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Is there an historical example for the possibility of peaceful resolution of Kashmir conflict?

Is there an historical example for the possibility of peaceful resolution of Kashmir conflict?


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For decades two nations (born out of one) have been looking for excuses to hurt each other. Just when you think that both nations have gotten over their respective pasts and are finally moving towards enjoying a peaceful neighborly relationship, things get ugly.

With constant ceasefire violations, killing civilians, children, women, I am just curious to know if history holds any answers for us?

Has there been ever a peaceful resolution to a conflict of the size and magnitude of Kashmir issue?


The Counter Reformation in Europe culminated in the murderous, no-holds-barred, Thirty Years War. That war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, and ushered in a period of religious tolerance in Europe that, exclusive of Ireland, lasted for over three hundred years into the 20th Century.

Note that the Treaty of Westphalia also occurred contemporary to, perhaps not coincidentally, the beginning of The (Age of) Enlightenment.

Although Europe would continue to experience a succession of wars over the next few hundred years, these would be of a very different character from those of the 16th and early 17th century - they would no longer be religious wars, and they would be fought for limited ends and with limited means. Not until the 20th Century would the concept of Total War again enter the European mindset.

The religious intolerance and bloodshed of the preceding sesqui-century ended. Some discrimination persisted, but across most of Europe the concept that everyone could adhere to a religion consistent with one's conscience was accepted. It's true that European monarchy's favourite hobby remained warfare - but it was now about politics and personal grandeur instead of religion.

Note here that there are only six heretics burned in Catholic and Protestant European countries post-1648:

  • Caterina Tarongí († 1691)
  • Kimpa Vita (1684-1706), Angola
  • Maria Barbara Carillo (1625-1721), Madrid, Spain
  • Gertrude Cordovana († 1724), Palermo, Italy
  • Ana de Castro († 1736)
  • María de los Dolores López († 1781), Seville, Spain

compared to about 115 in the sesqui-century preceding, and about 34 in the half millennium before that.


There have been a few successful condominiums, where two (or more!) countries shared control of a territory. Some examples:

New Hebrides/Vanuatu (French/English condominium, lasted 1906 to 1980).

Egypt (French/English condominium 1876-1882)

Cyprus (Byzantine/Arab condominium 688 to 900s)

So, THEORETICALLY, India and Pakistan might be able to share the Kashmir as a condominium, which would at least end the division.


Usually no.

Cases like Kashmir, where two sides claim a territory, but neither of them is strong enough to completely defeat their enemy. Where also no external power (stronger than all participants together) is interested on fix the issue or no chance of cleaning of minorities is available (like genocide or deportation) are for example:

  • Arab-Israel conflict. Where only while Russia was weak there was a chance of peace, because USA has enough power to force a peace.
  • Ex-Yugoslavia conflict, followed by Kosovo attempt of independence. Only solved when NATO entered to stop war, because no one was strong enough to force the enemy to surrender.

While the examples where the problem was fixed peacefully are:

  • Russian annexation of Crimea. Where Ukraine was not strong enough either to fight or to get help. And population was mostly Russian.
  • Separation between India and Bangladesh, both countries moved millions of people in order to have the same religious and political frontiers.

Summary. In order to solve these kind of conflict there are few alternatives:

  • A stronger force. Either in one of the sides or a external one. This alternative is not available for Kashmir because both sides are nuclear powers.
  • Desire of exterminate or move minorities. Not available as well, because nowadays is not acceptable.

The United States is an example, in that the Confederacy was a disputed territory between two self-identified nations (with some areas -- Kansas, Kentucky, Virginia -- especially contested). While the Civil War lasted 5 years, the overall cultural/legal conflict lasted for well over a century. Also, in the below discussion, Amanda Porterfield of Florida State Univ. says the U.S. Civil War was a religious conflict; the panel notes various denominations split into North and South branches.

https://www.c-span.org/video/?324898-2/discussion-religious-growth-early-america

It may yet be premature to term "settled," however, a future conflict would be unlikely to be along the same lines. The Mason-Dixon line used to be the divider in the U.S., whereas now, it's one of various boundaries (not all geographic).


India must declare Jammu Kashmir independent: Kashmir’s Passion for Pakistan!

[Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal, Educationist, Chancellor-Founder of Centor for International Affairs(CIA) Specialist on State Terrorism Global columnist, Commentator on world affairs , Expert on Mideast Affairs , Analyst on sport fixings , Chronicler of Foreign occupations & Freedom movements (Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Xinjiang, Chechnya, etc.) Former university Teacher Editor:INTERNATIONAL OPINION Editor: FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES(https://abdulrubb.wordpress.com) RANDOM THOUGHTS website: http://abdulruff.wordpress.com / write to me: [email protected]]

Maybe, had there been no Jammu Kashmir in between India and Pakistan, India would have behaved somewhat better with Pakistan. But there is no guarantee that India would have been entirely different from how it is now and behaved.

Seeking to control world by being a strategic terror partner of notorious UNSC and NATO, India looks to big colonialist and imperialist states for support for its crimes against Kashmiri Muslims, and rather innocently believes that possession of a couple of colonies would enormously enhance the status of India at international level and hence is continues to brutally occupy JK and terrorize Muslims. Many strategic nuts in New Delhi perhaps think if India grants sovereignty to JK, the big powers would not treat Indians properly even with some malice and subordination while all its crawling and terror gimmicks would not be sufficient to somehow get a veto place on the notorious UNSC. India wants inspiration and guidance from Zionist and western NATO criminals and Russian terrocracy.

India refuses to free Jammu Kashmir. As before, India and Pakistan exchanged angry rhetoric on the issue of Jammu Kashmir in the UN. In order to stress its illegal claim over JK and escape punishment for its crimes in JK, India always uses expressions like the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir, an integral part of India, etc.

Pakistan parliament passed a resolution on the murder of Kashmiri Afzal in Delhi by the state agents in the form of execution. Not only India floated the law in informing the relatives or parents of Afzal about his hanging for enabling them to meet him in jail as being mandatory, India has also refused to hand over the body of Afzal to his relatives.

Exercising its right of reply, India has twice rejected Pakistan’s contention that President Asif Ali Zardari’s reference to Jammu and Kashmir in his address to the UN was not ‘unwarranted’. India as a mere twist to confuse the world, now says Pakistan is occupying Indian lands. It is ironical that these comments have been made by a country which is persisting with its illegal occupation of a part of the Jammu Kashmir.

India says any reference to JK as an independent nation constitutes a clear interference in the internal affairs of India. India does not want to discuss the issue, reject it in their entirety”

Pakistan again raised the persecution of Kashmiris issue a second time. In his address, to the UN last week Zardari said Pakistan would continue to support the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to peacefully choose their destiny in accordance with the UN Security Council’s resolutions on the matter. “The president of Pakistan said no more, no less.

Can a country tell blatant lies to the UN? But India leaders tell exactly that and spread lies. In his address, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, Indian foreign minister tried to bluff to UN by hiding the truth about former status of Jammu Kashmir as a sovereign state before it was invaded and occupied by India.”Our principled position on the issue has been consistent and is well known,” he said asserting “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have chosen and reaffirmed their destiny repeatedly through India’s well established democratic processes.”

The Pakistani mission to the UN contended that Zardari’s statement on the issue was “not unwarranted”. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative in UN Raza Bashir Tarar said: “Let me also make absolutely clear that Jammu and Kashmir is neither an integral part of India nor has it ever been.”

India must admit that Jammu Kashmir does not belong to India. India invaded and occupied neighbouring JK in 1947.

Trendy Pakistani apparels with different hand embroideries and styles on rich fabrics attract hordes of customers in Jammu and Kashmir amid Eid festivities.

Cross-border trade has enabled the movement of goods and services and opened the doors for expansion of business in the province. The cross border trade started in 2008 after the Kashmiris demanded for an alternative trade route for business purpose. Another aim of the cross border trade was to initiate contact between people living in both the regions and promote peace.

Kashmiris prefer Pakistan dress. In the changing environment of the fashion world, there is surge in the demand for Pakistani fabrics and dress materials in Srinagar city, due to the stylish designs, which complements the culture and dressing sense of Kashmiris. Basically, there has been a craze for Pakistani suites as the designs and patterns are unique. Usually, the stuff available in Kashmir comes from Saharanpur and other states. Pakistani suites with heavy veils are suitable and wide enough for Muslims because they have to cover their head and contours of the body. The quality of the cotton is very good.

Pakistani dress materials including embroidered, printed, silk and cotton suits are available in the local markets. Since the cross border trade has begun the demand for Pakistani suites has increased. The customer’s first preference is to but Pakistani suit. Earlier, these suits were not easily available but now with the cross border trade these dress materials are easily available in the markets.

India has been taking too much of advantage from Pakistani poor fate at the hand sof NATO terror syndicates and its ambiguity on Kashmir issue. When India keeps asserting their terror right to occupation of Jammu Kashmir saying that it is an integral part of terror India, Pakistan must say it does not have any such demarcation and Azad Kashmir is a temporary arrangement to remake Jammu Kashmir as it existed till 1947.

Pakistan must clearly specify their parameters of resolution of the issue and also declare boldly their desire to vacate the Azad Kashmir even unilaterally but India must also show reciprocation by quitting their terror posts in Kashmir.

The height of fanaticism India keeps upgrading cold be gauged by the assertions of “integral nonsense” and the call by a few petrified nuts in India to claim entire Pakistan since it was once part of India. Nonsense or insanity?

د. عبد راف

Muslim blood is cheap…Global media today, even in Muslim nations, are controlled by CIA & other anti-Islamic agencies.Terrorism is caused by anti-Islamic forces.Regimes often resort to state terrorism. Anti-Muslimism and anti-Islamism are more dangerous than “terrorism” Fake democracies have zero-tolerance to any criticism of their anti-Muslim and other aggressive practices. Anti-Islamic forces & terrorists are using all sorts of criminal elements for terrorizing the world and they in disguise are harming genuine interests of ordinary Muslims. H u manity has a right to know the truth.


MICRO TARGET, MACRO IMPACT: THE RESOLUTION OF THE KASHMIR CONFLICT AS A KEY TO SHRINKING AL-QAEDA'S INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST NETWORK

The on-going Kashmir conflict has metamorphosed into a formidable insurgency that has attracted extremist groups fromPakistan and elements of Al-Qaeda. Given Al-Qaeda's modus operandi as an international network based on already existing domestic extremist groups, this article argues for the resolution of the India-Pakistan Kashmir conflict as an avenue for shrinking the constituency of both Kashmiri domestic extremist groups and, by extension, that of Al-Qaeda's. Feasible options for resolutions are analyzed and an alternative proposition is suggested. An unresolved, or inadequately resolved, conflict is expected to lead the Kashmiri insurgency on a trajectory directed at the Pakistani government, possibly leading to that country's fragmentation and the subsequent expansion of Al-Qaeda's operational base. It is thus argued that the resolution of the Kashmir conflict be viewed as an integral component of the broader U.S. ‘war on terrorism’ and should compromise of delicate American diplomatic involvement in the India-Pakistan dialogue over Kashmir.

Many thanks to Christopher Bosso for his editorial comments and to Yoram Meital for his thoughts on the concluding remarks.

Notes

1 Details on Al-Qaeda's modus operandi are discussed later in this article.

2 Irfan Malik, ‘Toil and Trouble’, The Herald monthly (Karachi, Pakistan, March 2003), p. 47.

3 For more information on the poverty-terrorism nexus see Irm Haleem, ‘Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia: Recruiting Grounds of Terrorism’, Democratic Development and International Terrorism, ed. William Crotty (Boston, Massachusetts: Northeastern University Press, 2004) forthcoming.

4 ‘The Domino Effect: What does a War in Iraq mean for Pakistan?’ The Herald monthly (Karachi, Pakistan, March 2003), p. 42.

6 In collaborations with the American war on terrorism, Pakistani government and intelligence agencies banned most all of the existing extremist groups in Pakistan.

7 This is perhaps understandable given the fact that the MMA—comprised of conservative Islamist parties and not extremist groups—has made no secret of its support for the Kashmiri insurgency.

8 The terms ‘Jihadi’ and ‘Jihadi groups’ are used to refer loosely to all militant and extremist groups (often domestic in nature) that have framed and placed their political opposition in the context of the broader Islamist struggle against their perceptions of both (1) corrupt, unrepresentative and un-Islamic governments that rule them, and (2) un-Islamic Western imperialists that subjugate them.

9 Information in this table is based on the extrapolation of information from South Asian newspapers, political magazines and journals. The groups listed are not placed in any particular order.

10 The militant off-shot of the HuM.

11 Iffat Malik, Kashmir: Ethnic Conflict, International Dispute (Karachi, Pakistan: Oxford University Press, 2002), pp. 250–264.

14 Sumit Ganguly, Conflict Unending: India-Pakistan Tensions since 1947 (New York: Columbia University Press, 2001), p. 88.

15 Malik (note 11), pp. 262–263, 268. See also Haleem (note 3).

16 David C. Rapoport, ‘Modern Terror: The Four Waves’, Attacking Terrorism: Elements of a Grand Strategy, Audrey Cronin & James Ludes, eds. (Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2003) forthcoming.

20 For detailed accounts of the nature of Al-Qaeda terrorist organization, see Rohan Gunaratna, Inside Al Qaeda: Global Network of Terror (New York: Columbia University Press, 2002).

21 Hoffman, Bruce. ‘Rethinking Terrorism and Counterterrorism since 9/11’, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 25/5 (September–October 2002), p. 310.

22 For an Indian point of view, see for example Ganguly (note 14). For a Pakistani point of view, see for example Malik (note 11).

23 For an appreciation of how this historical controversy still factors into current India-Pakistan dialogue over Kashmir, see ‘Going to UN over Kashmir was a mistake: Advani’, Kashmir Today (Indian Journal of South Asian Affairs) 8/1 (January-February 2003), p. 28.

24 Nasreen Ali, ‘Kashmiri Nationalism Beyond the Nation-State’, South Asia Research, 22/2 (2002), pp. 145–160.

25 See Jenonne Walker, ‘International Mediation of Ethnic Conflicts’, Ethnic Conflict and International Security, ed. Michael Brown (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1993), pp. 165–180.

26 On Indian claims of Pakistan's facilitation of cross border terrorism, see V. Sudarshan, ‘Long Demarche Home’, Outlook (Mumbai, India, February 24, 2003), pp. 26–28. See also Satinder K. Lambah, ‘Neighborhood Watch’, Outlook (Mumbai, India, February 24, 2003), p. 30.

29 In fact, a popular view in India, particularly under the BJP administration, is that Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, had made a mistake in approaching the UN in 1947 to intervene in the escalation of conflict in Kashmir in the aftermath of its accession to India. See ‘Going to UN over Kashmir was a mistake: Advani’, Kashmir Today, note 23, p. 28.

30 Indian sources have referred to various pieces of evidence which, according to them, point to Pakistan facilitating cross border terrorism. See for example, Murali Krishman, ‘Chunnel Visions’, Outlook (Mumbai, India, February 24, 2003), pp. 32–33.

31 See M. Ilyas Khan, ‘The Waiting Game’, Special Report, The Herald (Karachi, Pakistan, July 2003), pp. 36–39.

34 This is contrary to the Indian intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) that has been suspected of creating counter insurgency groups in its state of Kashmir, which appear as pro-Indian Kashmiri groups but that are the creation of the Indian intelligence agency in order to divide and rule the Kashmiris.

35 Victoria Schofield, Kashmir in the Crossfire (London: Tauris, 1996), p. 217.

38 Atul Kohli, Democracy and Discontent: India's Growing Crisis of Governability (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990). See also Malik (note 11), pp. 264–272. It should be noted that while there seems to be a general agreement that the Indian government rigged the 1987 Jammu and Kashmir elections, contributing to the inflaming of Kashmiri separatist groups, it is contested whether the 2002 elections were equally rigged. Vanashree Samant argues that the Fall 2002 elections in Indian state of Kashmir were indeed free and fair. A contrary view is presented in a public opinion trend publication reporting on views in Pakistan stating that the Indian Kashmiri elections of 2002 were a sham. See Vanashree Samant, ‘Free and Fair: elections in Kashmir’, Harvard International Review, 25/1 (Spring 2003), pp. 10–11 and ‘Kashmiris have rejected sham polls: Musharraf’, POT (Public Opinion Trend) Pakistan Series (New Delhi, India, October 1, 2002).

40 Most of the information in this table is derived from Malik, Kashmir: Ethnic Conflict, International Dispute, pp. 301–302, with the exception of information on Muttahida Jihad Council (MJC) and Hurriyat Conference (APHC) which is based on extrapolation of scant information available on these groups in various different sources (both Pakistani and Indian news articles and political journals).

41 This refers to a preference of non-violent means to achieve aims.

42 Hizb-ul-Mujahideen is often represented with either the acronym ‘Hezb’ or ‘HuM’ depending on the different scholars/sources.

43 This refers to the vehement adherence to a belief—in this case an independence from India—with occasional resort to violent tactics.

44 This refers to a use of violence (with the intention of death and destruction) as a modus operandi and with impunity. The qualification of ‘ultra’ in reference to extremist is to emphasize the level and frequency with which violence is resorted to.

45 The LeT was held responsible by India for the December 13, 2001 attack on its parliament (Lok Sabha).

46 See earlier references to the specifics of these groups.

47 Malik (note 11), pp. 321–322.

48 The term ‘Jihadi’, as reference to a person or groups (as in Jihadi groups), has the connotation of Islamic militancy and/or Islamic extremism.

49 Hussain Askari, ‘Cause and Effect’, The Herald monthly (Karachi, Pakistan, December 2001), p. 25.

50 For an exhaustive examination of Al-Qaeda's infiltrations into the ranks of domestic extremist groups, see Gunaratna (note 20).

53 Gunaratna (note 20), p. 209.

56 Azmat Abbas. ‘Trail of Terror’, The Herald monthly (Karachi, Pakistan, August 2002), p. 46.

61 ‘Al-Qaeda, Taliban linked to terror campaign in J&K’, Kashmir Today (Indian journal of South Asian affairs), 7/4 (July–August 2002), p. 41.

62 ‘Army launches hunt for 22 Arabs in J&K’, Kashmir Today (Indian journal of South Asian affairs), 7/4 (July-August 2002), p. 33.

63 ‘Bin Laden's men in Kashmir’, Kashmir Today (Indian journal of South Asian affairs), 7/4 (September-October 2002), p. 22.

64 Though numerous proposals for resolution have been suggested over the decades of this conflict—approximately 53 proposals according to the estimates of Pakistani Foreign Office—this section only outlines some of the more popular, albeit controversial, proposals. As such, this section does not intend to offer an exhaustive list of all the many proposals and propositions. For a more comprehensive list of feasible and infeasible proposals see Rafeh Malik, ‘Kashmir: Conflict & Options’, National Development and Security, 10/3 (Spring 2002), pp. 133–150.

65 V. Sudarshan, ‘Long Demarche Home’, Outlook (Mumbai, India, February 24, 2003), pp. 26–29.

66 The covert anti-India foreign policy implies the involvement of Pakistan's domestic and international intelligence agency, the Inter-Service-Intelligence (ISI), in facilitating cross border terrorism as well as in financially, military and morally supporting the Kashmiri insurgents in their war against the Indian government.

67 See Satinder K. Lambah, ‘Neighborhood Watch’, Outlook (Mumbai, India, February 24, 2003), p. 30. See also Ganguly (note 14) and Malik (note 11).

68 Based on interviews of current and former government officials as they appear in prominent political magazines.

69 That is, groups whose goal is not a complete independence from India and Pakistan but that seek a complete union with Pakistan. See Table 2 for a list of such groups.

70 These dangers will be discussed later in this section under the sub-subheading Consequences of an inadequately resolved Kashmir Conflict.

71 For the views of Pakistan's MMA (the electorally successful Islamist political party coalition) and those of the various moderate and extremist groups on the issue see Najam Seth, ‘Talking Peace, Risking War’, The Friday Times, Internet edition (Lahore, Pakistan, May 9, 2003).

72 Pakistan was not enthusiastic about the Indian proposal of turning the Kashmir conflict into a strictly bilateral issue but it was not in a position to object to this, given the fact that in 1972 it was seeking to secure the release of some 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war from India (in the aftermath of the 1971 military debacle in which Pakistan lost its East wing of Bengal). For more on this reluctance and on the Simla Agreement see Ganguly (note 14), pp. 69–71.

73 This is with the exception of the Livingston Proposal.

74 See Syed Talat Hussain, ‘Desperately Seeking Solutions’, Newsline monthly (Karachi, Pakistan, June 2003), pp. 27–29.

75 See ‘India offers Pakistan a face-saving way forward’, Kashmir Today (Indian journal of South Asian affairs, July–August 2002), p. 39. See also ‘Pakistani MPs call for Joint Patrol’, Dawn Internet edition (Lahore, Pakistan, May 14, 2003).

76 As discussed earlier, this source is based on the Kashmiri demands of independence, perceptions of economic and political injustices committed by the Indian government in its administered Kashmir, and deteriorating economic conditions in Kashmir.

77 See Malik (note 11), pp. 138–140 and Ganguly (note 14), pp. 69–71.

78 ‘MJC stresses tripartite talks’, Dawn Internet edition (Lahore, Pakistan, April 20, 2003).

79 Jawed Naqvi, ‘China, France welcome Indo-Pakistan talks move’, the Dawn Internet edition (Lahore, Pakistan, April 23, 2003).

80 Najam Sethi, ‘Talking peace, risking war’, The Friday Times, Internet edition (Lahore, Pakistan, May 9, 2003).

82 See ‘MMA, Jihadis oppose cease-fire for talks’, The Friday Times, Internet edition (Lahore, Pakistan, May 9, 2003).

83 See ‘Jamali reiterates Kashmir policy’, Dawn, Internet edition (Lahore, Pakistan, May 15, 2003). See also Malik (note 11), pp. 118–119.

84 Most explicitly, this is the view of Pakistan's representative at the Livingston meeting, Gen. (retired) K.M. Arif based on his conversations with Admiral K.K. Nayyar, the Indian representative at the talks. See Hussain, (note 74), p. 29.

87 See discussion in the beginning of the subsection The Kashmir Conflict, Domestic Extremist Groups and International Terrorism.

88 Technically, Pakistani administered Kashmir already has these components of autonomy, but the extent to which various Pakistani governments (as far back as prime minister Zulfichar Bhutto in the 1970s) and its intelligence agency, the ISI, have not allowed this autonomy to be fully realized is a matter for debate.

89 For an excellent analysis of the Kashmiri identity, the perception of Kashmiris as a distinct ethnic group, and the pursuit of Kashmiris to free themselves from the yoke of external dominance, see Nasreen Ali, ‘Kashmiri Nationalism Beyond the Nation-State’, South Asia Research, 22/2 (Autumn 2002), pp. 145–160.

90 The rational for extremism would still be there given the fact that certain extremist groups operating in Kashmir seek a union with Pakistan, an aim that the Livingston proposal or its alternative does not address.

91 See works of the Indian writer Arundhati Roy.

92 Mariana Baabar, ‘Into the Minefield: Islamabad feels India just wants to keep tensions simmering’, Outlook (Mumbai, India, February 24, 2003).

94 Pakistani government's cooperation with the American war on terrorism, especially in facilitating American armed forces into Afghanistan and subsequently severing ties with its erstwhile allies in Taliban regime, alienated the public as well as added fuel to the fire of extremist groups operating in Pakistan.

95 See ‘The Domino Effect’ (note 4), pp. 36–45.

96 See ‘MMA, Jihadis oppose cease-fire for talks’, The Friday Times, Internet edition (Lahore, Pakistan, May 9, 2003).

97 Some success has been reported in terms of the Pakistani government's efforts at eliminating terrorist camps and reducing cross border terrorism. For example, as early as August 2002 “sources in militant [Kashmiri] outfits… [had confirmed] that cross-border movement…[had] been completely halted by the Pakistani authorities.” See Tariq Naqash, ‘Desperate Times’, The Herald monthly (Karachi, Pakistan, August 2002), p. 56.

98 On the nature and dynamics of Pakistan's divided society see Irm Haleem, ‘Ethnic and sectarian violence and the propensity toward praetorianism in Pakistan’, Third World Quarterly, 24/3 (June 2003), pp. 463–477.

99 See Dasgupta, ‘India: The new militaries’, Coercion and Governance: The Declining Role of the Military in Asia (Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 2001), pp. 92–117.

100 T. Narayan, ‘Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons are Already in the Wrong Hands’, Outlook (Mumbai, India, February 24, 2003), p. 28.

101 However, as was noted earlier, India's aversion applies a lot more to any United Nations involvement than it does to any possible United States involvement.

102 Indeed, India's recent strengthening of relations with Israel and the subsequent purchase of Israeli military technology highlights the fact that India by no means is dependent of the Untied States for the maintenance or strengthening of its military and political standing in South Asia.

103 See V. Sudarshan, ‘Neither and/or Nor’, Outlook (Mumbai, India, April 7, 2003), pp. 50–52.

104 Sudarshan (note 103), p. 50.

105 In a survey conducted by the Indian Center for Forecasting and Research (Cfore) in Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta, Bangalore and Hyderabad on 26 and 27 of March 2003, 86% of the 2,047 persons interviewed opposed the American-led war on Iraq. 65% of the same persons interviewed disagreed with the Indian government's neutral stand vis-à-vis American actions in Iraq, indicating their opinion that American actions should have been condemned by the Indian government. See survey results in Sudarshan (note 103), p. 52. For detailed account of the Pakistani public poll results on the issue of American military involvement in Iraq see ‘The Domino Effect’ (note 4), pp. 38–45.

106 Rajat Pandit, ‘Sharon visit set to fire up Indo-Israeli ties’, The Times of India (Mumbai, India, September 5, 2003), p. 1.

108 ‘Sinha, Powell discuss Peace Moves’, Dawn, Internet edition (Lahore, Pakistan, May 15, 2003).

110 The Lahore Declaration has been considered more of a symbolic gesture of good will between India and Pakistan based on the fact that a few months after the meeting, relations between the two states took a down turn again. Nonetheless, the bus ride that delivered the Indian prime minister to Lahore, Pakistan, for the meeting has maintained its symbolism in the annals of the two counties’ bilateral history.

112 Masood Haider, ‘Kasuri sees chances of Kashmir accord’, Dawn, Internet edition (Lahore, Pakistan, May 16, 2003).

113 This Indian and Pakistani concern refers to an unofficial reaction, that is, a reaction not reflected in the official government reactions of either of the countries. In other words, while officially both the states tacitly supported the American actions—most likely based both on fears of the implications of the American statement ‘you're either with us or against us’ as well as national interests of maintaining close relations with the United States—public polls in both states indicated a popular criticism of the American actions in Iraq and of the consequent new American world order. For details on the poll results in Pakistan, see ‘The Domino Effect’ (note 4), pp. 38–45. For details on the poll results in India, see Sudarshan (note 103), p. 52.

114 Sherry Rehman. ‘The Right Track’, The Herald (Karachi, Pakistan, June 2003), p. 63.

115 The worsening of India-Pakistan relations, particularly in the aftermath of the bombing of the Indian parliament in December 2001 which India blamed on extremist groups based in Pakistan administered Kashmir, is documented in numerous sources. Most recent documentation of this can be found in V. Sudarshan, ‘Silence is Golden’, Outlook (Mumbai, India, March 10, 2003), p. 42 V. Sudarshan, ‘Diplomacy Past Dinner Time’, Outlook (Mumbai, India, February 3, 2003), p. 40.

116 The emphasis on ‘diplomatic’ has been placed in order to distinguish it from American military involvement that, in the case of India and Pakistan, would be most unsuitable if not outright dangerous given the nuclear capabilities of the two South Asian states. To this end, it must be recognized that the South Asian context is quite different from the Afghanistan or Iraq contexts and as such American military involvement in the South Asian context would be strategically and tactically a mistake.


The European Parliament

  • having regard to its recent resolutions referring to Jammu and Kashmir, in particular its resolutions of 29 September 2005 on EU-India relations: A Strategic Partnership (1) , of 17 November 2005 on Kashmir (2) , of 18 May 2006 on the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World 2005 and the EU’s policy on the matter (3) , of 28 September 2006 on the EU’s economic and trade relations with India (4) and of 22 April 2004 on the situation in Pakistan (5) ,
  • having regard to the Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Partnership and Development (6) , the conclusion of which was approved by Parliament on 22 April 2004 (7) ,
  • having regard to all the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council on this issue between 1948 and 1971 (8) ,
  • having regard to the concerns expressed by various working groups and rapporteurs of the United Nations Human Rights Council and its predecessor, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and by international human rights organisations regarding breaches of human rights in Kashmir,
  • having regard to the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960,
  • having regard to the report on the visits of Parliament’s ad hoc delegation to Jammu and Kashmir adopted by the Committee on Foreign Affairs in November 2004,
  • having regard to the devastating earthquake which struck Jammu and Kashmir on 8 October 2005,
  • having regard to United Nations General Assembly Resolution No A/RES/60/13 of 14 November 2005 praising the governments and peoples involved in the earthquake relief and reconstruction efforts,
  • having regard to the visit of President Pervez Musharraf of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Committee on Foreign Affairs on 12 September 2006,
  • having regard to the 7th EU-India Summit held in Helsinki on 13 October 2006,
  • having regard to the renewed peace efforts in Kashmir since the truce agreement came into force in 2003, followed by President Musharraf’s pledge in January 2004 that Pakistani territory would not be used for cross-border terrorism, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s forward-looking vision that “borders cannot be redrawn but we can work towards making them irrelevant” and a further round of peace talks which started on 17 January 2007,
  • having regard to President Musharraf’s recent four-point plan to resolve the Kashmir conflict (no change in the boundaries of Jammu and Kashmir, free movement of people across the Line of Control (LoC), staggered demilitarisation, and self-governance with a joint supervision mechanism representing India, Pakistan, and the Kashmiris), and also to Prime Minister Singh’s suggestion that there be a comprehensive treaty of peace, security and friendship,
  • having regard to the visit of Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Pakistan on 13-14 January 2007, during which four agreements aimed at confidence-building were signed,
  • having regard to the International Crisis Group’s Asia Report No 125, of 11 December 2006, and the reports by Amnesty International, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch and the US State Department on human rights,
  • having regard to the visits made by Parliament’s rapporteur to both sides of the LoC in June 2006,
  • having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,
  • having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A6-0158/2007),

A. whereas the disputed territory which constituted the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir is currently administered in separate parts by the Republic of India, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People’s Republic of China, and has a total population of 13.4 million,

B. whereas much of Jammu and Kashmir, in particular Gilgit and Baltistan, suffers from extreme poverty and neglect, with enormous deficiencies in basic literacy and numeracy and in access to healthcare, a lack of democratic structures and major deficiencies in the rule of law and justice and whereas the whole of Jammu and Kashmir suffers from exceptional economic decline,

C. whereas the question of water resources is also a factor exacerbating the dispute between Pakistan and India over Jammu and Kashmir and is an important element of any definitive resolution,

D. whereas Jammu and Kashmir has been a source of conflict for nearly 60 years, a period punctuated by armed conflicts between India, Pakistan and China whereas this dispute has allegedly claimed more than 80,000 lives whereas the conflicts between India and Pakistan now include international terrorism and whereas China, India and Pakistan are nuclear powers, although India and Pakistan have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,

E. whereas there is considerable evidence that over many years Pakistan has provided Kashmiri militants with training, weapons, funding and sanctuary and has failed to hold militants accountable for atrocities they have committed on the Indian-administered side whereas, however, according to Indian government reports, since 11 September 2001 militant infiltration into Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir has decreased noticeably, and whereas the Government of Pakistan should put a definitive end to any infiltration policy,

F. whereas a ceasefire has been in place on the LoC since November 2003 and, despite a few breaches, has continued to hold,

G. whereas the ceasefire has enabled India and Pakistan to engage in an ongoing dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir which is now starting to be modestly successful whereas a number of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) are being implemented as part of the peace process and whereas the Kashmiri population is striving to reap the benefits of those CBMs and is actually implementing them at a local level whereas Kashmiris on the Chinese side remain outside that process,

H. whereas the India-Pakistan joint statement on Kashmir of 18 April 2005, issued at the conclusion of President Musharraf’s visit to India, has helped to strengthen the process of rapprochement between the two countries, in particular by reaffirming the irreversibility of the peace process and focussing on a non-military solution to the Kashmir conflict,

I. whereas economic development is vital for building up the physical and social infrastructure and improving the productive potential of Jammu and Kashmir whereas the EU-Pakistan Joint Declaration of 8 February 2007 is a positive new step in strengthening their relations, and whereas both sides are looking forward to moving ahead with the implementation of the 3rd Generation Cooperation Agreement, in the belief that it may help to promote socio-economic development and prosperity in Pakistan whereas the EU and Pakistan have reaffirmed their commitment to the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, bilateral agreements and the principles of the UN Charter,

J. whereas the current wide-ranging EC-India 3rd Generation Cooperation Agreement, in existence since 1994, has as its institutional basis a joint political statement which fixed annual ministerial meetings, and opened the door to a broad political dialogue,

K. whereas on the morning of 8 October 2005 an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 on the Richter scale, the most devastating international earthquake in living memory, struck a broad swathe of territory from Afghanistan through Pakistan and India, but with by far the greatest impact felt in Jammu and Kashmir, with exceptional losses in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province (NWFP),

L. whereas in minutes the earthquake claimed over 75,000 lives in AJK, later rising to 88,000, and claimed 6,000 in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, and left tens of thousands of people injured and millions entirely displaced, with minimal basic needs provision and without permanent shelter, employment, health care and education, on the Pakistani side whereas dozens of towns and villages have been partially or totally destroyed, agriculture decimated and the environment contaminated, and whereas levels of development have been severely set back,

M. whereas both state-armed forces and opposition armed groups in the Kashmir dispute should abide by the 1949 Geneva Conventions and customary international humanitarian law, which prohibit attacks against civilians, and serious violations of which constitute war crimes which states have a duty to prosecute,

N. whereas more than 2,000 soldiers have died on the Siachen Glacier in the last ten years, and whereas the ceasefire in the Siachen region since November 2005 is welcome,

Introduction

1. Stresses that India, Pakistan and China (to which Pakistan ceded the Trans-Karakoram Tract in 1963) are important EU partners, the first enjoying strategic partnership status believes that a resolution of the continuing conflict along the LoC can best be achieved jointly by a constant engagement between the governments of India and Pakistan, involving the peoples of all parts of the former princely state nevertheless thinks that the EU may have something to offer based on past experience of successful conflict resolution in a multi-ethnic, multinational, multi-faith context therefore offers the present resolution and any meetings that may come out of it as part of a shared experience from which the EU can also learn reiterates the importance of continued EU support to both India and Pakistan as they implement the 2004 peace process

2. Draws attention to the fact that India is the world’s largest secular democracy and has devolved democratic structures at all levels, whereas Pakistan still lacks full implementation of democracy in AJK and has yet to take steps towards democracy in Gilgit and Baltistan notes that both countries are nuclear powers outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty emphasises that, while India’s nuclear doctrine rests on the principle of “no first use”, Pakistan has yet to make such an undertaking notes, too, that President Musharraf has not been able to implement his undertaking made in 1999 that “the armed forces have no intention of staying in charge any longer than is absolutely necessary to pave the way for true democracy to flourish in Pakistan”

3. Very much regrets the negative chain of events set in motion by the suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry and, while recognising that the suspension has in fact opened a new debate on democracy, constitutionalism and the role of the military in Pakistan, deplores the recent outbreaks of violence stresses the overwhelming need for a secure and independent justice system to address the situation of the people of Pakistan and particularly those of AJK and Gilgit and Baltistan

4. Calls on representatives of the governments of both India and Pakistan to take the opportunity, afforded by the statements of Prime Minister Singh and President Musharraf, to inject a new impetus for exploring options for increased self-governance, freedom of movement, demilitarisation and intergovernmental cooperation on issues such as water, tourism, trade and the environment and to promote a genuine breakthrough in seeking a resolution of the Kashmir dispute

5. Notes that the impact of the earthquake on the people of AJK has gravely exacerbated the already sparse needs provision and has dramatically impaired institution and capacity-building potential urges the European Union to help and support the Kashmiris in this regard

6. Urges the Governments of Pakistan and India to resolve the crucial riparian issues affecting the headwaters and the use of the rivers flowing through Jammu and Kashmir (the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers) as swiftly as possible, with reference to the existing mechanism provided for in the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 nevertheless, as, for example, in the case of the upgrading of the Mangla Dam or the construction of the Baglihar Dam, underlines that addressing the agricultural, fishing, livestock and human water requirements of the people affected must remain a key priority and appeals to both governments to commission comprehensive environmental and social impact assessments before taking future decisions on any further dam project

7. Expresses its great concern over the negative consequences which the long-standing conflict has had on the environment in Jammu and Kashmir, to the extent that the economic future of Jammu and Kashmir is at stake due to serious soil degradation, air pollution, pollution of the rivers and, most dramatically, of the ancient tourist magnet Dal Lake, deforestation and extinction of wildlife

8. Notes the importance of water, security and sustainable and secure energy supplies to the stability and growth of the region and notes in this regard the importance of developing irrigation and hydroelectric projects considers it imperative that the Governments of Pakistan and India continue their constructive dialogue and consult representatives of the Kashmiris over riparian issues, and urges them to adopt a holistic approach to water resources, recognising the key links between water, land, local users, the environment and infrastructure

9. Underlines the common heritage shared by India and Pakistan, exemplified in the ancient culture of Jammu and Kashmir recognises and values the pluralism, multiculturalism and multi-faith nature and secular traditions of the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir, which have been kept alive in the Indian part of Jammu and Kashmir

10. Believes that the EU’s respect for regional identities and efforts to ensure that its own decisions are taken at the most appropriate administrative level (i.e. closest to those affected) are relevant to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people for devolved decision, making structures and recognition of their unique cultural identity

Political situation: the aspirations of the people

11. Commends and supports India and Pakistan on the peace moves currently under way, and welcomes the fact that bilateral talks, put on hold for three months after the July 2006 bombings in Mumbai, have re-started stresses the need for the region, the EU and the international community to support the current bilateral talks and for a further strengthening of exchanges about conflict resolution, thereby ensuring a prosperous future for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and its neighbours, and for finding a solution to the Kashmir dispute which is acceptable to all the parties

12. Calls on the European Union to support the involvement of local civil society in the peace process and, above all, to sustain people-to-people projects in order to promote dialogue and collaboration among Pakistani, Indian and Kashmiri NGOs

13. Has warmly welcomed the CBMs initiated by India and Pakistan, which are achieving a certain degree of success in reducing tension and suspicion on both sides and have allowed families on both sides to unite after years of separation emphasises that greater efforts should be made by the governments of India and Pakistan to involve Kashmiris in the resolution of the core issues

14. Draws attention to the fact that ordinary Kashmiris, by virtue of the humanitarian situation after the earthquake, are now benefiting progressively from the peace process, through the exchanges taking place and the political commitment by both the Indian and Pakistani Governments to the free movement of people, goods and services (albeit still limited) across the LoC calls for renewed efforts to enable all Kashmiris, irrespective of political affiliation, to become intimately involved in the modalities of the peace process and CBMs

15. Emphasises that the crises and conflicts of recent years have enhanced, not diminished, the relevance of the United Nations, and that the UN remains an important forum for dialogue and diplomacy recalls the large number of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Kashmir, from 1948 to 1971, which have sought to encourage both the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan to take all measures within their power calculated to improve the situation, and which have expressed the conviction that a peaceful settlement of the dispute will best promote the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, of India and of Pakistan draws the conclusion, in the light of all the above and of subsequent violations of points set out in the various UNSC resolutions, that the preconditions for invoking the plebiscite have not been met at present

16. Reaffirms that, under Article 1.1 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, all peoples have the right of self-determination, by virtue of which they may freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development reaffirms that, under Article 1.3, all parties to the covenant must promote the realisation of the right of self-determination, and must respect that right, in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations notes, however, that all UN resolutions on the Kashmir dispute explicitly and only acknowledge the right for the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir to become part of India or Pakistan welcomes, within the context of bringing the Kashmir conflict to a permanent solution, which would bring enormous benefits to the entire region, the new ideas that are currently under consideration within the Composite Dialogue and India’s Round Table discussions (in which context the reopening of dialogue by the Indian Government with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) is especially welcome), and in particular ideas related to making boundaries permanently irrelevant, a system of self-governance, and institutional arrangements for joint or cooperative management strongly encourages both India and Pakistan to further explore these concepts in joint discussions and with Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC and in Gilgit and Baltistan

17. Deplores the continuing political and humanitarian situation in all four parts of Jammu and Kashmir welcomes, however, the role of the composite peace process in moving towards a durable settlement for the Kashmiris based on democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights supports the “second track” approach as well as wider dialogue involving eminent persons, academics and other relevant experts from all sides of Kashmir and from India and Pakistan, who are putting forward practical suggestions for closer cooperation congratulates India and Pakistan for bringing together these groups, and suggests that the EU offer practical support wherever invited to do so by both sides and within the composite peace process

18. Regrets, however, that Pakistan has consistently failed to fulfil its obligations to introduce meaningful and representative democratic structures in AJK notes in particular the continuing absence of Kashmiri representation in the Pakistan National Assembly, the fact that AJK is governed through the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs in Islamabad, that Pakistan officials dominate the Kashmir Council and that the Chief Secretary, the Inspector-General of Police, the Accountant-General and the Finance Secretary are all from Pakistan disapproves of the provision in the 1974 Interim Constitution which forbids any political activity that is not in accordance with the doctrine of Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan and obliges any candidate for a parliamentary seat in AJK to sign a declaration of loyalty to that effect is concerned that the Gilgit-Baltistan region enjoys no form of democratic representation whatsoever furthermore, draws attention to the fact that the Government of Pakistan’s 1961 Jammu and Kashmir (Administration of Property) Ordinance transferred the land controlled by Pakistan and which belonged to the State of Jammu and Kashmir on 15 August 1947 to the Federal Government

19. Very much regrets the continuing ambivalence of the current Government of Pakistan with regard to the ethnic identity of Gilgit and Baltistan, whereby statements made by the President are contradicted by official government communications strongly recommends that the Government of Pakistan endorse and implement the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan of 28 May 1999 which validates the Kashmiri heritage of the people of Gilgit and Baltistan and states that the Government should implement their fundamental human rights, democratic freedoms and access to justice

20. Recognises that Pakistan finds itself in a particularly complex situation with pressure from many sources nevertheless:

  • deeply regrets that the lack of a sufficient political will to address basic needs provision, political participation and the rule of law in AJK has left women there in a desperate situation following the earthquake
  • recalls the signature of the EC-Pakistan 3rd Generation Cooperation Agreement in 2001, Article 1 of which includes respect for human rights and democratic principles as an essential element, and urges the EU to play its part in upholding those principles when implementing the Agreement is particularly concerned, therefore, that the people of Gilgit and Baltistan are under the direct rule of the military and enjoy no democracy
  • notes the approval of the Protection of Women Bill to reform the Sharia-based Hudood decrees on adultery and rape as a positive step in ensuring better protection of women’s rights in Pakistan, and appreciates the commitment shown by President Musharraf and reformist parliamentarians in pursuing these amendments despite attempts to derail them stresses, however, that it is pre-eminently clear that Pakistan needs to do more to live up to its commitments in the human rights field
  • remains concerned about the difficult situation faced by all minorities throughout the region

21. Urges Pakistan to revisit its concept of democratic accountability and minority and women’s rights in AJK, which, as elsewhere, are key to improving conditions for the people and tackling the menace of terrorism

22. Expresses concern regarding the lack of freedom of expression in AJK and reports of torture and mistreatment, of discrimination against refugees from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and of corruption amongst government officials, and calls on the Pakistani Government to ensure that the people of AJK can exercise their fundamental civil and political rights in an environment free from coercion and fear

23. Further calls on Pakistan to ensure free and fair elections in AJK, considering that the general elections of 11 July 2006 were characterised by fraud and vote rigging on a massive scale, and that any candidate who refused to uphold the position of the accession of Kashmir to Pakistan was barred from running also calls on Pakistan to hold elections for the first time in Gilgit and Baltistan

24. Urges the Governments of Pakistan and India also to transform the ceasefire in place in Siachen since 2003 into a lasting peace agreement, given that, on this, the highest battlefield in the world, more soldiers die every year for reasons of climate than of armed conflict

25. Calls on the European Union to support India and Pakistan in negotiating a zone of complete disengagement in the Siachen region without prejudice to the position of either side, in particular by offering assistance in providing monitoring technologies and verification procedures

26. Calls on militant armed groups to declare a ceasefire to be followed by a disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process calls on the Governments of Pakistan and India to facilitate such a ceasefire

27. Encourages the Pakistani Government to close down militant websites and magazines suggests that the Pakistani and Indian Governments consider introducing a law against hate speech

28. Notes that Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir enjoys a unique status under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, granting it greater autonomy than other states in the Union is pleased to see recent moves in Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen democracy (as evidenced by the 75% turnout in recent local elections), and the moves by Prime Minister Singh to reopen dialogue with the APHC however, notes that there remain deficiencies in practice with regard to human rights and direct democracy, as evidenced by, for example, the fact that all candidates standing for office in Jammu and Kashmir (as in other states) have to sign an oath of loyalty to the Constitution of the State of Jammu and Kashmir which upholds the integrity of India urges India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to exercise its full mandate with regard to any suspected or documented violations and, to lend it even greater credibility, urges the NHRC to make good the absence of any human rights professionals on its governing board looks forward to enhanced progress in this area, and to positive outcomes from the new laws on child labour and on women and violence notes with concern reports that large numbers of Kashmiris are detained without due process

29. Deplores documented human rights violations by the armed forces of India, especially if the incidents of killing and rape continue in an atmosphere of impunity notes with concern that the NHRC has no power under its statutes to investigate human rights abuses perpetrated by the Indian security forces is nevertheless encouraged by the NHRC’s recommendation – which is being observed – that the army nominate senior military officers to oversee the implementation of fundamental human rights and the rule of law in their military units notes the commitment given by the government of India in September 2005 that human rights violations will not be tolerated and urges the Lok Sabha to consider amending the Human Rights Protection Act in order to allow the NHRC to investigate independently allegations of abuse by members of the armed forces

30. Stresses the risk of maintaining the death penalty in a complex political situation, such as the Kashmir dispute, where the right to a fair trial does not appear to be guaranteed notes with concern that South Asia continues to have a poor record with regard to the death penalty and deeply regrets that both the Indian and the Pakistani Governments are in favour of its retention welcomes the fact that key abolitionist voices in the region include President Kalam and the newly appointed Chief Justice to the Supreme Court in India welcomes UN Human Rights Resolution 2005/59 on the question of the death penalty and reaffirms the EU’s human rights guidelines on the death penalty urges India and Pakistan to consider acceding to the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, and similar regional instruments with a view to introducing a moratorium on the death penalty, and to move towards complete abolition

31. Welcomes in this context declarations by Prime Minister Singh calling for “zero tolerance for human rights violations” in Kashmir, and calls on the Indian Government to put an end to all practices of extrajudicial killings, “disappearances”, torture and arbitrary detentions in Jammu and Kashmir

32. Notes that widespread impunity both encourages and facilitates further human rights abuses across the State calls on India and the State Government of Jammu and Kashmir to repeal all legal provisions providing effective immunity to members of the armed forces and to establish an independent and impartial commission of inquiry into serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by Indian security forces since the beginning of the conflict

33. Urges the governments of India and Pakistan to allow international human rights organisations (such as Freedom House, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch) immediate and unrestricted access to all parts of the former princely state in order to investigate the human rights situation there and to compile regular independent reports on this urges both governments to commit themselves publicly to full cooperation with such international human rights organisations

34. Urges the EU to take a firm stance in upholding the democracy and human rights clause in its agreements with both India and Pakistan, seeking an intense political dialogue with both countries on human rights including within Kashmir, and examining the possibility of setting up a specific human rights dialogue with Pakistan, as is the case already with India, and the establishment of specific human rights subcommittees dealing with both countries, as in the case of certain other countries

35. Recognises the difficult living conditions of a number of groups, such as the forcibly displaced Pandits of the Kashmir Valley urges that discrimination against them and other groups, particularly in employment, be addressed head-on suggests that such groups seek to empower themselves by establishing committees of their own elected representatives, ensuring that women and under-25s are properly represented

36. Suggests that India review the degree of success enjoyed by the setting-up of the Autonomous Hill Council in Ladakh in 1993 hopes that the Kargil-Skardu trade route can be re-established as part of the CBM process and that the Ladakh/Northern Areas division can be bridged by crossing-points similar to those already established elsewhere along the LoC

37. In particular, welcomes the general increase in the issue of visas for travel between India and Pakistan, and the reopening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus route notes that, according to the latest statistics, its use has been limited to fewer than 400 persons on each side of the LoC and calls on the Indian and Pakistani authorities to ease restrictions in relation to the issue of travel permits

38. Compliments India on its efforts to promote the socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir through special packages for the state, and its emphasis on job creation and measures to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, and proposes an examination of how the (forthcoming) EU-India partnership could help with the creation of new skills-based jobs, especially for women and young people encourages the European Union to support the initiatives of local NGOs to set up projects for capacity-building for women, both for production and for marketing believes that the European Union could address equal opportunity concerns by increasing trade in products which traditionally provide livelihoods for women, such as textiles and handicrafts, and facilitating trade in services in sectors which employ women recommends that economic relations between the European Union and Pakistan be strengthened in a similar manner

39. Calls on both India and Pakistan to examine the potential role of increased security and respect for human rights in attaining the goals of job creation and increased tourism across the whole of Jammu and Kashmir

Combating terrorism

40. Recognises that, without an end to terrorism, there can be no real progress towards a political solution or in improving the economic situation of the population throughout Jammu and Kashmir notes that, while there has been a steady decline in the number of victims of terrorist attacks over the past five years, the activities of constantly mutating AJK-based terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Harakat ul-Mujahedeen have caused hundreds of deaths in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and beyond

41. Deplores documented human rights violations by Pakistan including in Gilgit and Baltistan, where allegedly violent riots took place in 2004, and the all too frequent incidents of terror and violence perpetrated by armed militant groups urges Pakistan to revisit its concepts of the fundamental rights of freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of religious practice in AJK and Gilgit and Baltistan, and notes with concern allegations by human rights associations such as Amnesty International of torture and detention without due process strongly urges all parties involved to do all they can to address these violations welcomes Pakistan’s public commitments to curb infiltration across the LoC by militants operating out of territory under its control, but believes it must take much stronger and more effective measures urges a continuing and determined commitment by President Musharraf to fighting terrorism, which, it is widely recognised, presents enormous challenges approves and supports multilateral and bilateral EU Member State aid to assist Pakistan in fighting terrorism and in making determined efforts to improve the lives of the people of AJK and Gilgit and Baltistan furthermore, calls on the Government of Pakistan and EU Member States to intensify their efforts to identify and apprehend potential terrorist recruits coming to Pakistan from EU Member States welcomes the recent establishment by the two governments of a joint panel, the India-Pakistan Joint Mechanism on Terrorism, to combat terrorism and share intelligence, and notes that the first meeting of the panel took place in Islamabad on 6 March 2007

42. Strongly supports the International Crisis Group’s recommendations of 11 December 2006 calling on Pakistan to take decisive action to disarm militants in AJK and Gilgit and Baltistan, shut down terrorist training camps, stop terrorist recruitment and training on its territory and end the flow of money and weapons to the Taliban and other foreign or local militants on Pakistani territory

43. Recognises and supports the aspiration of the Kashmiri people for a significantly reduced military presence on both sides of the LoC points out, however, that meaningful demilitarisation can only take place in parallel with genuine action to neutralise the threat of infiltration of Jammu and Kashmir by militant outfits operating out of Pakistan, and alongside CBMs such as putting an end to mutual recriminations, full implementation of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus line, communication and trade links, and other measures defined in close consultation with Kashmiri people on both sides, and notes the beneficial impact that this will have on their mental health and sense of security, particularly for children and young people stresses that only fresh initiatives which look to the future can bring about a virtuous circle

44. Emphasises that, in order to create an atmosphere of confidence and goodwill in the region, it is vital to remove all obstructions and hindrances so that all Kashmiris may travel freely to the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir

Confidence-building measures

45. Warmly welcomes the most recent signs of renewed efforts, including, even, considerable policy shifts to resolve the Kashmir dispute on the part of the Pakistani and Indian governments

46. Particularly welcomes the steps taken to reunite families divided by the LoC through the opening of five crossing-points is aware that the opening-up of meeting points on the LoC has been described as being demonstrably slow and not responding to the urgency of the situation on the ground none the less, encourages and looks forward to increasingly frequent crossings would like to see these extended to all citizens on both sides and recommends that India and Pakistan instigate measures to facilitate all travel, be it within the former princely state or internationally, by means of fast–track administrative and consular services

47. Believes it is vital to increase the frequency of cross-LoC exchanges at all levels of civil society and across all walks of life suggests that exchange programmes be created between law associations, schools and universities, including a common University with a campus on either side of the divide to help reduce levels of mutual suspicion between the armies on either side, suggests that military-to-military dialogue be initiated

48. Calls on the Governments of India and Pakistan to make the restoration and conservation of the environment in Jammu and Kashmir one of the focal points for common activities and joint plans of action across the LoC, and urges the EU and the Member States to lend strong support to any such projects

49. Recommends that consideration be given to the establishment of a joint India-Pakistan monitoring cell for the sharing of data on weather patterns and seismic activity in order to provide early warning of natural disasters originating on either side of the LoC

50. At the political level, recommends that a Joint India-Pakistan Parliamentary Committee be established to foster greater parliamentary exchanges and dialogue similarly, that joint local government working parties be established to explore trade and tourism issues

51. Encourages EU businesses to recognise the investment and tourism potential of all of Kashmir, and in particular the existence of a highly motivated workforce suggests that European businesses might enter into joint ventures with local companies and that investment insurance schemes be created to boost investor confidence calls on all parties to support and facilitate the representation of the respective chambers of commerce at international trade fairs in the European Union in order to allow them to promote their products for export

52. Further supports the call for Pakistan to develop human resources by investing in tertiary education, including vocational training schools and technical colleges in the federally administered areas, including in the Gilgit-Baltistan areas of Kashmir

53. Notes that India is the single largest beneficiary of the Generalised System of Preferences scheme (GSP) urges the Commission automatically to revisit the GSP+ scheme, and other appropriate trade measures, in the immediate aftermath of large-scale natural disasters, such as earthquakes welcomes the commitment given by all South Asian states within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to work effectively towards making the South Asia Free Trade Agreement a political and economic reality which will maximise the benefits for four parts of Jammu and Kashmir, and calls on the Government of Pakistan to end the “positive list” system notes positively that, although trade between the two countries has fluctuated over the past decade, the overall level of official trade between India and Pakistan has increased from USD 180 million in 1996 to USD 602 million in 2005 and, given that the high level of informal trade indicates the latent trading potential between them, that this trend has the potential to continue and should be encouraged

54. Stresses that tourism has considerable potential to bolster the local economy therefore encourages the governments of the EU Member States to keep a close eye on the security situation, with a view to ensuring the provision of up-to-date, coordinated travel advice to those wishing to travel to Jammu and Kashmir

Impact of the earthquake of 8 October 2005

55. Strongly emphasises that the earthquake has had an immense impact on the lives of the Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC, and that the overwhelming humanitarian situation has degraded the fragile institutional capacity on the ground in AJK and NWFP underlines that day-to-day survival is now the overwhelming priority for the people

56. Regrets that, in addition to the massive loss of life, AJK suffered incalculable material damage to its infrastructure (hospitals, schools, government buildings, communication channels) and to what were in many cases already fragile basic institutions and services

57. Is deeply saddened that the earthquake had a disproportionate impact on children, with 17,000 children killed according to UNICEF figures is highly concerned about reports of child trafficking in the aftermath of the disaster and calls on the Government of Pakistan to specifically address the issue of children’s rights and protection in AJK and Gilgit and Baltistan and to target child trafficking more effectively

58. Draws attention to the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and people in severe and continuing need created by the earthquake in the absence of a convention on the rights of IDPs, welcomes the UN’s “Guiding Principles”, which offer the basis for a humane response to the insidious assault of forced displacement on human rights, and demands that all relevant authorities with an interest in Kashmir respect those principles calls on the Government of Pakistan to do everything in its power to assign land to the inhabitants of those villages that disappeared in landslides as soon as possible, in order for them to be able to reconstitute themselves as villages and to rebuild permanent housing facilities strongly recommends that the EU focus consistently on the above principles, as well as on broader issues of democracy, justice and human rights in all four parts of Kashmir notes also that on both sides of the LoC long-standing ‘refugee’ camps should be dismantled, and proper attention paid to their occupants’ protection, needs and social integration, and the occupants either allowed to return home speedily or be permanently resettled notes that the international community should offer continuing assistance in this regard

59. Stresses that the disaster struck a region already weakened by conflict and terrorism, and where fundamental institutions and regional stability have been constantly undermined by organised crime and infiltration across the LoC by radical Islamist networks exploiting the rugged terrain

60. Is appalled that the already minimal basic living conditions experienced in AJK before the earthquake (in terms of food, water, shelter, sanitation, schools and barely adequate health-centres) have been seriously affected as a consequence of the earthquake urges the authorities concerned, when millions are in basic need, to concentrate their energies on fighting the corruption that has wrongly diverted the flow of funding away from the intended recipients, including disturbing allegations that UN-banned terrorist organisations have been operating in the earthquake zone in AJK calls on the Commission, Member State governments, the governments of India and Pakistan and aid agencies to continue to concentrate on the basic needs of earthquake victims

61. Notes that the size and impact of the earthquake had a much greater effect on the Pakistani side of the LoC, devastating whole swathes of local government infrastructure and unavoidably delaying services needed to respond to the emergency congratulates the governments, armies and local populations on both sides of the LoC for their dedication, determination and commitment to respond to the manifold challenges which the earthquake caused

Response to the earthquake of 8 October 2005

62. Acknowledges that the response to the earthquake from the international community, India and Pakistan was swift and positive in the circumstances prevailing: there were immediate contacts at the highest level between India and Pakistan domestic and local NGOs responded well, working with the local and central administrations fully recognises that unprecedented solidarity was shown by the international community and international NGOs in relation to the earthquake survivors and victims, and welcomes the forging of new partnerships recommends that the European Union look favourably on further requests for additional assistance for reconstruction in the areas affected by the earthquake, and asks the Commission to provide up-to-date information about requests already made in this regard

63. Notes, with concern, that the preliminary damage and needs assessment prepared by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, to which the Commission contributed, estimates the total loss of employment or livelihood as a consequence of the earthquake at 29%, impacting on approximately 1.64 million people, over half of whom were estimated to be under the age of 15 welcomes the Commission’s EUR 50 million project, Earthquake Early Recovery and Reconstruction Support to Pakistan emphasises that this project should focus on protecting the most vulnerable in the short term, restoring economic activity in the affected areas, including reviving small businesses and replacing lost assets in agriculture, and creating employment opportunities through training and skills enhancement programmes recommends that, in the medium and long term, measures to rebuild and secure livelihoods should include microfinance and skills enhancement, and urges the Commission to support such strategies in the long term

64. Notes with satisfaction the funds released by the Commission for urgent relief operations for the earthquake victims in AJK and Pakistan however, urges the Humanitarian Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid to accede to the request of the Prime Minister of AJK to release further funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction purposes that will go a long way towards removing the after-effects of this human disaster

65. Congratulates all those involved in identifying and addressing the public health needs of earthquake survivors in camps, which, despite the challenges associated with the provision of clean potable water and appropriate sanitation facilities in post-disaster situations, have not seen major outbreaks of water-borne diseases congratulates the Pakistani Government on having provided shelter and supplies to more than two million displaced persons to sustain them through the winter, and congratulates India on having now re-housed the 30,000 people who were made homeless on its side of the LoC is concerned that there are reports of thousands of people still living in tents, as witnessed during Parliament’s SAARC delegation visit from 15 to 22 December 2006 to AJK

66. Notes that Pakistan established a Federal Relief Commission within days of the disaster to coordinate search and rescue and relief operations regrets, however, that Pakistan was unable to accept Indian offers of helicopters, on the grounds of their pilots’ nationalities, as well as cross-LoC joint relief operations, medical relief teams and repair of telecom infrastructure, all of which could have significantly contributed to reducing casualties regrets, therefore, that the earthquake has not been an opportunity to show the political will to prioritise the humanitarian needs of the Kashmiri population and to overcome political differences

67. Welcomes the funds so speedily pledged by Pakistan’s neighbouring states (India, China, Iran, Afghanistan) and, on a wider regional basis, by Turkey and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and by the international community as a whole congratulates the European Commission, and, in particular DG ECHO, already present in Pakistan, for its immediate and effective response encourages donors to deliver as swiftly as possible on their original pledges

68. Congratulates the Commission in particular on its programme of rolling funding in response to the earthquake, which has now provided EUR 48.6 million, and which is delivered in partnership with NGOs, the Red Cross and UN agencies calls for a continuing EU commitment towards reconstruction in Kashmir

69. Stresses that reconstruction funds should be significantly focused on initiatives to conserve the remaining forests, notably through the availability of alternative fuel sources, reafforestation, environmental education programmes and, possibly, compensation schemes allowing the AJK government to provide compensation for loss of income resulting from curbs on timber sales

70. Regrets that the Pakistani Government insisted that all Indian labels be removed from the humanitarian aid delivered by India before it was distributed

71. Highlights the fact that the initially hesitant reaction to the disaster by the Pakistani military created a needs vacuum in the immediate aftermath, which was exploited by militant organisations on the ground, such as the Jamaat-i-Islami, and Jamaat-ud-Dawa, the renamed Lakshar-e-Tayyaba (declared a terrorist organisation and, as such, banned by the Musharraf government in 2002), who swiftly became de facto providers of food, lodging, schooling for children and welfare for widows is very concerned that this has bolstered the credibility of such polarising groups in the eyes of the local population, further undermining any potential for genuine democratic representation

72. Urges the governments of India and Pakistan together with the international community to do all they can to implement safeguards and to monitor closely the use of funds delivered

73. Warmly welcomes the landmark agreement of 2 May 2006 to revive trade and commerce across the LoC between the divided regions of Jammu and Kashmir by launching a truck service on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route, as well as a second cross-Kashmir bus service, linking Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir with Rawalakot in AJK suggests the establishment of a road network between Jammu and Sialkot and Gilgit-Baltistan also suggests the introduction of a rail link between Jammu and Srinagar and improvement of the road connecting the two cities welcomes Prime Minister Singh’s pledge on 23 May 2006 to create an environment of freer trade and freer movement with “soft borders” to create a climate for a Kashmir settlement strongly encourages both sides to move rapidly to significant volumes of official trade urges swift agreement on the modalities of road freight, with an emphasis on simplifying them as far as possible suggests the establishment of an integrated market development plan, with several agri-processing units, cold chains, small-size container services and bonded trucking services

Conclusions

74. Urges the EU and its institutions not to let the plight of the people of Jammu and Kashmir disappear from the radar screen and to ensure that aid and other programmes are designed and implemented with long-term recovery and institution-building in mind

75. Underlines that, as the EU’s own experience demonstrates, one of the keys to improving relations between countries is through increasing bilateral trade flows believes that, in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, cross-LoC trade is particularly vital to the generation of economic growth, development and the unlocking of its economic potential recommends that transportation and infrastructure projects be made a priority

76. 76 Strongly supports continuing initiatives by the political establishments on both sides and at all levels, and urges them to give priority to the needs of the people of Kashmir, both materially and institutionally, so that their political, economic, social and cultural disadvantages can be redressed recommends that the EU be available to respond to requests from either government

77. Recognises the outstanding work being undertaken by the Commission’s delegations in Islamabad and New Delhi

78. Notes that natural disasters sometimes create the political conditions for peacemaking that nature knows no borders and that it is only by Pakistan and India taking sustainable action together that they can offer the people of Kashmir any hope of rebuilding a future

79. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States, to the Governments of the Republic of India and of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the competent authorities or governments of Indian and Pakistani–administered Jammu and Kashmir, and the People’s Republic of China, and to the United Nations.


Morning murder of Afzal, Indian brutality, Pakistani hypocrisy!

A tale of two Kashmiris : A Sovereign Kashmir: Random Thoughts- 170

Flag of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Morning murder of Afzal, Indian brutality, Pakistani hypocrisy!

The Disputed Territory : Shown in green is Kashmiri region under Pakistani control. The orange-brown region represents Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir while the Aksai Chin is under Chinese occupation. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Afzal and Khalid sitting on a rock in Duikar, Hunza Valley (Photo credit: ihunzai) Shikaras are a common feature in lakes and rivers across the Kashmir valley. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Murder of Kashmiri Muslim Md Afzal Guru on February 9, 2013 in Delhi Tihar Jail as a very secret, cold blooded act of state crime only smacks of serious kind of hatred mindset of so-called secular India against Muslims. Excessively negative and hostile statements by the Indian leadership and media lords have only further brutalized the terror situation in JK.

India has struck on Kashmiri Afzal Guru on ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ being observed in India occupied Jammu Kashmir. Grave, unanswered questions surround the Parliament attack case even after four judicial pronouncements. Who attacked the Parliament and what was the conspiracy? On what basis did the NDA government take the country close to a nuclear war? What was the role of the State Task Force of Jammu Kashmir on surrendered militants? What was the role of the special cell of Delhi police in conducting the case?

India wanted kill Kashmiris without calling them Kashmiris, but only branding them as terrorists. And India has killed Md Afzal as equivalent to an attack on Pakistan.

India has maintained secrecy in both investigation and hanging practice of Afzal Guru. The fact is, that there has never been a public inquiry into the attack on Parliament House. On what basis was Afzal convicted? It is appalling to see the reaction of Indian media and people on the verdict of Afzal Guru. A fair inquiry is a must if justice has to be established. Has Afzal been given a fair chance to prove his innocence? The identity of the parliament attacker remains elusive. The judge in the designated court averred that they were indeed Pakistanis, since no Indian had claimed them. But no one from Pakistan claimed them either.

In this connection, it is important to recall the mass hysteria that ensued after the attack on Parliament. The print-media as much as TV channels played a role in fomenting this mass hysteria just as they did when state promoted mega serials Ramayan and Mahabharat were telecast. The then PM A.B.Vajpayee and the Home Minister L.K.Advani sued mieda to teir advantages to promote Islamophobia. .. In-fact, even before the police recorded Afzal’s statement they presented him to the media before whom he made, what appeared to be, a complete public confession. Moreover, TV channels broadcasted a program, sensationally described as Haqeeqat, full of lies, in which the prosecution’s version of the case was virtually presented as established. There was a repeat broadcast a few days later, as well as a well-publicised special screening for Their approval for the film was recorded by TV cameras and was broadcast to the nation.

Afzal was a surrendered freedom fighter- militant. In fact, Afzal denied every aspect of his involvement in the conspiracy to which he had allegedly confessed earlier. Needless to say, Afzal also stated that the police made him sign a pre-written disclosure and confession he also gave graphic details of the illegal procedure under which these were obtained. Afzal was in close touch with the STF security agencies throughout the period starting from 1993 to at least 2000. Three of the people -Tariq, Afzal, Mohammad: the mastermind, the link, the attacker -, allegedly involved in the attack, originated from the STF camp itself. If Afzal had to report regularly to the STF, how could they not have known anything about the conspiracy? Would militants repose trust in someone who was in regular contact with the STF?

When we consider that the Members of Parliament had had a narrow escape, it is difficult to understand why no one, neither in the ruling coalition, nor in the opposition, thought there should be an immediate and deep-digging inquiry”. Given the grave outcome, it is natural to ask: who attacked the Parliament? What exactly was the conspiracy? How could the attackers nearly succeed in blowing up the building itself? The militants’ not only did not blow themselves up, they left behind a thick trail of unused arms and ammunition, mobile phones supposedly used during the attack, addresses, phone numbers, and many more similar clues. Unfortunately, there are no direct official answers to these questions since India never ordered a public inquiry or tabled a white paper on the topic.

LK Advani, the prominent Hindutva leader using Muslims to corner Hindu votes and leader of the Hindu criminals responsible for destruction of Babri Mosque to become , the Home Minister and deputy PM , had tendered as evidence in Parliament that: “the dead men looked like Pakistanis.” Nandita Haksar and Kumar Sanjay Singh asked in an article in Seminar: “How does a Pakistani look? Does Mr. Advani look like a Pakistani? Does Musharraf look like an Indian?”

The defence of Mohammad Afzal, the key figure in the state-sponsored story of conspiracy, suffered the most. With great difficulty, Geelani’s defence managed to produce some witnessesand was set free A trapped Afzal had none. He had no legal defence in the period between his arrest on December 15, 2001 and the filing of the charge sheet on May 14, 2005 in other words, no counsel had studied the complex case.

It will be a travesty of justice to hang Mohammad Afzal without ascertaining answers to these questions. On October 20, they are not going to hang Afzal alone but with it they will also hang whatever little trust the Kashmiri people had in this judiciary all to be hanged till death.

Decide yourself. Let every Indian think why there has been no inquiry of this dastardly act.

English: jammu & kashmir (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Flash-point- Kashmiri Muslims under sige

Claimed in its entirety by both India and Pakistan, Kashmir has been a flashpoint for more than 60 years and two wars have been fought over it.

It remains the central fact that enduring peace and security in South Asia lies in resolving the longstanding conflict of Jammu Kashmir, now under Indian brutal occupation.

Kashmir turmoil has the potential of derailing any bilateral processes like enhancement of trade, people to people contact etc. India should be as much committed as Pakistan is to finding a just and peaceful solution of the dispute in accordance the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Despite the confusing signals that occasionally emanate from India that the security forces’ presence in Kashmir would be reduced, the number of the occupation forces has not gone down. The massacre of Kashmiri Muslims as well! Human Rights violations of the people of Kashmir continue unabated with impunity. The fundamental rights of the people of Kashmir have been trodden by invoking the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which has been termed as ‘draconian’, ‘hated’ and “a violation of International Law” by the UN Special Rapporteur on HR.

Meeting of the “OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir” on the sidelines of 12 th OIC Summit in Cairo on 5 February coincided with the ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day.’ This was the third meeting of the Contact Group in less than six months. This indeed is an expression of importance that the OIC attaches to this lingering dispute. The meeting was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Secretary General OIC participants of the meeting reiterated their continued support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. During the meeting, Foreign Minister of Pakistan said: “I am honoured to address this meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir on a day when Pakistanis all over the world observe solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir… OICmessage has been clear: Implement the UN Security Council Resolutions which affirm Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. The support of the OIC member states to the Kashmir cause is highly valued by the Kashmiris and the people of Pakistan. It is unfortunate that since 1948 Kashmiris’ right to self determination has been denied… President of Pakistan during his address at the 67th session of the UNGA reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to support the right of people of Jammu and Kashmir to peacefully determine their destiny in accordance with the UN Security Council’s resolutions.”

Moreover, in her statement to the OIC summit, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister underscored the need to address daunting challenges faced by the Muslim World through unity, solidarity, and a spirit of Islamic brotherhood: “On this day, I wish to reassure my Kashmiri brethren that Pakistan remains firmly committed to finding a just and peaceful solution of the Kashmir dispute…I reaffirm Pakistan’s firm commitment to a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir and protection of their fundamental rights”.

President of AJK and the representative of the APHC, Ghulam Mohammad Safi, also attended the meeting of the Contact Group. President of AJK spoke in particular about the Human Rights violations that continue unabated by the Indian security forces. The representatives of the Kashmiri People gave an update on the latest situation in the Indian occupied Kashmir. They presented to the Summit a memorandum on the Kashmir cause, this document contained proposals for both the OIC member states as well as the OIC Secretary General to peacefully resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.

The Cross-LoC confidence building measures (CBMs) to bring relief to the divided families and reduce the sufferings of the Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC has somewhat helped Kashmiris. Pakistan is pursuing the CBMs in good faith and hopes that the process would continue to mitigate the suffering of the Kashmiri people and lead to resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. These CBMs have contributed towards creation of a congenial environment between the two countries to address the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

Recent violations of ceasefire, meant to terrorize the Kashmir Muslims, have brought the Kashmir conflict under renewed focus at the international level. This dispute has been on the agenda of the UN for more than six decades, it is indeed an unfulfilled obligation of the UN. The government and people of Pakistan continue to extend their unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support to the just cause of the Kashmiri people to safeguard their right of self determination through a free and impartial plebiscite in line with the UN Charter and UNSC resolutions, as well as for the protection of their fundamental rights.

Kashmiris could consider erecting an Afzal Guru monument in Sri Nagar and other towns in occupied JK as well as Azad Kashmir. They must ask for proper investigation of Parliament attack and real culprits (if hiding under the garbs of state protection) should be brought to light.

Murder of Afzal has clearly given the ruling Congress party and its allies an edge over bjp/RSS in the next poll to Parliament. Having ensured Muslim vote bank, now the ruling Congress has only attempted to ensure Hindu vote bank. Congress-bjp combine knows Muslims would not vote for RSS. Congress has outsmarted bjp/RSS by killing Muslims all by themselves..

Congress party gains a political point over RSS/bjp in killing Afzal Guru. Even Muslim agents of Indian regime and operating against Muslim interests are annoyed. Earlier, Congress party had obtained another Hindu vote bank point by killing Ksaba..Indian regime has strong record of Muslim murders both in India and Kashmir. congress and bjp(RSS) are collaborating on the Muslim issue… That is fate of besieged Indian and Kashmiri Muslims… Mind you, India is secular democracy, offcially.

United Nations’ map of Jammu and Kashmir, accepted by the Kashmiris and the Pakistani government (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

An indefinite curfew has been imposed in Indian-occupied Kashmir. Afzal Guru was hanged on Saturday for the December 2001 attack after his clemency plea was rejected. Authorities have blocked roads to Guru’s hometown of Sopore after separatist groups threatened to march there on Tuesday to mark his death. Guru, who had been on death row since 2002, was executed at Tihar jail in Delhi. He was buried in the prison grounds. Three youths have died during violent clashes in Kashmir against the hanging. Cable television, mobile and internet services remain blocked in most parts of Kashmir as hundreds of security forces enforce a strict curfew to prevent more violence and silence the protesters. .

Many across the globe have described the state hurried and secret killing of Md Afzal Guru as purely political meant for Hindu votes and appeasing Hindutva forces, rather than legal execution. The brutal murder of Mohammad Afzal Guru was carried out in violation of legal norms and international standards. Everything has been done in hush. It was incumbent under law upon the government to inform the family before hanging Afzal u and arrange last meeting with him, Like Israel, Indian regime cares too little for law and legality. Murder. Mass murders and individual ones. After president of India Pranab Mukherjee rejected the mercy petition of Mohammad Afzal Guru, it was incumbent upon the Sessions Judge who had sentenced him to issue warrant of execution which had not been issued.

Guru had denied any involvement in the events of 13 December 2001 when five militants stormed the Indian parliament, killing a gardener and eight policemen before they were shot dead by security forces. But he was found guilty of arranging weapons for the attackers and of membership of the Jaish-e-Mohammed militant group, both of which charges he denied.

India blamed the attack on Jaish-e-Mohammed, which it said was backed by Pakistan. Pakistan denied involvement in the attack but relations between the two countries nosedived as their armies massed about a million troops along the border.

State murder of Md. Afzal is seen in occupied Jammu Kashmir as a state attack on the new generation of youth in Kashmir “Please understand that there is more than one generation of Kashmiris that has come to see themselves as victims, that has come to see themselves as category of people who will not receive justice,” JK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said . The chief minister had also questioned the rationale of informing Afzal’s family through post saying the reliability of the medium itself was questionable. “Whether you like it or not, the execution of Afzal Guru has reinforced that point that there is no justice for them and that to my mind is far more disturbing and worrying than the short-term implications for security front. How we would be able to correct or address that sense of injustice and alienation is a question I do not have answers…If we are going to inform someone by post that his family member is going to be hanged, there is something seriously wrong with the system,” he said.

However, Omar Abdullah’s angry outburst over the execution of Md Guru that it was a “tragedy” that Guru was not allowed to meet his family before he was hanged and not allowed a “final farewell”. – looks more like another Indian political gimmick rather than sincere movement against foreign yoke and crimes.

India is ever ready to wage wars including nuclear one, if necessary, to retain Jammu Kashmir and Indian media nuts urgently require wars to promote Islamophobia and Hindutva.

In order to resolve the Jammu Kashmir issue as well as Indo-Pak tensions, both should reach beyond the mere UN Security Council Resolutions.

Reunification of all parts of Jammu Kashmir into one Jammu Kashmir must be done as the top priority policy of both India and Pakistan. Pakistan must clearly spell out its desire to bring about a united Jammu Kashmir going beyond the UN Security Council Resolutions for a plebiscite in India occupied Jammu Kashmir. .

Kashmiris could consider erecting an Afzal Guru monument in Sri Nagar and other town in occupied JK as well as Azad Kashmir. They must sk for proper investigation of Parliament attack and real culprits (hiding under the garbs of state protection) should be brought to light.

Destruction of Babri Mosque, massacre of Kashmiri Muslims, state terrorism in occupied JK, murder of fishing boat fame Kasaba and Afzal are crude example of Indian secularism creditably and result of cold Indian anti-Muslim mindset. . .

Indian media, with the worst kind of fanaticism systemically generated targeting Islam and Muslims, have created a bogus Hindu collective conscience and the murder of Afzal might have satisfied the communalized collective conscience. But there is a lot to answer on what was carried out at 8 A.M on February 9, 2013 in Tihar Jail, 29 years after another execution was carried out-that of Maqbool Bhat on 11th Feb, 1984. Kashmir had hardly got over the first, when it was served the second…the fallout is hard to predict.

February 9, 2013 shall be a memorable, the most important day – another Black Day- for Kashmiris henceforth and will have crucial role in the future of Jammu Kashmir. Afazal’s struggle for freedom has not earned the Kashmiris full freedom – but his murder shall!

[Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal, Educationist, Chancellor-Founder of Centor for International Affairs(CIA) Specialist on State Terrorism Global columnist, Commentator on world affairs , Expert on Mideast Affairs , Analyst on sport fixings , Chronicler of Foreign occupations & Freedom movements (Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Xinjiang, Chechnya, etc.) Former university Teacher website: http://abdulruff.wordpress.com /write to me: [email protected]]

Dear Islam lovers and friends: Please publish this.

Mountains in Ladakh (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

د. عبد راف


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Habba Khatun ( The legend of Kashmir)

Sheikh Abdul Aziz (1952-2008)

One of the prominent Hurriyat Conference leaders, 55 year old Sheikh Abdul Aziz was killed by the bullets of Indian paramilitary forces on 11th August 2008 while leading a peaceful public demonstration against the ‘economic blockade’ of the Kashmiri Muslims being enforced by militant Indian Hindu groups allegedly with the tacit support of the Indian government. He was born in 1952 in Namblabal, Pampore close to the capital city Srinagar but in Pulwama district. Soon after passing his 10th grade from a local school, Aziz joined his father’s agriculture business including growing high yield saffron, for which his hometown is famous throughout the Kashmir valley.

As a teenager, Aziz watched moe-e-muqqadus movement when millions of Kashmiris
came out on streets against the mysterious theft of highly revered holy relic of Prophet
Mohammad (SAW) from the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar. The agitation soon transformed into pro-freedom public outpouring with millions of Kashmiris demanding freedom from India.


Although the relic was later recovered without ever revealing any culprits, it is generally
believed that the then Indian Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, himself a Kashmiri
Pandit was behind the conspiracy using it as a pretext to unseat the local Kashmiri Prime Minister.

Moe-e-Muqqadas movement renewed decades old Kashmiri demands for freedom,
giving inspiration to a new generation of Kashmiris including Aziz. In 1972 he joined
pro-freedom political group Young Men’s League that called for the Kashmiri right to
self-determination according to the UN Resolutions. He was soon targeted by the
police and his first arrest came at the age of 20 when he was booked under
the infamous and draconian National Security Act. At that time, he was the Block
Secretary of the organisation. In 1973 the Young Man’s League merged into other
pro-freedom groups forming the Jammu and Kashmir People’s League to which
Aziz remained associated with till his death. In 1986 he became the general secretary
of the People’s League, the responsibility he carried on till 1990, when amid massive
public resentment against the Indian rule he ditched his political avatar and joined
the militant resistance movement. He became the chief commander of Al-Jihad, a
formidable militant group in early 1990s that was supported by his parent organisation,
Jammu and Kashmir People’s League.

Due to his involvement with the pro-freedom struggle, the arrests and prison sentences became a permanent fixture of Sheikh Aziz’s political life - he spent more than 15 years in prison under various charges including sedition, seeking to separate Jammu and Kashmir from the Indian control and waging a militant struggle etc. His longest spell of incarceration came on 21st May 1993 when he was arrested as the chief commander of now defunct Al-Jehad and lasted till 27th September 2000. Following his release after nearly nine years of gruelling prison life, Aziz re-joined political struggle but was again arrested on 1st August 2001 for nearly three years and released in February 2004 at the peak of India-Pakistan peace process. After his release, he supported the peace process and called for peaceful solution of the Kashmir issue. He later visited Pakistan to encourage the ongoing India-Pakistan peace process and supported the end of hostilities. However, a year later, he was again arrested on 5th February 2005 and released only last November. After his release this time, Aziz joined the ‘moderate’ faction of the Hurriyat Conference, a conglomerate of the pro-freedom Kashmiri groups and once again reiterated his demand for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir problem.

However, as the current crisis that was triggered by the illegal transfer of Kashmiri land to a semi-government Hindu body - Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) unfolded, Aziz along with other Kashmiri leaders took a strong stand, keeping in view the strong public sentiment against it, who see the land transfer as a covert Indian plan to seek demographic changes in the Muslim majority Jammu and Kashmir. Only days ago, Aziz was instrumental in bringing the two factions of the Hurriyat Conference together, forging a common Kashmiri response to the SASB controversy and therefore was seen unfavourably by both the local pro-Indian administration and the Indian state.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz is the second chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s League to have been killed by the paramilitary forces. Earlier, Abdul Hamid Wani popularly known as S Hamid was killed in a staged encounter on April 19, 1998 at Ahmad Nagar on the outskirts of Srinagar. With his brutal death, Aziz will emerge as new ‘martyr’ of Kashmiri cause in league with Maqbool Bhat and may cause a serious blow to the current India-Pakistan peace process, further narrowing down chances of any rapprochement between the beleaguered Kashmiri nation and the increasingly militant Indian state.

Name of Martyrs of 2010 movement

With the advent of the 2010 spurt in human rights violations in Indian Administered Kashmir was witnessed. Though all along the conflict in Kashmir worst form of Human Rights violations have been reported, people demanding Self-Determination have continuously come on streets and greeted by brute use of force by Indian troops and Police, which includes use of tear gas canisters, bullets, pellets etc. That too most often fired directly above the chest level with an intention to kill and not to disperse.

On 8th of January, 2010, 16 year old Inayat Ahmad of Dalgate Srinagar was killed in CRPF firing at Budshah Chowk. Another teenager Wamiq Farooq, 13, of Rainawari Srinagar was killed when a teargas shell fired by police hits him on his head on 31st Jan. Which was followed by killing of Zahid Farooq aged 16 of Nishat Srinagar by Border Security Force (BSF) party without any provocation on 5th of Feb. Kashmir valley was yet to recover from these gruesome killings another youth Zubair Ahmad Bhat,17, of Jamia Qadeem, Sopore was forcibly drowned by CRPF in Jhelum river.

Summer in Kashmir has been drenched in blood which witnessed killing of many civilians, mostly teenagers, allegedly in police and CRPF (Central Reserve


1. Tufail Ashraf Mattoo, 17, of Saida Kadal killed by police tear gas canister at Gani stadium Rajouri Kadal on June 11.

2. Muhammad Rafiq Bangroo, 24, of Dana Mazar Safa Kadal beaten by CRPF on June 12 near his residence. He succumbed to injuries on June 20.

3. Javed Ahmed Malla, 19, of Palpora Noorbagh killed by CRPF or police on June 20 at Waniyar Srinagar.

4. Aziz Malik of Chuntwari, Machill Kupwara, killed by armed forces on June 20 at Machill sector of LoC.

5. Mazloom Malik of Chuntwari Kupwara, killed by armed forces on June 20 at Machill sector of LoC.

6. Firdous Ahmed Kakroo, 16 of Niglee Sopore, Baramulla killed by CRPF on June 25 near Jamia Qadeem in Sopore.

7. Shakeel Ahmed Ganai, 24 of Lalad Sopore killed by 177 batallion of CRPF at Chankhan Sopore.

8. Bilal Ahmed Wani, 22, of Kraltaeng Sopore, killed by CRPF bullet in Kraltaeng on June 27.

9. Tajamul Bashir Bhat, 17, of Wadoora Sopore, killed by CRPF or SOG at Kapra Cinema in Sopore outside headquaters of 92 battalion of CRPF.

10. Tauqeer (Asif) Ahmed Rather, 09, of Rather Muhalla of Delina, Baramullah, killed by CRPF on June 28.

11. Ishtiyaq Ahmed Khanday, 15, of SK Colony, Islamabad, killed by police on June 29.


12. Imtiyaz Ahmed Ittoo, 17, of Watergam Dailgam Islamabad, killed by police in SK Colony Islamabad on June 29.

13. Shuja'at ul Islam, 17 of Anchidora Islamabad, killed by police at SK Colony Islamabad on June 29.

14. Muzaffar Ahmed Bhat, 17, of Gangbug, Batamaloo, and body recovered from Doodh Ganga Nallah in Baramullah on June 06 alegedly arrested by CRPF on July 05 and tortured to death.

15. Fayaz Ahmed Wani, 24, of Gangbug Batamaloo, killed by CRPF or police firing at Batamaloo on July 06

16. Yasmeen Jan, 25, of Lashmanpora Danderkha, Batamaloo, killed by CRPF/police firing at her residence in Danderkhah on July 06.

17. Abrar Ahmed Khan, 16 of Maisuma Bund killed alegedly by police CRPF firing at Maisuma on July 06.

18. Faizaan Ahmed Bhuhroo, 13, of Jalal Sahib Baramulla, died by drowning after SOG men were trying to arrest him on July 17.

19. Fayaz Ahmed Khanday, 23, of Binner Baramulla, killed by CRPF in Baramulla.

20. Tariq Ahmed Dar, 17 of Panzala, Rafiabad, Baramulla, killed in police custody on July 25.

21. Muhammad Ahsan Ganai, 45 of Amargarh Sopore killed by CRPF at Krankshivan Colony on July 30.

22. Showkat Ahmed Chopan, 17, of Amargarh Sopore killed at Kranshivan Colony on Juky 30.

23. Adil Ramzaan Sheikh, 13 of Pattan killed by CRPF at Pattan on july 30.

24. Nazir Ahmed Mir, 23, of Sheeri Baramulla killed by CRPF at Pattan on July 30.

25. Javid Ahmed Teli, 20, of Bungalbagh Baramulla, killed by SOG at cement bridge baramulla on July 31.

26. Mudassir Ahmed Lone, 17, of Herpora Naidkhai, Sumbal killed by CRPF/police at IRP camp in Naidkhai on July 31.

27. Nayeem Ahmed Shah, 20 of Pampore killed by CRPF at Pampore on August 01.

28. Rayees Ahmed Wani, 18 of pampore killed by CRPF at Pampore on August 01.

29. Afrooza Teli of Khrew of Pampore killed by CRPF at her residence on August 01.

30. Javed Ahmed Sheikh, 18 of Wuyen Pampore killed in blast in police station at Khrew on August 01.

31. Muhammad Amin Lone, 22 of Shalnag Khrew killed in blast in police station at Krew on August 01.

32. Basharat Ahmed Reshi, 14 of Wachi Sangam killed by police near his residence on August 02.

33. Irshad Ahmed Bhat, 17 of Reshipora, Sangam tortured and killed alegedly by CRPF and police on August 02.

34. Ashiq Hussain Bhat, 15, of Kulgam Islamabad killed by CRPF at Chawalgam on August 02.

35. Rameez Ahmed Bhat, 16, of Kulgam killed by CRPF at Kulgam on August 02.

36. Hafiz Muhammad Yaqoob Bhat, 22 of Zadoora Kakapora Pulwama killed by CRPF at Kakpora on August 02.

37. Tariq Ahmed Dar, 17 of Semthan Bijbehara wounded by CRPF on August 01 and succumbed to injuries on August 02.

38. Khursheed Ahmed War, 27, of Shumnag Kralpora Kupwara killed by CRPF at Khuzunmati bridge near Kralpora on August 02.

39. Sameer Ahmed Rah, 09 of Batamaloo Srinagar killed by CRPF at Batamaloo on August 02.

40. Mehraj ud din Lone, 23 of Barthana Qamarwai killed by CRPF at Qamarwari police station on August 03.

41. Anis Ahmed Ganai, 17, of Dangerpora Narwara killed by CRPF at Eidgah on August 03.

42. Suhail Ahmed Dar, 15, of Zainakote Srinagar killed by CRPF at Parimpora on August 03.

43. Jehangir Ahmed Bhat, 23, of Chenigam Yaripora killed by CRPF at Kulgam on August 03.

44. Riyaz Ahmed Bhat, 25 of Khrew injured by CRPF at Khrew on August succumbed to injuries on August 03.

45. Muhammad Yaqoob Bhat, 20 of Nund Reshi Colony Bemina, killed by CRPF at Bemina on August 04.

46. Muhammad Iqbal Khan, 22 of Lone Muhalla Chanapora injured by CRPF on July 30 at Chanapora succumbed to injuries on August 04.

47. Shabir Ahmed Malik, 30 of Lonepora Newa Pulwama, killed by CRPF at Pulwama on August 04.

48. Ghulam Nabi Badyari, 48 of Ganpatyar, Habba Kadal, killed by CRPF at his residence on August 05.

49. Rameez Ahmed, 22, of Mundji Sopore killed by CRPF at Warpora on August 06.

50. Aisha Sheikh of Ganpatyar Habba Kadal succumbed to sling shot injury at her residence on August 07.

51. Fida Nabi Lone, 20, of Qamarwari, injured in CRPF action at Qamarwari on August 03 and succumbed to injuries on August 08.

52. Farrukh Bukhari, 19, of Kreeri Pattan whose body was found at Kreeri on August 11 after 13 days of his disappearance.

53. Mudasir Ahmad Zargar, 16, of Trehgam Kupwara, killed in police and CRPF firing on August 13.
54. Ali Mohammad Khanday, 60, of Khanday Mohalla Pattan, killed in police and CRPF firing on August 13.

55. Arif Mir, 19, of Lagropora, Sopore killed in CRPF firing on August 13.

56. Sameer Lone, 18, of Lagropora, Sopore killed in CRPF firing on August 13
57. Irshad Ahmad Latoo, 35, of S K Colony Islamabad killed by police and paramilitary CRPF troopers on 14th August

58. Umar Ahmad Dar, 16, of Narbal Srinagar killed by CRPF on 14th August

59. Muhammad Abbas Dhobi, 30, of Mattan Islamabad beaten up by police and CRPF succumbed on 17th August.

60. Milat Ahmad Dar An eight-year-old boy of Harnag , Islambad, injured and later succumbed on 19th August. He was critically injured by paramilitary forces while playing in a field.

61. Mudasir Ahmed Hajam, 19, Sopore, sustained bullet injury on 19th Aug by CRPF and succumbed on 20th August morning.

62. Nazir Ahmed Sheikh, 25, Bijbehara in South Kashmir’s Islamabad district. Fired by CRPF on 20th August died on way to hospital.

63. Bilal Ahmad Sheikh, 22 year old, succumbed to his injuries on 23rd Aug was seriously injured on 14 August. A resident of Singhpora Pattan.

64. Omar Qayooom Bhat, 17 year old. Of Anchar Soura. Ruthlessly beaten by paramilitary CRPF troopers and police on 20th August. Admitted in Hospital on 23rd August after his release and Succumbed on 25th August.

65. Irshad Ahmad Parray, 11, Old Eidgah Islamabad, sustained pellet injuries in his vital organs and succumbed on his way to hospital on August 30.

66. Feroz Ahmad Malik, 17, Palhalan Pattan, fired by cops on 6th September and brought dead to sub district hospital Pattan.

67. Mudasir Ahmad Mir, 23, Ussan Pattan, fired by cops on 6th september scummbed to his injuries on way to hospital same day.

68. Noorudin Tantray, 26, Tantrypora Pattan, fired by cops on 6th september and scummbed to his injuries on way to hospital.

69. Muhammad Ramzan Mir, 45, Ussan Pattan, fired by cops on 6th september and scummbed to his injuries on way to hospital. It was fourth killing on 6th September.

70. Imran Ahmad Dar, 25, Zadibal, crtically injured by CRPF on 2nd Septemeber scummbed on 8th Septemeber at Soura Hospital.

71. Ghulam Muhammad Guroo, 55, maloora Khujibagh Sumbal, received head injury in clashes on 8th September and scummbed on 9th Septemeber at Soura hospital.

72. Muhammad Ashraf Mir,34, Palhallan Pattan, Sustained critical injuries in neck in indiscriminate firing by police on 6th September and scummbbed to his injuries at Soura hospital on 12th September.

73. Nisar Ahmad Bhat, Ajas Bandipora, fired upon by Border Security Force (BSF) killing him onspot on 13th September.

74. Nisar Ahmad Kuchay,22, Humhama , Fired upon by police injuring him critically. Taken to Soura hospital where he succumbs after few hours on 13th September.

75. Ghulam Rasool Tantray, 50, sustained bullet injuries at Humhama on 13th September sccumbs on the same day at Soura hospital.

76. Danish Nabi, 13, Charar-i-Sharief, was killed in CRPF firing near Hanwari near Char town on Sep 13. He was a seventh class student.

77. Mudasir Ahmad Parray, Kreshama Tangmarg, Killed in Police and CRPF firing on Sep 13.

78. Tariq Ahmad Ganai, Tillegam Tangmarg, Killed in Police and CRPF firing on Sep 13.

79. Abdul Majid Kuzzar, Bonegam Kunzer, killed in Police and CRPF firing on Sep 13 in Tangmarg north Kashmir.

80. Iqbal Ahmad Malik, Tumberhama Tangmarg, Killed when CRPF and Police opened fire on people on Sep 13.

81. Abdul Qayoom Wani, Waniloo Tangmarg, Killed in Police and CRPF firing on Sep 13.

82. Afaq Ahmad Khan, Iqbal Colony Tangmarg, Killed in Police and CRPF firing on Sep 13.

83. Javaid Ahmad Rather, 24, Kadalbal Pampore, Killed in Police and CRPF firing on Sep 13.

84. Ajaz Ahmad Wagay, 26, Kadalbal Pampore, Killed in Police and CRPF firing on Sep 13.

85. Riyaz Ahmad Sheikh, 28, Tengan pampore, Killed in Police and CRPF firing on sep 13.

86. Javaid Ahmad Teli, Humhama, Killed by troopers and Polce firing on Sep 13.

87. Rafiqa Bano, (Female), Ompora Budgam, Killed when CRPF and Polce opened fire in Budgam to disperse protestors on Sep 13.

88. Showkat Ahmad Mir, Budgam, Was district president of JKLF (R), killed by CRPF and Police firing when he was leading a procession in main Budgam town on Sep 13.

89. Aqib Ahmad wagay, 14, Islamabad, Killed by CRPF and Polce men at Sarnal Islamabad outside the house of NC MP Mehboob Beigh in an unprovoked firing on Sep 13.
90. Muhammad Rafiq Teli, Chanikhan Sopore, Killed in CRPF firing on Sep 13.
91. Adil Ahmad, Humhama, Sccumbed to his injuries at SMHS hospital on Sep 13. It was a bloody monday (Sep 13) in which more than 17 people were killed in a single day with many crtical and many missing.

92. Abdul Qayoom, Sangrama, injured in CRPF and police firing at Tangmarg on Sep 13 and sccumbed to his injuries on morning of 14th September.

93. Arshad Khan, Arari Mendhar Poonch, killed when Policemen led by local SDPO opned fire on students protesting against desceration of Quran in US and in Soldarity with Kashmir on Sep 15.

94. Baghdad Hussain Shah, Gulad Mendhar Poonch, Killed in Police firing at Mendhar Poonch on Sep 15.

95. Shameem Ahmad, Jagil Mendhar Poonch, Killed in Police firing in the frontier district on Poonch on Sep 15.

96. Alamdar Shah, Gulad Mendhar, killed in CRPF police firing in poonch district on Sep 15. It was fourth killing on a single day in Poonch

97. Mudasir Ahmad Kana, 20, Batapora Sopore, killed when CRPF opned fire on protestors in Sopore. Received bullet injury and died on way to hospital on Sep15.

98. Hajira, 55, Redwani Kulgam, died of heart attack after CRPF ransacked her house. She was taken to hospital but was decleared brought dead by doctors.

99. yasir Hameed Sheikh, Maisuma Srinagar, Cousin of JKLF Chairman Yasin Malik, injured in police firing on August 30 succumbed on Sep 16.

100. Fayaz Ahmad Dar, 22, Surpura Beeru in Budgam, Killed when Army's 2 RR opened fire on group of people. He got seriously injured and was taken to hospital where he succumbed on Sep 17.

101. Ghulam Rasool Bhat, Tapper Pattan, Killed when Indian forces opned fire at protestors killing him and injuring many others on Sep 17.

102. Imtiyaz Ahmad, 23, Pallipora Shopian, Killed when Indian forces resorted to indiscriminate firing him and injuring six others on Sep 17.

103. Raju Nath, 14, Nathpora Khanbal, he had jumped into the river Jehlum after being chased away by Indian forces. His body was fished later on Sep 18.

104. Fayaz Ahmad Naikoo, Bemina Srinagar, injured on Sep14 in forces and police firing and Succumbed to his injuries at Soura hospital on Sep 18.

105. Noor-ul-Amin Dagga, 30, Naibasti Islamabad, Killed when CRPF and Police opened fire on funeral procession of Raju Nath, 14 year old boy. Noor-ul-Amin died on way to hospital on Sep 18.

106. Insar Ahmad Tantray, 27, Palhalan Pattan, Killed when Indian forces opened fire on people, he received bullet in chest and died on way to hospital on Sep 18. He was a student of Kashmir University doing Masters in English.

107. Ali Muhammad Waza, 30, Tantray Mohalla Pattan, Killed when Indian forces opened fire on people. He received critical injuries and succumbed in hospital after few hours on Sep 18.

108. Muhammad Amin Ganai, 25, Tappar Pattan, has sustained firearm arm injury to his spine when police opened fire on protestors at Tappar Payeen on Sep 17. he succumbed to his injuries on Sep 19 at Soura hospital.

109. Shabir Ahmad Dar, 25, Lider-mund Pulwama, sustained firearm injuries to his abdomen on Sep 13 when forces opened fire on people. He succumbed on Sep 19 at Soura hospital.

110. Bilal Ahmad Najar, Khanabal Islamabad, injured on Sep 18 in forces firing. He succumbed to his injuries on Sep 19 at SMHS hospital.

111. Mubeena Akhtar, 30, Natipora Sopore, sustained firearm injury in abdomen when patrol party of forces opened fire on pedestrians. She was taken to sopore hospital and referred to SMHS hospital srinagar were she was decleared brought dead on Sep 19

112. Altaf Ahmad, 25, Matipora Islamabad, beaten by army and got severely injured and was rushed to hospital and succumbed on Sep 20 after battling with life for three days.

113. Sajad Ahmad Pandit, 25, Sheikhpora Humhama, was seriously injured on Sep 13 at Humhama when CRPF and police opened fire to quell pro-freedom demonstration. He succumbed to his injuries at Soura hospital on Sep 22.

114. Umar Sulaiman Bhat, 16, Puthka Sopore, had received firearm injury in thigh when Indian troops belonging to Rashtriya Rifles (RR) firied on him on September 16. He succumbed to his injuries at Soura hospital on October 02.

115. Ghulam Nabi Mir, 55, Kadalabal Pampore, injured in Police (SOG) Special Operation Group and CRPF beating on October 07 resulting into severe head injuries, was taken into Soura hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on October 15.



116 . Zahoor Ahmad Hajam , M.A Student R/o: Ward 5 Bandipora ,teacher in kousera drasgah was martyred on 29 November at Qamarwari in a fake encounter

117. Arshid Ahmad, B.Com Student, Degree College Bemina R/o: Alsafa colony Sopore was martyred on 29 November at Qamarwari in a fake encounter


118. Sameer Ahmad Dar R/o: Hamam Sopore was martyred on 29 November at Qamarwari in a fake encounter

119. Zahoor ahmad dar 37 , R/O : Bunglow Bagh Baramulla succumbed to his injuries on 7th December


Isha khan’s Weblog

Indian nasty mindset of annexation is too alarming that its neighbors should be really worried about the long term ramifications of Indian reckless armaments, especially with US supplying the needy “things”. Manmohan has done enough damage, i.e. ground work for the growth of capitalism and imperialism in India and his successors would pursue the same further, but gradually India would become an agent of USA . Plus, the communal forces operating under the garb of political outfits would destroy the country’s harmony, however, weak it maybe. On understanding, the communal elements would be let come to power by Congress party whose anti-Muslim agenda is now explicit. India ’s continued occupation of Jammu Kashmir is not in the interest of neither the region nor SAARC welfare and its heavy armament programs under US shield is a sign of Indian hidden destructive intents.

Historically speaking, fascism, like capitalism and imperialism both classic and neo-, does not admit any scope for counseling or advise and it needs to routed completely, as Soviet Russia did to German fascism thereby closing the disastrous WWII. With new vistas in armaments, India is still looking for avenues to invade and annex some more alien lands and credited to Indian Union account. South Asian nations should be wary about Indian weaponization programs with the help of the global terrorist sate USA .

Terrorist colonizer India has been trying all tricks, learnt from the former Western colonizer UK , to silence the unwilling Kashmiris who demand freedom from Indian genocide and terror military rule through a band of pro-Indian elements controlled by Indian intelligence agencies. Knowing fully well the present critical situation in JK, and overlooking the recent pro-freedom protests in Kashmir valley, the Election Commission has decided to hold elections in the state in seven phases so that Indian terror forces could effectively control and terrorize the defenseless Kashmiris. The last phase elections would be held on December 24.

JK Polls for Indian Terror Legitimacy

In spite of protests and strong opposition from Kashmiris, the poll preparations in JK by the terrorist illegal Indian occupants have begun in the state, disregarding opposition by the people. Only Reserve Bank money bags are yet to arrive from different political parties from India and Indian government.

Pro-India politicians in Jammu Kashmir are focused on the material benefits for themselves by supporting the Indian agenda, both open and hidden. On Oct 22 kicking off election campaign from central Kashmir, Omar Abdullah President National Conference (NC), a close ally of communal Hindu BJP (both demanded polls against the will and wishes of Kashmiris), has acknowledged the freedom leaders’ right to launch parallel campaign against elections. Fortunately, he does not oppose it. He, however, added that the elections had no bearing on the legal status of Kashmir issue and “ India and Pakistan alone can settle this dispute, local actors better focus developmental issues.” In fact Omar has kicked off not just the JK poll campaign, but the freedom struggle of Kashmiris and their sacrifices made so far in that direction. Pakistani President Zardari has already slammed the “terrorists in Jammu Kashmir”, and leaving the Kashmir issue to both terrorist India and somewhat confusing Pakistan , the freedom struggle is likely to suffer the worst possible causalities. It is shameful that these pro-India Kashmiris politicians could even think of lambasting the freedom struggle just for few Reserve Bank coins t be deposited in Swiss Bank. These leaders, irrespective of their color of flags, have pocketed Indian money and Kashmir development remained a dream, but destruction and genocide continued. India has taken massacre of Kashmiris as its birth right. Despite the suppression of people both by India and JK pro-India agents, Kashmiris have taken up the freedom cause and thee pro-India leaders have to realize that their days are over.

The announcement of the polls in JK has come as a surprise to the people of valley, who feel that it is not the opportune time for elections as the valley has witnessed the biggest pro-independence demonstration of the last two decades. Now that the poll dates have been announced, regional political parties have come out with their response. As expected the pro-India politicians have welcomed the Indian move. Welcoming the announcement of elections in the state National Conference (NC) president Omar Abdullah said he was glad that the suspense over the announcement of polls ended. “How good or bad the decision is, time will tell. Now we can think to get down to the process of electioneering”.

As expected, the freedom movement leaders whom the Indian as well as Kashmir media shameless call, without knowing the history of Jammu Kashmir, as so-called “separatists” although it India which plays the separatist and destructive role in Jammu Kashmir, have shown strong resentment towards the decision. All Parties Hurriat Conference has rightly described the announcement as another election drama in Jammu & Kashmir. Chairman Side Ali Gianni, who is currently undergoing treatment at New Delhi , has said elections are meaningless for the people of Kashmir till they achieved freedom. While the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Mohammad Basin Mali said that the struggle of Kashmiri people was aimed at resolving the Kashmir dispute and not for holding elections.

Issues pertaining to the assembly elections were discussed threadbare at the meeting at Rajbagh headquarters of the Amalgam. Terming the election as an attempt to “hoodwink” international community and impress upon world that people are exercise their franchise under Indian rule, Hurriyat Conference led Mirwaiz Umer Farooq Wednesday announced to launch vigorous boycott campaign to acquaint people about “hidden agenda’s by New Delhi.” the amalgam has decided to launch house to house election boycott campaign to inform people about the ‘ill effects’ of the elections on the Kashmir struggle. Mirwaiz also urged people to distance themselves from the “futile exercise” to express solidarity with the “martyrs”.

In fact, most of the mainstream parties too had earlier called for the postponement of the assembly elections in state saying time is not ripe for the poll process. People’s Democratic Party (PDP) openly said it would not favor elections in the state, its rival National Conference, unsure of winning the polls, was in dilemma over the poll issue and wanted Election Commission to immediately decide in favor of or against holding the elections. The Indian communal national political party, BJP, however, was strongly advocating for timely polls in the state so as to make most of the communal sentiment it succeeded in whipping up in the winter capital of the state. But now, a speculated on the basis of their past “records”, most of the pro-Indian outfits have sided with Indian agenda.

By voting with the pro-India politicians, the Kashmiris would offer the Indian oppressors and terrorists who killed about one lakh defenseless Kashmiris an opportunity to defend themselves with the popular mandate to rule them. India and its agents in Jammu Kashmir would also defend their oppressive measures including the genocide of freedom seeking Kashmiris. No doubt, the senior most Hurriat leader Syed Ali Geelani has become symbol of freedom movement for his principled stand and assured all out support to him on behalf of the British Kashmiri community.

In Kashmir October 27 will be observed as Black Day to convey to the international community that Kashmiris reject India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly the Kashmiri Diaspora has decided to mark the day as protest day to force occupying “democratic” India to vacate Jammu Kashmir voluntarily. Three-e-Kashmir UK has appealed to Pakistani and Kashmiri community to join the organization at an anti- India rally to be held in front of Indian High Commission in London on the occasion of 61st anniversary of Kashmir’s military occupation. People of Kashmir have brought the freedom movement to present stage by offering 100,000 precious lives and they will continue to offer more sacrifices till the desired goal is achieved. They paid great tribute to Geelani for leading the Kashmiri peoples’ struggle with courage and determination.

Unified Jammu Kashmir

India in fact believes in deciding all disputes by military means. Kashmiris seek freedom and a unified Kashmir that would exist independently. Unfortunately the division of Kashmir was linked to partition of India. How could India and UK bring Jammu Kashmir in their disputes? UK supported Indian position. The partition was therefore mostly one-sided affairs with India equipped with British military apparatus left behind by the English occupiers, could easily dictate terms to Pakistan. The accession of Junagadh, Hyderabad and Jammu Kashmir, however, severely strained relations between the two countries. Junagadh had a Muslim ruler but the vast majority of its people were Hindus, and it was geographically not contiguous to Pakistan. The ruler acceded to Pakistan, but India, as was only to be expected, refused to acquiesce in Junagadh’s accession to Pakistan and forced the issue by military means. The ruler of Hyderabad, the Nizam, was a Muslim but the overwhelming majority of his subjects were Hindus, and the state was surrounded by Indian Territory. India refused to let Hyderabad declare its independence as well. Eventually, India invaded Hyderabad and annexed it by force in September 1948, a few days after the demise of Quaid-e-Azam.

The Jammu Hindu maharaja played havoc in making Kashmiris slaves to his Indian masters. The overwhelming majority of the people of Jammu and Kashmir were Muslims while the ruler was a Hindu. The state was geographically contiguous and culturally closer to Pakistan. There was no road link between India and Kashmir except through o district, which had a Muslim majority and which had been provisionally included in Pakistan under the partition plan of June 3, 1947. But Gurdaspur was added to India in the boundary award announced on August 17, 1947. Obviously, Pakistan was annoyed. In the same month, there were demonstrations in Poonch against the Maharaja’s contemplated move to join India. The Indian state troops fired upon the demonstrators, inflicting heavy casualties.. The people who had suffered under Dogra rule for so long rose in open revolt against the Maharaja’s autocratic rule. The Indian fire still continues and many Muslims are getting killed day by day in Kashmir on fictitious pretexts.

Cross Border Trade (CBT)

This part of the world is witnessing a new trend known as cross border trade against the prevailing cross border terrorism perpetuated by India to retain its terror control over Jammu Kashmir. One is not very sure, if the new Governor is indeed seeking freedom for both Kashmir and India mutually, but the forced poll announcement by him regime is not suggesting that India is heading for a peaceful atmosphere in the region and for a cooperative settlement.

Governor Vera could have felt the surge of human emotions of Kashmiris held over thus far tactfully by Indian terrorist techniques. On the launch of cross-Loc trade on Tuesday, the Kaman Bridge connecting the divided parts of Kashmir witnessed emotional scenes. When people on the other side of Loc saw traders approaching the Kaman Bridge, they failed to control their emotions and raised slogans in favor of Kashmir’s unity. The mood on this side too was extremely charged up with people waiving hands as a gesture depicting their happiness over the start of cross-Loc trade. One of the persons on this side broke down when he glanced at the other side of Loc. He remembered his brother, who was killed in 1990by arrogant Indian terror forces just for fun while making an attempt to cross the Loc.

White doves of peace were released as 14 Pakistani trucks bedecked with the national flag crossed a bridge into occupied Kashmir carrying rice, onions and dried fruit. A convoy of 13 trucks carrying mostly apples set off on a historic trip to as ad Kashmir from the Indian-held Kashmir. These acts of mutual concerns and reciprocated warmth set the tone for not only the emergence of Kashmir as an independent nation to exist in between India and Pakistan, but also the coming closer of Indo-Pakistan sentiments, though India symbol of No13 does not argue against any positive outcome form this mutual gestures. School children and people on the Pakistan side raised slogans “Kashmir will become Pakistan,” and “Long Live Kashmir freedom movement.”

The opening of the trade route after nearly 60 years has brought some hopes for Kashmiris on the both sides of the “Indian” made divide and has been a key demand of occupied Kashmiri leaders. Kashmiri truckers from both sides said they were delighted about the resumption of trade. “It is a historic day which will surely help the economy of both parts of Kashmir,” said occupied Kashmir’s Governor NN Vera, as he flagged off the convoy from Salamabad, 12 kilometres (seven miles) from the Line of Control. Speaking on the other side of border, Azad Kashmir’s Prime Minister Atiqur Rehman said he also hoped the event will “help make headway towards resolving the Kashmir issue.” But Rehman against hopes the opening of trade across an old ceasefire line and the de facto border, known as the Line of Control (LOC), would lead to a quick solution of the more than 60-year dispute over Muslim-majority Kashmir. “All these steps, cross-LOC trade, communication, people-to-people contacts, talks, all these things slowly and gradually they are most generally contributing factors towards the ultimate resolution,” Rehman said.

Cross LOC trade is a big step towards creatively re- inventing the ties between India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir with bold commitments. This was stated by many politicians in particular the senior PDP leaders. Describing the commencement of Trade on Srinagar- Muzaffarabad and Poonch- Rawlakote roads as unprecedented and Historic, the PDP leaders said that the pronouncements by the Indo-Pak leadership for peace and full normalization of bilateral ties through resolution and pioneering CBM’s in Kashmir has mea red the beginning of a new era where in the Kashmiri People would have a respectable and dignified position. But knowing Indian petrified mindset on Kashmir independence and its ill-focusing on Pakistan, no high hopes could be attached to only the one event of CBT.

India used extensively the theme of “cross-border-terrorism” to terrorize Muslims in India and Kashmir and slam Pakistan. India right wings Hindutva leaders harp on “partition” theme apart from “terrorism:”, and “appeasement” themes for electoral purposes. When India BJP leader hailed Mohammad Ali Jinnah, there was a big hue and cry in intelligence controlled Indian media, not so much from the politicians. Jinnah was liberal Barrister and had joined the Indian National Congress, founded in 1885 by an Englishman, in 1904. He was influenced by several enlightened, moderate and liberal politicians. Led by the eminent men like Jinnah, Congress initially pursued moderate and liberal policies. Congress soon began to take a communalistic hue after M K Gandhi had returned to India from South Africa in 1915 and gradually taken control of the Party from the liberal elements. After the death of many of his Hindu friends like Gokhale and Mehta Jinnah was getting disenchanted with the change in the Congress policy and creed under Gandhi, and at the end of their Nagpur session of Congress in 1920, the audience almost refused to listen to Jinnah and vociferously acclaimed Gandhi as the undisputed Congress hero. Congress focused on Hindutva issues and started sideling Muslims. This was the beginning of the end-parting of ways between Jinnah and Congress. Jinnah then concentrated on Muslim League. Interestingly, as a shroud politician, Gandhi soon realized the importance of religious unity to get sovereignty back from colonial Britain and began preaching non-violence and brought the Hindus and Muslims together to fight a joint struggle for freedom.

History always has something to teach the humanity and India should now realize the importance of Indian Muslims for a new India, on the one hand and, on the other, the need for surrendering sovereignty back to Kashmiris. Time is running out for India.

An Observation

By granting freedom to Kashmir, India would also in effect become a truly free nation by itself. But look at the way India terrorist rulers have gone ahead with the polls preparation to justify their illegal occupation and militarization and genocide of Kashmiris with the consent of the pro-India elements thus far enjoying the Indian shield and cash. Thousands and thousands of innocent Kashmiris have lost their precious lives at the terrorist hands of India. They have been demanding their sovereignty back form the arrogant India, while Indian leaders both civilian and military , have so far maintained discrete silence, rather criminal one, and even the “nice’ premier Manmohan has not opened his bank mouth to tell the struggling Kashmiris about a deadline for troop withdrawal form Jammu Kashmir. UN has only slammed India for its terrorist activities in Jammu Kashmir, but UNSC has not yet responded to freedom demands of Kashmiris it has duty to secure the lives of innocent Kashmiris struggling for freedom from India also secure Kashmir freedom from occupying terror India. India should remember that in declaring re-independence for Jammu Kashmir India also helps itself to become a really free and independent country on its own.

However, India has taken all possible risks by announcing the poll dates ignoring the sentiments of Kashmiris and India would have to pay a heavy price for that as well. Indian strategists cannot afford to forget or ignore the Kashmir uprising so son thinking that they could be made busy in the poll by provoking the politicians to fight with one another. Colonial Indians could be over-smart, but they are terribly mistaken if they think Kashmiris could be fooled for ever by manipulating their people and resources. Kashmiris are different now than they were a couple of months ago. They are well organized and they are guided by freedom leaders who made sacrifices for Kashmir. All Parties Hurriat Conference leaders, however, have rightly remarked that India still needs to acknowledge that Kashmir is disputed, and be prepared to address the underlying issue of the future of the region. By all means the polls would not take place or would be a total farce with military filling up most of the ballot papers and forcing Kashmiris either to vote or die.

The periodical elections for the JK Assembly and Indian Parliament, supplemented by regular genocide of Kashmiris, could not provide any solution to the Kashmir imbroglio. The Freedom leaders have called for a boycott of the Indian farcical poll since it is supplemented by a promise of surrendering sovereignty to Kashmiris after the poll. False promises and farcical polls would create more turmoil in Jammu Kashmir. With a great majority of people preferring to abandon the Indian poll strategy to control Jammu Kashmir for some time, India has to roll back the polls and decide fast abut a date to begin troop pullout. Kashmiris don’t want an inch of Indian territories, but they seek to get back only their own nation now under Indian terror custody. Kashmiris cannot be taken for granted any more, a few pro-India agents supporting the hidden agenda of India notwithstanding, Mr. Mother India.

Posted by Isha Khan, who can be reached at [email protected]

RAW and the Problems of DRDO & Kashmir

“Isn’t the problem that of paying the scientists and engineers wages competitive with the private sector? In non-technical cadres like the IAS, people — including from the IITs, etc. — come because there are a lot of social and other ‘perks’ associated with being, say, a district collector, including financial ones many IAS people become crorepatis in no time at all regardless of their official pay. A scientist or engineer, toiling away in a lab or workshop has no such ‘perks’ — aside from the satisfaction of working for the motherland. And they have been doing wonderful work. The necessity of paying competitive wages to DRDO, AEC and ISRO scientists and engineers (similar issues exist in the armed forces) has been often emphasised. Such policies are usually determined by the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW), whether through a pay commission or otherwise and, as I have shown (http://nuclearsupremacyforindiaoverus.blogspot.com I have collected some of my comments on RAW in that blog into a press release, dated August 26, 2008 and will post it also in the blog), RAW, which functions as a branch of the C.I.A. against India, is dedicated to sabotaging India’s indigenous research and development, especially in the defence field. The failure to address the problem of attracting and retaining talent by paying competitive wages is part of such sabotage. I have said that RAW has to be destroyed for India to realise its potential in both the economic and defence fields.”

2. Recently there have been a number of columns/articles in Indian newspapers urging the grant of ‘azadi’ to Kashmir. Like the celebratory headlines (such as “azadi in air” in the RAW-mouthpiece Times of India) that I referred to below, these columns/articles are all RAW-sponsored. As I said many years ago, RAW keeps a large stable of writers/journalists for such purposes. These columns/articles were sponsored by RAW in response to what I said about Kashmir, when approached for signature on a petition regarding the Baltics and mentioned in the Press Release dated August 15, 2008 below (“I am from India. We wouldn’t let Kashmir go if we have to kill every single Kashmiri”). These columns commenced with one by Arundhati Roy who was brought by RAW into its stable when I wrote a critical review of her novel.

3. In a post on the Indian Defence Forum three weeks ago I said:

“It is not just that India’s home-grown missile scientists are the best in the world or even the Arjun tank is more than a match for any in its class. With a proper budget and man (and woman) power — I have been calling for at least a tenfold increase in the DRDO budget and a tenfold increase in its scientific and technical head count and this can be done very easily ( http://nuclearsupremacyforindiaoverus.blogspot.com ) — there is nothing that can keep India from being militarily supreme in the world.

The stupidity and slavishness of Indians, extending their thousand years of slavery, is on display yet again all those who have been opposed to the nuclear deal have shifted to simply demanding a “clean and unconditional” NSG waiver, as if all the things that have gone before — the IAEA inspections, the 123 agreement with its provision for domestic laws, the separation agreement and the joint statement of July 18 ‘05 with its multifarious provisions for slavery — don’t matter. Argument is of no avail with the deeply enslaved Indians. Only the nuclear destruction of New Delhi/ Delhi will end it.

4. It was to neutralize my saying that Vajpayee’s “Hate is not on the agenda” amounted to saying “Defence is not on the agenda” (see “A Note About Hate” below) that the C.I.A. arranged for Vajpayee to carry out the 1998 nuclear tests, to be followed by a capping of India’s nuclear program, signing the CTBT, etc. The United States had made a big show of having been surprised by the tests and announced a drastic increase in its intelligence agents in India, etc. and, in a letter to the press right after the tests saying that the tests had been pre-arranged with the United States, I asked why would any one ANNOUNCE they will increase the number of intelligence agents in India, etc.? A little before the tests, a report in the Times of India — which disappeared shortly after I saw it on the Internet — referred to pressures, both internal and external, not to carry out the tests. Such pressures could only be exerted if the external power exerting the pressure knew about the impending tests. Note that, as I mentioned in a letter to the press several years ago, the control of India’s nuclear weapons was taken away from Vajpayee and given to K. R. Narayanan (who was President) — unless Vajpayee relinquished it voluntarily — after I wrote along the above lines questioning Vajpayee’s loyalty/ trustworthiness.

India wrongly thinks that the Kashmir problem would disappear either by killing all Kashmiris in a sustained manner or by ignoring it. Addressing the deep Kashmiri public sentiment with open mind is a challenge and gun could not be the State’s medium of expression in the current scenario or any time in future.

India State Fraud and Terrorism

Strangely enough, Indian leaders who kill Muslims in militarized Kashmir under Indian occupation, while insulting and torturing them in India are given audience by leaders of USA and other Western powers who are supposedly fighting “terrorism” and care for rule of law and democracy. If an individual or a gang steals things, that would be a crime and if a murder is committed by an individual or a gang, again, that would be a crime punishable. The criminals are produced before the courts and they are punished. But if a country does the same, stealing and killing of people, inside or nearby or in neighboring nations, that, it seems, would not be a crime and, hence, not punishable. When a state indulges in crimes it considers it as its prerogative and takes pride in state sponsored crimes and other forms of atrocities.

Kashmiris are revolting against Indian occupation, oppression and genocides. Kashmiris stand betrayed by their own leaders first by Hindu ones, now their own Muslims. Betrayal Muslims by the governments, parties, media lords and by their own Muslim leaders who use Muslims for the vote bank politics and other conservative Hindu causes in polls is compounded by the official “cleansing” of Muslim dominated areas in Jammu Kashmir. India has tried over and against to add more Hindus to Kashmir. Resolution of Kashmir sovereignty issue could be achieved by sympathetically considering the merit of Kashmiri demand for freedom form occupying India.

Like its “strategic partner USA does, the terrorist move of conservative India has got just one point agenda: Insult, insult and kill the Muslims around, particularly in Kashmir and silence them totally. Indian system employs skillfully the rampant corruption to keep the people busy with silly things while Indian governments go on rampage of the Muslims and their interests. Indian Muslims are brainwashed to the extend that they think and behave like Hindus, most of them even consider themselves as Muslims and feel grateful that they are allowed to be Muslims. At national and regional levels, Muslims are divided along Hindu political party lines From Delhi to Tamil Nadu the same rule is applied. In Tamil Nadu, for instances, Most of the Muslims are either in DMK or AIDMK, both have cleverly used the Muslims against the “terrorism” background and did nothing for their advancements. On the contrary, they are tortured in jails to tell the central government that they are with “India “. Funnily, even these Muslims work land even live for these parties and they keep politics above their religion and the genuine interests of Muslims. It is not just a case of TN Muslims and politics, but the very national scene. To come to the point, India wanted just one-Muslim mindset which is 100% purely pro-Hindu mindset for all non-Muslims as well and applied the same logic to Kashmiri Muslims also, but, as it is clearly witnessed in Kashmir national pursing, miserably failed.

India opposes peaceful movement

May be Kashmir has been made a “disputed territory” merely for the legality purposes under UN protection, but in fact it is a territory, stolen by force by its hegemonic neighbor India, annexed in 1947 and subsequently heavily militarized by Indian military establishment by siphoning off huge national resources that could have been better used for the betterment of common people, especially the downtrodden and beggar classes. The frauds, killers and destroyers in Kashmir cannot go scot-free, please!

As a colonial practice, India considers Kashmiris the salves of New Delhi and few wealthy Kashmiris are groomed for occasional benefits from New Delhi. Amarnath Yatra of Indian Hindus, discovered by UK, led to Muzaffarabad march by Kashmir Muslims driven to walls by Jammu Hindus who unleashed economic and food terrorism for Srinagar Kashmiris. Since state terrorism and genocide remains the hall mark of Indian policy in Kashmir, the Kashmiri march towards Muzaffarabad in protest against Indian economic atrocities against Kashmir Muslims resulted in the loss of several more lives for freedom struggling Kashmiris, but their resolve to attain independence from occupying India got further strengthened because of the nefarious and threatening methods of tricky hegemonic India. But, also, the Indian move to “clinch” the illegal Amarnarth land deal at any cost from Kashmiris by using all possible techniques, genocide inclusive, has been totally thwarted by Kashmiris. India is now sure people of Kashmir are struggling for their independent rights and the uprising and mass movement for freedom is spontaneous.

And, unfortunately, as usual, more Kashmiris blood has been flown under the bridge since the historic Muzaffarabad March. Indian strategists could feel sadistically satisfied with the deaths of Muslims there and claim a seat at US high table on that account. Recent developments in Kashmir following the failed illegal Amarnath land swindling issue have overturned the oft Indian smart claims and their nefarious mindset. India stands overtly exposed now at international level. It always said Kashmiris are terrorists and they really don’t want freedom but only want to create problems for the “innocent” Indians and others.

But now India is unable to tolerate peaceful demonstrations by Kashmiris in Kashmir. India provokes Kashmiris to take to violence and strengthen Indian tall mischief. Jammu Muslims of Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch and other areas are being threatened and intimidated for participating in peaceful protests. They should continue to support the resistance movement here. Original struggle started from 1931 and is not just the creation of 1990. First it was against the oppression of cruel Dogra rulers and then against the Indian rule. The struggle will continue till Kashmir’s freedom.

Notorious draconian AFSPA has been invoked to fight the freedom struggling Kashmiris and this law reconciles with the changed scenario when people were holding peaceful demonstrations and their leaders stressing virtues of peaceful conduct. This law in fact has now brutalized the entire scenario in the areas where it is applicable as can be assessed from recent events in which security forces used force only selectively.

Hindu Democracy means Terrorism in Kashmir?

Hindu-dominated conservative India has ill-conceived notions about what its neighbors should and should not do to essentially appease New Delhi. Because, India thinks it is “great power” with “connections” with many “great” countries, inducing USA. This conservative India has conservative ideas about international prestige. Arrogant India thinks, quite falsely, that showcase of military strength alone could earn seat at “high tables” internationally. Indian first premier Nehru foresaw this, quickly annexed Kashmir and militarized it. His followers just went on killing the innocent defenseless Kashmiris. But Indian media shamelessly brand the Victims of Indian terror in Kashmir as “terrorists” and the killer India as the “innocent sufferer”. It is unfortunate that powers like Russia, UK and France also joined the terrorist countries like Israel in supplying weapons to India to kill the Kashmiris to whom India should have surrendered their sovereignty long back.

Not only the freedom leaders but even the people of Kashmir have, during recent mass protests, in most profound terms denounced any form of violence despite severest provocations. It is unfortunate that issues like opening of Muzaffarabad road to trade which was piloted by two Prime Ministers belonging to the two opposite poles should have taken half a million people to demonstrate and scores to sacrifice lives to get back on agenda. That too after prolonged talks for hundreds of times at various levels!

India is still wandering about stopping arrogance and suppression of peaceful movements. They have warned New Delhi against its quick fix solutions of “fire-fighting” nature in Kashmir and gun cannot be State’s medium of expression. Like the freedom leaders, some of the pro-India leaders also warned against suppression of Kashmir struggle for freedom. Patron of PDP, former chief minister and central Home-minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Sept 18 cautioned New Delhi not to suppress aspiration of Kashmiris and respond to public sentiment by taking concrete measures for resolution of Kashmir dispute. He wrote a letter to the Indian PM Manmohan on March 5 2007 and pointed out “it is very important that J&K’s relations with rest of the country should not be symbolized at the local level by the soldier and his gun alone.” The pre-condition most of the times laid by Government of India for working towards the resolution of the Kashmir problem was cessation of violence in the area. Urging New Delhi to revive and push forward the Kashmir resolution process with political courage and sincerity of purpose, he said, “It is time we respond to the public sentiment and take concrete political measures for the resolution of the problem instead of resorting to strong-arm tactics to suppress their aspirations.”

There is absolutely no reason in not talking to the people of Kashmir and listening to their grievances which were being given expression through non-violent protests. PDP chief said his party had constantly been reminding of dangers in slowing down the process of Kashmir resolution.

However, unfortunately for Kashmiris, like other pro-Indian leaders who look to New Delhi for suggestions on solution of Kashmir, Mufti has not clearly stated, as before, the need for sovereignty to define the destiny of Kashmiris. When these pro-India leaders speak they have in mind the New Delhi bosses. That is unpardonable.

Indian weapons arsenals & State Terrorism

India has deployed advanced weaponry to showcase the efficacy of latest weaponry to its neighbors. But the world has better equipment and nuclear and conventional arms toilets. It needs no elaboration that the deployment of fighter jets in Kashmir could be disastrous not only the defenseless Kashmiris and for subcontinent’s peace. Recent show of Indian military might in Kashmir and Indian flirting with Israeli strategists in Jammu are notorious acts. India is capitalizing the fact defenseless Kashmiris don’t possess any modern equipment to deal with insensitive India.

It needs no elaboration that the deployment of fighter jets in Kashmir could be disastrous not only the defenseless Kashmiris and for subcontinent’s peace. Recent show of Indian military might in Kashmir and Indian flirting with Israeli strategists in Jammu are notorious acts.

Kashmir freedom leaders have condemned the Indian terror move in strongest possible ways. Chairman Hurriyat Conference Syed Geelani correctly stated that India has lost all hopes of keeping Kashmiris under its brutal control any more. Kashmiris are now matured enough not only see thought Indian divisive games, but also seek immediate withdrawal of forces and return of sovereignty back to Kashmiris.

Inaugurating the 15th century Aali Masjid at Eidgah after its renovation, Chairman Hurriyat (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said Sep 17 (Ramadan 17) that the deployment of six Sukhoi 30 multi roll aircraft in Kashmir is a matter of concern for the entire region. Mirwaiz said any wrong step by any of the two nuclear powers in the region will be disastrous for the entire subcontinent. (A prominent historical and architectural landmark of Srinagar, Aali Masjid, which many people say used to be haunted was constructed by Sultan Hassan Shah, a 15th century Kashmiri ruler. The day is remembered for Jung Badr (First successful battle of Muslims in Madina against the pagan of Mecca) and death anniversary of Maulana Muhammad Yousuf Shah who was forced to migrate to Pakistan administered Kashmir after 1947. The Masjid served as a major platform for the freedom struggle during the oppressive Dogra rule in early 20th century). Mirwaiz cautioned New Delhi that the relentless use of force by troopers here will prove counter productive and nobody will succumb to these pressure tactics. “India is using force here since decades and trying to impose its sinister design but to no effect. Congratulating Pakistan government for constituting a Kashmir Committee headed by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Mirwaiz said: “ Pakistan being a main party to this issue, we hope they will continue efforts to solve Kashmir dispute.”

Some of the pro-India leaders do warn about state terrorism in Kashmir. Former JK chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Sept 18 cautioned New Delhi not to suppress aspiration of Kashmiris and respond to public sentiment by taking concrete measures for resolution of Kashmir dispute. Warning New Delhi against its quick fix solutions of “fire-fighting” nature in Kashmir and gun cannot be State’s medium of expression. He wrote a letter to the Indian PM Manmohan on March 5 2007, in which he had pointed out “it is very important that JK’s relations with rest of the country should not be symbolized at the local level by the soldier and his gun alone.” PDP chief said his party had constantly been reminding of dangers in slowing down the process of Kashmir resolution.

Kashmir News from UN Headquarters

True, marking a clear departure from the history of hatred and hostility in the region, the peace process initiated in 2003, yielded momentous dividends in the shape of the ceasefire along the borders, opening up of cross-LoC routes for passenger traffic and visits by the representatives of the civil society, media professionals, businessmen and ordinary citizens to and from the two sides of Kashmir. The lack of follow-up and misplaced priorities after 2005, unfortunately, pushed not only the confidence building measures under the carpet but also put the peace process on the back-burner. And the result is there for everybody to see. India adopts a “wait and see’ approach after every peace talk coercing the Kashmiris to fall in Indian line.

UN Secretary General has already warned India against terror methods in Kashmir. OIC Kashmir Contact Group met at the United Nations headquarters New York on September 24, 2008. The meeting was chaired by Secretary General, Professor Ekmeleldin Ihsanoglu, who reiterated full support and solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and remarked, “After the new developments in Jammu and Kashmir reiterate the continued support of the organization to the Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination. I condemned the use of force against the Kashmiri people and I called the Indian government to take immediate steps to end violence against innocent Kashmiris.” Turkish foreign minister, Ali Babajan pleaded for lasting settlement of the Kashmir problem and he hoped that India – Pakistan engagement will need fruitfully to a just and lasting solution in accordance with international legitimacy. Pakistani foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi reiterated the solemn commitment of the promise of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He invoked the international community to redeem their support to the unfulfilled promise of self-determination and help in addressing the long festering issue because the benefits of the solution will be gigantic not only for India and Pakistan but for the region as well. The government in Pakistan, opposition and all other parties are united in their stand regarding Kashmir issue.

An Observation

Indian terror forces are waging a bloody war in Kashmir, exposing a clash between identities, imagination, and history as it is a conflict over Jammu Kashmir territory, resources and peoples. Kashmir valley, predominantly of Muslims, has been beset with violence as Indian terror security forces confront huge rallies by Kashmiris calling for independence from India. Since conservative India is ill-focused on Kashmir and, therefore, never expressed sympathies with the families of all those who lost their near and dear ones during the recent protests in Kashmir. After the a relative gun silence form Indian terror forces and after the discovery of secret grave-yards, the illegal Amarnath land deal by Indian Hindu leaders in Kashmir forest, have added over 40 more deaths to the Kashmiri martyrs tally. Kashmir’s newly buried men and women are maybe a mere addition to cold statistic of the dead in the Kashmir valley, but for the majority of its 6.7 million people, they are the new ‘martyrs’.

Kashmiris are becoming impatient with Indian criminal silence on the one side and Indian terror genocides in Kashmir on the other. It is time that bold, strong and, of course, measured initiatives are taken to strengthen the Kashmir people’s faith in the process of dialogue and peaceful resolution. A renewed and resolute political effort has to be made to reach out to the people of Kashmir. Democracy should not be confined only to killing innocent Kashmiris, illegal land deals, holding of elections in the State, the civil society and the institutions of democracy must get a free play. Freedom leaders need to be respected and their cause properly understood.

No doubt, India has huge weapons toilets, including nuclear that makes it feel proud of, but WMD are a serious risk. As it is known, India suffers from serious complexes, more of superiority than other wise, it thinks the arms toilets it posses would let have the Kashmiris under its feet. They are terribly mistaken, as the popular uprising showed. Kashmiris have the right protest against Indian move to nuclearize Kashmir region by placing and operating nuclear enabled jets in Kashmir and ask India not to use Kashmir as a buffer zone for its military misadventures against its neighbors like Pakistan and China. Kashmiris have the right to seek the the intervention of UN and UNSC in Kashmir forthwith.

The Government of India must move fast on the public demand for reduction of troops and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the State to assuage the hurt public sentiment, besides speeding up cross-LoC confidence building process.

New Delhi must know the repressive tactics have failed in the past and it is going to face the same fate in future as well. And it is high time India changed its terrorist and coercive tactics. Kashmiris will definitely intensify their struggle for freedom while, the Pakistanis, with whom Kashmiris have historically and culturally bound ties, would make efforts to solve Kashmir issue according to the aspirations of Kashmiris and keep an eye on combined sacrifices as well.

India suffers from too many complexes and it is under self-imposed pressure not to concede sovereignty back to Kashmir. The new governor NN Vohra is better placed, though a strategists himself, to take the initiative to talk to the freedom leaders. There is absolutely no reason in not talking to the people of Kashmir and listening to their grievances which were being given expression through non-violent protests. The pre-condition most of the times laid by Government of India for working towards the resolution of the Kashmir problem was cessation of violence in the area. On behalf of the Government of India, its representative in JK, Vohra must engage in a constructive, comprehensive, purposeful and productive dialogue process, not only with Pakistan, but with the people of Jammu and Kashmir as well, to resolve the issue. The stabilization of political situation in Pakistan has offered another window of opportunity for the revival of the peace process and resolution of Kashmir.

It is widely anticipated expected that India would now by all means try to find an escape route and surrender sovereignty to Kashmiris. If, however, India goes ahead with further militarization and nuclearization of Kashmir, UN and UNSC should also strengthen freedom fighting Kashmir as well with latest high precision weapons arsenals to stop India state terrorism. USA should make India resolve the Kashmir sovereignty issue settled once for all in favor of freedom Kashmiris.


India Celebrates Democracy, Kashmir Cries Hypocrisy

India wants to reap the benefits of Islamophobia from which the world is suffering…. the Indian government has to reconcile its own people to body bags coming from Kashmir…. If the Indian people were told the truth that Kashmiris don’t want to be with India, and the struggle here is sustained by them primarily…. the public opinion in India too would change. To not allow the public opinion to change, these lies about Pakistan-sponsored proxy war are told. For us, the Indian media is clearly a part of India’s military industry in Kashmir.
— Khurram Parvez, Scroll.in, July, 2016.

India, you will be celebrating your 70th year of Independence from British rule on August 15. All over the country all of you will be remembering the fallen, hoisting flags, and singing songs of freedom. Meanwhile in Indian-administered Kashmir — the largest militarized zone in the world — the Indian state and its military and paramilitary forces will continue to carry on with their sustained human rights abuses aimed at the regions indigenous population.

Many around the world often pose this question: Why is Indian civil society silent about its country’s brutalization of Kashmir civil society? It’s a very good question. Every freedom-loving Indian needs to ask it.

Perhaps nothing would convey patriotism better than chanting slogans that condemn your own country’s occupation of another. Why not? Instead of singing songs only about your own “freedom,” why not sing one acknowledging an occupied people’s desire to be free? Especially when it’s you they want to be free of.

Here’s one y’all might want to sing in solidarity with your Kashmiri brothers and sisters on Tuesday. It’s a take on the Hindi patriotic song Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo (O people of my country) that remembers Indian soldiers who died in the Sino-Indian War of 1962.

tiranga (Indian flag)
Firdaws (Paradise)
azad (free)
Azadi (freedom)
Holi (festival of colors)
Arnab Goswami (television news anchor)
lathis (truncheons)
Dardpora (‘Abode of Pain,’ is a hamlet situated in the northern edge of Indian-administered Kashmir, and is home to hundreds of widows, and ’half widows’ [women whose husbands have disappeared]).

The 2009 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records declared Kashmir as the world’s “largest and most militarized territorial dispute.”

O Proud Patriots of India

O proud patriots of India, shout your slogans
This auspicious day belongs to a few of you,
Go hoist your beloved tiranga
But don’t forget, that in occupied Firdaws,
Tens of thousands have lost their lives
Give a thought to them
And remember that until Kashmir is Azad,
Thousands more won’t be returning home

O proud patriots of India, fill your eyes with tears
Remember the humanity of those whose only desire is to be free
Of you

You got your freedom, but deny Kashmiris theirs
They too will fight until their last breath
Their bodies coming out on the streets and no fear of death
Their eyes pierced with little lead pellets,
They stare at your hollow freedom with dissenting eyes
Remember that Kashmir’s struggle for Azadi will not cave, just like India’s never did

When your country celebrates so-called freedom,
Your troops are playing Holi (with their blood)
While you sit safely in your homes watching Arnab Goswami,
Kashmiris brave your guns, night raids and lathis
Young men, women and children come at your military,
With stones in their hands and freedom in their eyes
Remember that Kashmir’s struggle for Azadi will not cave, just like India’s never did

Unknown, unmarked mass graves, clandestine graveyards
Extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances
Dardpora’s widows and half-widows, All victims of state terrorism
The blood shed in Jammu and Kashmir, that blood is indigenous
Remember that Kashmir’s struggle for Azadi will not cave, just like India’s never did

Their bodies are drenched in blood, yet they brave your military
Countless cases of torture and sexual violence by the world’s largest democracy
Kashmir weeps at your hypocrisy
And in their continuing struggle, they tell one another, “We will live another day”
“Be strong, my beloved fellow Kashmiris”
“We’re going to get Azadi

A pair of “security” boots for every sixteen Kashmiris?
O how pathetic your Independence, India
Your occupation even made the Guinness Book of World Records,
How wonderful
Remember that Kashmir’s struggle for Azadi will not cave, just like India’s never did
Remember that Kashmir’s struggle for Azadi will not cave, just like India’s never did Azadi, Go India, go back
Azadi, Azadi, Azadi

Agar Firdaws ba roy-i zamin ast, hamin ast-u hamin ast-u hamin ast (If there is Paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this.)
— Mughal Emperor Jahangir ([reign] 1605 – 1627) once said this about Kashmir.

The sang-bazan (stone pelters) of Kashmir, #11 in the series JatiIndia: Flags of Atrocities Caste, Present and Future.

According to Noam Chomsky, “Technology is basically neutral. It’s kind of like a hammer. The hammer doesn’t care whether you use it to build a house, or whether a torturer uses it to crush somebody’s skull.” One can probably say the same thing about Indian Democracy. That it’s fairly neutral. It’s kind of like the country’s flag. The tiranga doesn’t care whether you use it as a medium to communicate the truth about a state’s atrocities, or whether a Bollywood actress makes history by being the first woman ever to hoist it.

Please click on # links to view the series so far: jatiindia #s 10, 9, 8 jatiindia #7 jatiindia #s 6, 5 jatiindia #s 4, 3, 2 jatiindia #1

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Mirwaiz Umar Farooq born 23 March 1973) is the chairman of the Awami Action Committee and the All Parties Hurriyat Conference- a grassroots coalition of pro-independence secessionist groups in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. He attended Burn Hall School in Srinagar.

The Kashmir dispute is the oldest unresolved international conflict in the world today. Pakistan considers Kashmir as its core political dispute with India. So does the international community, except India.
The exchange of fire between their forces across the Line of Control, which separates Azad Kashmir from Occupied Kashmir, is a routine affair. Now that both India and Pakistan have acquired nuclear weapons potential, the possibility of a third war between them over Kashmir, which may involve the use of nuclear weapons, cannot be ruled out. Kashmir may be a cause to a likely nuclear disaster in South Asia, which should be averted with an intervention by the international community. Such an intervention is urgently required to put an end to Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir and prepare the ground for the implementation of UN resolutions, which call for the holding of a plebiscite to determine the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Cause of the Kashmir dispute :-
India’s forcible occupation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 is the main cause of the dispute. India claims to have ‘signed’ a controversial document, the Instrument of Accession, on 26 October 1947 with the Maharaja of Kashmir, in which the Maharaja obtained India’s military help against popular insurgency. The people of Kashmir and Pakistan do not accept the Indian claim. There are doubts about the very existence of the Instrument of Accession. The United Nations also does not consider Indian claim as legally valid: it recognizes Kashmir as a disputed territory. Except India, the entire world community recognizes Kashmir as a disputed territory. The fact is that all the principles on the basis of which the Indian subcontinent was partitioned by the British in 1947 justify Kashmir becoming a part of Pakistan: the State had majority Muslim population, and it not only enjoyed geographical proximity with Pakistan but also had essential economic linkages with the territories constituting Pakistan.

History of the dispute:-
The State of Jammu and Kashmir has historically remained independent, except in the anarchical conditions of the late 18th and first half of the 19th century, or when incorporated in the vast empires set up by the Mauryas (3rd century BC), the Mughals (16th to 18th century) and the British (mid-19th to mid-20th century). All these empires included not only present-day India and Pakistan but some other countries of the region as well. Until 1846, Kashmir was part of the Sikh empire. In that year, the British defeated the Sikhs and sold Kashmir to Gulab Singh of Jammu for Rs. 7.5 million under the Treaty of Amritsar. Gulab Singh, the Maharaja, signed a separate treaty with the British, which gave him the status of an independent princely ruler of Kashmir. Gulab Singh died in 1857 and was replaced by Rambir Singh (1857-1885). Two other Maharajas, Partab Singh (1885-1925) and Hari Singh (1925-1949) ruled in succession.

Gulab Singh and his successors ruled Kashmir in a tyrannical and repressive way. The people of Kashmir, nearly 80 per cent of who were Muslims, rose against Maharaja Hari Singh’s rule. He ruthlessly crushed a mass uprising in 1931. In 1932, Sheikh Abdullah formed Kashmir’s first political party—the All Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Conference (renamed as National Conference in 1939). In 1934, the Maharaja gave way and allowed limited democracy in the form of a Legislative Assembly. However, unease with the Maharaja’s rule continued. According to the instruments of partition of India, the rulers of princely states were given the choice to freely accede to either India or Pakistan, or to remain independent. They were, however, advised to accede to the contiguous dominion, taking into consideration the geographical and ethnic issues.

In Kashmir, however, the Maharaja hesitated. The principally Muslim population, having seen the early and covert arrival of Indian troops, rebelled and things got out of the Maharaja’s hands. The people of Kashmir were demanding to join Pakistan. The Maharaja, fearing tribal warfare, eventually gave way to the Indian pressure and agreed to join India by, as India claims, ‘signing’ the controversial Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947. Kashmir was provisionally accepted into the Indian Union pending a free and impartial plebiscite. This was spelled out in a letter from the Governor General of India, Lord Mountbatten, to the Maharaja on 27 October 1947. In the letter, accepting the accession, Mountbatten made it clear that the State would only be incorporated into the Indian Union after a reference had been made to the people of Kashmir. Having accepted the principle of a plebiscite, India has since obstructed all attempts at holding a plebiscite.
In 1947, India and Pakistan went to war over Kashmir. During the war, it was India, which first took the Kashmir dispute to the United Nations on 1 January 1948 The following year, on 1 January 1949, the UN helped enforce ceasefire between the two countries. The ceasefire line is called the Line of Control. It was an outcome of a mutual consent by India and Pakistan that the UN Security Council (UNSC) and UN Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) passed several resolutions in years following the 1947-48 war. The UNSC Resolution of 21 April 1948--one of the principal UN resolutions on Kashmir—stated that “both India and Pakistan desire that the question of the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India or Pakistan should be decided through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite”. Subsequent UNSC Resolutions reiterated the same stand. UNCIP Resolutions of 3 August 1948 and 5 January 1949 reinforced UNSC resolutions.

Nehru’s betrayal :-
India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru made a pledge to resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with these resolutions. The sole criteria to settle the issue, he said, would be the “wishes of the Kashmir people”. A pledge that Prime Minister Nehru started violating soon after the UN resolutions were passed. The Article 370, which gave ‘special status’ to ‘Jammu and Kashmir’, was inserted in the Indian constitution. The ‘Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly’ was created on 5 November 1951. Prime minister Nehru also signed the Delhi Agreement with the then ‘ruler’ of the disputed State, Sheikh Abdullah, which incorporated Article 370. In 1957, the disputed State was incorporated into the Indian Union under a new Constitution. This was done in direct contravention of resolutions of the UNSC and UNCIP and the conditions of the controversial Instrument of Accession. The puppet ‘State’ government of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammed rushed through the constitutional provision and the people of Kashmir were not consulted.
In 1965, India and Pakistan once again went to war over Kashmir. A cease-fire was established in September 1965. Indian Prime Minister Lal Bhadur Shastri and Pakistani president Ayub Khan signed the Tashkent Declaration on 1 January 1966. They resolved to try to end the dispute by peaceful means. Although Kashmir was not the cause of 1971 war between the two countries, a limited war did occur on the Kashmir front in December 1971. The 1971 war was followed by the signing of the Simla Accord, under which India and Pakistan are obliged to resolve the dispute through bilateral talks. Until the early 1997, India never bothered to discuss Kashmir with Pakistan even bilaterally. The direct foreign-secretaries-level talks between the two countries did resume in the start of the 1990s but, in 1994, they collapsed. This happened because India was not ready even to accept Kashmir a dispute as such, contrary to what the Tashkent Declaration and the Simla Accord had recommended and what the UNSC and UNCIP in their resolutions had stated.
The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, after coming to power in February 1997, took the initiative of resuming the foreign secretaries-level talks with India. The process resumed in March 1997 in New Delhi. At the second round of these talks in June 1997 in Islamabad, India and Pakistan agreed to constitute a Joint Working Group on Kashmir. But soon after the talks, India backtracked from the agreement, the same way as Prime Minister Nehru had done back in the 1950s by violating his own pledge regarding the implementation of UN resolutions seeking Kashmir settlement according to, as Mr. Nehru himself described, “the wishes of the Kashmiri people.” The third round of India-Pakistan foreign secretaries-level talks was held in New Delhi in September 1997, but no progress was achieved as India continued dithering on the question of forming a Joint Working Group on Kashmir. The Hindu nationalist government of prime minister Atal Behari Vajpaee is neither ready to accept any international mediation on Kashmir, nor is it prepared to seriously negotiate the issue bilaterally with Pakistan. " Popular uprising since 1989 "
Since 1989, the situation in Occupied Kashmir has undergone a qualitative change. In that year, disappointed by decades-old indifference of the world community towards their just cause and threatened by growing Indian state suppression, the Kashmiri Muslim people rose in revolt against India. A popular uprising that has gained momentum with every passing day—unlike the previous two popular uprisings by Kashmiris (1947-48, first against Dogra rule and then against Indian occupation and 1963, against Indian rule, triggered by the disappearance of Holy relic), which were of a limited scale.
The initial Indian response to the 1989 Kashmiri uprising was the imposition of Governor’s Rule in the disputed State in 1990, which was done after dissolving the government of Farooq Abdullah, the son of Sheikh Abdullah. From July 1990 to October 1996, the occupied State remained under direct Indian presidential rule. In September 1996, India stage-managed ‘State Assembly’ elections in Occupied Kashmir, and Farooq Abdullah assumed power in October 1996. Since then, the situation in the occupied territories has further deteriorated. Not only has the Indian military presence in the disputed land increased fundamentally, the reported incidents of killing, rape, loot and plunder of its people by Indian security forces have also quadrupled.
To crush the Kashmiri freedom movement, India has employed various means of state terrorism, including a number of draconian laws, massive counter-insurgency operations, and other oppressive measures. The draconian laws, besides several others, include the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990 Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA), 1990 the Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978 (amended in 1990) and the Jammu & Kashmir Disturbed Areas Act, 1990.
Most densely soldiered territory :-
The Indian troops-to-Kashmiri people ratio in the occupied Kashmir is the largest ever soldiers-to-civilians ratio in the world. There are approximately 600,000 Indian military forces—including regular army, para-military troops, border security force and police—currently deployed in the occupied Kashmir. This is in addition to thousands of “counter-militants”—the civilians hired by the Indian forces to crush the uprising.
Since the start of popular uprising, the Indian occupation forces have killed thousands of innocent Kashmir people. There are various estimates of these killings. According to government of India estimates, the number of persons killed in Occupied Kashmir between 1989 and 1996 was 15,002. Other Indian leaders have stated a much higher figure. For instance, former Home Minister Mohammad Maqbool Dar said nearly 40,000 people were killed in the Valley “over the past seven years.” Farooq Abdullah’s 1996 statement estimated 50,000 killings “since the beginning of the uprising.” The All-Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC)--which is a representative body of over a dozen Kashmiri freedom fighters’ organizations—also cites the same number. Estimates of world news agencies and international human rights organizations are over 20,000 killed.
Indian human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir include indiscriminate killings and mass murders, torturing and extra-judicial executions, and destruction of business and residential properties, molesting and raping women. These have been extensively documented by Amnesty International, US Human Rights Watch-Asia, and Physicians for Human Rights, International Commission of Jurists (Geneva), Contact Group on Kashmir of the Organization of Islamic Countries—and, in India, by Peoples Union for Civil Liberties, the Coordination Committee on Kashmir, and the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Basic Rights Protection Committee. Despite repeated requests over the years by world human rights organizations such as the Amnesty International, the Indian government has not permitted them any access to occupied territories. In 1997, it even refused the United Nations representatives permission to visit there.
Settling the Kashmir Issue
For decades, India has defied with impunity all the UN resolutions on Kashmir, which call for the holding of a “free and fair” plebiscite under UN supervision to determine the wishes of the Kashmiri people. Not just this. A massive Indian military campaign has been on, especially since the start of the popular Kashmiri uprising in 1989, to usurp the basic rights of the Kashmiri people. Killing, torture, rape and other inhuman practices by nearly 600,000 Indian soldiers are a norm of the day in Occupied Kashmir.
The Kashmir problem will be solved the moment international community decides to intervene in the matter—to put an end to Indian state terrorism in Occupied Kashmir and to implement UN resolutions. These resolutions recommend demilitarization of Kashmir (through withdrawal of all outside forces), followed immediately by a plebiscite under UN supervision to determine the future status of Kashmir. The intervention of the international community is all the more necessary, given the consistent Indian opposition to both bilateral and multilateral options to settle the Kashmir issue. Such an intervention is also urgently required to stop the ever-growing Indian brutalities against the innocent Muslim people of Kashmir, who have been long denied their just right to self-determination.


Watch the video: Can the Kashmir conflict ever be resolved? l Inside Story (November 2024).

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