Afia Ambreen
Once again in their unabated acts of state terrorism Indian troops martyred 17 Kashmiris in different fake encounters in south Kashmir areas of Shopian and Anantnag. The mayhem triggered protests in many parts of the Valley resulting injuries to hundreds of people in clashes. According to the data issued by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service Indian troops martyred twenty nine Kashmiris including a woman and a young boy during the last month of March. Of those martyrs four youth were killed in different fake encounters by the Indian forces. As many as 198 people were injured due to the use of brute force and firing of bullets, pellets and teargas shells by Indian troops, paramilitary and police personnel against mourners and peaceful protesters while 117 civilians including Hurriyet leaders and activists were arrested during the month. Indian forces’ personnel also destroyed and damaged 35 residential houses and disgraced 15 women during the period.
The government and the people of Pakistan will observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on 6th April to express their support to the people of Kashmir, struggling to achieve their inalienable right to self-determination. Furthermore, Pakistan’s civil and military leadership decided to launch a diplomatic offensive at the international level against India for its brutal use of force against innocent Kashmiris. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), the highest decision making forum on issues of national security and foreign policy, in the wake of recent Indian security forces clashes with protesters. The NSC praised the extraordinary courage and resilience of Kashmiri people in the face of Indian brutalities and gross and systematic violations of their human rights. It observed that purely indigenous character of this uprising has once again belied the false propaganda by the Indian government. The committee reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to political, diplomatic and moral support of the people of IOK in their just and legitimate struggle for their right to self-determination, promised to them by the unanimous resolutions of the UN Security Council. The committee decided to raise the issue of unprecedented Indian brutalities at both bilateral and multilateral forums. It also reviewed the broader regional situation and expressed satisfaction over the role that Pakistan continues to play for peace and stability.
Moreover, on 25th March 2018 the Kashmiri community of Los Angeles organized a car rally to highlight human rights violations and atrocities in Indian Occupied Kashmir. UN chief Antonio Guterres is “very concerned” over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and wants all member states to protect their civilians, his spokesperson has said. “The Secretary-General is, indeed, very concerned about the situation that we’ve seen in Jammu and Kashmir. He reminds that Member States are responsible under international humanitarian law to protect civilians,” Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, told reporters at his daily press briefing. On Tuesday Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi expressed regret at the loss of life in recent tensions in Kashmir, urging both sides of the conflict India and Pakistan to show restraint. Pakistan’s star former cricketer Shahid Khan Afridi took to the twitter to express his concern over the Kashmir situation, the all-rounder stated, “Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren’t they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?” meanwhile in India several prominent personalities also expressed concern over the grim situation in Kashmir. Sanjiv Bhatt an IPS officer stated “Four civilians killed when police opened fire on stone-throwing demonstrators in Kashmir. Lethal bullets for crowd control in Kashmir while tear gas and water cannons for the rest of India…and we expect Kashmiris to buy our narrative that Kashmir is an integral part of India?”
It is a reality that Pakistan has always advocated resolution of the conflict over Kashmir through giving the Kashmiris their inalienable right to self-determination as promised by India and the world community. India cannot suppress the Kashmir liberation movement through state terrorism. Kashmiris will soon enjoy complete freedom of their motherland. People of occupied Kashmir show love and commitment with Pakistan by raising Pakistani flags despite presence of massive Indian forces. In these circumstances, New Delhi should resolve the longstanding issue of Kashmir in light of UN resolutions by holing a plebiscite. International community should also take notice of Indian atrocities for converting majority of Kashmiri people into minority to accomplish its vested agenda.
