26th Year of Publication

Vol: 26 No. 02
Monthly February 2020

INSIGHT

Kashmiris mark India’s Republic Day as Black Day

Maqbool Butt, Afzal Guru remembered on
martyrdom anniversaries
Why solidarity with the oppressed
Kashmiris!
Pakistan’s unwavering support to Kashmir cause reaffirmed

“Pakistan will continue to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at every
available forum. India’s illegal actions of August 5 have further strengthened the
bond between the people of occupied Kashmir and Pakistan. The Government
and the people of Pakistan will continue to extend their political, moral and
diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people until they get their legitimate right to
self-determination as per the UN Security Council resolutions.”

(President, Dr Arif Alvi, in his message on

Kashmir Solidarity Day, 5th February, 2020)

“We express our unshakable solidarity with the people of Indian occupied
Jammu and Kashmir and assure that Pakistan will always stand shoulder-to-
shoulder with them. Pakistan will continue its full moral, political and
diplomatic support until the Kashmiri people realise their legitimate right to self-
determination in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the relevant
UN Security Council resolutions.”

(Prime Minister, Imran Khan, in his message on

Kashmir Solidarity Day, 5th February, 2020)

“Pakistani nation is standing firm with Kashmiri brethren. The army is diligent
in performing its duties. The struggle for Kashmir’s freedom is alive due to the
sacrifices of armed forces and Kashmiris. We will continue to support Kashmir
till the dawn of freedom.”

(Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, in his message on

Kashmir Solidarity Day, 5th February, 2020)
 Kashmir Insight
Vol: 26, No.02 , February 2020
Editor: M Raza Malik, Sub Editor: Benazir Khan
Printed & Published by All Parties Hurriyat Conference AJK
Ph: +92-51-4861457, Fax: +92-51-4861458
Printers: Web Brothers, Printers, Publishers, Al-Rehman Plaza, 44-H, Haider Road, Rawalpindi
Ph:051-5566348, Fax: 051-5516142

CONTENTS FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been
Editorial engaged in a peaceful struggle to get freedom from
the illegal occupation of their homeland by India for
Kashmiris’ struggle deserves attention of world . . . 02 the past over seventy-two years. They have rendered
Cover Story supreme sacrifices and are determined to offer more
to take their just and indigenous freedom movement
Kashmir Solidarity Day observed to its logical conclusion. The Indian occupational
troops despite using all kinds of brutal tactics have
with enthusiasm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03
miserably failed to intimidate the Kashmiri people
Reports into submission.
Kashmiris mark India’s Republic Day Kashmiris living on both sides of the Line of Control
and across the world observe the 26th January, the
as Black Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07 Indian Republic Day, as Black Day, every year, to
Maqbool Butt, Afzal Guru remembered give a loud and clear message to India that they
reject its illegal hold on Jammu and Kashmir. The
on martyrdom anniversaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 observance of the Black Day is also aimed at
reminding the world that India’s claim of being a
Justice continues to elude victims of 1990s
democratic republic are false as it is denying the
massacres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Kashmiri people their democratic rights including
the right to self-determination. This year, the
Pictorial
observance of the Black Day had a special
Images speak louder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 significance as it was observed when the entire
occupied Kashmir was under continued military
Human rights situation
siege since August 05, last year, when Narendra
HR violations by Indian troops in IOK during Modi government repealed the special status of the
occupied territory and clamped a strict lockdown.
January 2020
It is unfortunate that the international community
Raies Ahmed Mir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 has not played its due role in bringing about a
Article durable and amicable settlement to the Kashmir
dispute, which is the bone of contention between the
Why solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiris! two nuclear arch-rivals of the region, Pakistan and
India, and the main threat not only to regional but
Muhammad Raza Malik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
also the global peace. Even the UN has so far failed to
Reports implement its resolutions, which acknowledged the
right to self-determination of the Kashmiris and
MEPs angered by deferment of vote
called for holding of plebiscite in Jammu and
on India’s CAA, Kashmir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Kashmir. This apathy of the world community has
resulted in the continued sufferings of the Kashmiri
Chronology
people and a sense of complete impunity to New
A chronological account of developments Delhi for the gross human rights violations - in fact
crimes against humanity - being perpetrated by
on Kashmir (162) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Indian troops and police personnel in occupied
Beauty thy name is Kashmir.
India must take the observance of the Black Day by
Sonamarg: The meadow of gold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
the Kashmiris seriously. It should accept the reality
Literature that it would not be able to continue its illegal hold
on Jammu and Kashmir for long at the dint of its
Hard work never goes waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
military might and should take steps to resolve the
lingering Kashmir dispute in accordance with the
Feedback
Kashmiris’ aspirations without any further delay for
Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 peace and prosperity in South Asia.
 E D I T O R I A L

I
ndia claims to be the largest democracy of the accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri
world but it is resorting to the worst kind of people, India’s persistent intransigence has
brutalities to continue its illegal hold on remained the main impediment in achieving this
Jammu and Kashmir and force the Kashmiris to objective. Every year, Pakistanis express
surrender their just cause. Indian troops, solidarity with the struggling people of the
enjoying unbridled powers under draconian laws territory on 5th February and reassure that they
like Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Disturbed are with their Kashmiri brethren in their struggle.
Areas Act and Public Safety Act are committing The deplorable aspect of the matter is that the
grave human rights violations in the occupied international community has not discharged its
territory. Since 1989, when the Kashmiris obligations towards settling the Kashmir dispute
intensified their liberation struggle, the troops yet, resulting in the continued sufferings of the
have killed nearly one hundred thousand Kashmiris. This attitude of the world has
innocent Kashmiris besides subjecting emboldened New Delhi to continued with its
thousands others to custodial disappearance. repressive policy in the
H o w e v e r, despite occupied territory.
exhausting all its Even the United
resources and Nations, which has
applying brutal played an important
tactics
these
during
years, New
all
EDITORIAL role in resolving many
disputes across the
Delhi has miserably g l o b e , h a s
failed to succeed in disappointed the
its nefarious designs Kashmiri people so far,
to suppress the putting a question
freedom sentiment of the Kashmiris. mark even on its own credibility.
It is a well established fact that Jammu and The holding of discussion in the UN Security
Kashmir is an internationally-recognised Council twice and the resolution moved in the
disputed territory. Even New Delhi had European Parliament on the prevailing grim
acknowledged this disputed character of situation in occupied Kashmir after India’s 5th
Kashmir after it took the dispute over the August move are welcome developments.
territory to the UN Security Council in 1948 and However, more needs to be done to force New
promised that the Kashmiris would be given an Delhi to end its brutalities against the besieged
opportunity to decide their fate by themselves people of occupied Kashmir.
through a plebiscite to be held under the The Kashmiris’ peaceful struggle deserves due
supervision of the World Body. But this attention of the global community, which should
commitment still remains unfulfilled even after come forward in a big way and demonstrate its
the passage of several decades. And now the complete solidarity with the people of Jammu and
Narendra Modi-led communal government Kashmir by helping them in achieving their
illegally annexed occupied Kashmir on August fundamental right, the right to self-
05, 2019, by abrogating the special status given determination. The UN must take steps to
to the territory under the Article 370 of the Indian implement its resolutions that provide the best
Constitution. roadmap for the settlement of the Kashmir
While Pakistan has always advocated a just and dispute to save the Kashmiris from the Indian
peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute in brutalities.

KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 02

 C O V E R S T O R Y

Kashmir Solidarity Day observed with

enthusiasm
Pakistan’s all-out support to Kashmir cause reiterated

I
n order to show unity with the besieged people of Indian two union territories - Jammu
occupied Kashmir in their just struggle for securing their and Kashmir and Ladakh. The
inalienable right to self-determination and to pay tributes to the bifurcation of the territory came
Kashmiri martyrs, Pakistanis, at home and across the world, into effect on October 31, last
observed Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5th February 2020 with the year. A strict lockdown and
renewed pledge to continue their moral, political and diplomatic communications blackout has
support to the Kashmiris at all international fora. Every year, been in place in occupied
February 5 is observed as a day of solidarity with the Kashmiris. This Kashmir since August 5. The
time around, however, the day was observed after India revoked the continued suspension of
special status of occupied Kashmir in August last year in breach of Internet service has crippled the
all international laws, and since then the entire population of the economy and badly affected the
occupied territory has been under lockdown. masses as it has made it
Narendra Modi-led government in New Delhi had on August 5, 2019, impossible for them to pay utility
repealed Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, stripping occupied bills, make applications or just
Kashmir of its special status. It also divided occupied Kashmir into send a message to their families

KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 03

 C O
outside the territory.
The day dawned with special
prayers for the progress and
prosperity of Pakistan, eternal
peace for the souls of the
martyrs of Kashmir freedom
movement and early liberation
of Jammu and Kashmir from the
Indian occupation. One minute
silence was observed at 10.00
am to pay homage to the
Kashmiri martyrs. Human
chains were formed at Kohala,
Azad Pattan, Holard, Bararkot
and Mangla Bridge that link
Azad Jammu and Kashmir with
rest of Pakistan.
Pakistanis came out on streets
and avenues across the country
to participate in rallies and
make human chains on the
occasion of Kashmir Solidarity
Day. Members of the federal and
provincial governments joined
citizens at various rallies, public
meetings and seminars
organised to express support for
the people of occupied Kashmir
and their right to self-
determination under the United
Nations resolutions.
President Dr Arif Alvi in his
message on the Kashmir
Solidarity Day said, it has been a
battle of hope against
overwhelming odds, of courage
against fear, and of sacrifice
against tyranny; but through all
of it, the Kashmiri people have
persisted, unrelenting and
proud like they have always
been, to deny India the perverse
gratification of subjugating
KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020
V E R S T O R Y
them.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in his message said that the
unprecedented length of restrictions imposed in occupied Kashmir
has fully exposed the fiction of India's democracy and its disregard for
basic human norms.
Addressing a special session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad, Prime Minister, Imran Khan,
said that it was his belief that Kashmir would now be liberated soon
due to the annexation plan implemented by the Indian Prime
Minister, Narendra Modi, in occupied Kashmir. Modi committed a
blunder on August 05 and he could not step back from it now, he said
adding that Modi’s entire campaign was based on anti-Pakistan
rhetoric and was bent upon implementing his extremist RSS-ideology
after coming into power.
The special
session of
A z a d
Jammu and
Kashmir
Legislative
Assembly
was also
addressed
b y A J K
P r i m e
Minister,
Raja Farooq Haider Khan.
In his massage on the Kashmir Solidarity Day, Chief of Army Staff,
General Qamar Javed Bajwa, said, “Pak Army is diligent in
performing its duties. The struggle for Kashmir’s freedom is alive due
to the sacrifices of armed forces and Kashmiris. We will continue to
support Kashmir till the dawn of freedom.”
On the eve of Kashmir Solidarity Day, the Senate and National
Assembly unanimously passed separate resolutions calling upon
India to reverse the annexation of Jammu and Kashmir. The
resolutions also reassured Pakistan’s support to the people of
occupied Kashmir in their freedom struggle.
In Islamabad, a rally was held to express solidarity with the Kashmiri
people. It was attended by female members of the Parliament and
women belonging to different walks of life. The rally, marched
towards the UN office. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on
Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, presented a
memorandum highlighting the oppression of Indian armed forces in
04
 C O V E R S T O R Y

occupied Kashmir to the UN
Resident Representative in
Pakistan, Julien Harneis.
Banners and posters depicting
the atrocities of Indian troops on
the people of occupied Kashmir
were erected along all major
roads in Islamabad.
Big rallies, processions,
seminars and other events were
held in all major cities of the
c o u n t r y i n c l u d i n g
Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli,
Bagh, Rawalpindi, Lahore,
Sialkot, Sheikhupora, Chakwal,
Attock, Mianwali, Dera Ismail
occupied Kashmir. The speakers and United Arab Emirates held
at these events lamented the events in connection with the
UN’s failure to implement its Kashmir Solidarity Day to
resolutions on Kashmir despite reaffirm steadfast support to the
the passage of several decades. people of K a s h m i r. The
On the other hand, participants of these events
demonstrations, rallies, strongly denounced the
seminars and other events were continued lockdown imposed by
arranged in different parts of the India in occupied Kashmir.
world to show solidarity with the Speakers at several events held
oppressed people of occupied in Turkey in connection with the
Kashmir. Kashmir Solidarity Day said that
The speakers at a protest the Kashmir dispute between
demonstration held by the civil two nuclear powers, Pakistan
society in front of Dhaka Press and India, was a pressing issue
Club in Bangladesh demanded that the international

Khan, Sargodha, Faisalabad, freedom and justice for the community should take up.
Jhang, Multan, Bahawalpur, oppressed Kashmiri people. The participants of different
Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Karachi, In Herat, Afghanistan, banners events in the UK in connection
Hyderabad, Sukkur, Khairpur, and posters were placed on the with the Kashmir Solidarity Day
Larkana, Shikarpur, Ghotki, roadside and in front of reiterated the pledge that the
Naushahro Feroze, Quetta, Pakistani Consulate depicting British Kashmiris and
Gwadar, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Indian atrocities against Pakistanis would continue to
Musakhel, Peshawar, Mardan, Kashmiri people. support the people of occupied
Karak, Bannu, Mingora, An awareness programme Kashmir in their just struggle for
Jamrud, Timergara, Batkhela, regarding Indian atrocities in securing their right to self-
Bisham, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, occupied Kashmir was arranged determination.
Landi Kotal, Ghallanai, in Mashhad, Iran. Indian A protest was held by the

Parachinar, Shangla, Kohistan, atrocities were highlighted students of City University

Battagram, Torghar, Mansehra, through photos, songs, video London in front of 10 Downing

Swat, Gilgit and Skardu to clips, banners and speeches by Street. The students chanted

express unity with the people of participants. slogans against the brutalities of
Pakistani Embassies in Japan Indian forces in occupied

KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 05

 C O V E R S T O R Y

Kashmir and fascist policies of representatives of international Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali
Modi against the minorities. civil society regarding Indian Gilani, and other Hurriyat
T h e P a k i s t a n H i g h atrocities against the innocent leaders including Mirwaiz Umar
Commissioner to the UK, Kashmiris. Farooq, Shabbir Ahmed Shah
Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, A protest demonstration was and Professor Abdul Ghani Butt
addressing a seminar held at the organised by Pakistani and in their statements and
British Parliament in London Kashmiri diaspora in front of massages expressed gratitude to
said that Indian troops were Norwegian Parliament in Oslo to the people, government and
committing unabated crimes demonstrate solidarity with the leadership of Pakistan for
against humanity in occupied people of occupied Kashmir. The observing the Kashmir
K a s h m i r. The British protesters chanted slogans Solidarity Day. They said that
parliamentarians and other against India. Pakistan’s continued support to
speakers urged India to end the Speakers at an event held in the Kashmir cause had always
lockdown and restore connection with the Kashmir been a source of encouragement
communications network in Solidarity Day by the All for the Kashmiri people in their
occupied Kashmir immediately. Pakistani American Council in just freedom struggle.
The Kashmir Council The observance of
Europe organised a Kashmir Solidarity Day
candle light vigil in shows Pakistan’s
Brussels, the capital of continued support to the
Belgium, to express K a s h m i r i s ’
solidarity with the internationally-
oppressed people of acknowledged right to
occupied K a s h m i r. self-deter mination. By
Addressing on the observing this day,
occasion, the KCEU government and people of
New York said, the unflinching
Chair man, Ali Raza Syed, Pakistan highlight the fact that
resistance by the people of
condemned the atrocities being the suffering people of Jammu
Kashmir is a living proof that
committed by Indian troops on and Kashmir deserve attention
they are not going to
the people of the occupied of the international community,
compromise, far less abandon,
territory. which should come forward in a
their demand for Azadi (freedom)
A protest demonstration was big way and play its role in the
which is their birthright and for
organised by Pakistan Geneva settlement of the Kashmir
which they have paid a price in
Association and Pakistan Swiss dispute. The observance of the
blood and suffering which has
Friendship Forum in front of the day also sends a loud and clear
not been exacted from any other
UN office in Geneva to support message to New Delhi that it has
people of the South Asian
the Kashmiris’ struggle for an obligation to fulfill its
subcontinent. The speakers
securing their right to self- commitments of giving the
included Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai,
determination. A briefing Kashmiris an opportunity to
Senator Khalid Shaheen, Sardar
session was also held at decide their fate by themselves
Sawar Khan and Sardar Amerjit
Pakistani Mission in Geneva through a free and fair
Singh.
where Ambassador Khalil plebiscite.
Meanwhile in occupied Kashmir,
Hashmi apprised the (Humayun Aziz Sandeela)
the Chairman of All Parties

KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 06

 R E P O R T

frisking in Srinagar city and

other parts of the territory in
the name of so-called security
measures.
While the Kashmir Valley
remained under strict military
Kashmiris mark India’s Republic Day lockdown, Indian troops and
police personnel were

as Black Day deployed in strength to keep a

watch on the movement of
people. The forces’ personnel
had set up check points on
every road and chowk where
commuters and pedestrians
were frisked and vehicles were
checked thoroughly.
In Srinagar, all roads leading
towards a cricket stadium,
where the main function of
26th January was held, were
sealed with barbed wire and
barricades were erected
around the venue.
Unprecedented arrangements
were made in and around the
stadium. The Indian forces
also used quad copter drones
fitted with cameras for
surveillance around the
venue.
A close vigil was maintained on

K
ashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across
the world observed India’s Republic Day, the 26th all vehicles and pedestrians
January, as Black Day to impress upon the world to take entering the city. Police
notice of India’s continued denial of right to self-determination personnel carried out surprise
to the Kashmiri people. checking of the vehicles on the
Call for the observance of the Black Day was given by the APHC entry and exit points in the
Chairman, Syed Ali Gilani, and other Hurriyat leaders and summer capital. The cops also
organisations including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Shabbir Ahmed frisked motorcyclists and
Shah, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi, Muhammad Ashraf passengers of vehicles in the
Sehrai, Hilal Ahmed War and Mir Shahid Saleem. This year, the city. The occupation
observance of the Black Day was also aimed at registering authorities also ordered
protest against the unrelenting military siege and lockdown of closure of all tuition and
occupied Kashmir, which continued on 175th day on January coaching centres as well as
26. computer institutions.
India’s Republic Day also brought more miseries to the already The day was marked by a
besieged people as Indian troops intensified checking and complete strike in occupied

KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 07


Kashmir and anti-India
demonstrations and rallies in
Azad Kashmir, Pakistan and
world capitals.
The All Parties Hurriyat
Conference in a statement
issued in Srinagar said that
the observance of India’s
Republic Day as a black day by
the Kashmiris all over the
world had once again proved
that the people of occupied
Kashmir reject India’s illegal
hold over their motherland.
The APHC emphasised that the
Kashmiri people were
determined to continue their
struggle till they achieved their
inalienable right to self-
determination. The APHC also
hailed the initiation of six
resolutions in the European
Parliament against India and
i n f a v o u r o f t h e
implementation of the UN
Security Council resolutions
on Kashmir.
The All Parties Hurriyat
Conference Chairman, Syed
Ali Gilani, in a statement
issued in Srinagar said that
India was not a real democratic
country as it had been
KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020
R E P O R T
suppressing the Kashmiris’ voice through military might for the
past over 72 years.
Hurriyat leaders, Engineer Hilal Ahmed War and Muhammad
Shafi Lone, in their statements in Srinagar said that no law could
justify the presence of Indian troops in the occupied territory.
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League and Jammu and Kashmir
Warseen-e-Shuhada also resented India’s Republic Day
celebrations in occupied Kashmir.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir,
p r o t e s t r a l l i e s a n d
demonstrations were held at
different places against India’s
continued illegal occupation of
J a m m u a n d K a s h m i r. T h e
participants of these events
showed complete solidarity with
the freedom-loving people of
occupied Kashmir who have been
facing the worst kind of Indian
state terrorism in their just
struggle for freedom for the past
several decades.
The All Parties Hurriyat
Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir chapter held a protest
demonstration outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad
to mark the Indian Republic Day as Black Day. The protesters
were holding banners and placards bearing anti-India slogans. A
number of black balloons filled with gas were released in the air on
the occasion.
The Hurriyat leaders addressing the protest demonstration said
that India had no right to celebrate its Republic Day in Kashmir as
it had occupied the territory through military might and against
08

the will of the Kashmiri people.
They denounced the Modi-led
Indian government for
scrapping the special status of
occupied Kashmir and
dividing it into two union
territories on August 05, last
year. They said that since then
India had imposed military
siege and curbs on media and
turned the territory into a
military garrison.
The leaders said that the
purpose of repeal of Kashmir’s
special status was to change
its demography by settling
Indian citizens in the territory.
They said that the Kashmiris
had pledged to foil India’s all
tactics and conspiracies and
would render every kind of
sacrifice to get rid of Indian
yoke.
The Hurriyat leaders said that
since August 05, 2019,
occupied Kashmir had been
converted into a big prison.
They said that the authorities
had arrested Hurriyat leaders
and activists and sent them to
jails of India and the territory.
They said that India had been
using every brutal tactic to
KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020
R E P O R T
suppress the freedom
sentiment of Kashmiris but
would never succeed in its
nefarious designs.
They asked Pakistan
government to further
accelerate its efforts to
highlight at the international
level the Indian brutalities
against the people of occupied
Kashmir. They said that New
Delhi should read the writing
on the wall as the people of
Kashmir would not give up
their just freedom struggle.
They said that the Kashmiris
had given unprecedented
sacrifices for the Kashmir
cause which would not be
09
allowed to go waste.
The Youth Forum for Kashmir
also held a protest
demonstration in front of
National Press Club,
Islamabad, to mark the Indian
Republic Day as Black Day.
The protesters were holding
banners and placards with
anti-India slogans. They
raised high-pitched slogans
against the Indian atrocities in
occupied Kashmir.
A protest rally organised by
APHC-AJK was held outside
Lahore Press Club to condemn
the forced occupation of
Jammu and Kashmir by India.
The rally was led by APHC-AJK
leader, Engineer Mushtaq
Mahmood. Addressing the
participants, Engineer
Mushtaq said that India had
no right to celebrate its
Republic Day in occupied
Kashmir where it had violated
all democratic rights of the
people.
Hurriyat AJK leaders and
repr esentatives including
Muhammad Farooq Rehmani,
Altaf Ahmed Butt, Abdul
Majeed Mir, Imtiaz Wani and

Mushtaq Ahmed Butt in their
statements in Islamabad said
that India being illegal
occupier of Kashmir had no
justification to celebrate its
Republic Day in occupied
Kashmir.
Meanwhile, hundreds of UK-
based Sikhs and Kashmiris
marked India’s Republic Day
as Black Day by holding a
demonstration outside the
Indian High Commission in
London. The demonstration
was jointly organised by
Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK,
Khalistan Movement UK and
Global Pakistan and Kashmir
Supreme Council.
The demonstrators from
across London as well as
Birmingham and other cities
traveled to Aldwych on
coaches and buses, carrying
placards and banners calling
out the Narendra Modi-led
Indian government’s atrocities
in occupied Kashmir. The
protesters said that the Indian
government’s celebration of
Republic Day was hypocritical
as it continued to impose a
curfew and communications
KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020
R E P O R T
blackout in the occupied territory to suppress dissent.
India’s Republic Day was observed as Black Day in Paris. The
Chairman of France-based Jammu and Kashmir Forum, Mirza
Asif Jaral, on the occasion led a demonstration, which was
attended by a large number of Pakistanis and Kashmiris.
The participants of the demonstration raised high-pitched
slogans like “India is terrorist”, “Modi is terrorist”, “Kashmiris
want freedom” and “War till freedom of Kashmir.”
Leaders of the organisations highlighting the issues of France,
Algeria and Palestine also
participated in the demonstration.
The demonstrators holding banners
and placards in their hands
reiterated the pledge that no
compromise would be made on the
Kashmiris’ right to self-
determination.
The Kashmir Council Europe
(KCEU) held an anti-India
demonstration on the occasion of
India’s Republic Day in front of
Indian Embassy in Brussels, the
capital of Belgium.
The demonstrators led by KCEU Chairman, Ali Raza Syed, urged
New Delhi to give the people of Jammu and Kashmir their right to
self-determination. The protesters also handed over a
memorandum to the officials of the embassy which emphasised
that India should end brutalities on the Kashmiris and fulfill its
promise of giving them an opportunity to decide their fate by
themselves.
The KCEU Chairman, Ali Raza Syed, addressing the
demonstrators said that the fascism of Modi government had
exposed the so-called democratic face of India. (KI Report)
10
 R E P O R T

Maqbool Butt, Afzal Guru remembered

on martyrdom anniversaries
occasion while paying glowing
tributes to Muhammad Afzal
Guru and other Kashmiri
martyrs said that their sacrifices
would not be allowed to go
waste.
On February 11, life remained
paralysed in occupied Kashmir
due to the complete shutdown to
mark the 36th martyrdom
anniversary of Muhammad
Maqbool Butt. Indian
authorities imposed strict
restrictions to prevent anti-

I
n occupied Kashmir, complete shutdown was observed on 9th India protests. Indian troops
and 11th February, 2020, on the occasion of the martyrdom were deployed in strength all
anniversaries of prominent liberation leaders, Muhammad across the occupied territory
Maqbool Butt and Muhammad Afzal Guru. while the roads were blocked
Muhammad Maqbool Butt was hanged in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail on with barricades.
February 11 in 1984 while Muhammad Afzal Guru was sent to the Scores of women and children
gallows on February 9, 2013, in the same jail. The dead bodies of the defying cur few and other
two leaders remain buried in the premises of the prison. restrictions assembled in
Call for the strike was given by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference T rehgam area of Kupwara
Chairman, Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led Hurriyat district, the hometown of
forum, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and other pro- Muhammad Maqbool Butt, and
freedom leaders and organisations. All shops and business s t a g e d a n t i - I n d i a
establishments were closed while traffic was off the road. Stringent demonstration.
measures in the name of security were taken by the occupation Shahmali Begum, the mother of
authorities to prevent anti-India demonstrations. Hundreds of Shaheed Maqbool Butt, led the
personnel of Indian army, police and paramilitary forces patrolled demonstrators. Several people
deserted streets in the territory, which continued to remain under were injured when Indian troops
military lockdown and gag on internet on 191st consecutive day on opened fire on protesters. Many
February 11. were arrested by the troops on
On February 09, the occupation authorities imposed restrictions in the occasion.
Sopore, Baramulla and Srinagar, by deploying Indian troops and A JKLF spokesman in a
police personnel in strength to prevent people from visiting the statement in Srinagar said that
family members of Muhammad Afzal Guru and expressing solidarity the participants of the protest
with them on his 7th martyrdom anniversary. Despite restrictions, a rally demanded the release of all
large number of people including Hurriyat leaders and activists illegally detained Kashmiri
visited Tarzoo, Sopore, and participated in a condolence gathering leaders and activists including
held to mark the anniversary of Afzal Guru. Speakers on the Muhammad Yasin Malik, Farooq

KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 11

 R E P O R T

Dar and Zahoor Ahmed Butt.

Meanwhile, the All Parties
Hurriyat Conference Azad
Jammu and Kashmir chapter
held a seminar in connection
with the martyrdom
anniversaries of Muhammad
Maqbool Butt and Muhammad
Afzal Guru in Islamabad on
February 10.
The APHC-AJK Convener, Syed
Abdullah Gilani, chaired the
function. On the occasion,
Hurriyat leaders highlighted the
unprecedented sacrifices of the
Kashmiris’ sentiment for freedom despite the blatant use of military
martyrs for the freedom cause
force and brutal tactics. They asked New Delhi to accept the ground
and reaffirmed the Kashmiris’
realities and create an environment conducive for peaceful resolution
resolve to accomplish the
of the Kashmir dispute.
mission of their martyrs. Special prayers were offered for all the Kashmiri martyrs including
The Hurriyat leaders said that
Muhammad Maqbool Butt and Muhammad Afzal Guru. Those who
India in violation of all moral
attended the seminar included Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, Syed Yousuf
values and constitutional
Naseem, Mahmood Ahmed Saghar, Abdul Majeed Mir, Abdul Majeed
obligations martyred
Malik, Shamima Shawl, Adeel Mushtaq Wani, Haji Sultan Butt,
Muhammad Maqbool Butt on
Sheikh Abdul Mateen, Nazir Ahmed Karnai, Advocate Pervez Ahmed,
Mian Muzaffar, Manzoor -ul-Haq Butt,
Mushtaq Ahmed Butt, Syed Muzaffar
Hussain Shah, Zahid Ashraf, Dawood Khan
Yousafzai, Saleem Haroon and Imtiaz Wani.
The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front
held a demonstration outside National
Press Club, Islamabad, to pay rich tributes
to Muhammad Maqbool Butt on his 36th
martyrdom anniversary.
Flanked by dozens of JKLF leaders from
Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the JKLF
spokesman, Muhammad Rafiq Dar, on the
February 11, 1984 and occasion, as chief guest, said that Maqbool
Muhammad Afzal Guru on Butt sacrificed his today for better tomorrow of Kashmiris and
February 09, 2013. They said showed them a path to tread on for the achievement of freedom from
that the Kashmiris had made Indian subjugation. He said that for his active role as student activist,
unprecedented sacrifices for Maqbool Butt was forced by the Indian authorities to migrate from
their right to self-determination occupied Kashmir to Pakistan. “Kashmiri mothers have given birth to
and were still sacrificing their thousands of Maqbools since his martyrdom,” he added.
precious lives for the Kashmir Rallies and functions were also held in different areas of Azad Jammu
cause. and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and capitals of some European
They maintained that India had countries including Brussels and London to pay tributes to
failed to suppress the Muhammad Maqbool Butt.

KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 12


Meanwhile, the APHC
Chairman, Syed All Gilani, in a
statement issued in Srinagar
paying glowing tributes
Muhammad Afzal Guru and
Muhammad Maqbool Butt
described their executions as
the most shameful acts of the
Indian government and a blot on
the so-called democratic face of
India.
Hurriyat forum led by Mirwaiz
Umar Farooq in a statement in
Srinagar remembering Maqbool
Butt and Afzal Guru said that
the best way to pay tributes to
the Kashmiri
martyrs was to
remain steadfast in
pursuance of
d e m a n d f o r
settlement of the
Kashmir dispute
according to the
will of the Kashmiri
people.
T h e J a m m u
Kashmir Liberation
F r o n t i n a The execution of Afzal
statement in Srinagar paid
homage to Muhammad Maqbool
Butt and Muhammad Afzal
Guru. It said that Maqbool
Butt’s struggle and sacrifices
represented the oppressed and
subjugated humans and Afzal
Guru also treaded his path and
laid down his life for a sacred
cause.
Other Hurriyat leaders
including Bilal Ahmed Siddiqi,
Yasmeen Raja, Khawaja Firdous
Ahmed Wani, Abdul Samad
Inqilabi, Abdul Majeed Mir,
Farooq Ahmed Tawheedi,
Mahmood Ahmed Saghar and
Syed Ijaz Rahmani in their
KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020
R E P O R T
statements eulogised the
sacrifices of Muhammad
Maqbool Butt and Muhammad
to Afzal Guru. They said the best
way to pay tributes to the
martyrs of Kashmir, including
Maqbool Butt and Afzal Guru, is
to remain united and steadfast
in the ongoing freedom struggle.
They said that New Delhi had left
no stone unturned to crush
people’s resistance and resolve
for the settlement of the dispute
and every day new suppressive
methods were being employed in
this regard. They appealed to the
international community to take
note of the Kashmiris’ sacrifices
and the repression unleashed by
India.
Muhammad Maqbool Butt was
hanged on 11th February in
1984 in Tihar Jail of New Delhi.
He was sent to the gallows
despite the fact that his trial was
shrouded in controversy. The
legal experts still believe that
there had been several legal
flaws in the case since its
beginning in 1966. Kashmiri
lawyers claim that the action of
the then Indian government was
totally in contravention to the
Indian law saying that the
13
hanging of Maqbool Butt was an
act of illegal execution by the
Indian state. No member of his
family was allowed to see him
before execution and his body
was not handed over to his
family which amounts to brazen
violation of international law.
After a gap of nearly 29 years, a
similar kind of judicial murder
was committed when
Muhammad Afzal Guru was
executed on flimsy grounds.
Afzal Guru was not provided the
proper legal aid to defend
himself in the court of
law. He was left at the
mercy of the court,
which instead of
holding a fair trial made
a mockery of justice by
issuing a controversial
judgment that will
continue to be the
subject of a legal debate
as a contentious verdict
in the judicial history.
Guru triggered powerful debates
particularly the legal fraternity
within the Indian state itself was
shocked over the court ruling,
which said, “The collective
conscience of the society will be
satisfied only if the death
penalty is awarded to Afzal
Guru”.
The fact is that the judicial
murders of Maqbool Butt and
Afzal Guru exposed the
partiality and prejudice of
Indian judiciary against the
Kashmiri people. In both the
cases the instrument of justice
was badly compromised.
(KI Report)
 R E P O R T

Justice continues to elude

victims of 1990s massacres
action in a brutal manner.
A few days later on January 25,
two patrolling parties of the
Indian Border Security Force in
H a n d w a r a o p e n e d
indiscriminate fire on
thousands of peaceful and
unarmed people who were
protesting against the Gaw
Kadal massacre. More than 20
people were killed in the BSF
firing in the township during the
second carnage that occurred
after Jagmohan Malhotra’s

I
n occupied Kashmir, justice continues to elude the families of appointment as Governor of the
the victims of Gaw Kadal, Handwara, Kupwara and Sopore occupied territory.
massacres carried out by the Indian troops in 1990s even after On January 6 in 1993, more
the passage of over two decades. The relatives of the victims termed than 50 people were martyred
the mass killings as the worst examples of Indian state terrorism in and hundreds others injured
the occupied territory. They demanded of the international when the BSF troops resorted to
community to pay heed to the woes of the oppressed Kashmiris and indiscriminate firing in Sopore
conduct impartial probe into all massacres to bring the involved in vengeance of the killing of one
Indian troops and police personnel to book. of their colleagues in an attack.
Around two hundred civilians were butchered by the Indian forces’ The troops had set the market of
personnel during incidents of carnage in the month of January in the town ablaze gutting down
1990s in Gaw Kadal, Handwara, Sopore and Kupwara. more than 350 shops, houses
More than 50 persons were killed and hundreds others injured in and other structures.
the indiscriminate firing by the personnel of Indian Central Reserve On January 27 in 1994, the
Police Force (CRPF) on January 21, 1990, at Gaw Kadal in Srinagar. personnel of Punjab Regiment of
The CRPF troops opened fire on peaceful demonstrators who were Indian Army opened
protesting against wanton arrests and molestation of several women unprovoked and indiscriminate
by the troops in Chota Bazaar locality of Srinagar during the fire near a bus stop in Kupwara
previous night. The incident took place soon after communal to punish people for observing
Jagmohan Malhotra was appointed as the Governor of occupied shutdown on India’s Republic
Kashmir to suppress the mass uprising in the occupied territory. Day (26th January). The
It merits mentioning here that on January 20, 1990, Jagmohan’s bloodbath had left 27 civilians
first television address as Governor of the occupied territory was dead.
very provocative and a direct threat in which he said that if anybody Complete Shutdown was
created a law and order problem ‘Meray haathon say aman ka patta observed in Gaw Kadal area of
khisak jaye ga (the cards of peace I’m carrying will slip away from my Srinagar on 21st January to
hands)’. And in less than 24 hours the threat was translated into mark the martyrdom

KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 14


anniversary of the victims of the
deadly massacre. All shops and
other business establishments
were closed in Gaw Kadal,
Basant Bagh, Kani-Kadal,
Chota-Bazaar, Budshah Chowk
and others areas while traffic
remained off the road.
The occupation authorities
increased the deployment of
Indian troops and police
personnel in the city to prevent
people from staging anti-India
demonstrations.
With justice eluding the victims
for the past three decades, like
every y e a r, Handwara
remembered one of the worst
massacres of the Kashmir
history. On the fateful day,
thousands of people marching
from Langate, Qalamabad,
Rajwar, Kulangam, Unisoo,
Chowgal and other villages
assembled at Handwara Chowk,
protesting against Gaw Kadal
massacre.
“We remember BSF personnel
entered the police station and
when they came out
showered bullets at us. I ran for
my life but saw many people
fall,” said Showkat Hassan
KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020
R E P O R T
Pandit, a survivor.
“I was in higher secondary school then. My friend Shabbir was with
me. The soldiers came threateningly close to us and we though they
are merely chasing us away but then they started firing on the
gathering and I heard people crying ‘khudaya marekh ha (God, we are
being killed)’,” he said.
Aijaz Ahmed Sofi, a local resident, said several protesters tried to save
themselves by trying to enter the residence of a member of the so-
called Kashmir Assembly, Muhammad Ramzan Chowdhary, but were
greeted by a volley of bullets from
his guards.
“It pains us that we have not been
given justice but every colonial
power has been using the
methodology of denying justice to
victims, humiliating them and
justifying their sufferings,” he
said.
Meanwhile, the families of the
victims of Kupwara massacre
continue to await justice even after
the passing of twenty six years.
On 27th January in 1994, a day
after India’s Republic Day, Indian
troops had massacred 27 civilians in Kupwara town. Local people had
told the media and investigation agencies that a day before the
carnage took place, an army officer had asked the local shopkeepers
not to observe shutdown and attend the Republic Day celebrations at
they the local camp. However, the shopkeepers didn’t turn up at the
celebrations. But the next day, when they were opening their shops,
Indian soldiers came in trucks and fired at them indiscriminately,
killing 27 people and injuring scores others. (KI Report)
15
 04-01-2020 Srinagar 09-01-2020 Srinagar

14-01-2020 Pulwama 16-01-2020 Doda

 H U M A N R I G H T S S I T U A T I O N

The oppressive policies of the successive Indian governments on occupied Kashmir for decades have led
to rise in anti-India sentiment among the Kashmiris and the Narendra Modi-led communal
government’s move of revoking special status of occupied Kashmir has added to this alienation, hatred
and hostility against New Delhi.
Occupied Kashmir has been reeling under brutal and inhuman lockdown where restrictions on
movement of people and means of communications have been imposed by India since August 5, last
year, when it repealed the special status of the territory. The people of the occupied territory particularly
the residents of Kashmir Valley have suffered immensely due to continued strict military siege.
Washington-based US Congress’s think tank, Congressional Research Service while summarising the
recent developments in occupied Kashmir in a report said that India’s action of abrogating Article 370
and Article 35A of the Indian Constitution sparked international outrage as unilateral changing of
Kashmir’s status could harm regional stability.
The members of the European Parliament also condemned India for using diplomatic clout and the
European Union’s business interests to influence the move to delay a vote on the resolutions moved by
626 MEPs over Citizenship Amendment Act and Kashmir.
It is high time for the global community to come forward and play its role in the settlement of the
Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people to save them from the
Indian brutalities and to ensure durable peace in South Asia.
Following is a day-to-day account of human rights violations by Indian troops in occupied Kashmir
during January 2020.

January 01: Indian police arrested a youth, Raies

Ahmed Lone, in Gund area of Ganderbal.
January 03: The police arrested two youth in
Srinagar.
January 04: Indian police arrested three youth,
Nisar Ahmed Dar, Bashir Ahmed Mengnoo and
Wali Muhammad Sheikh, from Srinagar and
Kishtwar areas.
January 05: Indian troops during cordon and
search operations and house to house searches
harassed several families in Palhalan area of
Baramulla district.
January 06: The troops arrested a youth, Rakesh
Kumar, at Arnia in Jammu district.
January 07: Indian troops killed 18-year-old, Zahid
Hassan, during a cordon and search operation in
Awantipora area of Pulwama district.
A 10th class student, Tehseen Nazir, was killed and a
woman, Haleema, was injured after a speedy
vehicle of Indian police deliberately hit them near
Nowgam Chowk in Srinagar. Four people including
Compiled by 62-year-old Muhammad Yousuf sustained injuries
when Indian police resorted to indiscriminate firing
Raies Ahmed Mir on the people protesting in the area against the
incident.
The police arrested four youth, Khizar Muhammad
Sheikh, Bashir Ahmed Sheikh, Zahoor Ahmed Butt
and Devi Daas, in Kishtwar district.
January 08: The police arrested a civilian,

KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 18

 H U M A N
Muhammad Parvaiz Butt, in
Parmandal area of Samba
district in Jammu region.
January 10: Indian troops
during house raids arrested
over three dozen persons
including Nisar Ahmed Dar,
Sajjad Ahmed Dar, Amir
Ahmed Butt, Sameer Ahmed
Najar, Mudassir Ahmed Khan,
Abdul Aziz Khan, Muhammad
Arif Mir, Mubarak Ahmed
Ganai, Showkat Ahmed Mir,
Shabbir Ahmed Mir, Javaid
Ahmed Sofi and Jamaat-e-
Islami activist, Mufti Imran
Wani, as well as a cleric, Shabbir
Ahmed, in Srinagar, Budgam,
Bandipora, Kulgam, Pulwama,
Shopian and Kishtwar districts.
January 11: Indian police
arrested DSP Devinder Singh
and three youth, Syed Naveed
Ahmed Shah, Rafi Ahmed and
Irfan Ahmed Mir, while they
were travelling in a car at Mir
Bazaar in Kulgam district.
January 12: Indian troops
killed three youth, Umar Fayaz
Lone, Faizan Hamid and Adil
Bashir Mir, during a cordon and
KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020
R I G H T S S I T U A T I O N
search operation at Gujar Basti
Gulshanpora in Tral area of
Pulwama district.
Indian police arrested a youth,
Shahid Shafi Dar, during a
cordon and search operation at
Nowgam Kokernag in
Islamabad district.
January 13: The troops killed a
youth, Aadil Gulzar Ganai,
during a siege and search
operation in Behrampura area
of Budgam district.
Indian police arrested a youth,
Tariq Ahmed Ganai, during
house raids in Gund area of
Ganderbal district.
19
January 15: The troops killed
an MBA graduate, Haroon
Abbas Wani, during a cordon
and search operation in
Gandana area of Doda district.
Indian police arrested a civilian,
Jahangir Ahmed Parray, during
a house raid in Awantipora area
of Pulwama district.
January 16: The police arrested
ten youth during cordon and
search operations in Srinagar,
Pulwama and Doda districts.
January 19: Indian police
arrested a civilian at Shangas in
Islamabad district.
January 20: Indian troops
killed three youth, Wasim
Ahmed Wani, Aadil Ahmed
Sheikh and Amir Ahmed Dar,
during a cordon and search
operation in Wachi Littar area of
Shopian district.
The police arrested two youth,
Irfan Shah and Muhammad
Rafiq Ganai, from Pulwama and
Banihal areas.
January 21: The troops during
cordon and search operations
used brute force, assaulted
people and damaged a house in
Rajpore and Khrew areas of
 H U M A N
Pulwama district.
January 22: Indian troops
killed a youth, Saifullah, during
a cordon and search operation
at Zantrag Khrew in Pulwama
district.
January 25: The troops killed
three youth, Qari Yasir, Burhan
Sheikh and Moosa Usman,
during a cordon and search
operation at Hariparigam in
Pulwama district.
Indian police during house
raids arrested over fifty youth
including Muhammad Amir
Butt, Sameer Ahmed Najar,
Ashiq Ahmed Ganai, Waseem
Ahmed Khan, Irshad Ahmed
Sheikh, Hilal Ahmed Wani and
Altaf Ahmed Dar in Srinagar
and Bandipora districts.
January 26: The occupation
authorities imposed curfew-
like restrictions in the name of
security to prevent people from
staging anti-India
demonstrations on the occasion
of India’s Republic Day. All
roads leading to a cricket
stadium in Sonawar, the main
KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020
R I G H T S S I T U A T I O N
venue of official function in
Srinagar, were sealed. The
Indian forces also used quad
copter drones fitted with
cameras for surveillance
around the stadium. In order to
quell possible protests, Indian
authorities also suspended call
and internet services on mobile
phones which had been
restored only a day earlier after
remaining shut since August
05, last year.
January 27: Indian troops
killed a youth, Shahid Ahmed
Thokar, during a cordon and
search operation at Makroo
20
Mohalla in Kulgam district.
Indian police arrested 19-year-
old Sajid Farooq Dar in Pattan
area of Baramulla district.
January 28: Indian troops
during massive cordon and
search operations harassed and
assaulted several people at
Malangpora in Sopore and in
Heerpora and Aglar areas of
Shopian.
January 29: The troops during
cordon and search operations
harassed and thrashed several
people in Bandi Payeen and
Chandoosa areas of Baramulla
district.
January 30: The troops
arrested a youth, Fayaz Ahmed
Mir, during a search operation
in Bumhama area of Kupwara
district.
January 31: Indian troops
killed three youth during a
cordon and search operation at
Ban Toll Plaza near Nagrota on
Srinagar-Jammu Highway. The
troops also arrested three other
youth, Sameer Ahmed Dar,
Sartaj Ahmed Mantu and Asif
Ahmed Malik, in the area.
 R E P O R T

MEPs angered by deferment of vote on

India’s CAA, Kashmir
The writer of the draft
resolution, Shaffaq Mohammed
MEP, said the CAA must be
judged on the basis of
international law and must be
repealed if it contradicts it.
Michael Gahler, MEP from
Ger many, who has thrice
headed the EU Election
Observer Mission to Pakistan,
was of the view that the vote
should take place on March 2 -
10 days before Narendra Modi’s
visit to EU.
Phil Bennion MEP, a Liberal

T
he European Parliament on January 29, 2020 announced to
delay a vote on a resolution against India’s controversial Democrats member of the

Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and lockdown in Renew Europe Group from UK,

occupied Kashmir, angering many members of European said that Modi’s India was

Parliament (MEPs) who had originally brought the resolution. deceptive and Europe failed to
The MEPs condemned India, saying it is using diplomatic clout and comprehend the manipulation,
the European Union’s business interests to influence the move to aggression, discrimination, and
delay the vote. They said that by deferring the vote, the EU has fascist tactics of the Indian
chosen business interests over human rights. government.
“European Parliament should not surrender before Indian power,” The vote on the debate was
said MEP Scott Ainslie. moved to March.
In what is being considered a major step towards fascism, the After Pakistani Prime Minister
Narendra Modi government has systematically introduced laws in Imran Khan’s relentless global
India aimed at stripping off the citizenship of many minorities, campaign against India over the
particularly Muslims. abrogation of Jammu and
India exerted an enormous amount of diplomatic pressure on the Kashmir’s special status and
European Parliament and the European Union, threatening them the controversial Citizenship
with the cancellation of Indian Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyan Amendment Act, the European
Jaishankar’s visit to the EU - set for February 17 - if the vote went Union (EU) Parliament on
ahead. January 26, 2020 decided to
Nordic Green Left MEP, Idoia Villanueva Ruiz, said that the debate and vote on a scathing
recently-passed laws in India - namely the CAA and National resolution against the forcible
Register of Citizens (NRC) and the revocation of Articles 370 and annexation of occupied
35A - all conflicted with democratic values and violated Kashmir in clear violation of
international law. She said that Modi government’s repression of United Nations Security
Kashmir was tantamount to fascism and should be condemned. Council resolutions.

KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 25

 R E P O R T

Out of 751 members of the EU The draft resolution urged India to repeal the discriminatory
Parliament, 626 moved six amendments to its citizenship law and said, the new law violates
resolutions on both the issues. India’s international obligations to prevent the deprivation of
The diplomatic offensive by the citizenship on the basis of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic
EU against India comes ahead of origin as enshrined in human rights treaties.
Prime M i n i s t e r, Narendra It demanded of the government of India to immediately engage in
Modi’s visit to Brussels for the peaceful dialogue with various sections of the population and to
India-EU summit in March. ensure that security forces comply with the United Nations Basic
The resolution also condemns Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement
enforcement of new citizenship Officials.
laws by New Delhi that The resolution also mentioned the violence that ensued at the
discriminate against Muslims. Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi earlier in the month,
The resolution, drafted and referring to the university as “a leading location for students
supported by lawmakers from protesting against the CAA and the National Register of Citizens
the Renew Group, calls upon (NRC)” and where “police witnessed the attack but refused to control
the European Union and its and arrest the mob”.
member states “According to the
“to promote the I n d i a n
implementation Constitution,
o f t h e U N I n d i a i s a
Security Council sovereign secular
resolutions on democratic
Kashmir”. republic and
T h e d r a f t including religion
resolution as a criterion for
condemned the citizenship is
unilateral t h e r e f o r e
changes made to fundamentally
the status of unconstitutional,
Kashmir by ” r e a d t h e
I n d i a a n d resolution.
deplored that India has so far It said the CAA “sets a dangerous precedent and represents an
not implemented the UNSC intensification of the [Indian] Government’s Hindu nationalist
resolutions calling for a agenda”, adding that “it is difficult to view the CAA in isolation, as
referendum to allow all both the amendment and the NRC could deprive minorities of their
Kashmiris to determine the citizenship of India” while “only Muslims excluded from the NRC will
future status of Jammu and have difficulty winning their cases at foreign tribunals”.
Kashmir. It also viewed with “The CAA marks a dangerous shift in the way citizenship will be
concern the rise in tensions determined in India and is set to create the largest statelessness
between Pakistan and India - crisis in the world and cause immense human suffering,” it noted.
both being nuclear weapons It reminded the Indian government of its obligations under the 1992
states - which it said were UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or
fuelled by the controversial Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, which establishes the
decisions of the government of obligation of countries to protect the existence and identity of
India on Kashmir and religious minorities within their territories and to adopt appropriate
citizenship. measures to ensure that this is achieved. (KI Report)

KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 26

 C H R O N O L O G Y

permanent border is more like a

statement made by a military
officer than by a diplomat.
Hurriyat leaders and

A chronological
organisations including Zafar
Akbar Butt, Muhammad Azam
Inqilabi and Jammu and

account of developments Kashmir National Front also

reject the statement of S K

on Kashmir Lambah. They say that Kashmir

is not a border or a land issue
(162) between India and Pakistan but
is an internationally-recognised
political dispute concerning the
future of millions of Kashmiris.
May 16: Glowing tributes are
paid to prominent liberation
leaders, Mirwaiz Molvi
Muhammad Farooq and
Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone, on
the commencement of
Martyrdom Week to
commemorate their martyrdom
anniversaries.
People in large numbers attend
the functions of the recitation of
Holy Quran held at the
headquarters of All Parties
Hurriyat Conference and Awami
Action Committee in Srinagar
and mosques and shrines across

KMS Research Desk the territory. Prayers are offered

for Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad
May 15: Complete shutdown is observed in Srinagar and other parts Farooq, Khawaja Abdul Ghani
of the Valley against the illegal detention of Hurriyat leaders, Lone and martyrs of Hawal.
activists and youth in the wake of sham parliamentary elections. The Chairman of All Parties
Call for the strike is given by the veteran Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz
Gilani. Umar Farooq, leads a mammoth
The veteran leader in a statement in Srinagar says that the Indian rally from Jamia Masjid to
police and other agencies are punishing the people of Kashmir for Hawal Shaheedi Chowk amid
boycotting the recently-held so-called parliamentary elections. high-pitched pro-freedom and
Syed Ali Gilani rejects the assertion of Indian Prime Minister’s anti-India slogans. Addressing
special envoy, S K Lambah, that there can be no redrawing of the rally, he reiterates the
borders between India and Pakistan, saying that the people of Kashmiris’ resolve to continue
Kashmir will not accept any solution, which goes against their the mission of their martyrs till
wishes. He says that the statement of Lambah is unrealistic and complete success.
based on New Delhi’s traditional rigid approach on Kashmir. He says It was 21st of May in 1990 when
that Lambah’s suggestion of converting the Line of Control into a unidentified gunmen shot dead

KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 27

 C H R O N O L O G Y

Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq in

Srinagar. Seventy mourners
were also martyred when Indian
troops opened fire at his funeral
procession in Hawal area of
Srinagar. On the same day in
2002, Khawaja Abdul Ghani
Lone was assassinated by
unknown attackers, when he
was returning after addressing a
gathering at Mazar-e-Shuhada
in Srinagar.
May 17: The APHC Chairman,
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and the
veteran Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali
Gilani, while reacting to the
results of India’s Lok Sabha
elections, say that the change in
guard in New Delhi means
nothing for the Kashmiris
unless India changes its policy
on Kashmir.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
addressing a public gathering in
Srinagar expresses the hope
that the new dispensation in
New Delhi will not look Kashmir
through military prism and will
initiate measures to resolve the
lingering dispute.
Syed Ali Gilani in a statement in
Srinagar says that the
Kashmiris do not expect
resolution of the dispute with
the change of government in
India. He says that Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress are two
faces of the same coin.
The Awami Action Committee organises a blood donation and free
medical camp in the premises of historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar as
a part of the programmes being organised in connection with the
Martyrdom Week. A large number of people including the APHC
leaders and activists donate blood while doctors from different
hospitals examine hundreds of patients, who are also provided free
medicines.
While majority of the people boycott the recent farcical polls, the
counting of the votes shows that around 35,000 voters express their
resentment against the so-called polling
process by pressing ‘none of the above’
button on the electronic voting machines.
May 18: The Chairman of All Parties
Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq, calls upon the upcoming Indian
government to resolve the Kashmir dispute
through tripartite talks among Pakistan,
India and true Kashmiri representatives
for ensuring durable peace in South Asia.
Presiding over a seminar at the APHC
Headquarters in Srinagar, Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq says that the change of faces and
governments will make no difference until
New Delhi changes its policy on Kashmir.
Protests erupt in Khanyar area of Srinagar over the mysterious death
of a local youth, Mushtaq Ahmed Gilkar, during illegal detention at
Central Jail in Srinagar. Massive protests also rock Kunzer town of
Baramulla over criminal assault on a teenage girl by an Indian
soldier. The girl later develops serious complications and dies in a
hospital in Srinagar.
Compiled by: Showkat Ali
To be continued...

KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 28

 B E A U
Sonamarg: The meadow of gold
At a height of 2,740 metres,
Sonamarg in occupied Kashmir
is the last major point in the
Kashmir Valley before the Zoji
La Pass into Ladakh. At the Pass
the lush green Kashmiri
landscape abruptly switches to
the barren, dry landscape of
Ladakh. Sonamarg is thus not
only a good base for treks but
also a jumping off point for trips
into Ladakh.
The passage to Sonamarg is
through the Sindh Valley, which
presents yet another bewitching
facet of countryside in Kashmir.
Sonamarg is framed by snowy
mountains against a sapphire
sky. Sonamarg literally means
the 'Meadow of Gold' and
although this could be due to the
profusion of flowers that wrap
the meadow in the spring, it is
also possible that the name
originates from Sonamarg's
decisive trading position in the
days when this was a main route
into Central Asia. The Sindh
River flows through the place
and is bountiful with Trout and
Mahseer.
Sonamarg is the base of major
treks that pass along several
mountain lakes - Vishansar,
Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and
KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020
T Y T H Y N A M E I S
enticing attraction for golfers
from all over the world. The
world's highest 18-hole green
Gangabal. It is also the take off golf course is at Gulmarg.
station for the drive to Ladakh Khilanmarg:
across the Zoji La Pass, through It is a highland meadow, just 4-
which the km from Gulmarg. Khilanmarg
Srinagar-Leh is accessible by foot or by pony.
Road passes. From here, the view of the snow
The major peaks and the limpid waters of
fascination at the Wullar Lake is a breathtaking
Sonamarg one, unfolding view upon view
Nilagrad of Himalayan splendour.
A mountain Slightly lower than Gulmarg is
river meets the shrine of Baba Reshi - a
the Indus at Muslim mystic saint visited by
the Baltic people of all faiths.
c o l o n y , Dras
Nilagrad, 6- Dras is the coldest place in the
km away world after Siberia during
f r o m winter. It lies close to the Line of
Sonamarg. The water of the river
Control. It is located at an
is reddish in colour. People of the altitude of 3,230 metres and 60-
Baltic colony think that the water
km west of Kargil on the road to
has curative power for many Srinagar is a small township
diseases. Inhabitants of the
lying in the centre of a valley of
colony visit this place every
the same name. Winter
Sunday to bath in the river.
temperature is sometimes
Bisansar Lake and Krishnasar
known to plummet to less than
Lake:
minus 40 degrees Celsius.
These are two beautiful lakes that
add to the
beauty of
Sonamarg.
The Bisansar
Lake stands
at an altitude
of 4,084
metres, while
crossing the
river at
Nichinai
Pass, with its
l o v e l y
n a t u r a l
beauty. During the spring and summer,
The Krishnasagar Lake is however, the valley around the
situated at an altitude of 3,801 township becomes very
metres and is famous for Trout astonishing as the gently
fishing. undulating hillsides turn into
Gulmarg lush green pastures splashed
All through the summer and well with a variety of fragrant wild
into the autumn, Gulmarg is an flowers.
29
 L I
Hard work never goes waste
(A Kashmiri folklore)
Ghulam Qadir lived in the house
of the great Sheikh as did his
father. The latter was first
employed in the household as a
groom. His wife died in the
village to which the family
belonged and the stable-man
brought the little boy to live in
the house of the nobleman. Here
he assisted his father in the stable
and sometimes was entrusted
with errands by the ladies of the
household. His chief claim to his
board and lodge with the
illustrious family was his
companionship with the young
Sheikh, the nobleman's son.
Though Ghulam Qadir had to
remove horse-dung from the
stable or to attend to other
unpleasant duties he kept
himself unusually clean. His
father persuaded him to wash his
clothes frequently. In winter
when it was cold he went to the
bath and made free use of the
warm water in the boiler after
other members of the household
went to bed. Those who did not
know him could hardly suspect
that he was a stable-boy. Those
who saw him frequently always
quoted the Kashmiri adage that
one should wash one's hands
clean before touching him.
Well, Ghulam Qadir was a
groom and errand-boy in the
house of the Sheikh and a
companion of the nobleman's
son. It was never intended that
Ghulam Qadir should receive
any bookish education. But being
exposed to it in the company of
the young Sheikh he could not
help remembering the same
lessons and picking up literacy.
His blue-blooded companion
was a boy of varied interests as
FEBRUARY 2020
T E R A T U R E
befitted the scion of the great
house; he could, therefore, pay
only scant attention to his
studies. Ghulam Qadir's mind,
on the other hand, seemed to be
so constituted that letters,
sentences and whole lessons
found a fertile soil there. If the
money spent over the young
master of the house did not yield
result commensurate with its
magnitude, it at least made up
through the education of the
rustic urchin.
Ghulam Qadir grew into a
shrewd lad. He could strike a
good bargain and gained
advantage by his boldness and
dash where faint-hearted men
older in age failed. Very soon he
was promoted to assist the bailiff
and keep accounts. This was a
single advance in his position
that delighted his father but
filled other domestics with pangs
of jealousy. He discharged his
duties admirably and his master
was pleased with him. He never
made any secret of his apprecia-
tion of Ghulam Qadir's ability.
One day Ghulam Qadir's father
saw his master in a jovial mood
and was assiduous in keeping his
exalted spirits aloft. When he
perceived that the moment was
opportune, he said, “Sire, may I
make a humble request?”
“Do so, for I am much indebted to
you and your son for your
faithful service. What do you
want?”
“Father,” said the servant, “I
have grown gray eating your
salt. It is my great good fortune.
My son has bloomed into a
young man eating your bread.
While it is my ambition to lay
30
down my life in your service, I
request you to seek a job in the
administration for your slave,
my son. I do not quite relish his
being here.”
He told his master how other
servants in his household felt
jealous of father and son, and
cursed them behind their backs.
“I can stand anything except a
curse against my only son,” he
said.
His words moved the heart of the
Sheikh, who himself had only
one son. In his own heart he had
an additional motive and that
was to gain respectability in the
eyes of society. Before long the
Sheikh, a big feudal lord, got
Ghulam Qadir - the son of his
trusted servant - appointed as a
clerk in the office of the district
collector who was only too
pleased to embrace a chance to
oblige a big landlord like the
influential Sheikh.
Ghulam Qadir was an intelligent
clerk and came to have a reputa-
tion for efficient work. He
disposed of the work allotted to
him in no time every day and was
also able to assist other clerks in
the disposal of their cases.
Consequently he got to know the
work in all sections of the office
that gave him a sort of a key-
position. The district collector
was pleased with him and
appointed him as his own
Munshi or confidential clerk.
Munshi Ghulam Qadir, or
Munshi Ji as he came to be called
now, had learnt another precious
lesson by instinct kind that was
that “more things are wrought by
establishing proper public
relations than this world dreams
of”. In a year or so the Munshi
found himself transferred to the
executive line as a girdawar with
scores of patwaris under him.
Ghulam Qadir now found it
 L I
necessary to come to the notice of
the hakim-e-ala or the provincial
governor and he sought the good
offices of his erstwhile master,
the Sheikh. Not long after, the
governor went on a tour of the
part of the country where the
Sheikh had his estate. It was in
his own interest for the latter to
entertain the governor. At a
dinner held in honour of the
governor the Sheikh
commended his protégé to the
kind attention of his august
guest. Munshi Ji was in need of
just this introduction. He won his
place nearer and nearer to the
heart of the governor by the
efficient discharge of his duties.
The governor also received
occasional presents from the
Sheikh and he was intelligent
enough to understand that the
latter would feel obliged if he
pushed up Ghulam Qadir. In a
couple of years, therefore, he got
him appointed as a naib-
tehsildar.
The old groom in the house of the
Sheikh was beside himself with
joy and urged his son to take
steps to settle himself in married
life. Ghulam Qadir, however,
was not satisfied yet and consid-
ered such a development
premature. He had a higher
ambition and marriage, he felt,
would hinder rather than help its
realisation. He picked up the ins
and outs of his new job till he felt
confident that he could hold his
own against even the veterans
amongst his subordinates. He
prepared to win the good graces
of the mushir-i-maal, the
supreme head of the revenue
administration of the State. This
time he did not trouble the
Sheikh himself but played his
cards so well that the governor
offered his good offices to
introduce him to the mushir-i-
maal as a relative of the great
FEBRUARY 2020
T E R A T U R E
Sheikh. This
done, the
mushir-i-maal
found the
young man
very useful.
The Sheikh once
called on the
mushir-i-maal
and Ghulam
Qadir too
figured in the
conversation. “I
have not been
able to do
anything for
your kinsman,”
s a i d t h e
minister. The
Sheikh spoke
courteously
meaning that it
was never too
late to begin.
A couple of
days later when with him. Ghulam Qadir was
Ghulam Qadir saw the mushir-i- silent. The Sheikh reiterated his
maal in the course of his official question but the other was still
duty the former put him the hesitant.
question: “How are you related
“You had better kill me sir,”
to the Sheikh?”
replied Ghulam Qadir.
After a slight demur he replied:
But the Sheikh was eager and
“I am his son-in-law, sir.”
promised to forgive him. It was
“Oh really!” observed the then that Ghulam Qadir revealed
minister. “I am very sorry. I have the truth.
not been able to do anything for
“Son . . . in . . . law!” His face
you. Please convey my apologies
turned red in anger. But that was
to your father-in-law. I shall try
not for long, for he added, “You
my utmost to find a way to help
have reached your present
you.”
position through hard work and
In a week or so Ghulam Qadir intelligence while my own son
became a tehsildar. The minister has come to no good. I really
sent a message to the Sheikh could not get a better son-in-law.
expressing the hope that he
You are my son-in-law indeed,”
would feel somewhat satisfied at and he determined to entrust his
the promotion of his relation,
daughter to him.
adding that he had learnt of their
Thus the groom's son was
intimacy only a few days earlier.
married to the daughter of his
When Ghulam Qadir met the master. It was a proud day for the
Sheikh next he asked him how he groom and prouder still for the
had described his relationship Sheikh.
31
 F E E D
Black Day
The Kashmiris on the Black Day, this year, on
India’s Republic Day once again reiterated
their resolve to continue their struggle till they
achieve freedom from the Indian bondage. The
observance of the Black Day should serve as an
eye-opener for New Delhi, which must
understand that it has miserably failed to
suppress the liberation sentiment of the
Kashmiri people who are committed to
continue their struggle till they are given an
opportunity to exercise their right to self-
determination.
The observance of India's Republic Day as
Letters to
Editor
Black Day by the Kashmiris should be
understood in its historical perspective. New
Delhi has been resorting to the worst kind of
state terrorism to continue its illegal hold on
Jammu and Kashmir and to force the Kashmiri
people into subjugation. However, it has failed
to succeed in its nefarious designs despite
killing hundreds of thousands of innocent
Kashmiris and subjecting thousands to
custodial disappearance.
The world community in general and the
United Nations in particular must play an
effective role in the resolution of the lingering
Kashmir dispute on durable basis to ensure
permanent peace and stability not only in
South Asia but also in the world.
Sohail Ali
Karachi
Region in turmoil
India has changed drastically as the second
term of Modi government has begun. The
revocation of Article 370 that granted special
status to occupied Kashmir has put the region
into turmoil. The Indian decision was in
violation of International law and even India’s
own constitution. India has no legal or
constitutional right to change the disputed
status of Jammu and Kashmir as recognised by
the UN through several resolutions of its
Security Council.
The New Delhi-based Concerned Citizens
KASHMIR INSIGHT FEBRUARY 2020 32
B A C K
Group (CCG), led by former Union Minister
Yashwant Sinha, in a recent report said that
many people believed the events starting from
August 5, 2019 and the subsequent ratification
of the Indian government’s decisions in the
Indian Parliament demonstrated that it was
end of politics in Kashmir and a process of
controlling the Kashmiris by force had begun.
The Kashmiris believe that Indian government
wants to marginalise and annihilate them. This
fear is expressed most vividly as a fear of
demographic change by permanently settling
Indian citizens in occupied Kashmir. There is
also fear of National Register of Citizens and
how it could be used to legitimise the settlers.
Kashif Bhatti
Sargodha
Israeli model in IOK
New Delhi had announced that after the
revocation of Article 370 and 35A, Indians will
be able to buy properties in occupied Kashmir
thus effecting a change in the demographic
composition of the territory.It is the Israeli
model that India is applying to create a Hindu
majority in occupied Kashmir. There are
widespread fears among the Kashmiris, who
speak about night raids, massive arrests,
extreme torture and regular beatings by the
Indian armed forces which have taken over the
villages in the Kashmir Valley.
The Narendra Modi-led Indian government has
failed to deliver on its promises of better
security conditions, improved governance and
rapid economic development - three factors
cited repeatedly for the August 5, 2019, move to
revoke special status of occupied Kashmir.
But it is the controversial Citizenship
Amendment Act (CAA) and the countrywide
protests over the law and use of force on
protesters that have shocked both the Indians
and the world alike. The large scale of protests
by Indian students, women, Muslim and
Christian communities, Dalits, urban and
rural workers, and many others have shown
the fragility of Indian secularism. The violence
unleashed on the protesters by armed thugs
affiliated with the ruling party and the local
police outraged the world and became the front
page news. Fears are rising that the BJP
government is going for ethnic cleansing of
minorities, particularly Muslims throughout
India.
Naveed Chaudhry
Lahore
 Atrocities by Indian troops
(January 1989 to January 31, 2020)

Total killings 95,496

Custodial killings 7,136

Civilians arrested 158,506

Structures destroyed/damaged 109,462

Women widowed 22,911

Children orphaned 107,784

Women gangraped/molested 11,178

Including custodial killings

Source: Kashmir Media Service (www.kmsnews.org)

 No Forced Unions

“... With all deference to this Parliament, I would like to say that the ultimate decision
will be made in the minds and hearts of the people of Kashmir and not in this
Parliament or at the UN....
“If, however, the people of Kashmir do not wish to remain with us, let them go by all
means; we will not keep them against their will, however painful it may be to us. We
want no forced marriages, no forced unions...
“I want to stress that it is only the people of Kashmir who can decide the future of
Kashmir. It is not that we have merely said to the United Nations and to people of
Kashmir.”

(Indian Prime Minister,

Jawaharlal Nehru’s statement in
Indian Parliament, August 07, 1952)

All Parties Hurriyet Conference Azad Jammu And Kashmir

P. O. Box No. 2617, GPO Islamabad.
Ph: 0092-51-4861457, Fax: 0092-51-4861458 (Islamabad)
0092-5822-432344 (Muzaffarabad)
Email: kashmirinsight@yahoo.com