New Delhi: India on Friday called upon the international community to scrutinise Islamabad’s “ruthless” use of force against peaceful protesters in Pakistan-Occupied-Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and hold it accountable for the “atrocities”.
Around 40 people were reportedly killed in the crackdown by the Pakistani forces in PoJK since July 27 amid local-body elections in the region.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Pakistani establishment continued to “unleash ruthless force” against peaceful civilians in PoJK.
The PoJK has been witnessing massive protests since last month over inflated living costs, alleged administrative apathy and political discrimination and atrocities against minorities.
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has been leading the protests.
“This crackdown has resulted in the tragic death of over 40 civilians and serious injuries to many,” Jaiswal said at a regular media briefing.
“Its absolute disdain for the innocent people of PoJK was laid bare when the defence minister branded the protesting civilians as enemies.
“Adding to this, the Special Assistant to the prime minister on political affairs, openly admitted that the very ‘mujahideen’ that Pakistani establishment trained, armed and sent to bleed India have now turned their guns inward, weaponising themselves against the state,” Jaiswal added.
Jaiswal said the “so-called” elections stand as a “humiliating rejection” of the Pakistani establishment.
“Facing a violent regime, the people have requested international organisations for an independent investigation into the unlawful killings,” he said.
“We urge that the international community should scrutinise Pakistan’s actions and hold it accountable for its atrocities,” he added.
Mirwaiz expresses concern over situation in PoJK, seeks respect for rights
Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday expressed concern over the situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), and called for engagement and respect for rights.
Addressing the Friday congregation at the Jama Masjid here, Mirwaiz expressed deep concern over the continuing unrest and tragic loss of lives across the Line of Control (LoC), particularly in Rawalakot.
“Today, as we gather in prayer, our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters on the other side of the LoC. We are deeply anguished by the continuing unrest and the tragic loss of precious lives during the past month and a half,” he said.
Mirwaiz said reports indicate that dozens of people have been killed, while some accounts place the cumulative toll even higher.
“The truth must be established through a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation. We mourn every life lost — whether that of a civilian protester or a member of the police force — and pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured,” he added.
The recent events across the LoC, particularly in Rawalakot, remind that governments may administer territories and advance competing political positions, but it is the people of J&K who remain the true stakeholders of their homeland, he said.
“The governments administering the two sides of the LoC each claim to act in the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, yet the people themselves must remain at the centre of every decision affecting their future. We are one people, bound together by history, family, culture and our common state subject identity,” he said.
Mirwaiz appealed to the government of Pakistan and the local government across the LoC to engage sincerely with the representatives of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and with all sections of the people.
“Durable peace and stability can only be achieved through dialogue, constitutional fairness and respect for the rights and dignity of every segment of society,” he said.
BJP alleges human rights violations in PoJK, urges global community to end silence
The BJP alleged on Friday that serious human rights violations are occurring in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), and accused Pakistan of targeting civilians and urged the international community and Jammu and Kashmir political parties to speak out against the alleged atrocities.
The BJP said Pakistan’s security forces are targeting civilians, including women and children, in PoJK and alleged that the global community has failed to respond.
“The situation has deteriorated in PoJK significantly. Innocent civilians, including women and children, are allegedly being targeted, but unfortunately the international leadership and organisations have remained silent,” Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesperson Dr Tahir Chowdhary told a press conference here.
Flanked by other party spokesperson Dr Abhijeet Singh Jasrotia, he alleged that videos circulating from PoJK showed residents appealing for international intervention and questioned why regional political parties, including the National Conference, People’s Democratic Party and Congress, had not condemned the alleged incidents.
“I ask the leaders of these parties why they are not speaking openly against the atrocities being committed on the people of PoJK,” he said.
Reiterating the BJP’s stand that PoJK is an integral part of India, Chowdhary claimed that an increasing number of people in the region identified with India after witnessing development on the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The people of PoJK openly raise slogans in favour of India and express their desire to reunite with India. This growing inclination towards India has created fear within Pakistan’s establishment,” he said.
He alleged Pakistan was attempting to suppress such sentiments by restricting access to essential supplies, including food and medicines. He asserted the BJP remained committed to the reunification of PoJK with India.
Jasrotia, while recalling the events surrounding the 1947 conflict in Mirpur, alleged that many civilians suffered during the tribal invasion backed by Pakistan and criticised the political leadership of the time over decisions related to the conflict.
Referring to recent developments, he alleged that civilians in PoJK continue to face violence despite being unarmed and claimed that Pakistani forces recently shot a young political activist.
“The international community should take note of the alleged human rights violations in PoJK and ensure that the voices of the affected people are heard,” Jasrotia said.
He also criticised leaders of the NV and PDP, including Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, alleging they remained silent over the reported incidents in PoJK.
The BJP leaders said the party would continue to raise the issue in all forums and reiterated that it stands with the people of PoJK.
Meanwhile, hundreds of displaced people from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) on Friday staged a protest here against the alleged atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army on residents of the occupied region and urged the government of India to work towards its liberation.
The protest, organised by SOS International, an organisation advocating the cause of displaced PoJK people, was led by its chairman Rajiv Chuni in Jammu. The demonstrators carried placards and raised slogans against Pakistan and its military leadership while demanding that PoJK be integrated with India.
Chuni alleged that Pakistan had subjected the people of PoJK to repression and exploitation and appealed to the Indian government to “free PoJK from Pakistan’s occupation and integrate it with India.”
“We urge the government of India to take steps to free PoJK from occupation of Pakistan and integrate it with our country”, he told reporters.
He claimed that the people of the occupied region had realised that Pakistan was “not trustworthy”, echoing the concerns expressed by those who migrated from the area during the Partition in 1947.
Questioning Pakistan’s conduct in the region, Chuni alleged that despite Islamabad portraying PoJK as a separate entity with its own institutions, mainstream Pakistani political parties contested elections there.
“If the region is truly independent, why are Pakistani political parties contesting elections there? Why are the people not allowed to decide their own future?” he asked.
Chuni also alleged that Pakistan was exploiting the region’s natural resources, including water, electricity, tourism and minerals, while local residents received little benefit in return and were forced to migrate.
Expressing solidarity with the people of PoJK, he said they were fighting for their rights despite facing hardships and loss of lives.
He urged the Centre to support their cause and reiterated the demand for the liberation of the occupied territory, saying displaced families wished to return to their ancestral homes.
