Summary

"Curfewed Night" by Basharat Peer is a searing memoir that delves into the heart of Kashmir, a land caught in the crossfire of political turmoil and violence. Peer intertwines his personal journey with the broader narrative of a region struggling for identity and peace. The memoir begins with Peer's return to Kashmir as a reporter, an assignment that forces him to confront his past and the stories of his people. He vividly portrays the oppressive atmosphere, the constant presence of military forces, and the everyday fear that permeates life in Srinagar.

As Peer navigates the curfewed nights and shadowed streets, he introduces us to a cast of unforgettable characters: Maqbool Sheikh, the autopsy expert who intimately witnesses the human cost of conflict; Shabnam, grappling with his brother's decision to become a militant; and Shameema, a mother seeking justice for her son's death. These stories, woven together, paint a comprehensive picture of a society scarred by violence and resilient in the face of despair. Peer's own experiences, including a near-death encounter of his parents and the challenges he faces as a Kashmiri Muslim in Delhi, add a layer of personal vulnerability to the narrative.

The book chronicles Peer's struggle to reconcile his identity as a Kashmiri with his life in Delhi, where he encounters prejudice and suspicion. He grapples with the question of how to tell the stories of Kashmir without succumbing to despair or sensationalism. His journey takes him to the villages along the border, where families live in constant fear of cross-border shelling, and to the infamous torture center, Papa-2, where he confronts the brutal reality of human rights abuses. Peer portrays the complexities of the conflict, highlighting the human cost on all sides.

"Curfewed Night" is a powerful testament to the resilience of the Kashmiri people and a call for understanding and justice. It is a story of loss, survival, and the enduring search for hope in a land marked by conflict.