Poonch district is undergoing significant changes - both positive and negative. The district borders PoK, has a significant presence of Hindu and Sikh communities, besides Gujjars and Paharis, and has witnessed a decline in militancy in recent years. These changes need to be examined more closely.

Poonch is an underdeveloped district in Jammu and Kashmir. Unlike the districts in Kashmir Valley or that of Jammu and Udhampur, Poonch is undeveloped in terms of infrastructure and connectivity. The only road to Poonch passes through Akhnoor, Rajouri and Surankot and is perhaps the worst in the state. When compared with the NH-1A or other roads in rural Kashmir, the Poonch road network is inadequate and in most places wholly absent. The journey from Jammu to Poonch - 240 kms takes more than nine hours. The fact that news papers reach Poonch, the district headquarters at 5 pm highlight its distance from the country.

Besides roads, other services like electricity, telephone and internet are in bad shape. Electricity is a luxury and is rarely available. Mobile services are yet to reach the district and the land lines are erratic. Internet is available only in the Commissioner's office for the entire district. Cable networks have reached, though Doordarshan has taken a long time, but lack of electricity makes the availability or non availability of cable and internet networks irrelevant.

On the positive side, the district has not witnessed any major communal clashes. The district has a significant Sikh and Hindu population besides the Paharis and Gujjars. Unlike the Valley, there is no religious tension between these communities. When militancy was at its peak, there was an exodus of Hindu and Sikh families from the district, but the situation has stabilized now and there have been no further internal displacement. The minority communities are not planning to shift, clearly suggesting a low level of militant violence.

Militancy has reduced in Poonch district but has shifted to the neighbouring Rajouri district. In terms of militancy, Poonch district can be divided into three sectors - Poonch, Surankote and Mendhar. Surankote is still considered an infested area. Poonch and Mendhar are relatively free from militancy, though Mendhar is used by the militants to cross into Poonch or Rajouri or to Kashmir Valley.

The local Muslim population does not support militancy, except perhaps in some rural areas. One reason for this change is that practically every family now has one or two members working with the government. Women participation in Anganwadi has also been cited as another reason for decline in support. This has become crucial, that persuading militants to give up their arms and surrendering to the government. One factor that has contributed significantly to the militants giving up their arms in Poonch district seems to be family pressure. The surrendered militants are now being used by the State Police in counter insurgency operations. Some of them have been absorbed as Special Police Officers (SPO) on a temporary basis.

Unlike Kashmir Valley, the security forces have a relatively better image amongst the local population. The police force in Poonch is proactive and sensitive and has been successful in reaching out to the local population. Operation Sadbhavna, has undoubtedly played a crucial role in changing the perception. It is a success story, as one could see bus shelters, health centers, and communication centers being operated under this scheme. However, there are complaints of harassment by the security forces, and corruption in the administration.

On the negative side, there is a slow but steady emergence of social tension between the Gujjars and Paharis, especially after the former were given ST status. Sharing the same economic conditions, the ST status has improved the conditions of the Gujjars comparatively, thus giving birth to new social tensions. The Paharis fear that this would enable the Gujjars to move forward faster, making the former the most underdeveloped in the region. While the Paharis are also demanding such a status, the Gujjars are against it, as that would dent their chances.

The media is least visible in the district. Journalism does not pay in Poonch, hence the quality of reporting is poor, leading to poor presentation of the district. There is little awareness both in Poonch and outside society about what is happening here. This creates a cycle of its own, keeping Poonch district in dark to the outside world and also inside. Though each paper and agency has a set of correspondents, they are part timers, with their main profession being a teacher, shop keeper, or PCO owner. There are no independent stories and most rely on hand outs by various governmental and security agencies.

Poonch thus presents a different picture in J&K - both on the positive and negative side, which needs to be appreciated.