Indian move: Construction of wall along LoC, working boundary slammed

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers stand guard along fencing near the India-Pakistan border outpost. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

MUZAFFARABAD: A protest rally was held here on Sunday against the Indian plan of construction of a concrete wall along the Line of Control (LoC) and the working boundary in Sialkot sector.

The rally was jointly organised by the Kashmiri refugees of 1989 and the Pasban-e-Hurriyat- a local organisation working in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) for the Kashmir cause.

The construction is part of a plan India is working on to construct 41-metre-long and 10-metre high concrete wall along the LoC and 197-kilometre-long wall along the working boundary in Sialkot sector.

The protesters carrying banners and placards marched from the Central Press Club to Gharipan Chowk shouting anti-India slogans like “We want freedom” and “go India go”.

While addressing the rally, Chairman Pasban-e-Hurriyat Uzair Ghazali said that India was following the footprints of Israel to divide Kashmiris permanently as the latter did with Palestinians.

“The construction along the LoC is not only violation of international laws but also a direct attack on the United Nations that has declared the region a disputed territory,” said Ghazali.

Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference leader Mushtaqul Islam said that India has occupied the state of Jammu and Kashmir at gunpoint and now it was constructing another “Berlin wall” to divide the Kashmiris straddle the region. “This illegal construction is unacceptable for the Kashmiris living across the LoC,” he said.

Islam urged Kashmiri and Pakistani leaders to protest against the illegal construction of the wall.

Meanwhile, AJK Finance Minister Chaudhry Latif Akbar addressing at a press conference slammed the Indian move saying the AJK government after consultation with the federal government will raise the issue at international forums to put pressure on India to halt the construction.

Anyone found guilty of human rights violation in Jammu and Kashmir will face law: Army

Once again indian army made people fool by saying they are punishing the army personals involved in human rights abuses in kashmir; while on other adge INDIAN Jammu & Kashmir PUBLIC SEFTY ACT 1978 provides indian army with a shield to do whatever they want , and for their sins law can never punish them. This is the extreme of hypocrisy, but still they insist they are providing justice to people. Here is the latest news statement on human rights abuses in Kashmir by indian army: 

Over 120 army men including 41 officers have been awarded "exemplary" punishment for committing human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir during the last 20 years.

Disclosing this in his message on the eve of Human Rights Day at Udhampur today, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Northern Command, Lt General Sanjiv Chachra, said that, "Of the 1,524 allegations of HR violations leveled during the past 20 years, 42 involving 124 army personnel were found true; following investigation into each of them by an independent and autonomous body."

The guilty including 41 army officers and 83 JCOs and other ranks were expeditiously tried by army courts and awarded "exemplary punishments ranging from dismissal from service without any service benefits to imprisonment, he added.

"There are a few ongoing cases which are being closely monitored, ensuring rule of law and proceedings as enunciated by the Army Act," the Northern Army commander said, adding that "anyone found guilty shall face the law." This amply demonstrates that all cases of alleged HR violations are thoroughly investigated and personnel found guilty promptly punished, he pointed out.

In his HR Day message, Lt General Chachra directed all the troops in Jammu Kashmir to ensure "zero human rights violations" during their counter terrorist operations. Pointing out that these operations require patience, maturity and restraint, he said, "I know the task is onerous, but I have faith in your abilities". "We must ensure at all times that the AWAAM (people) are not put to any inconvenience or harassment due to our actions" he said while reiterating Army's commitment of zero tolerance towards HR violations.

Pointing out that the Indian Army has one of the finest record for ensuring human rights, he said that the importance given to this valued quality is evident from the fact that an HR branch has been functional at the Army headquarters since March 1993. Such branches exist in formations up to Brigade and Sector level, he pointed out, adding that even a capsule course on the importance of respect for human rights is also conducted for troops undergoing pre-induction training at various battle schools.

Brave, non-denominational freedom fighters(Status of resistance in Kashmir,not to be considered as terrorism)

A letter to BBC by British Kashmiri community about calling Kashmiri resistance Forces Islamic terrorists:

Indian soldiers take cover during fighting in Kashmir in September 2013. (ROUF BHAT/AFP/Getty Images

Those of you who wonder why the BBC is so politically correct, so craven in its expressions regarding, for example, Islamic terror, may find a partial answer here: 

Stephen Whittle
Director of Editorial Policy at the BBC

Dear Stephen,

We have received many complaints over the last 24 hours from British Muslims regarding the use of the phrase ‘Islamic terrorists’ by your news reporters in connection with the struggle for Kashmiri independence.

We believe this phrase is totally inappropriate and adds nothing to the story and even distorts what is a long-standing struggle by the Kashmiri people to gain control of their own destiny.

We have noticed that your news reports are also failing to adequately report the background to this conflict. It is crucial that viewers and listeners are made aware that Kashmir is a Muslim-majority area which should have become part of Pakistan but did not because of the Hindu Maharajah who opted for union with India. This has caused immense misery for both countries but especially for the people of Kashmir.

Your recent news reports have not adequately mentioned that the Indian army is widely detested by the people of Kashmir and is regarded as an occupation force. The Indian army has been severely criticized for not allowing free access to the media in occupied Kashmir and has been blamed for many widespread human rights abuses against Kashmiri civilians.

The only way to resolve this issue is to allow the people of Kashmir a referendum on their future, not by military conflict.

Please could we meet to discuss this issue urgently as it is causing much distress to people who have strong family ties to Kashmir.

Kind regards,

Mr Inayat Bunglawala
Secretary,
Media Committee,
The Muslim Council of Britain

Response from Stephen Whittle

Thanks for your note. I have discussed this with the various output editors. It is not our policy to describe Kashmiri separatists in this way and that has been made clear. It was an isolated incident and will not be repeated.

Well, you can’t blame Inayat (a decent enough bloke, btw) for trying, seeing the immediate capitulation that occurs…