Indian police clash with Kashmiri protestors in Srinagar on July 11, 2016.
PHOTO: AFP
As clashes continue to rage in Indian-held Kashmir and the death toll from the violence hitting 42 in 10 days, a veteran leader in the disputed Himalayan valley has sought the intervention of the international community against ‘a new wave of state terror’.
New Delhi also rushed hundreds of troops to the troubled region.
On Sunday, All Parties Hurriyet Conference leader Syed Ali Geelani wrote a detailed letter to world leaders and international organisations such as the United Nations, European Union, South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), urging them to intervene, noting that they have a ‘special responsibility’ to challenge the behaviour of the Indian state and to “stop this reign of terror”, The Hindustan Times reported.
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Violence in Kashmir has continued to boil for the past 10 days since Indian forces killed separatist Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani in a police encounter on July 8. Since then, the disputed Himalayan valley has been under curfew with internet, mobile communications and newspapers suspended.
Clashes between civilians and authorities have left over 45 people dead and injured over 3,100, including one on Sunday when the Indian military opened fire on a group of people protesting at an army camp in Sumbal.
Geelani, who wrote the letter on behalf of the “oppressed and besieged people” to draw the attention of the world community, said that India was unleashing terror on civilians.
“India continues to institutionally perpetrate violence in Jammu and Kashmir, and has ensured so far that no armed forces personnel involved in heinous war crimes to be prosecuted by its own judicial mechanism,” Geelani wrote.
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He went on to accuse the Indian Army of “unleashing a new wave of terror, killing dozens and maiming hundreds of unarmed protesters, utilising bullets and lethal pellet-guns aimed to kill and maim”.
“Curfew and severe restrictions have been imposed, besieging the already imprisoned population further. Pro-freedom leadership has been either imprisoned or placed under house arrest. The killing spree continues and an enraged population is getting desperate,” the letter states.
He made six demands as confidence building measures for creating an atmosphere conducive for the resolution of the dispute. The demands include acceptance of the disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir the right of Kashmiris of self-determination.
Geelani called for a rapid demilitarisation process of population centres, repealing draconian laws such as the AFSPA and Public Safety Act and releasing all political prisoners. The Hurriyet leader demanded that UN Special Rapporteurs and all international human rights organisations to work in Kashmir in addition to conducting a transparent investigation into atrocities.
Geelani also called for ensuring free political space for all parties in the disputed valley.
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Earlier on Sunday, a group of protesters tried to storm an army camp at Ajas in Bandipora district. Security forces opened fire on them injuring at least three people. Another civilian died after Army fired on protesters attacking its camp in Sumbal, The Indian Express reported.
New Delhi rushes police
The Indian government Sunday rushed as many as 2,000 police reservists to Kashmir to boos security.
They will reinforce 2,800 Central Reserve Police Force personnel sent last week, The New Indian Express reported.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2016.
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