Srinagar, Aug. 3 -- In most places, an armed policeman walking beside someone indicates danger. In Kashmir, he can also indicate status. A politician may lose an election, surrender his office, disappear from public life and retain barely enough supporters to fill a drawing room. Yet two policemen may continue following him as though the security of the entire region depends upon his survival.

The politician may no longer matter politically. His security arrangement, however, remains magnificently alive.

Let there be no misunderstanding. Human life does not become less valuable when a person loses an election or ceases to hold office. Kashmir has witnessed assassinations, targeted attacks and threats against political workers, journalis...