When great Mughal emperor and founder of Mughal dynasty in Subcontinent Zaheer uddin Baber visited Valley of Kashmir he said
If there is paradise on earth, it’s here, it’s here in Kashmir.
Unfortunately this paradise on Earth is now world’s largest prison and a concentration camp. Francisco Bencosme Asia Pacific Advocacy Manager at Amnesty International USA while testifying in front of U.S. House foreign Affairs committee said
Over 100 days have passed and life continues to elude the Kashmir Valley and Muslim majority areas of Jammu and Ladakh due to the military lockdown imposed by India following August 5 illegal move. All Kashmiri leadership including pro Indian leadership is under house arrest. Indian government is so afraid of the situation that it is not allowing even national leadership to visit IOK. Rahul Gandhi and other prominent leaders from Indian parliament were denied to enter Kashmir.
Within India, civil society , secular political parties and minorities like Sikhs and Christians and Dalits are protesting against BJP’s Hindu tva inspired moves.
In UN and on other international forums India is finding itself answerless on question of Kashmir. Last month Senator Chris Van Hollen of U.S was plainly denied to entry into IOK where as Pakistan took him and other guests to Pakistani side of Kashmir.
To limit the damage India arranged a trip of anti-Muslim right wing European parliamentarians to IOK where they met Kashmiri Youth in Indian Army’s corps headquarters. This PR stunt became an embarrassment when a British EMP Chris Davies said his invitation had been rescinded after he sought unfettered access to go anywhere and speak to anyone he wanted.
Restrictions under Section 144 and ban on prepaid phone, SMS and internet services remain imposed since 5 August 2019.
There are more than 1 million Indian troops in occupied Kashmir in addition to police and other forces brought from other states to deny Kashmiris their rights. Medicine stocks are running low and there are reports that patients are suffering and dyeing helplessly.
Despite unprecedented lockdown, numerous reports have emerged documenting massive Human Rights violations, every other day Kashmiris witness night raids and detentions. According to reports published in Kashmiri press at least 10 people were reported killed by occupational forces and 60 women were raped by Indian army and paramilitary soldiers. There are reports that Indian troops use torture and make people living in surrounding areas listen to their cries through speakers. Young boys and youth are the main victims of Indian brutalities, boys as young as 9 have been arrested by occupational forces and beaten mercilessly to discourage population to ask for any right.
To divert attention from atrocities in occupied Kashmir India forces are shelling on Pakistani side of Kashmir and killing and injuring Kashmiries on pretext of alleged infiltration. They are doing so to cover their atrocities against Kashmiri Muslims.
International community is not fulfilling its duties and commitment. Unfortunately Kashmir is not east Taimor or Sudan rich with mineral wealth or having interest of major powers. Nor is Bosnia or Kosovo where competing powers are having eye. Today 8 million kashmiries ask world what is their fault that world is helping Indian occupation forces by keeping quiet over rights of Kashmiries