By Sahibzada M. Saeed
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Chenani-Nashri tunnel in the occupied territory. Complete shutdown was observed in Indian occupied Kashmir against Modi’s visit. Hurriyat leaders in a joint statement issued in Srinagar said that Indian Prime Minister was visiting the valley at a time when situation was extremely worst and massacres, detentions and blinding of people continued. Thousands of quite innocent people are suffering in jails and the authorities are denying any space for peaceful political activities. Addressing to the ceremony, Mr. Modi said that “I want to ask the people of Kashmir… on the one side there is tourism, on the other, terrorism.”
The notion of Kashmiri freedom movement is again blended with terrorism by Prime Minister Modi. While Kashmiris are fighting for their rights and freedom. In fact, Indian government wants to justify the use of force, which they are using against innocent Kashmiri men, women and children to stifle their struggle. It is generally said that the movements are alleviated by the passage of time but martyrdom of Burhan Wani in 2016 enlivened the Kashmiri movement again.
If we critically analyze the Modi’s statement, it seems deceptive and inapt. It is an admitted fact that no power can mollify the voice of freedom. Roads and tunnels have no any significance in the way of freedom. If there is any standing of infrastructure development then never ever been ended British “Raj” from the subcontinent. No nation can abstain from its struggle for freedom. And India is also aware of this reality that Kashmiris are totally refuting its occupation. That is why that India is keeping its 700,000 military and paramilitary forces in the occupied valley against 10 Million Kashmiris.
A report has been published recently under the title of “Crisis of acknowledgment of the Kashmir problem” by a fact finding mission of Indian government, which describes fearsome ground realities. According to the report, hatred towards India has grown and particularly Martyrdom of Burhan Wani, curfew and strike actions changed the psychological attitude of Kashmiri youth towards India. If we analyze the facts, frustration of Kashmiri youth seems pertinent. Kashmiri youth has been grownup in restless and dissatisfied environment. Most of them lost their parents in the freedom movement.
This is more lamentable that India is committing these atrocities and human rights violations under a proper legal framework. For example, in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), India has imposed Public Safety Act (PSA) and Armed Forces Special Power Act to coerce innocent Kashmiris. These acts are the open violation of International Law and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). These laws provide complete freedom of action to the occupied forces against innocent Kashmiris. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations have reported countless stories of tyranny and oppression of Indian forces in occupied Kashmir.
Killings through torture and hostage taking are the common phenomenon. Along with it, sexual violence and psychological torturing are another horrific weapon by Indian security forces against Kashmiri women. According to unbiased sources, annually 500-600 Kashmiri women are facing sexual violence. And generally rape is committed on gun point by Indian forces. Since, Kashmiri struggle for independence has started, occupied forces have used all sort of violence against the people. By violating Kashmiri law of land, India is gradually changing demography in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Indian authorities are allotting land to non-Kashmiri Hindus. Similarly, India is also establishing separate colonies for troops and Pundits.
India should admit the reality that Kashmir is burning and the Kashmiris want freedom. Killings, hostage taking, rape and other ruthless acts of India are leading the Kashmiri youth towards aggression, which is complicating the situation for India itself. It is the dire need of time that India must stop atrocious acts against innocent Kashmiris and came on negotiation table. This is the third generation of Kashmiris which are the victim of Indian oppression. And this generation wants eradication of Indian usurpation. Modi Sarkar must know that Kashmiris want only one road and this road is the road to freedom. Which ultimately leads the region and the world towards peace and prosperity.
*The writer is an IR analyst and freelance columnist based in Islamabad and can be reached at mmsb1000@gamil.com.