The bullets, guns, shells, beating or any other tactics of the Indian forces cannot stop the freedom wave in Kashmir
FAISALABAD: According to media reports, the Indian government has decided to replace pellet guns being used against peaceful Kashmiri protesters with the newly developed pelargonic acid vanillyl amide (PAVA) shells, a chili-based munition that temporarily incapacitates the target.
I recalled history by reading this piece of news. India’s first war of independence was fought against the British East Indian Company from May 1857 to July 1859. One of the major causes of that revolt was the ammunition for new rifles. Pre-greased paper cartridges were used. The grease used in cartridges was rumoured to include tallow derived from beef, which would be offensive to Hindus, and pork, which would be offensive to Muslims.
The Kashmir Freedom Movement has been fought since the partition of India in 1947. The armed rebellion against Indian rule began in 1989. More than 70,000 people have died in fighting and thousands disappeared after they were taken away by security forces. The latest separatist movement in Kashmir Valley has reached its peak. The brave people of Kashmir are boldly facing the atrocities of the Indian forces. They want to get their right to self-determination and freedom from unjustified Indian rule. The bullets, guns, shells, beating or any other tactics of the Indian forces cannot stop the freedom wave in Kashmir.
Engr Mansoor Ahmed
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2016.
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