18 killed in Srinagar: Brutality against Kashmiris

By Zaheerul Hassan
Killing of 22 years young freedom fighter and alleged Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani by the security forces fueled the situation in Sri Nagar, capital city of Indian Occupied Kashmir on 9 July 2016. The clashes started all over the valley when Para-Military Forces opened ruthless fire on empty handed innocent Kashmiris including women, children and senior citizens. As result eighteen people died and nearly 400 were injured. The protestors were agitating against the young Wani and raising the slogans against occupied forces. They were also carrying Pakistani flags and play cards showing photograph of freedom fighters. The state authority imposed curfew has been imposed in all 10 districts of the Valley.
Mobile internet services were blocked across the valley since 8 July 2016, the Amarnath Yatra was also suspended temporarily and school board exams were postponed. Moreover, train services from Baramulla in the Kashmir valley to Banihal town in Jammu were also suspended. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway that passes through south Kashmir was also closed on 9 July 2016. Date wise analysis of current episode clearly indicates that murder of innocent young man was deliberately planned and executed by the security forces.
On the promise of anonymity, the eyes witness stated that many people jumped into the river in South Kashmir District when security tried to chase and opened fire on the protestors. In this connection, a very high official from the police, Mr. Shiv Murari also committed in a press conference that eight people were killed during the protest as result of security forces fire on the mass funeral. As per Mr. Asim Ali Bhatt, one of the victim stated that people were crying to stop fire but Indian Armed Forces without any mercy kept on shooting them down. Locals further said that there were scenes of mayhem in parts of southern Indian-Occupied Kashmir. Regarding curfew, Kashmiri people have refused to obey occupied forces instructions and came out of their houses that resulted into clashes between police and para-military forces. Even in Kapwara, Indian army stopped hospital from treating the injured, women, children and others’ agitators.
Notably, Indian occupied Kashmir, till now over 68000 persons have been killed and thousands injured by the Para-military forces . Kashmiris are fighting for their rights of self-determination since 1947. In this regards a prominent Kashmiri Scholar Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai UNO mentioned in his article , “5th July – Remembrance of self-determination in Kashmir”, that U.N. commission obtained acceptance on January 5, 1949 by both parties of a peace plan involving a cease fire, demilitarization of the state and a plebiscite under the supervision of a U.N. appointed administrator. The Security Council urged that the people of Kashmir will have right of self-determination to decide the future status of their homeland. The resolution was negotiated with both India and Pakistan and accepted by all five members of the Commission, Argentina, Belgium, Columbia, Czechoslovakia and the United States. The cease-fire took effect accordingly, but the plan bogged down when India balked at implementing the demilitarization phase, which envisioned a synchronized withdrawal by the forces of both India & Pakistan. The situation lapsed into a stalemate.
Dr Fai further writes, “We recalled the statement made by Sir Benegal Rama Rau, the Indian delegate during the 399th meeting of the Security Council in January 1949, that “On behalf of my Government, I can give the assurance that it will not only cooperate to the utmost with the Commission itself towards a settlement in Kashmir, but also with the United Nations in securing peace everywhere, because it believes that this organization offers the only hope for peace for future generations, on a secure basis.” Sir Rau further assured the Security Council on March 1, 1951, “The people of Kashmir are not mere chattels to be disposed of according to a rigid formula; their future must be decided on their own interest and in accordance with their own desires.”
On November 2, 1947, Prime Minister Nehru reiterated, “We have declared that the fate of Kashmir is ultimately to be decided by the people. That pledge we have given and the Maharaja supported it, not only to the people of Kashmir but to the world. We will not and cannot back out of it.” (Unquote)
Anyhow, Indo-Pakistan has fought four major wars on Kashmir issue but no solution of Kashmir as yet emerged. Day by day, the regional security situation is pathetically deteriorating; any misfortune can be converted into disaster which may lead to nuclear conflicts between two neighbours. Therefore, global community should pressurize India to behave and conduct the elections as per UN resolutions. UN should also ask India to stop interfering in neighbouring countries. Recently, Pakistan has successfully unearthed the Indian spy network and arrested Kulbhushan Yadave Commander of the network. The spy openly admitted that he and his network were involved in fomenting terrorism in Balochistan.
Shortly, speaking, India instead of conducting elections under UN Charter is busy in slaughtering innocent people of Kashmir. Many young people and children have started joining the Jehadi organions since they believe that way of freedom only leads through the bloody struggle. Pakistani Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Imran khan and Pakistani Foreign office condemned the brutality against Kashmiris and demanded that UN should also take notice of the situation and force Indian government to behave and stop state terrorism against innocent Kashmiris. Kashmiri leaders, Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik also demanded that solution of Kashmir lies in free and fair elections and admitting the right of plebiscites under UN Charter.
The writer can be approached through zameer36@gmail.com