Pakistan summons Indian envoy over state brutalities in Assam

The Indian Charge d’ Affaires was summoned to the Foreign Office on Friday and conveyed the government of Pakistan’s grave concern over the recent targeting of Muslims in the Indian state of Assam, where a brutal eviction drive against the Muslim residents has been launched, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a statement.

The Indian Charge d’ Affaires was summoned to the Foreign Office on Friday and conveyed the government of Pakistan’s grave concern over the recent targeting of Muslims in the Indian state of Assam, where a brutal eviction drive against the Muslim residents has been launched.

A video documenting the atrocities of the Indian state against minority Muslims has come to the forefront showing Indian security forces shooting Muslims in the Indian state of Assam during the eviction drive.

Hashtag #MuslimLivesMatter trended on Twitter with many calling for accountability and highlighting the high-handed tactics of the right-wing Modi regime against minorities.

Read more: Assam Muslims fear for their future under Indian regime

Tensions on the border between Assam and Mizoram have been elevated since the deadly July 26 clash between the two Indian states which left six police officers dead and more than 70 injured.

Following this, the Modi-led government released a statement that said 'neutral force' will be deployed in the disputed areas, earlier in August.

However, Indian authorities are under fire once again for the brutal tactics used by their police and their abuse of power that has left the Muslims of the region in fear for their lives.

The viral video from Thursday showed police in riot gear beating a protestor who had fallen to the ground seconds after gunshots were heard.

A photographer, hired by district officials to film the evictions, jumped on the man and was seen punching the body multiple times.

Also read: Thousands protest against eviction of Muslims in India’s Assam state

"The video which shows killing of an unarmed man by the police and the desecration of his mortal remains by the individuals embedded with the security forces is shocking beyond belief," FO spokesperson said in a statement today.

The spokesperson said that it was conveyed to the Indian official that the recent incidents of violence are, unfortunately, only a continuation of the relentless anti-Muslim violence which has become a norm in India under state patronage.

"Security forces are either themselves involved in perpetrating brutalities against Muslims with impunity or provide protection to the ‘Hindutva’ extremists and terrorists who regularly indulge in lynching and other forms of torture against Muslims," he added.

Read: New Indian citizenship law 'fundamentally discriminatory' against Muslims: UN

The spokesperson said that a series of anti-Muslim and anti-minority legislations enacted by the government of India and incidents of violence against Muslims highlight the rising levels of intolerance and lack of respect for the minority communities in India.

The official communiqué said that the CdA was told that the government of India must investigate the recent anti-Muslim violence in Assam and other such incidents that have happened throughout India and punish the perpetrators of these crimes. It should also take measures to stop such incidents from recurring in future, it added.

Leaders of India's 170 million Muslims say they have been unfairly targeted since Modi's party came to power in 2014.

They say a controversial nationality law that sparked riots in Delhi in 2020, and hate crimes including lynching, have increased fear in their community.