British lawmakers demand end to Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir

Around 50 members of British parliament attend Kashmir Solidarity Day conference organised by TeK UK in London

LONDON: British lawmakers have demanded of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end the atrocities currently being carried out in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) by his country’s armed forces and allow the oppressed people their right to self-determination.

Over 50 members of the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament, mostly belonging to Conservative Party, attended a conference, organised by Tehreek-e-Kashmir (TeK) UK to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day at the British Parliament on Wednesday.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan and Jammu Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM) President Altaf Ahmad Bhat attended the confab as chief guests.

Speaking on the occasion, Khan called on the United Kingdom to play a role in resolving the longstanding Kashmir dispute, which, he said, can even trigger a nuclear war.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

“If Britain plays an effective role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a breakthrough could be reached in resolving the Kashmir issue,” said the AJK president.

Khan lamented that no country reacted to the situation that India has created in IOJ&K by annexing the disputed territory and imposing a continuous curfew there.

“However, parliamentarians from different countries have publicly raised their voice over the tense and serious situations. Peace in the world requires that the Kashmir issue be addressed,” he added.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan addresses a confab to mark #KashmirSolidarityDay at UK Parliament in London pic.twitter.com/uHPdnzlbva

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) February 5, 2020

The AJK president said India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fascist ideology is whipping up war hysteria. “Pakistan is showing patience. Pakistan and Kashmiris want a peaceful, lasting solution to Kashmir issue, according to the global agreements and Indian commitments,” he added.

“Indian warmongering is putting security and peace of entire South Asia in jeopardy, and it is the collective responsibility of the international community to intervene.”

A UK lawmaker addresses a conference to mark #KashmirSolidarityDay in London pic.twitter.com/PpXvUKa0wg

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) February 5, 2020

He paid tribute to the efforts of Altaf Ahmed Bhat and the TeK UK President Raja Fahim Kayani for highlighting the Kashmir dispute and said it was for the first time that over 50 MPs participated in a Kashmir conference and showed concern for the Kashmir cause.

“This strengthens the cause and encourages the Kashmiris and Pakistanis striving and raising the voice for the besieged Kashmiris all over the world. It also encourages the Kashmiri and Pakistani organizations fighting for the rights of Kashmiris on diplomatic fronts,” he said.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

Bhat told the audience true stories of Indian atrocities in the IOJK and exposed the organised crimes committed by Indian government under Modi and his right-hand men – Amit Shah, and Ajit Doval.

He said since August 5, when India unilaterally revoked special status of the disputed valley, the life and economy of IOJ&K have paralysed.

“Schools, colleges, universities and hospitals are closed and turned into army camps for additional forces. 91- year-old leader Syed Ali Geelani is locked up in the house for the past ten years.

“[Other pro-independence leaders] Shabbir Shah, Yasin Malik, Asia Andrabi, Dr Fayyaz, and Zafar Akbar Bhat are kept in prisons, while their health is continuously deteriorating.”

Kashmiri leader Altaf Ahmad Bhat narrates horrendous tales of Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir at a conference in British Parliament to mark #KashmirSolidarityDay 1/2 pic.twitter.com/k50GLYQ2ds

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) February 5, 2020

Bhat said Narendra Modi and the current Indian army chief have created a warlike situation in occupied Kashmir and the Line of Control that can take the form of any nuclear war.

Kashmiri leader Altaf Ahmad Bhat narrates horrendous tales of Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir at a conference in British Parliament to mark #KashmirSolidarityDay 2/2 pic.twitter.com/eITC2Y6YZ0

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) February 5, 2020

“Due to this situation, peace of not only South Asia but the entire world is at risk. Therefore, international organisations and democracies must step in to resolve the Kashmir dispute according to resolutions of the UN and aspirations of Kashmiri people,” he said.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

TeK Europe President Mohammed Ghalib said huge participation of the British MPs in the conference sends across a clear message to India that the people of Kashmir are not alone in the struggle. Tek UK President Raja Fahim Kayani thanked MP Paul Bristow for helping organising the conference.

Members of the British Parliament Rob Butle, Steve Baker, Marco Longhi. Lord Kurban, Valerie Vaz and Ms Philips were also among the attendees.