National Assembly of Pakistan


FLAMES OF FREEDOM Foreword Struggle of the Kashmiri people against the Indian occupation continues unabated. State terrorism wreaked by the Indian security force, 100 acres land to the Amarnath Shrine in 2008 and rape, murder of two women at Shopian in 2009, have added fuel to the fire, burning in the hearts of Kashmiris for freedom. The agitation took a new turn on June 11, 2010, when a boy was martyred. The movement has now been taken over by the Kashmiri youth, who have been affected by the freedom movement in one way or the other. They have regular bouts with the security forces and pelt stones in response to the bullets of the latter. The intifada, which has added a new chapter in the history of Kashmir, has not only surprised the whole world but has also flabbergasted the Indian authorities, who are out to crush the freedom movement at any cost and have subjected the Kashmiris to repeated curfews, news blackouts, arrests and murders. However, the Kashmiris look determined to continue their struggle until freedom. The publication printed in 2004 and 2005, has been updated. FAZL-UR-RAHMAN CHAIRMAN PARLIAMENTARY SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON KASHMIR November, 2010 Download Translations Arabic (MS Word \| PDF) French (MS Word \| PDF) Spanish (MS Word \| PDF) Russian (MS Word \| PDF) Preface The fire of freedom against the tyrannical and despotic Indian rule (at times remote controlled through their Kashmiri stooges), seething in the hearts of Kashmiris over decades, erupted into flames because of the non-implementation of UN Resolutions on the Kashmir issue, the sham polls of 1987 as well as the wave of democracy, which swept the globe in the eighties. Kashmiris took to the streets for peaceful demonstrations. As India tried to quell the protests by force, Kashmiris per force had to opt for militancy. Just to break the will of Kashmiris to fight for freedom, India has unleashed a reign of terror in the occupied Kashmir by deploying over 7 hundred thousand soldiers and imposing draconian laws, which give unlimited powers to them. Kashmir is bleeding and the Kashmiris are crying for help. However, Kashmiris are continuing their struggle for the right of self-determination, promised to them by the United Nations, India and Pakistan. The sacrifices offered by the Kashmiris in terms of life and property are unprecedented in history. Kashmiris are writing their tales of woe with their blood. The current phase of their struggle, summarized in this brochure, encapsulating major events and the reaction of the world community, has indeed added a remarkable chapter to the history of freedom of nations. The flames of this fire can engulf the whole region, thus creating an unmanageable situation. It is, therefore, high time the world community intervened and had the issue resolved. The tragic odyssey that is Kashmir, is a clarion call for all of us. It is an acid test of the will of the people of the free world. HAMID NASIR CHATTHA CHAIRMAN SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE PARLIAMENT ON KASHMIR FLAMES OF FREEDOM Unfortunately, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been victim of tyranny and highhandedness for centuries. The despotic rulers not only ill treated them but they were made to pay many taxes also. According to Sir Walter Lawrence, former Settlement Commissioner in Kashmir: 'Nearly every thing, save air and water, was brought under taxation in Kashmir'. A British writer wrote "The sufferings of Kashmiris were worse than the woes of the people of France before the French revolution. Kashmiris started resisting the tyrannical Sikh rule collectively in early nineteenth century. Maharaja Ranjit Singh sent his Commander, Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu, to quell the rebellion in 1832. He skinned the Kashmiri leaders alive. After purchasing Kashmir from the British Government of India in 1846, Gulab Singh treated the Kashmiri people as chattels. He made their life miserable and crushed any resistance from them with a heavy hand. After him, his successors followed suit. When the workers of a state-run silk factory agitated for an increase in wages in 1924, their leaders were tortured to death. Thirteen Muslims were killed in a shoot out on 13 July, 1931 outside the Srinagar Jail, where a Muslim was being tried for making a speech against the Ruler Maharaja Hari Singh. The same year an All India Kashmir Committee was formed in Lahore, led by Allama Iqbal, Poet of the East, to organize support for the hapless Kashmiris. In 1947, his soldiers killed hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris. India also sent its troops and occupied the State of Jammu & Kashmir forcibly on 27 October, 1947. The Kashmiris revolted and got some areas of the State liberated, called Azad (Independent) Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) in their resolutions called for holding a plebiscite in the State to ascertain the wishes of Kashmiris, whether they want to join India or Pakistan. India accepted these resolutions but, on one pretext or the other, did not implement the same. This further frustrated the Kashmiris, fuelling the fire of their resentment. In 1986, Muslim political parties in the Indian-occupied Kashmir (IOK) formed the United Muslim Front for the elections of 1987 to raise their voice in the Assembly. As in the past, these elections were also rigged. Wide spread rigging and rise in the power tariff stoked the ambers of hatred against India, entailing agitation by the Kashmiris. Demonstrators were fired upon, their leaders arrested and curfew imposed. Liberation of Afghanistan from the Soviet Union and wave of democracy, spreading across the world, especially in the Eastern Europe, ignited fire of freedom amongst Kashmiris, simmering in their hearts for centuries. All this further triggered protests and demonstrations in IOK, which continued over the last 17 years, as encapsulated here year wise. 1989 The Kashmiri youth started clashes with the Indian security forces; the latter resorted to desecrating the mosques, thrashing the Muslims during prayers. Daughter of the Indian Home Minister Mufti Saeed was kidnapped, who was released after 5 days. Curfew was imposed intermittently in the entire valley. The renowned author Steve Coll wrote, "In late 1989 – inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall – Kashmiris on the Indian side, who were fed up with rigged elections and job discrimination staged a mass revolt." 1990 Jagmohan staged his comeback as Governor and ordered house to house search. Protests of Kashmiris continued. State Assembly was dissolved. Mass exodus of the Kashmiri pundits was started to give the freedom movement a religious and communal colour. Mir Waiz Moulvi Farooq was killed; his funeral procession was fired at, killing over 50 persons. 1991 The Indian soldiers dishonoured 23 women in the presence of members of their families in village Kunan Poshpora in one night, evoking strong world-wide condemnation. On the Eid day, when the Kashmiris were rejoining, the BSF and army personnel freed indiscriminately and killing 22 on the spot. Indian troops killed 73 Kashmiris, besides killing 50 others by firing at a funeral procession. 1992 14 innocent Kashmiris were killed at one spot by the Indian troops, besides killing 12 in another violent incident. Molestation of women continued. The Indian security forces started using rape as a weapon of war as a strategy to break the will of Kashmiris. 1993 32 parties joined hands, forming the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC). Entire town of Sopore was burnt by the Indian troops; 40 residents were also killed. Indian security forces besieged Hazrat Bal shrine for 32 days, where 65 Kashmiris were captivated. US Assistant Secretary of State Robin Raphel cast doubts about the instrument of accession of the State to India. 1994 The freedom struggle gained momentum. There was no let up in the reign of terror, unleashed by the Indian authorities, despite condemnation by the human rights activists and organisations. Indian Government kept harping on the old tune that the state was an integral part of India. 1995 International Commission of Jurists voiced concern over the continued state terrorism in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). Amnesty International clashed with the Indian Government over atrocities perpetrated by its security forces. Indian National Human Rights Commission asked the Indian Government to let the representatives of the Amnesty International visit IOK. Chairman of the British Parliamentary Human Rights Group, Eric Avebury termed the situation in IOK as one of the greatest tragedies of modern times. Indian soldiers gutted the shrine of Nooruddin Wali (Charar Sharif), causing a great anguish among the Muslims. OIC Contact Group on Kashmir condemned the military operation in Charar Sharif. United States described Kashmir as a disputed territory. 1996 The sham elections of Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Indian Parliament) were widely boycotted. Hundreds of thousands of government employees, detailed for the election duties, went on strike for three weeks. World media blasted the polls as sham and farcical. Twelve US Congressmen, in a letter to the Indian Government, expressed concern over the abuse of electoral process. Security Council Working Group recommended to retain the Kashmir issue on the agenda of the Council. Amnesty International in its report alleged that hundreds of people were extra-judicially executed by the security forces; custodial deaths were rampant as thousands of political prisoners were held without charge or trial in India. 1997 India extended the operation of two draconian laws: Arms Forces Special Powers Act and the Disturbed Areas Act in IOK, giving free hand and immunity to the Indian troops. Two NGOs: WSV (German), IFSO (US) and 4 member delegation of the European Union voiced concern over the human rights abuses in IOK. The Human Rights Watch said, "Human rights situation in IOK has aggravated due to the new policy of India to arm and support irregular militias for the purpose of its counter insurgency operations." Clinton administration reiterated that Kashmir was an outstanding issue. Lord Avebury, Chairman, Human Rights Group, House of Lords urged the Indian Government to allow the human rights organisations to visit IOK. Four member women team, led Dr Kamakshi (Medical College of Mumbai and Dr. Smitha after visit to Srinagar said, "Kashmir is being treated as colony… There is a genocide in Kashmir. The women and children are the worst sufferers." A six member delegation, comprising K. Balagopal (APCLC), Ravi Shukla (PUIR) and others sought an immediate end to all human rights violations, tortures, fake encounters, rapes, arson, looting by the security forces and the police. India agreed to hold the Composite Dialogue with Pakistan. However, within a week, it backed out, avoiding to put Kashmir on the table. 1998 India sent more troops into the State. The Indian troops desecrated the shrine of Daud Khaki in Srinagar. US Department and the Human Rights Watch confirmed wide spread killings and abuses by the Indian troops. European Union condemned the human rights violations in IOK, urging the Indian Government to allow international organisations to visit IOK. The Indian soldiers in disguise started target killings of Kashmiris. British Parliamentarian George Galloway said, "It is the responsibility of Britain to resolve the Kashmir issue." President Clinton said, "India posed a major problem by refusing to accept any mediation on the Kashmir issue." British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said, "The Kashmir issue is on the top of British Government's agenda." Addressing the NAM Summit, Nelson Mandela voiced support for the movement of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said, "Kashmir is one of the causes of concern world-wide." 1999 Extremely low turn out was witnessed at the general elections. Protests of Kashmiris against the Indian occupation and repression continued. However, India not only increased its forces but also enhanced atrocities. Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif agreed in Lahore to settle all issues, including the Kashmir issue peacefully. However, tension between Pakistan and India remained high. During the Kargil crisis there was an apprehension of war. President Bill Clinton defused the Kargil flare up and promised to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to "to take a personal interest in the Kashmir Dispute." World leaders at G8 Summit meeting expressed concern over the continuing military confrontation in Jammu & Kashmir. More than 40 members of the US House of Representatives urged President Clinton to appoint a special envoy on Kashmir. 2000 Besides killing numerous Kashmiri Muslims, the Indian soldiers killed 35 Sikhs in village Chatti Singpura and blamed militants for this heinous act, which triggered wide spread protests. 100 shops were burnt in Pattan. Liberation activists Javed Zargar, Farida Bahenji and Manzoor Sufi were released after illegal detention of 5, 11 and 10 years, respectively. UN Human Rights Commission observed that India was among those countries, which were inaccessible to human rights organisations. Amnesty International expressed concern over massive human rights abuses in IOK. It demanded release of the Kashmiri detenus and withdrawal of draconian laws. Member of the British Parliament Tom Cox condemned world powers for not stopping the Indian aggression in Kashmir. OIC Contact Group decided to appoint an envoy on Kashmir and a team to monitor the situation in IOK. Special Representative of the Arch Bishop of Canterbury (London) called for an international conference to settle the Kashmir issue. 2001 Indian forces besieged the shrine of Shah Ahmad Kirmani (Budgam) for many days. Six districts of Jammu were declared disturbed areas, giving sweeping powers to the Indian soldiers. Indian troops gutted numerous houses, shops and other buildings in Kupwara and Kulgam. Lawyers boycotted courts, protesting against the draconian laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) and human rights abuses. Indian National Human Rights Commission asked the puppet regime of the State, federal ministers of defence & home to explain the rise in custodial killings. Human Rights Watch called for withdrawal of POTO. UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson termed the human rights situation in IOK very gloomy. Amnesty International expressed grave concern over the grant of amnesty by Indian Government to the Indian soldiers involved in human rights violations. 36 British Parliamentarians signed a resolution, supporting the Kashmiris' right of self-determination. India increased its military forces in IOK. Youm-e-Aseeran (Day of Detenus) was observed on 2nd November throughout the State. US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said, "The US is bound to take notice of the human rights violations in IOK." India deployed an unprecedented number of troops on Pakistan borders to bully the latter on the Kashmir issue. 2002 Indian soldiers continued killings of innocent people in indiscriminate firing and in disguise. APHC Leader Abdul Ghani Lone was shot dead. India banned the Kashmiri Women's Liberation Group, Dukhtaran-e-Millat. India further increased its forces in IOK. India refused to allow foreign observers to monitor IOK Assembly polls. The majority of Kashmiris boycotted the elections. India rejected Pakistan's proposal for an international force to patrol the Line of Control (LOC). APHC in a statement said, "Kashmiris' struggle is indigenous and Pakistan is not involved." APHC rejected the LOC as international border or internal autonomy as solution of the Kashmir dispute. President Pervez Musharraf assured moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris. World Bank, British Foreign Secretary and the French Foreign Minister warned, Kashmir crisis can culminate in a nuclear war. NATO leaders also expressed concern over the tension in the Sub-Continent. US Secretary of State Collin Powel said, "The Kashmir dispute is on the international agenda." US Secretary Defence said, "The US did not have any evidence of Al-Qaeda in Kashmir." European Union Foreign Policy Chief J. Solana said, "Elections in IOK are no permanent solution to the Kashmir issue." UN Secretary General observed, "The international community has a role to play in resolution of the issue." Amnesty International voiced apprehension that the persons accused in the Indian Parliament attack case might not have a fair trial. British Foreign Secretary J. Straw observed, "We committed serious mistake by not demarcating the boundaries between India and Pakistan properly. Kashmir is a bad story for us" Canada offered mediation to resolve the Kashmir issue. 2003 Indian troops killed 17 Kashmiris in Damhal Hanjorpora and 18 in Gurez (Baramola). 10 Kashmiris were sentenced to life imprisonment under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA). During Prime Minister Vajpayee's visit to IOK there was a complete strike. Many Kashmiri leaders were arrested. The APHC Chairman urged the UN to stop the Indian state terrorism. Indian Defence Minister G. Fernandes said, "There is no Al-Qaeda in Jammu & Kashmir." In a reply to the Indian propaganda of infiltration across the LOC, Pakistan proposed posting of observers by the UN Security Council and 2 Islamic States to verify the infiltration. However, India barred even the UN Military Observers Group for India & Pakistan (UNMOGIP) from visiting the LOC to perform their duties. President Pervez Musharraf said, Pakistan will withdraw its troops from Kashmir if India agrees to do the same. UN Secretary General once again offered his good offices to resolve the Kashmir issue. US stressed, "There is no change in its policy on Kashmir." US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage observed, "Besides Palestine, Kashmir is the most dangerous place in the world". OIC urged India to allow its delegation to visit IOK. Five British MPs moved a resolution in the House of Commons, demanding implementation of the UN resolutions for self-determination in Jammu & Kashmir. 2004 Indian Premier Vajpayee and the President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf resolved to initiate a dialogue to settle all disputes, including Kashmir. As was done in the past, the Republic Day of India was observed as black day by Kashmiris. Instead of responding positively to the goodwill gestures shown by Pakistan, India erected fence on the LOC and started target killing of the Kashmiri leaders. Kashmiris boycotted the sham elections of the Lok Sabha. Former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah said, "India has forcibly occupied Jammu & Kashmir." Black day was observed on 27 October, (the day when India forcibly occupied Jammu & Kashmir) and on the visit of Indian Premier Manmohan Singh to IOK. Addressing the Parliamentarians of AJK, President Musharraf reaffirmed Pakistan's moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris. Amnesty International urged India to be more serious about probing the human rights violations in Kashmir. Iranian President Syed Muhammad Khatami urged for the resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris. Chairman, Kashmir Committee in the European Parliament James Ellis and British MP Goodman said, "The best settlement of the Kashmir issue lies in the UN resolutions." Kashmiri leader Shakeel Ahmad Bakhshi released after 4 years of detention. Delegation of the European Parliament, after its visit to IOK, denounced the human rights abuses there, calling it "the most beautiful prison of the world". It recommended appointment of a Rapporteur on Kashmir by the European Parliament. It also urged India to let the United Nations Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) play its role. At a press briefing, a member of the delegation observed, "Struggle in IOK is indigenous", adding that the custodial killings of innocent Kashmiris by the Indian troops stand at 17 per day. Special Committee of the Parliament (of Pakistan) on Kashmir repeatedly called for resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris, in the light of the UN resolutions. It also reiterated moral, political and diplomatic support to the just struggle of Kashmiris for their right to self-determination. Amnesty International reported, "Torture, rape, deaths in custody, extra political execution and disappearances have been perpetrated by agencies in the state with impunity. The human rights abuses in the Kashmir valley are facilitated by laws which provide the security forces with virtual immunity from persecution for acts "done in good faith." US Congressman Pitts moved a resolution in the House of Representative, urging the US President to appoint a Special Envoy on Kashmir. 2005 Shut down strike was observed across IOK on the Republic Day of India. The drama of local bodies polls was replayed in IOK. However, on the call of the APHC, Kashmiris not only boycotted the elections, but a paralyzing strike was also observed on the occasion. US State Department in its annual report said that the Indian security forces committed abuses with impunity, killing civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. It also castigated the police for extra-judicial killings, staged encounter killings and custodial deaths. India and Pakistan re-started Kashmir bus service across the LOC with effect from April 7, after around half a century. Most of the participants of the conference, organized by a think-tank, PUGWASH, in Srinagar demanded an internal ceasefire, withdrawal of troops, involvement of Kashmiris in the Indo-Pak dialogue process and release of political prisoners. Amnesty International (AI) condemned the human rights abuses in IOK. It also criticized the puppet regime of IOK for its failure to bring to justice those responsible for Jalil Andrabi's death. During his visit to the European countries Hamid Nasir Chattha, Chairman Parliamentary Kashmir Committee called upon the world community to pressure India to resolve the Kashmir issue. A nine-member delegation of the APHC, headed by Mir Waiz Umer Farooq, visited Pakistan for a fortnight. During its stay, the delegation discussed the Kashmir issue with the Pakistani and AJK leaders. US law makers, politicians and intellectuals from the South Asia, who attended the International Peace Conference in Washington, held the conversion of ceasefire line in Jammu & Kashmir into permanent international border un-acceptable and stressed inclusion of the Kashmiris into talks to resolve the Kashmir dispute. British High Commissioner to Pakistan Mark Lyall Grant confessed that Britain truly had made a mistake, holding the settlement of Kashmir issue in abeyance at the time of partition of India. British lawmaker Bob Morris said that India should not be given seat in UN Security Council (UNSC) till the resolution of the Kashmir issue. OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir met at Sana'a, (Yemen) and called for settlement of the Kashmir dispute and halt to human rights abuses in IOK. Two-day 'Global Discourse on Kashmir' was held in the European Parliament, Brussels. The declaration focused on the UN Security Council Resolutions, upholding the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. 2006 President George W Bush urged India and Pakistan to settle decades-old dispute over Kashmir, the cause of two of their three wars since independence in 1947. Amnesty International in its report observed: "Politically motivated violence slightly decreased but torture, deaths in custody and "disappearances" continued to be reported. At least 38 people reported died in custody…… Several people have been held under the Public Safety Act over 10 years under successive PSA detention orders". In response to the offer of the Indian Prime Minister for a "treaty of peace, security and friendship", the Pakistan Foreign Office replied that a friendship treaty was only possible after the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says, "The US has encouraged the two countries to come to a resolution of the Kashmir crisis. It's a flashpoint. It's a place that has sparked conflict in the region." Indian Defense Minister Parnab Mukerjee rejected the proposal of Pakistan to cut troops in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. India is out to spoil the Islamic culture of Kashmir. Sex scandals, pornography, etc are being encouraged in the occupied Kashmir. Justice A. M. Mir, Head of Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission has resigned over the widespread allegations of human rights abuses by the Indian security forces. He said, "I don't remember even a single recommendation that was implemented by the Government during my last two and a half years long tenure". Former Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Omer Abdullah said, "All Indian Army installations in IOK are torture cells, which should be visited by the International Committee of Red Cross". Nobel Laureate President of Republic of Korea Kim D. Jung said that the best solution of the Kashmir Issue was referendum. Syed Ali Gilani has informed the press that the Indian security forces had hatched a conspiracy to eliminate him. Addressing a seminar on Kashmir in London, the British Minister for Local Bodies Mr. Whoolas termed the Kashmir dispute as the biggest problem of the world. US Congressional Official K Alan Krounstadt said on return from the Indian Occupied Kashmir, "It is very jarring that there is a large security presence in Srinagar. When I got on the ground, there were soldiers and police every where." Indian author Arundhati Roy writes, "The biggest myth of all times is that India is a democracy. In reality, it is not …….. In the Kashmir Valley alone, some 80,000 people have been killed. In Iraq, there are 150,000 military personnel, whereas in the Kashmir Valley, there are some 700,000". She added that the Indian media had failed to highlight the plight of Kashmiris, who had been subjected to the Indian repression. The Human Rights Watch has recommended to the United Nations to take appropriate steps for access of the world media and human rights organizations to IOK to monitor the grave human rights violations there. 2007 Like the previous years, the international human rights organization condemned the Indian activities in the occupied Kashmir. Human Rights Watch reported, "The Indian troops are engaged in gross human rights violations in the occupied territory with impunity. The UN Human Rights Council should impress upon India to hold accountable its troops responsible for torture detention, killings and disappearances in occupied Kashmir". The Amnesty International observed, "There were reports of human rights violations in several states, including Jammu and Kashmir………………. Slightly decreased but torture, deaths in custody and "disappearances" continued to be reported. Members of the security forces continued to enjoy impunity for human rights violations." The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) stated, "Upto 10,000 Kashmiris has gone missing following their arrest by the security forces." The Association further revealed that the mass graves in the Occupied Kashmir are mostly located in the vicinity of various camps of the Indian army and its Special Operation Group (SOG). Former Indian Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadev observed, "Rapes are being committed, human rights are being violated, ar'nt you (Delhi) forcing Kashmiris to take up guns. Kolkatta based human rights Dr. Anjana Chatterji said, "There are 63 interrogation centres in the Kashmir Valley, 26 in Srinagar District with 19 in Srinagar city alone". OIC Secretary General has appointed his special envoy on Kashmir, who sought permission to send a fact find mission delegation to the Occupied Kashmir. However, it was refused by the Indian authorities. US Department of State reported that the government officials (of India) used special anti terrorism legislation to justify the excessive use of force while combating terrorism, active violent insurgencies in Jammu and Kashmir and several northeastern states. Security forces officials who committed human rights abuses generally enjoyed de-facto impunity. A 8-member panel of International Court of Justice (ICJ), led by Justice Arthur Chaskalson, visited India and called for repealing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) that gave the Indian troops powers to commit human rights violations in the Occupied Kashmir. According to a poll conducted jointly on August 12 by major news outlets: CNN – IBN and Hindustan Times (India) and Dawn & News (Pakistan), 87% Kashmiris, preferred Azadi (freedom). During visit to IOK, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared 'zero tolerance' on the human violations in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Indian security forces threw the orders of the Prime Minister to the wind. 2008 The Amnesty International has urged India to investigate hundreds of unidentified graves discovered by human rights researchers, saying they may contain the bodies of innocent people killed by the Indian forces. The European Parliament passed a resolution, demanding an impartial and transparent probe into the unnamed graves discovered in IOK. After visiting IOK, the Head of 3-member delegation of Civil Society Prof. Amit Batacharya of Kolkata University said, "There as been propaganda going on in the India media that some agencies are instigating people against India, but the reality is that it is truly a mass movement. Indian democracy got exposed when we were detained as soon as we landed at the Srinagar airport….. The most disturbing sight was overbearing presence of the security forces, the peaceful protesters were fired upon and false cases framed against many of them." Prominent Sikh leader of Indian Punjab Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, after a visit to Srinagar, described the Kashmiris' liberation struggle as totally genuine and appealed to the minority communities of IOK to get united against the Indian oppression. Commenting upon the electoral exercise, Mir Waiz Umer Farooq said, "Elections in Kashmir are a futile exercise and are meaningless, for they have not served any purpose in the past, nor do they have any bearing upon Kashmir issue in the future". A Kashmiri sociologist Prof. Bashir Ahmed Dabla said, "There are 32,400 widows and 97,200 orphans in the Occupied Kashmir and the number is growing. They are suffering badly and their problems are aggravating day by day." In the wake of allotment of 100 acre land to the Amarnath Shrine Board, there was general uprising in IOK. People from all walks of life, numbering over a million took to the streets repeatedly for months. Hindus of Jammu blocked the road to Srinagar, causing economic blockade of Kashmir. The Kashmiris marched towards Pakistan to restore supply line and many of them, including Sh. Abdul Aziz, were killed. Indian writer Arundhati Roy observed, "After the overwhelming participation of the Kashmiris in the current mass movement in Jammu and Kashmir, it is imperative that India should give freedom to the Kashmiri people…. The reaction of the people in Kashmir is actually a referendum….. India needs freedom from Kashmir as much as Kashmir needs from India." Renowned writer Vir Sanghvi wrote (Hindustan Times), "Let the Kashmiris determine their own destiny. If they want to stay in India, they are welcome. But if they don't, then we have no moral right to force them to remain……. If we are the largest democracy on the planet, how can we hang on to people, who have no desire to be part of India?" During visit to New Delhi the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for resolution of the Kashmir issue. Indian Human Rights activists Gautum Navlakha and Dr. Chatterji have confirmed the existence of 4,000 unnamed graves in the IOK. The Indian writer Prof. Summantra Bose of London School of Economics said, "The Kashmir issue cannot be put in cold storage under the guise of war on terror. The elections in the Indian held Kashmir are no substitute for a permanent solution." Presidential candidate Barack Obama told MNCB, "We should probably try to facilitate a better understanding between Pakistan and India and try to resolve the Kashmir crisis, so that they can stay focused not on India, but on the situation with those militants". British Foreign Secretary David Miliband observed, "Resolution of the dispute over Kashmir would help deny extremists in the region, one of their main calls to areas and allow Pakistan to focus more effectively on tackling the threat on their western borders." Spokesman of the French Government Eric Chevallier stated, "A peaceful settlement of the India Pakistan dispute on Kashmir could pave for a better security situation in Afghanistan. Solving the Kashmir dispute will help everybody in the region". Amnesty International deplores, "In Jammu and Kashmir, the state and non-state actors continued to enjoy impunity for torture, deaths in custody, abductions and unlawful killings." Times of India wrote, "On August 15, India celebrated independence from the British Raj. A day declaring the end of colonialism in India became a day, symbolizing Indian colonialism in the valley." National Conference President Omar Abdullah has said, "'By imposing economic blockade of the Kashmir valley it was proved that Kashmir is not an integral part of India, as Kashmiris are nothing more than slaves." Jammu & Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, comprising Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti, Gurduwara Prabandhak Committee and others met in Srinagar in August. Upholding the request of self-determination of Kashmiris, the society condemned the clamp down by the security force. For the first time in history, the Kashmiris unfurled their own flag at the clock tower of Srinagar on August 15. Condemning the highhandedness of the Indian security forces in the Occupied Kashmir, UN Office of Human Rights Commissioner (OHCHR) Geneva has stated, "OHCHR calls on the Indian authorities and in particular security forces to respect the right to freedom of assembly and expression and comply with international human rights principles in controlling the demonstrators". About elections in the Occupied Kashmir the APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said, "Kashmiris are not fighting for roads, bridges and other basic amenities. They want right of self-determination. If anybody, including New Delhi, has any doubt let them hold plebiscite instead of elections?" The National Conference President Abdullah commented on elections in Occupied Kashmir: "The elections will not have any effect on Kashmir issue." In an interview with the Time Magazine, US President Barack Obama stated that working with Pakistan and India to try to resolve the Kashmir crisis in a serious way was one of the most "critical task" for his administration. Crisis in IOK is taking a heavy toll on the women and children. Around 80, 000 women are suffering from mental disorder, a report said. Hindustan Times pointed out, "Nothing has really changed since 1990. A single spark can set the whole valley on fire – Indian forces are treated as an army of occupation……………. Let Kashmiris decide their own destiny ………………… If you believe in democracy, then giving Kashmiris the right of self-determination is the correct thing to do". International organization of journalists, "The Reporters Sans Borders" have called upon the Indian authorities to put an immediate stop to the censorship and violence against media in Kashmir. Universal Peace Federation held a Conference on Kashmir at Milan (Italy) and called for the resolution of the Kashmir issue at the earliest possible. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, "India is not scared of the guns here in Kashmir – it has a thousand times more guns. What it is scared of is people coming out in the streets, people show the power of non-violent struggle". National Conference President Omer Abdullah said in anguish over the killing of peaceful protesters "Lives are cheap in Kashmir'. Addressing a seminar on the UN Human Rights Day in London the British MP Rowan said, "Indian Government must come out with all the truth regarding the discovery of mass graves in IOK, otherwise it would be held accountable before the International Court of Crimes, The Hague. He added, "We left unfinished business in Kashmir and it is moral duty of the British Government to resolve the issue." The Amnesty International has urged India to investigate hundred of unidentified graves discovered by human rights researchers, saying they may contain the bodies of innocent people killed by the Indian forces. The European Parliament passed a resolution, demanding an impartial and transparent probe into the unnamed graves discovered in IOK. Thousands Kashmiris thronged the streets of major cities of Occupied Kashmir at the call of the All Party Adhoc Committee for Right of Self-determination on October 14, defying the curbs of curfew imposed by Indian forces. During visit to New Delhi the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for resolution of the Kashmir issue. Expressing his last wish, Syed Ali Shah Gilani urged the Kashmiri people not to forget "the sacrifices of thousands of youth for the cause of freedom and the ongoing movement to its logical conclusion. 2009 Congressman Dan Burton said, "I believe that there should be independent plebiscite on Kashmir as passed by the UN resolution more than six decades ago". Participants in the Kashmir Seminar at Kolkata have called for the resolution of Kashmir dispute, agreeing that the so called elections in IOK should not be taken as any barometer for reticence. Amnesty International reported: "The Indian side of Kashmir is an area where the security forces commit mass human rights abuses with impunity, facilitated by the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and other similar laws". Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said, "Though we were urging for the resumption of talks, we are not looking for a photo session, we want constructive engagement and meaningful dialogue." Canadian Foreign Minister Laurance Cannon observed, "Not only should Indian Government respect the human rights of Kashmiris but also it must be resolved according to the wishes of the people of Kashmir". Chief Minister IOK Omer Abdullah said, "We made the mistake in the past of assuming the money is flowing, the democratically elected government was in place, the violence levels were down, so there was no Kashmir issue." President of Shriomani Akali Dal Simranjit Singh Mann said that his party would support a peaceful and democratic solution of the vexed Kashmir problem in line with the UN Resolutions. Two cousins Neelofer and Asiya were drowned in Shopian District. The forensic report confirmed the incident as rape and murder case. The incident caused a widespread protest throughout the occupied territory. Srinagar based International Peoples Tribunal on Human Rights & Justice, comprising Dr. Agnana Chatterji, Gautum Navlakha & others in its report has said that police personnel were involved in the rape and murder of two women in Shopian. Prime Minister Syed Yousif Raza Gilani said, "Pakistan desired to have a constructive dialogue with India on Kashmir, but it is unacceptable to us that India continues the dialogue but kill the Kashmiri through its security forces side by side." In his speech at the UN General Assembly President Asif Ali Zardari made it clear that meaningful progress towards resolution of the Kashmir dispute was necessary for durable peace and stability in the South Asia. OIC has appointed Ambassador Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman al Bakr as its special envoy on Kashmir. He replaced Amb. Ezzat Kamil Mufti. Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan agreed at Sharm el-Sheikh to hold bilateral talks on all issue. However, the joint statement which generated hope for revival of bilateral dialogue, evaporated as Indian Premier came under severe attack from the opposition and even his party colleagues for succumbing to Pakistan's pressure to de-link bilateral dialogue from terrorism. The Saudi Prince Turki-al-Faisal has urged President Obama to push India and Pakistan for resolving Kashmir issue. Saudi Arabia can play a supporting role. Praveen Swami said, "Even in his old city Srinagar, Mir Waiz Umer Farooq's repeated calls to pro-Islamist youth to end their now-routine clashes with the police have been ignored…. Sajjad Lone's historic decision to fight the Baramulla Lok Sabha elections ended in an ignominious defeat". China has started issuing visas to the Kashmiris on separate sheets instead of passports. JKDF President Pundit Bhushan Bazaz has observed, "The APHC was the only force representing the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir." Congressman Rohrabacher said at the meeting of House Foreign Affairs Committee, "We need to be honest with the Indians and say to eliminate what's going on in Kashmir, they need to have a plebiscite". The renowned Indian intellectual Gautum Navlakha observed, "Every Kashmiri is a victim of one or the other form of torture and more than 60,000 Kashmiris have experienced third degree torture at the hands of the Indian armed forces." Emphasizing the importance of resolution of the Kashmir Dispute the special envoy of the US President for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrook observed that resolution of the Kashmir issue was imperative for peace as well as to uproot terrorism in the sub-continent. Chief Minister of Occupied Kashmir Omar Abdullah said, "New Delhi made a mistake of convincing itself that the Kashmir issue has been dried down with decrease in violence despite increase in terrorism." Indian Army Chief, General Deepak Kapoor has clarified that there was no traces of Taliban in Jammu and Kashmir. The election drama was once again staged in occupied Kashmir. Analyzing this exercise, Arundhati Roy wrote ("Outlook"): "Pro Independence leaders called for boycott. They were arrested… No chances were taken. Even I, who have nothing to do with any of what was going on, was put under house arrest in Srinagar for two days… what elections mean in the presence of such a massive, year-round troop deployment (an armed soldier for every 20 civilians)? Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor boasted that the defense forces of his country were ready to wage a war against two neighbors, China and Pakistan simultaneously. Lee Hamiltion, Vice Chairman of 9/11 Commission said, "United States should support for the resolution of the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir Dispute". After a visit to India the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay called upon the government to bridge the gap in implementing "national laws and policies that promote and protect human rights and seek to support the most vulnerable." She also sought repeal of laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act "that breach contemporary international human rights standards" and encouraged India to welcome the visits of UN special Rapporteurs. US State Department in its Report has criticized India on its policies in IOK. The report underlined that "in Occupied Kashmir 3575 persons died in custody during the past six years". Amnesty International has urged President Obama to take up the matter of human rights violations in IOK during his meeting with the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Centre for American Progress, the US think tank, has advised the US Government to help resolve the Kashmir issue so that Pakistan could focus attention on the war on terrorism on its western border. During his interaction with the Foreign notables, the Chairman Parliamentary Kashmir Committee Fazl-ur-Rahman floated the idea of conference of regional countries, such as China, Iran, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, etc to be hosted by the OIC (Contact Group on Kashmir) to resolve the Kashmir issue. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani observed that the Kashmir dispute was the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy and the country's stand on the issue was based on its founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah's saying that "Kashmir is jugular vein of Pakistan". 2010 Parliamentary Kashmir Committee has condemned the construction of dams by India on the rivers allocated to Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty, 1960. Member of the Norwegian Parliament from Christian Democrat Party Knut Arild Hereide has been nominated as Chairman of the Kashmir Parliamentary Group in Norway. Addressing the Kashmiri leadership, Prime Minister Gilani said, permanent peace in the region is not possible without resolving the decades old Kashmir Issue. He reiterated the unflinching resolve of Pakistan to extend moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people. Chinese Foreign Minister said that there was no change in the Chinese policy on Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh. Ali Mohammad Sagar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister of Occupied Kashmir informed the State Assembly that the Indian Army had occupied 13885 acres of land in Kargil area. Members of British Parliament including Richard Fauld, Andrew Griffith and others have supported the Kashmiris for their right to self-determination. They reiterated their commitment to highlight the Kashmir issue at international level. Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly has said, "The peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people is imperative for peace and development of the region. Pakistan would extend its unwavering moral, political and diplomatic support to the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for the inalienable right of self-determination, as enshrined in the UN Charter and the relevant UN Resolutions. British MP Macsham has observed, "The burning issue of Kashmir, where 70,000 Muslims have been killed since the Indian army took over full control of the disputed region over 20 years ago, needs to be put on the international agenda." The British Parliamentarians (Martin Salter and others) and the US parliamentarians (Dan Burton and others) have appealed to President Obama to revisit his vision on Kashmir, declared during the election campaign and get the Kashmir issue resolved. In a poll held by the Chatham House of Kings College London, 79 % people of the erstwhile princely state of Kashmir voted against India. Taking cognizance of killing of three Kashmiri youth in a fake encounter, terming them intruders from outside, the Human Rights Watch called upon India to repeal draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu & Kashmir. Chairman Parliamentary Kashmir Committee Fazl-ur-Rahman held 2 meetings of the Committee in AJK to express solidarity. He also addressed Kashmir Conferences at Kotli, Bagh, Mirpur, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad (AJK) and Islamabad, Karachi, Sargodha and assured the Kashmiris of the unstinted support of Pakistan for their right to self-determination. Dal Khalsa leader Kunwar Paul Singh said in New Delhi that the Kashmiris' struggle for the rights to self-determination was genuine. India should withdraw its forces and revoke black laws from Jammu & Kashmir. During the visit of the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to JOK in June, Kashmiries observed a strike. The pro-freedom leaders also spurned his offer for talks. Syed Ali Gilani said, "Kashmiries have not offered sacrifices for autonomy" whereas Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, "Human rights violations and dialogue do not go together." Canada refused visa for human rights violations to the Indian Army Officers, who served in the Occupied Kashmir: Lt. Gen. (R) A. S Bah of Rashtriya Rifles and Brig. (R) Fateh Singh Pandher of Border Security Forces. Visa was refused to the two Brigadiers in 2008 and another Brig in 2009. Lt. Gen (R) R N Bhatia was refused visa in 2008 for the same reason. China also refused visa to Lt. Gen. Jaswal, who had served in the Occupied Kashmir. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern over the situation in Indian held Kashmir, calling upon India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue. Human Rights Watch has stated that in Jammu and Kashmir (IOK) many citizens have lost confidence in the state's willingness to hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable. Reacting to the Indian Prime Minister's offer for autonomy of Kashmir, Mir Waiz said "Our struggle is not for restoration of autonomy. It is to seek our right to self-determination". On stone pelting agitation, he said "First they (the Indians) said the guns came from Pakistan. Will they now say that stones come from Pakistan". Amnesty International has urged the Prime Minister to fulfill the promise of zero tolerance to human rights violations in the occupied territory by the troops. It also urged India to allow the UN Special Representative to visit Occupied Kashmir for making spot study of cases of fake encounters and extra judicial killings in the territory. Secretary General of Communist Party of India Parkash Karat and the President of Sikh Coordination Committee have condemned the killings of Kashmiris by the Indian forces. London Review of Books wrote, "More than a hundred thousand people marched peacefully to the UN office in Srinagar. They burned effigies, chanted 'Azadi, azadi' ('freedom') and appealed to India to leave Kashmir. The movement was not crushed. It was merely ignored. Nothing changed. Now the new generation of the Kashmiris on the march." Curfew and media curbs clamped in IOK has evoked wide spread condemnation. South Asia Media Commission, Press Guild of Kashmir, Delhi Union of Journalists and other media organizations have flayed these draconian measures, saying that curbs on local media have no place in a democratic society. European Parliament has decided to start hearings on Kashmir. In the first session (October) Sardar Attique Ahmad, Prime Minister of AJK; Pakistan Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani, Analyst Shirin Mazari and Gen. (R) Ashok Mehta participated. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed surprise over the level and consistency of the freedom movement in IOK, wherein even children and women are participating. He called a meeting of all political parties to discuss the situation and sent a delegation of politicians to discuss the matter with the Kashmiri leaders. However, the latter, especially the APHC refused to meet with them. The Indian government also offered a package of jobs, financial assistance to the Kashmiris, but they have rejected it also. India has now nominated three interlocutors, led by Dilip Padgonkar to approach the Kashmiri leadership. Mr. Dilip has observed that the issue could not be resolved without involvement of Pakistan. Swaminathan S. Ankelsaria Aiyar wrote (Times of India), "I was once hopeful of Kashmir's integration, but after 6 decades of effort, Kashmiri alienation looks greater than ever. Democracy in Kashmir has been a farce for most of six decades. We promised Kashmiris a plebiscite six decades ago. Let us hold one now". Before the visit of President Obama to India, the US Spokesman said India and Pakistan would have to resolve the Kashmir issue. During his visit to India President Obama said, "Kashmir is a longstanding dispute between India and Pakistan. I believe both Pakistan and India have interest in reducing tension between two countries…. The US cannot impose solutions to these problems. I have indicated to Prime Minister that we are happy to play any role the parties think is appropriate in reducing tension." Parliamentary Kashmir Committee has opposed the Indian bid to become permanent member of the UN Security Council, saying any support to this effect is tantamount to awarding India for its defiance to the UN Security Council in non implementing the latter's resolutions on Kashmir. HUMAN RIGHTS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS COMMITTED BY INDIAN TROOPS IN IOK (FROM JANUARY, 1989 TO OCTOBER, 2010) 1. Total Killings -- 93,505 (including custodial killings) 2. Custodial Killings -- 6,976 3. Civilians Arrested -- 118,607 4. Houses/Shops Destroyed -- 105,884 5. Women Widowed -- 22,744 6. Children Orphaned -- 107,392 7. Women Gang-raped/Molested -- 9,980 (Courtesy: Kashmir Media Service)

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