THE intra-Kashmir trade that commenced on Tuesday can only be described as an act of betrayal to the pervasive local sentiment, cause of freedom lovers and the 80,000 Kashmiris who have laid down their lives for wrenching independence out of the Indian hold. While the authorities are seeing it as an opportunity to strengthen the economy of the state, the fact remains that as long as India continues to subvert the people's will to assert their right of self determination, there will be no improvement in economy, let alone stable conditions to prevail. What Kashmiris want is for India to honour its commitment of abiding by their aspiration rather than trade. At present the valley is witnessing a second major uprising and protests and rallies are being conducted everyday. One thing that is prominent in all those demonstrations is that they all are pro-independence from India in favour of joining Pakistan. Unfortunately, the Indian security forces persist in committing massive human rights violations. Arrests, torture, extra-judicial killings are order of the day. Some while ago the government turning a blind eye to law sold 100 acres of land to an extremist Hindu organization amid reports that the scheme was aimed at reducing the Muslim majority to a minority. At present New Delhi is staging the farce of elections. Kashmiris have unanimously rejected them and so have other parties wanting the removal of Indian forces from Held Kashmir. It is time Kashmiris were allowed to decide their fate.