds. Terms like "Dilli ka agent", "narrative", "agency" and "proxy" are frequently being used in discussions and conversations. The "shadows" have resurfaced.

A scene from the bustling markets of Srinagar's Lal Chowk on a September evening reminds one of Kamil's shadows.

It's 4 pm. Shopkeepers are busy selling shawls, carpets and pheran fabric; tourists and locals are trying their best to bargain.

Somewhere at a distance, a rally is passing by-loud music is playing; slogans can be heard. At a carpet shop, the conversation shifts to discussing elections and the possible outcome.

One man declares: "The NC (National Conference) will form an alliance with the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) if it gets a good number of seats in Kashmir." The other replies: "No way.