Srinagar, the heart of Kashmir’s cultural heritage, is grappling with a disturbing rise in crime that threatens its legacy of peace and compassion. The recent rape of a 70-year-old Maharashtrian grandmother at a Pahalgam health resort by a local youth, Zubair Ahmed Bhat, is a chilling wake-up call. This horrific incident, coupled with the gang rape and murder of a 45-year-old nomadic Bakerwal woman in Nishat by four allegedly intoxicated men in May 2025, underscores a deepening societal crisis fueled by drug abuse and eroding values.
The National Crime Records Bureau (2022) reported 3,716 crimes against women in Jammu and Kashmir, with Srinagar recording 446 cases, including 12 rapes and 109 kidnappings. These figures, alongside rising petty crimes like robberies and stabbings, signal a growing sense of insecurity. The Nishat case, where the victim succumbed to brutal injuries, highlights the vulnerability of marginalized communities like the Bakerwal, who migrate seasonally to the valley. Drug addiction, affecting eight percent of the region’s population, is a key driver, with heroin from the Golden Crescent fueling violent crimes. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti noted that substance abuse is devastating youth, contributing to such atrocities.
These incidents reflect a broader erosion of Kashmir’s ethos of respect, particularly for elders and women. Economic hardship, unemployment, and the normalization of violence in media exacerbate this moral decay. Swift action is needed: stronger policing, including women’s helplines and senior citizen security cells, must be prioritized. Rehabilitation programs for addicts, job creation, and education campaigns can address root causes. Community leaders and schools must reinforce values of compassion to counter destructive influences. Srinagar stands at a crossroads—only collective resolve can restore its legacy of harmony.
