Kashmir’s Accession to India is conditional

India has always claimed that the accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to India is absolute and legally unconditional, while the letters exchanged between India’s Governor-General Lord Mountbatten and the State’s Maharaja Hari Singh constitute a political Commitment. A document recently unearthed from the National Achieves of India puts things in perspective. Section 8 (2) of the Indian Independence Act, 1947 empowered the Governors-General of India and Pakistan to make orders to adapt the Government of India Act 1935 to serve as their interim constitution until their respective Constituent Assembly framed their Constitutions.

Zubin Mehta concert exposed India

For Zubin Mehta it was the realization of a dream. For the German ambassador in India, Michael Steiner, it was the fulfillment of a promise to an internationally renowned conductor. For the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, it was a reassertion of the brute strength of the state.

Everybody seems to have had a stake in the first-ever international musical concert in the Kashmir Valley, held September 7, except the people of the region. The world-renowned conductor wanted to bring a message of peace and harmony to local Kashmiris, but instead ended up grating on the raw nerves of those who are still not reconciled to the loss of hundreds of loved ones during the decades of conflict in India’s northernmost state.

Bijbehara Massacre (22 October 1993)

It had been a week since the Dargath Hazratbal was placed under siege by the army on October 15, 1993 to flush out a group of JKLF militants, who had taken shelter inside the shrine complex. The siege caused widespread anger across Kashmir which would find expression in the form of protest demonstrations.

On October 22, after Friday prayers, around 15,000 people gathered in the court yard of the local Jamia Masjid Bijbehara to register their protest against the siege. A procession then started marching through various streets shouting slogans for the ending of the Hazratbal siege and in support of Kashmir’s freedom.

Indian Army involved in drug trafficking and other illegal activities

On February 24, 2013 a serving Indian Army Col Ajay Chowdhary, Public Relation Officer (PRO) and Spokesman to Army was arrested for carrying drugs in Manipur. According to TV reports, Col Ajay was arrested with five other people, red handed for carrying drugs worth Rs 30 crores market value. Arrested persons also include an Assistant manager of the leading airline in the country.

Media reports also disclosed that, all the accused were travelling in three vehicles including Chowdhary's official vehicle when they were arrested at Pallel-60 kms away from the state capital. Col Chowdhary will be tried in the civil court for the offence. The driver of the vehicle told that under the supervision of the Col, the consignment was stuffed in the vehicles in seven airbags, 15 other bags and nine cartons. The drugs included tablets of Respifed, Omkop, Hilcold, Polyfed and Actidin, the sources said. Notably, the Myanmaar-Maniput-Nagaland belt has been a haven for smuggling activities from time immemorial. Men of military, Paramilitary and Police have been conveniently using this belt for smuggling/procuring activities for long.

Kashmir: Sopore Massacre - 6 Jan 1993

By Noorul Haq

I was just 8 years old, when my neighboring town Sopore, was burnt down to ashes. A kid not fully involved in the politics of Kashmir but listening to BBC and VOA with my family was a habit, yet sans that feeling of belongingness with Kashmir freedom struggle. In the evening it was habitual to learn about the killings, tortures and all brutalities carried out by Indian army in and around Kashmir. On 6th January 1993 one more massacre was added to the history of Kashmir The horror news tonight was, that Sopore town has been burnt down to ashes and people killed. Simply it was a massacre .

It all happened on the morning of 6 January 1993 when a group of armed JKLF militants attacked a platoon of Border Security Force soldiers at Baba Yousuf Lane near Sopore and killing at least one. After this incident the security forces fired at local residents and set fire to local homes and businesses. The Indian Government initially claimed that the high civilian casualties were the result of an intense gun battle between the BSF soldiers and militants in which an explosives cache belonging to the militants exploded and spread the fire to nearby buildings. However, the government was later prompted to initiate a judicial inquiry into the matter and was also forced to suspend several BSF officers due to the widespread publicity that the incident had generated.

What world leaders say about Kashmir

By Abdul Majid Zargar

Today when the world is celebrating Kashmir Solidarity day,let us have a look at what leaders and personalities from all across the world have said about Kashmir from time to time

 

World leaders have stressed the need to resolve the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan to avoid an eventuality that may cause a catastrophe in the region. Kashmir is the nuclear flash point of South Asia, surrounded by three nuclear powers and its resolution is of paramount importance. Here is what some of them, as indeed some Indians themselves have said:

Kashmir is the world's most beautiful prison - John Walls Cushnahan, Head of European Parliament delegation to Kashmir.

Kashmir is the world’s most dangerous place- Bill Clinton, Former President USA.

The question of plebiscite is still valid in Jammu and Kashmir and can be invoked for a permanent solution of the issue, which is bone of contention between Pakistan and India - Margaret Thatcher, Former British Prime Minister.

British had a role in creation of problems of Kashmir - David Camaroon- British Prime Minister.

Kashmir is a problem left over by history.  We will try utmost and spare no efforts for the peaceful resolution of this issue - Zhu Rongji, Prime Minister of China.

The UN resolutions asking for referendum in Kashmir is the most democratic and reasonable solution to the Kashmir issue - Kim Dae-Jung, Ex President of Republic of Korea.

Asia-Pacific, the next US Battefield

By Hassam Ahmad and Adnan Khan

After a decade of war in the Middle East and South Asia the US has been building the groundwork for a shift towards the Asia-Pacific. In June 2012 the US Secretary of Defense  Leon Panetta, announced at a security conference in Singapore that, “the United States will keep six aircraft carriers in the Asia-Pacific region and will shift 60% of its warships to the region, over the coming years until 2020.”  He explained that the “transfer of the US fleet comes in the context of the implementation of a new US strategy designed to raise the level of US military presence in the Asia-Pacific.”

Whilst the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have now lasted longer than WW1 and WW2 combined, the US believes it has brought the area under as much control as is possible and with China’s growing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific this region now requires America’s serious attention. America’s focus towards the Asia-Pacific consists of the expansion of its political and defence relations with China’s neighbors and its aggressive military presence throughout the region. This has already included the US strengthening its relations with India and Japan, both traditional rivals of China.  America has also established several military bases in countries such as the Philippines and Australia.  The US has also promoted the development of the Asian-Subcontinent as a political entity, primarily by encouraging improved relations between Pakistan and India, as a means of protecting its interests in containing China.

Suspicious Role of USSR (Russia) in Kashmir Dispute

By Zahir-ud-Din

New Delhi’s statement on UNMOGIP in Jammu Kashmir merits a study. The issue was first raised during Vajpayee’s regime. His response, however, was very mature saying, it (UNMOGIP) was not harming India in any way. India filed a complaint at the United Nations on January 1, 1948 under Chapter VI of the UN Charter. Under this chapter, military observers are not appointed.
However, it so happened that at times a court while granting relief gives much more than what is actually sought. While passing resolutions seeking an impartial plebiscite, the UN Security Council appointed military observers. This is where Nehru received a shock having never anticipated appointment of the UN military observers in Kashmir.

Nehru was fully aware of the consequences of filing a complaint at the UN. He did it much to the annoyance of his home Minister, Sardar Patel, and the situation in Kashmir was discussed by the Security Council. A commission known as United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) was formed and scores of resolutions were passed. But, after six decades the conflict continues to be on the UN agenda.
Patel was a shrewd politician. But, according to Kashmir watchers, Nehru knew what Patel was not aware of. By the end of December 1947, the Indian Army had reached where it stands now. It has now been established that the government of India did not want to go beyond what was captured by its troops up to December. It is also believed that Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah persuaded Nehru to leave the people of what now constitutes Azad Kashmir alone for ‘political reasons’. Nehru knew the UN could not do anything if a complaint was lodged under chapter VI. Today many Kashmiris believe that the UN resolutions have delayed resolution of the Jammu Kashmir conflict. And that is exactly what Nehru wanted.
 

India was a trusted ally of USSR and remained faithful till its disintegration in early 1990s. But, the former superpower abstained from voting every time Kashmir came up for discussion at the UN facilitating the resolutions.  Did USSR abstain from voting at New Delhi's behest?

Kashmir Solidarity Day: 5th February 2013

By All over the world Pakistani community will display unity and solidarity with Kashmiris on 5 February 2013. Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed on 5 Feb each year since 1990 in Pakistan as a day of protest against Indian Occupied Kashmir (IHK). The disputed state is located north of India. 139,000 Sq Km (53,700 Sq Mi) with population of over 10 million (2001) Kashmir state is bounded to the west by Pakistan. 740 Km Line-of-Control separates it from Azad Kashmir and in the East by Ladakh, Tibet and Aksian China. The state is drained by numerous rivers which include Indus, Zanskar, Suru, Nubra Shyok, Jhelum, and Chinab. The valley is known as heaven on earth because of its scenic beauty, Chinar, Deodar and Alpine trees, grassy slopes full of flowers, fresh water lakes, waterfalls, crystal blue sky and snow covered high peaks and brave inhabitants of the valley.

Kashmiris are raising slogans of annexation with Pakistan since the day, when Hari Singh, Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir against the wishes of locals announced its accession with India in October 1947. However, 'Kashmir Movement' basically started on the day when British have sold Kashmiris' territory to Sikh ruler under a contract deed. However the moment which was started in 1931 against Dogra rule is still going on since Kashmiri still deprived of basic human rights.

Anyhow, on coming 05 February all Pakistani with their Kashmiris brothers will pay homage to martyrs and express solidarity with Kashmiri people who are still languishing under the yoke of Indian repression. On 26 January of this year Kashmiris all over the globe have also observed Indian Republic Day as "Black Day".

Pakistani masses are determined to display unity and solidarity with Kashmiris and condemn Indian violation of Human rights in Kashmir too. It is evident that since 1989 to 15 October 2012, total killing of innocent individuals were 93,801, custodial killings in various camps and jails were 6,996. Overall 1, 20,392 individuals have been arrested, structural damaged have been done to the property was 1, 05,955. Moreover 22,764 women have been injured and suffered with severe injuries, 10,042 women have been gang raped or molested and over 1, 07,441 kids have become orphaned.