New Year’s Eve Reminds Kashmiris Death, Destruction & Devastation … Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai Chairman World Forum for Peace & Justice

A grim reality: January’s dark legacy in Kashmir. While the world celebrates the New Year, Kashmir remembers decades of suffering. January has become synonymous with violence, massacres and human rights violations that continue to shape the region’s history,” this was stated most effectively by Altaf Wani, Chairman, Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR).

It is true that the New Year’s Eve reminds the people of Kashmir another year of death, destruction and devastation. They can hardly forget the numerous heinous and sickening crimes that occurred in the month of June, be it Gaw Kadal, Aalamgari Bazar, Sopore, Handwara, Wandhama, Kadrana village, Doda district, etc.

While the international community looks the other way when targeted assassinations occur elsewhere around the globe, it is hardly surprising that we should see this going on in a country so highly disputed as Kashmir. Even more so, where there has been continued resistance to occupation and to many years of disappearances, extra-judicial killings, rapes and summary execution. It is almost a cliché to take note of repeat performances of this insidious war upon the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Certainly, we could not expect such a low standard that disrespects human rights and national sovereignty to escape notice by actors who have long had a habit of engaging in such terror.

It would nevertheless be appropriate to strongly condemn the targeted killings in Kashmir. The prime example is Gaw Kadal massacre (a bridge in Srinagar) which has become the symbol of ruthless suppression and repression. On January 21, 1990, Indian paramilitary forces at the behest of then Governor Jagmohan killed more than 70 peaceful protestors who were demanding the right of self-determination which was agreed upon by both India and Pakistan and was accepted by the UN Security Council as early as in 1948.

New Delhi based; ‘Committee for Initiative on Kashmir’ (CIK) issued a report in March of 1990. The committee members included: Tapan Bose, Dinesh Mohan, Gautam Navlakha and Sumanto Banerjee. On page 5, it says that “Jagmohan’s return to Jammu and Kashmir as Governor signaled the unleashing of state repression on a massive scale. On January 21, 1990, when a peaceful procession reached Gaw Kadal area, the paramilitary forces started firing upon them. According to the local police at least 60 dead bodies were recovered from the spot, while as unofficial sources claim that more than 200 people were killed.”

The CIK report further says on page 6, “The second major incident occurred on January 22, 1990, when people came out in large numbers from all parts of the Valley and congregated at Srinagar to protest against the killings of the previous day. The procession was allowed to proceed till it reached Alalmgari Bazar in Hawal area of the town. They were fired upon by CRPF and according to unofficial sources, again, 100 people were killed.”

The CIK reported on page 40 that, “On January 8, 1990, at least 12 people in the Kashmir valley in different incidents of firing of paramilitary forces were killed. The firing took place in Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla and sopore.”

We know it now that the Pandits languishing in the refugee camps in Jammu, Delhi and elsewhere were victims of the tragedy of Kashmir for which the Government of India must take responsibility. Only Governor Jagmohan made this Pandit community flee and desert Kashmir at its hour of trial. They were made to abandon their own people. K. L. Koul (Kashmiri Pandits) of Chanapora Srinagar wrote on September 18, 1990, that, “I feel ashamed to admit that my community has stabbed the Kashmiri Muslims in the back. This all happened at the insistence of former governor Jagmohan whose design was to portray the peaceful struggle of the people of Kashmir as communal which was defeated by secular elements of Pandit community.

Sopore was another tragedy. The killing of 65 innocent civilians on January 6, 1993, should be quite unacceptable, and what appeared to be the targeted killings are especially deplorable and unpardonable, because this represents a complete breakdown of law and order and respect for justice exercised through civilized process which is the hallmarks of contemporary political and social ideals.

Physicians for Human Rights in its report issued on February 28, 1993 wrote, “On January 6, 1993 in the single largest civilian massacre of the conflict, at least 65 people were shot dead or burned to death which Indian security forces rampaged through n neighborhood in the City of Sopore.”

The Washington Times quoted Associated Press which wrote on January 7, 1993 that, “ In Sopore, a town known for its apple orchards and fruit markets, the fires set in shops by the troops spread to six neighborhoods, gutting more than 250 stores, 45 houses, a college and three banks, the state police control room said.”

Raymond Whitaker, correspondent of ‘The Independent’ newspaper of Great Britain wrote on June 6, 1990 that “Sopore, the apple-growing capital of the valley, is surrounded by verdant orchards, and also by military checkpoints. At every point, bus passengers disembark and submit to a lingering search. The only vehicles moving freely are the army convoys, the Border Security Forces, and the Combined Reserve Police Force.”

Congressman Dan Burton of India spoke at the United States, House of Representatives on June 8, 1995 and cited the Sopore massacre in these words, “In January 1993, Indian paramilitary forces in Kashmir killed at least 65 Kashmiri civilians in the town of Sopore. Soldiers deliberately set fire to five separate areas of the town. They also dragged shop keepers out of their shops and shot them in the streets. “

Kupwara massacre happened on January 27, 1994, when 27 people were killed by Indian paramilitary forces. Raymond Whitaker wrote in ‘The Independent’ newspaper, “In Kupwara, it is hard to escape the conclusion that the security forces, who are overwhelmingly Indian and Sikhs, see it as their duty to beat an alien population into submission.”

Amnesty International reported under the heading, “Impunity must end in Jammu and Kashmir” that “In January 1998, nine people including a woman and child, were killed at Kadrana village, Doda district, when army soldiers opened fire on people protesting an early arrest. The killers are free.”

Steve Coll, Washington Post Correspondent in New Delhi wrote on November 16, 1990, about the major fires that erupted in 1990 including Srinagar, Anantnag, Handwara, Sopore and other Kashmiri towns.

Dr. Karen Parker, internationally known human rights lawyer and the United Nations delegate of ‘International Educational Development’ wrote “In January 1996, there was a long-range rocket attack over the ceasefire line into Azad Kashmir which destroyed a mosque in Forward Kahuta, killing 19 worshippers and seriously wounding more than twenty others. The attack occurred in mid-day as worshippers were leaving the mosque after noon prayers.

The Bureau of Human Rights of United State, Department of State issued its report in February 1991 wherein it states, “In the early month of 1990, paramilitary and Amy forces, when faced with mass demonstrations in the Kashmir Valley, fired into crowds on several occasions. At least 40 people were killed on the night of January 20-21.:”

Professor Yeemani, Editor of ‘Institute of Kashmir Studies’ issued a report on January 19, 1991. The report says that on January 2, 1997, three persons were killed in custody by the Indian forces at Haral, Handwara, district Kupwara. On January 5, 1997, Ali Mohammad Shah of Warpora, Nagabal, Shopian was arrested by Indian army. He was later on killed in custody and his dead body was thrown in the area. On January 16, 1997, Ghulam Muhmmad Rather and his son Bashir Ahmed of Lookipora, Kupwara were killed in custody by the army.

Professor Yeemani added that on January 27, 1997, Abdul Rashid of Palpora, Beerwah and Jalal-ud-Din of Chakpora, Budgam were arrested by BSF at Wagoora, Budgam. Later killed under custody. On January 20, 1997, four persons were killed under custody by the army at Hamham Markote, district Baramulla.They were identified as: Abdul salam, son of Ghulam Muhmamad, Bahadur Ahmed, both of Rehama village; Ghulam Hassan and Ghulam Muhmmad both of Balhama.

Congressman Esteban E. Torres of California wrote to Warren Christopher, the US Secretary of State on January 3, 1994, “Recent reports by groups such as Amnesty International, Asia watch, Physicians for Human Rights and your Department of State, indicate that Indian security forces and military forces continue to use oppressive tactics, such as systematic terror and abuse to suppress the Kashmiri population. This action only manages to sharpen an already pointed state of tension in this region… Since Kashmiris are central to the conflict, I would maintain that it is essential that legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people be part of the settlement of the issue.

The Washington Post wrote in 1993, “Soldiers set fire to houses and shoot unarmed residents trying to escape. Detainees are tortured or shot dead in the night; civilians are raped and murdered.”

The people of Kashmir believe that human rights are cheapened when enforcement is selective. Therefore, they demand an impartial investigation so that culprits are brought to justice. Such an investigation has to be done by a neutral and international agency, like Dr. Morris Tidball-Binz of Argentina, ‘United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial Killings, Summary and Arbitrary Execution.’

Dr. Fai is also the Secretary General of World Kashmir Awareness Forum.
He can be reached at: WhatsApp: 1-202-607-6435. Or. gnfai2003@yahoo.com
www.kashmirawareness.org