Wednesday, December 21 2005 09:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Though politically an eventful year which saw Congress back at the helm of affairs after 30 years and best of relations between India and Pakistan paving way for reopening of the historic Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, 2005 would go down in the history of Jammu and Kashmir as an year of tragedy in the wake of the devastating earthquake.

The year was also marked by a turnaround for the border state with militancy on decline and signs of revival of tourism, the state economy's mainstay.

The smile on the faces of people as a result of ceasefire announced by India and Pakistan on the borders in 2003 was short lived as the worst-ever tremor struck the border areas across the line of control on October 8 that left an indelible mark on the minds of the people besides causing large-scale damage to life and property.

Though the focus of the administration has already shifted to other issues, lives for the thousands of affected families who faced the wrath of the nature is yet to stabilize.

The reconstruction of quake-ravaged houses has been delayed because of winters. When cash compensation is paid, only a part of it is utilized for reconstruction work and a major portion is spent on the luxury to entertain relations who come to share grief, Sabir Mir, an elderly person from Silikote in Uri said.

Once the initial wave of sympathy subsided the sufferers were left to fend for themselves. The worst sufferers are the handicapped, senior citizens, orphaned children and widows. They are not only ill treated but exploited.

What was like a dream for the last 56 years became a reality in 2005 when the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was thrown open, marking a historic turnaround in relations between India and Pakistan. A bus service named Karvan-e-Aman (carvan of peace) was flagged off by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on April 7 from Srinagar.

The opening of the road is considered the biggest Kashmir-centric confidence building measure between the two countries in their efforts to normalize relations and allow divided families to meet.

The other major significant development in the state was the return of Congress, a national party at the helm of affairs. From 1975 to 2005, regional parties like National Conference, Awami National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party had ruled the state.

Congress returned to power in the state under power sharing agreement with its coalition partner Peoples Democratic Party which ruled the state for a three-year term after National Conference was dethroned in 2002 Assembly elections.

The year witnessed resumption of dialogue between the Center and separatist Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq.

The separatists were insisting that they be allowed to meet Pakistan leadership and militant leadership based in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmira demand which the Center finally agreed to in order to make Hurriyat broad based and acceptable to majority of the population, the congolomerate organized a meeting with the representatives of displaced Kashmiri pandits in Srinagar during the year.

The second round of talks between Hurriyat leadership and Kashmiri pandits is round the corner.

Beginning November 2, 2005 militancy resurfaced after a long lull as a series of suicide attacks and car bomb blasts were triggered and the targets included ministers.