Jammu: A Jammu-based organisation representing displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday appealed to the United Nations to intervene over alleged human rights violations and repression by Pakistani authorities on the people living across the border.
Addressing a press conference here, POJK (Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir) Visthapit Seva Samiti chairman Deepak Kapoor condemned the recent killings of innocent Kashmiris by Pakistani forces and expressed solidarity with the victim families.
“The residents of PoK are facing oppression and human rights violations at the hands of Pakistani forces. Their sufferings have rekindled memories of the displacement and hardships endured by our communities uprooted from the region decades ago,” Kapoor, a doctor by profession, said.
He said members of the displaced community stand firmly with the residents of PoJK and support their demands for dignity, rights and better living conditions.
Kapoor alleged that peaceful protests and demonstrations by residents seeking basic facilities, improved education and greater political representation have been met with harsh measures by the Pakistan Army and administration.
He urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, to take note of the situation and view the issue from a humanitarian perspective.
“We appeal to the UN and other international human rights organisations to examine the conditions prevailing in the region and work towards ensuring the protection of fundamental rights of the people living across the border,” he said.
Claiming that an “increasing number of residents in PoK no longer wish to remain with Pakistan”, Kapoor said they are increasingly drawn towards India after witnessing its development, democratic institutions and freedom of expression.
“A clear message is emerging from the region that many people do not want to remain with Pakistan and would prefer to be part of India,” he said.
Kapoor also appealed to the Centre to consider the growing voices emerging from PoK in favour of closer integration with India.
He reiterated the position that Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, along with other occupied territories, forms an integral part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir that acceded to India on October 26, 1947.
“The ultimate objective is that displaced communities should be able to return to their ancestral homes and that the people currently living in these regions should be relieved of the hardships they face,” he said.
