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Introduction
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India's unabated
repression of the Kashmiri freedom struggle and the ensuing genocide of the Kashmiri
Muslims has entered its ninth year. Since 1989 Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) has been one of
the most troubled and explosive regions of the world. Life has virtually turned into a
nightmare since India unleashed its repressive machinery through her security forces, when
the Kashmiris stepped up their demand for their undeniable rights as a free human being as
was promised to them by United Nations as well as the Indian leaders.
The suffering of Kashmiri people has been both
traumatic and painful. Over 65,000 Kashmiris have been killed, thousand wounded and
permanently disabled by the Indian security forces over the past 8 years. Thousands of
women and young girls have been dishonoured, hundreds of children were burnt alive in
schools and many were maimed. Countless men especially youth have been tortured and
crippled for life while thousands languish in jails and torture cells. Well over one lakh
Kashmiri Muslims have been forced to flee their homes or have gone into hiding. In
addition, thousands of houses and shops have been either demolished or destroyed by fire
while hundreds of schools and hospitals have been burnt besides desecration of holy
shrines. Food stocks, crops and forestry worth billions have been burnt or destroyed.
House-raids, curfews, crackdowns, harassment, torture, indiscriminate firing and arbitrary
arrests have become a routine affair in Indian Held Kashmir, resulting in sleepless nights
and chaos for the poor inhabitants.
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Facts:
- The facts regarding grave human rights situation
in indian Held Kashmir are fully documented and reported by various human rights groups
and investigating sources world wide such as Amnesty International, Human Rights
Watch/Asia, Physicians for Human Rights, International Commission of Jurists, Torture
International, Red Cross etc as well as news agencies like VOA, BBC, Reuter, VOG, AFP etc.
Gruesome details and figures are also given by reputed Indian bodies like Committee for
Initiative on Kashmir, National Human Rights Commission, Peoples Union for Civil
Liberties, Writers Conference, Institute of Kashmir STudies etc. Alarming reports through
all these sources emanate daily from Indian Held Kashmir, despite the numerous
trepidations and hurdles faced in monitoring the situation as Indian government has denied
them access to Indian Held Kashmir.
- Who is responsible for this hair-raising grave
human rights situation in Indian Held Kashmir? Are the culprits accountable for their
actions of culpable homicides and unjustified torture and numerous extra-judicial
killings? More then six hundred thousand Indian troops have been deployed in Indian Held
Kashmir making it the most heavily militarized area in the world. For a population of
around eight million Kashmiris who are predominantly Muslims, over six hundred thousand
Indian troops have been placed which include regular forces, paramilitary forces, Border
Security Forces, Central Reserve Police Force, Rashtriya Rifles, Special Task Force and
Police force etc. Nowhere in the world are forces concentrated in any territory in as
large numbers as they are in Indian Held Kashmir. There is one Indian soldier for every 4
able bodied Kashmiris on an average. Likewise, there are eleven soldiers for every square
mile of Indian Held Kashmir. The actual concentration of forces is based in the epicentre
of the freedom struggle i.e the Valley or heart of Kashmir, where there are more than 100
security personnel for every square mile of territory.
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Today's Situation
Today, Kashmir is also among the oldest disputed
territories in the post Second World War period, older than even the Arab-Israeli dispute.
The tragic history of Kashmir dispute is derived from India's violation of the principles
formulated in order to partition the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent into independent
dominions according to the Two Nation theory. Out of 584 Princely States in the
Sub-continent only Kashmir was denied the right to accede according to the wishes of its
majority population. Connivance of the Maharaja of Kashmir with Indian leader Nehru
resulted in its fraudulent accession to India on 27 October 1947, which was never accepted
by people of Kashmir. Even the United Nations demanded a free and fair plebiscite in
Kashmir to ascertain people's wishes, which was also pledged by Nehru several times but
later flagrantly disregarded by India. India ruthlessly occupied Kashmir against the will
of its people and termed it as their integral part while Kashmir continues to be
recognised internationally as disputed area. To subjugate the Kashmiris against their
will, India sent its military forces which have been beefed up gradually with additional
forces to intensify its repression on the innocent inhabitants.
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Latest Figures of Indian
Atrocities
According to the latest figures, so far over
66,158 Kashmiris have been killed since January 1989 at the hands of security forces which
amounts to an average of over 8,000 deaths per year. The present Chief Minister of Indian
Held Kashmir, Dr. Farooq Abdullah had himself quoted in an interview with BBC on 4
November 1995 that over 50,000 Kashmiris had been killed till then. According to the
shocking details, out of these 66,158 deaths, 59,170 Kashmiris were killed by
indiscriminate firing, 585 people were burnt alive, 2,235 people were tortured to death,
568 people were tied and drowned in river Jhelum while over 3,600 people were killed as
they were crossing into liberated area. Meanwhile, the number of people reported missing
or disappeared and those who have gone into hiding out of fear for their lives as well as
those who have been forced to leave their homes, exceeds 1,00,000. Since 1989, over 38,450
people have been rendered disabled or crippled for live, 2,100 were tortured resulting in
renal failure, 710 children were reported with broken limbs in hospitals while 461 school
children were burnt alive. 19,020 youths were tortured whereas nearly 5,000 are still in
torture cells, while 70,600 men and women remain in prison without trial and 36,000
refugees have crossed cease-fire line in distress and fear.
These atrocities are the handiwork of ruthless
Indian forces who at the behest of their commanders and rulers want to break the will and
voice of Kashmiris through all possible cruel forms of repression. The Commanders,
Governors and Generals in control of these forces are directly responsible for the brutal
orgy of death and destruction being played in the valley, since their 4 orders and
instructions are pre-requisite in action undertaken by the troops in the name of keeping
`Security and Peace' in the valley.
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Sumary:
A brief summary is given below of the year-wise
deaths of Kashmiris under the command of respective Commanders of Northern Command, 15
Corps, 16 Corps as well as the Governors and Advisors to pinpoint the real culprits behind
the scenes of Kashmiri genocide, all of whom should be tried for committing WAR CRIMES
against humanity.
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Year 1989-90
6,927 people killed on orders/instructions of:-
a. General
Officer Commanding Northern Command - Lieutenant General B.C. Nanda (June 1987-May 1989).
b. General
Officer Commanding 15 Corps - Lieutenant General M.A. Zaki (October 1989-June 1991).
c. General
Officer Commanding 16 Corps - Lieutenant General Harwant Singh (1989-August 1991).
d. Governor
of Indian Held Kashmir - General (Retired) K.V. Krishna Rao.
Some of the major actions of Indian Security
Forces during this period were:-
a. On 21
May 1990, the Mir Waiz of Kashmir Maulvi Muhammad Farooq was murdered.
b. On 22
May 1990, over 200 Kashmiris were massacred when Indian forces opened fire at the funeral
procession of Maulvi Muhammad Farooq.
c. On 11
September 1990, a passenger bus was set ablaze and 32 passengers were burnt alive.
Note:- There are hundreds of
other actions during the year in which freedom fighters, innocent women and children were
killed.
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Year 1991
8,398 people killed on orders/instructions of:-
a. General
Officer Commanding Northern Command - Lieutenant General Gurinder Singh (May 1989-October
1991).
b. General
Officer Commanding 15 Corps - Lieutenant General Surinder Nath (June 1991-June 1993).
c. General
Officer Commanding 16 Corps - Lieutenant General Shankar Roy Chowdhry (September
1991-August 1992).
d.
Governor of Indian Held Kashmir - Mr. Jagmohan.
Some of the major actions of Indian Security
Forces during this period were:-
a. On 19
January 1991, 12 civilians were killed and at least as many were injured when the Indian
troops fired in the crowded Maharaja Bagh area of Srinagar.
b. On 8
May 1991, Security forces fired at a funeral procession in Srinagar, killing 16 mourners.
c. On 8
May 1991, twenty five civilians were killed by the troops in Chota Bazar in Srinagar.
Note:- There are hundreds of
other actions during the year in which freedom fighters, innocent women and children were
killed.
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Year 1992
9,149 Kashmiris killed on orders/instructions
of:-
a. General
Officer Commanding Northern Command - Lieutenant General D.S.R. Sahni (October 1991-August
1993).
b. General
Officer Commanding 15 Corps - Lieutenant General Surinder Nath (June 1991-June 1993).
c. General
Officer Commanding 16 Corps - Lieutenant General H.S. Bedi (August 1992-May 1994).
d. Governor
of indian Held Kashmir - Mr. Jagmohan.
Some of the major actions of indian Security
Forces during this period were:-
a. On 4
April 1992, the security forces killed more than 30 persons during a crackdown operation
at Wuller Lake, near Srinagar.
b. On 22
April 1992, 11 persons were killed due to firing at Chogal, Kupwara.
c. On 13
July 1992, 15 persons were killed under the pretext of search operations at Nasrullahpura.
d. On 30
September 1992, 7 men and 3 women were killed. 40 houses, 35 huntments and 8 cow sheds
were also burnt after sprinkling gun powder at Bata Kote, Handwara.
e. On 5
December 1992, Mr Hirday Nath Wanchoo, a lawyer was eliminated for providing assistance to
foreign correspondents and voicing open concern over gross human rights violations by
Indian forces upon Kashmiri civilians.
Note:- There are hundreds of
other actions during the year in which freedom fighters, innocent women and children were
killed.
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Year 1993
10,010 Kashmiris killed on orders/instructions
of:-
a. Lieutenant
General D.S.R. Sahni who was replaced by Lieutenant General Surinder Singh in August 1993
as General Officer Commanding Northern Command.
b. General
Officer Commanding 15 Corps - Lieutenant General Surinder Nath who was replaced by
Lieutenant General S.P. Bhan in June 1993.
c. General
Officer Commanding 16 Corps - Lieutenant General H.S.Bedi.
d. Governor
Mr. Jagmohan was replaced by General (Retired) K.V. Krishna Rao.
e. Security
Advisor - Lieutenant General (Retired) M.A. Zaki.
Some of the major actions of Indian Security
Forces during this period were:-
a. On 6
January 1993, in Sopore city, Indian forces sprinkled gun-powder on houses and shops that
burnt alive over 120 people and destroyed 400 houses and shops.
b. On 18
February 1993, a human right activist, Dr Farooq Ahmad Ashai, a surgeon who documented
many cases of torture in IHK, was shot dead in his car.
c. On 31
March 1993, Dr Abdul Ahad Guru, a hear surgeon was abducted and killed in Srinagar next
day, for his role in assisting human rights organizations.
d. On 1
April 1993, the police opened fire during funeral procession of Dr Abdul Ahad Guru,
killing 12 people including his brother-in-law Mr Ashiq Hussain.
e. On 10
April 1993, Indian forces set ablaze 260 houses and Shops in Lal Chowk Srinagar by
sprinkling petrol 47 persons were burnt alive and many were seriously injured with burns.
f. On 22
October 1993, the Indian security forces carried out a crackdown in Bijbehara. killing 48
people and injuring over 100.
g. On 27
Novermber 1993, more than 200 Kashmiris were killed and 150 shops and houses were burnt
due to an act of arson in Sopore.
Note:- There are hundreds of
other actions during the year in which freedom fighters, innocent women and children were
killed.
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Year 1994
9,549 Kashimiris killed on orders/instructions
of:-
a. General
Officer Commanding Northern Command - Lieutenant General Surinder Singh.
b. General
Officer Commanding 15 Corps - Lieutenant General S.P.Bhan.
c. General
Officer Commanding 16 Corps - Lieutenant General H.S. Bedi was replaced by Lieutenant
General M.S. Bhullar in May 1994.
d.
Governor - General (Retired) K.V. Krishna Rao.
e. Security
Advisor - Lieutenant General (Retired) M.A. Zaki. 9
Some of the major actions of Indian Security
Forces during this period were:-
a. On 27
January 1994, 19 Kashmiris were massacred due to indiscriminate firing in Kupwara.
b. On 20
June 1994, Mir Waiz South, Qazi Nasir Ahmad, a renowned and revered religious leader of
Kashmir was murdered in Anantnag.
Note:- There are hundreds of
other actions during the year in which freedom fighters, innocent women and children were
killed.
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Year 1995
9,867 Kashmiris killed on orders/instructions
of:-
a. General Officer Commanding Northern Command -
Lieutenant General Surinder Singh.
b. General Officer Commanding 15 Corps -
Lieutenant General J.S. Dhillon.
c. General Officer Commanding 16 Corps -
Lieutenant General M.S/ Bhullar.
d. Governor - General (Retired) K.V. Krishna
Rao.
e. Security Advisor - Lieutenant General
(Retired) M.A. Zaki.
2. Some of the major actions of Indian Security
Forces during this period were:-
a. on 9-10 May 1995, Indian Security Forces
besieged the town of Charar Sharif and later set it on fire burning the Shrine of Sheikh
Noorudding Wali as well killing dozens of people. 10
b. On 22 November 1995, Abdul Razaq Mir, 55 a
leader of Jammat-e-Islami was shot dead in Village, Srinagar.
Note:- There are hundreds of
actions during the year in which freedom fighters, innocent women and children were
killed.
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Year 1996
9,972 Kashimiris killed on orders/instructions
of:-
a. General
Officer Commanding Northern Command - Lieutenant General Surinder Singh was replaced by
Lieutenant General S.P. Bhan in August 1996.
b. General
Officer Commanding 15 Corps - Lieutenant General J.S. Dhillon.
c. General
Officer Commanding 16 Corps - Lieutenant General M.S. Bhullar.
d. Governor
- General (Retired) K.V. Krishna Rao.
e.
Security Advisor - Lieutenant General (Retired) M.A. Zaki was replaced in May 1996 by
Lieutenant General (Retired) D.D. Saklani.
Some of the major actions of Indian Security
Forces during this period were:-
a. On 8
March 1996, renowned Kashmiri human rights activist Mr Jalil Andrabi was abducted and his
dead body was recovered 19 days later from Jhelum River near Srinagar.
b. On 30
March 1996, Mr Shabbir Siddiqi, a political activist, was killed alongwith 20 others when
Indian security forces opened fire in the vicinity of Hazratbal shrine. 11
c. On 11
April 1996, Sheikh Ghulam Rasul, a human rights activist and journalist was killed after
22 days captivity and his dead body was found from Jhelum river at Pampore, district
Pulwama.
d. On 17
July 1996, Mr Ghulam Murtaza Kashmiri, a Cameraman working for Kashmir Press International
was killed in Kupwara.
e. On 28
December 1996, Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Line, Editor of newspaper "Wahdat-e-Milli" was
murdered in Srinagar.
Note: There are hundreds of other
actions during the year in which freedom fighters, innocent women and children were
killed.
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Year 1997 (Till September
1997)
6,586 people have been killed from January 1997
to September 1997 on orders/instructions of:-
a. General
Officer Commanding Northern Command - Lieutenant General S.P. Bhan.
b. General
Officer Commanding 15 Corps - Lieutenant General Karishan Pal.
c. General
Officer Commanding 16 Corps - Lieutenant General D.S. Chauhan.
d.
Governor - General (Retired) K.V. Krishna Rao.
e.
Security Advisors - Lieutenant General Karishan Pal and Lieutenant General D.S.Chauhan,
acting as ex. Officio security Advisors.
Some of the major actions of Indian Security
Forces during this period were:-
a. On 7
March 1997, Mr Muhammad Yousaf Ghanai, a political activist was killed in custody
alongwith 3 others near Anantnag.
b. On 24
March 1997, Mr Abdul Rahman and Mohammad Bilal, both political activists were killed after
being abducted from Srinagar.
c. On 30
April 1997, Syed Saeed Shah, General Secretary Anjuman-e-Sharie-e-Shian (a religious
party) was assassinated in Baramula during dark hours.
d. On 24
May 1997, a young boy Abdul Hameed Sheikh, celebrating victory of Pakistan cricket team in
the Four Nation Independence Cup in India was killed and his dead body was recovered from
Dal Lake, near Srinagar.
e. On 19
September 1997, 10 civilians were killed and nine others wounded, when mortar shells fell
in village Aryun near Bandipura.
f. On 20
September 1997, 16 civilians were killed by the Indian troops in two villages near Birwa
town in district Badgam.
Note:- There are hundreds of
other actions which took place upto September 1997, in which freedom fighters, innocent
women and children were killed.
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Evil hands behind Killings
The above data gives us a clear picture of the
evil hands behind the deaths of over 65,000 Kashmiris since 1989. Besides the General
Officers Commanding in Command, the Governors and Security Advisors are equally
responsible for extra judicial killings. Unfortunate deaths of the innocent 66,158
Kashmiris should not go un-noticed as the only crime of Kashmiris is that they yearn for
freedom and right of self determination. In the ensuring struggle for liberation, they
have sacrificed their lives, honour, property, near and dear ones, all for a noble cause
and for striving for their birth right. The magnitude and intensity of Indian repression
upon Kashmiris and the scale of its military presence itself belie India's claim of
legitimacy over Indian Held Kashmir. The methods employed by India to perpetuate human
rights violations are more horrific than the Nazis.
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What to Do?
Life of a Kashmiri is equally precious as all
other human lives in any part of the globe. The gruesome killings of over 65,000 Kashmiris
since 1989 should be taken into account and the culprits responsible who were in command
of the forces of that time must be brought to book. Young and old people are still being
killed mercilessly at the behest of these cold rulers and Generals. Norms of humanity and
justice demand that an International Tribunal be formed immediately that should inquire
into these killings and apportion blame upon those responsible for ordering or conducting
these killings. "Freedom House", has categorised Indian Held Kashmir as among
the 5 worst territories in world in terms of human rights violations.
Nazis' crimes are being probed even today and
extermination of Jews is still denounced with disgust. Culprits in Vietnam were also
brought to book. No injustice can be buried, all the extra judicial and unjustified
killings must be taken note of. The Tribunal to investigate into these killings can
consist of members of any reputed international organization. All the reports of killings
should be dealt threadbare and punishment be meted out to those responsible for such
massive killings. Violence in South America is condemned by everyone. Serbian aggression
in Bosnia was highlighted everywhere in media and was crimes are under investigation. What
has a poor Kashmiri done to deserve this indifference and callousness at the hands of
international community?
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World's
attention required
It must be realised that continued world neglect
will encourage India to persist with its policy of suppression and repression in Indian
Held Kashmir in utter disregard to human rights of millions of Kashmiri people and in
contravention of its obligations under international conventions and principles, which it
has done over the past eight years. It is time that advocates of Human Rights took upon
themselves the onerous task of unmasking the murders of over 65,000 Kashmiris so that
justice does not die a shameful death in today's world of enlightenment and awareness.
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