Kashmir a beautiful valley amidst the Great Himalayas. Kashmir also known as the Paradise on the Earth with a Great History. Kashmir’s killing fields dwarf that of Palestine and any other bloodied place.
Kashmir is an International Dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947. Kashmiris have been fighting for their Right to Self Determination since 1947 after a Controversial Accession to India by the Despotic Hindu Ruler of Kashmir.It is worth mentioning that the ‘so-called’ instrument of accession has never been shown to Kashmiris, UN or for that matter Pakistan. Part of Kashmir (49000 sq km) is under the occupation of China.
Kashmiris don’t regard themselves as “Indians” or Pakitanis for that matter and they have been fighting to determine their Future themselves which has been denied by India and Pakistan. Kashmiris were promised a plebiscite by the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru & that promise has not been fulfilled till this day.
Kashmiris started demanding Independence/Self Determination in early 1990s with an Armed Rebellion(which is believed to be funded by Pakistan) after elections of 1987 were rigged in favor on National Conference. The rebellion was crushed by the Mighty Indian Forces with Brutal Massacres,Torture,Custodial Disappearances,Mass Rapes and much more brutal action. It is estimated that there are around 400 rebels in Kashmir and the Total Indian Forces here is often estimated to 700,000 (Separatists exaggerate the Figure to One Million) Kashmir is the Highest Military Zone, with a Civilian-Troop Ration of 15:1 (Higher than that of Iraq and Afghanistan) Since 1990 it is estimated that the Conflict has wiped an entire generation, Figures of those killed is as high as 100,000. In the early 1990s Pandits (Native Hindus) were forced to flee Kashmir out of fear which was facilitated by the State of India esp. the then Governor Jagmohan. About 300,000 Pandits fled the Valley, i.e 2.5% of Kashmir Valley, but some did stay back and no one harmed them and Sikhs stayed back as well no one harmed them except for the Chattinsingpora Massacre carried out by Indain Army acc. to the Sikhs . Some statistics of the Kashmir Conflict:
Total Killings * 93,241
Custodial Killings 6,969
Civilians Arrested 117,117
Structures Arsoned/Destroyed 105,845
Women Widowed 22,726
Children Orphaned 107,347
Women gang-raped / Molested 9,912
January 1989 to May 31, 2010
*including custodial killings and the killings continue till this day!
In 2008, Kashmiris transitioned there movement to Peaceful Protests. But still it was crushed with brute force by Indian Forces. More than 65 were Killed. In 2009, two girls were raped and murdered in the South Kashmir town of Shopian, massive protests were registered by the people of Kashmir against the incident but the incident was dubbed as a ‘drowning incident’ by India and brushed under the carpet.In 2010, Kashmiris came on the streets for months together. Indian Forces again used brute force using tear-gas canisters,live ammunition and pellet guns.For days Kashmiris were left starving with declared and undeclared curfews and with threats of Shoot at sight orders. More than 120 Kashmiris were killed. From seven year old boy Sameer (who was crushed with Jackboots to death) to 22 Year old Girl Fancy Jan, who was just standing near a window. Most of the slain were teenagers.
India is able to continue its ‘illegal’ occupation in Kashmir by using draconian laws which violate Human rights in the worst possible ways, in the face of the International Community, some of them are:
1.JAMMU & KASHMIR PUBLIC SAFETY ACT, 1978
The Act promulgated in 1978 (amended in 1987 and 1990) empowers the State government to detain a person without trial for two years under the pretext of maintenance of public order.
2.JAMMU & KASHMIR DISTURBED AREAS ACT, 1990
Under the Act, the whole or part of the State can be declared disturbed area by the Central Government or the Governor. The whole valley of Kashmir and two Districts of Jammu have since been declared disturbed areas. An official of the level of Head Constable is allowed to use force or shoot (and kill) under the pretext of maintaining the public order
3.TERRORIST AND DISRUPTIVE ACTIVITIES ACT (TADA) 1990 :
The Act enforced in 1985 (amended in 1987) gives security forces and armed forces special powers for use of force, especially the amendment of 1987 made it tougher. It was widely used for unauthorized administrative detention without formal charges or trial for upto one year.
4.THE ARMED FORCES (JAMMU & KASHMIR) SPECIAL POWERS ACT, 1990
The Armed Forces (Jammu & Kashmir) Special Powers Ordinance, introduced in July, 1990, was later enacted by the Parliament of India and enforced on 10th September, 1990. When certain areas are declared to be “disturbed”, the army and paramilitary forces are granted sweeping powers under Section 4 (C) of this Act.The armed forces can be used in aid of civil authorities and even a non commissioned officer can search any place, stop/seize any vehicle, fire at any person (and kill), or arrest him even on the basis of suspicion with no obligation to inform him of the grounds thereof.
5.UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES (PREVENTION) AMENDMENT ORDINANCE 2004
The Ordinance was passed by the Indian President in 2004 and was implemented forthwith. It has since been promulgated as Act. It again provides extraordinary powers to armed forces and other law enforcement agencies, similar to those previously provided by the POTA.In addition to the above-mentioned measures, the laws and ordinances regarding other disturbed parts of India can also be applied in occupied Kashmir.
6.THE NATIONAL SECURITY ACT (NSA)
Under the NSA, a person can be detained without charge or trial for upto one year to prevent him from acting in a manner prejudicial to state security, the maintenance of public order or relations with a foreign power.
7.OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT (OSA)
Under the Official Secrets Act (OSA), the Government may restrict publication of sensitive stories. But the Government interprets this broadly to suppress criticism of its policies.
8.INDIAN TELEGRAPH ACT
The Indian Telegraph Act authorizes the surveillance of communications, including monitoring telephone conversations and intercepting personal mail, in case of public emergency or “in the interest of the public safety or tranquility” besides the afore mentioned draconian laws, the following are also in force: i. Enemy Agent Ordinance 1948.
ii. The Egress and Internal Movement (Control) Ordinance, 1948.
iii. Prevention of Unlawful Activities, 1963.
iv. Prevention of Subversion and Sabotage Act, 1965.
The Objective of this post is to make the world aware of Kashmir’s rivers of blood. And to Crush the State Censor and Propaganda on Kashmir. We Hope You Spread the Word and Help in the Cause of Kashmir who want an end of Military Occupation, Healing to their deep wounds and an acceptable and dignified Solution to end the conflict which has eaten up entire generation and left scars on the new.
“The lie was dead, And damned, and truth stood up instead.” #FreeKashmir
For more check these blogs:
Kashmir WordPress
Bloodie Drivers Blogspot
Rigged Elections
ChattisinghPora Massacre
Shopian Double rape Cover-Up