By: Majid Maqbool
In Lōal Kashmir, Mehak Jamal brings together 16 real-life love stories of ordinary people from different parts of the beleaguered Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir who are determined to stay together even amid government lockdowns and communication shutdowns, especially post the August 5, 2019 revocation of the special status of the state. In this context, love becomes a quiet act of rebellion, and lovers become rebels.
The love stories are interrupted by militarization and increased restrictions on free movement and communications as young lovers navigate constant lock downs and frequent communication shutdowns. And yet, the stories reflect how love triumphs despite all the hurdles.
The book is divided into three sections covering stories from different periods of Kashmir’s recent history: Otru (day before yesterday) delves into stories from the early 1990s; Rath (yesterday) covers 2008 onwards period post the Amarnath land row and the following civilian unrest, and Az (today) centers on the post-2019 period following abrogation of the state’s special independent status and the subsequent months-long lockdown during which all communication lines, including the entire internet and mobile networks, were banned for about six months…
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