Monday, March 6, 2017

Peaceful Struggle for Independence in Jammu and Kashmir


By Afshain Afzal

In the most disturbing and shocking incidents of Indian atrocities, Indian Army and other security forces were found beating children of under ten years of age. Many children were slapped and dragged on the ground on the charges of teasing Army personnel. There only offence was that they were chanting “Meri Jaan Pakistan, Kashmiri Key Azadi Ka Matlab Kiya La Illha Ha Ill Allah”. If we recall, despite threats and warnings by the Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat that if any Kashmiri display Pakistani flag, he would be treated as anti-state and linked with ISIS / Daesh, Kashmiris waved Pakistani flags after Juma prayers near Jamia Masjid in Srinagar and other parts of the state. Interestingly, the peaceful struggle of the Kashmiris to get themselves free from Indian occupation can be realized for the simple fact that top Kashmiri-Pakistani leader Syed Ali Geelani has called off its strike on Friday, 24 February 2017, in view of the Shivratri or Herath festival celebrations in Jammu and Kashmir state. In fact, the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmiri consider their co-Kashmiri Hindu and Sikh as part of their nation and salient participants in the freedom struggle. 
To tarnish the image of Kashmiris freedom fighters, Indian agencies, in a self-staged drama to impress international community, killed five Indian Army personnel and injured nine personnel including Lieutenant Colonel Mukesh Jha and Major Amardeep in a combing operation Shopian district on 23 February 2017. Interestingly, New Delhi has launched a new campaign by giving an impression that Jammu and Kashmir state in going to be turned into “Switzerland of India” by inviting Indian and foreign investments. Where in an environment of total blackout, even journalists and peace activists are not allowed to visit the state as the Indian atrocities against innocent peaceful Kashmiris will be exposed, how tourists can be allowed to visit the state. No doubt, the voice of Kashmiri Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and others cannot be suppressed by Indian occupying forces as they are determined to get their right of self-determination and join Pakistan.
Ironically, in this so called critical security situation, Jammu and Kashmir’s Secretary Tourism Farooq Shah has announced that Indian Rs 2400 crore will be spent to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir in the 5 years time. Interestingly, in this regard New Delhi would contribute Rs 2000 crore. As per the detail, the Indian government has decided to settle non- Kashmiris in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir in the name of investment from the Centre. As per the plan, on the principle of private sector oriented investment, Indian and foreign companies would be settled to run the projects to attract tourism. In the same regard, as per the military authorities in Srinagar and Karu, Indian Army has been give a go a head by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to develop Kargil and Ladakh. It is being projected that international and national hotel including chain of Indian ITC Hotels. One wonders when existing hotels are giving a haunted look, how further investment would be possible without first giving the rights of plebiscite to the Kashmiris.
Where Chairman J&K Legislative Council, Haji Inayat Ali claims "things are different from what is portrayed in media. Tourists are always safe there. Even during peak of militancy, tourists were never troubled", how Indians can dub Kashmiris as terrorist. There is no doubt that the Kashmiris are peace loving people but intentionally they are being propagated as terrorist and members of Islamic State / Daesh. It is on record that India is carrying out staged killings of its own security personnel only to prove that peaceful freedom struggle in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir is linked with terrorism. Had this not been the case why cases against Indian Army personnel for their involvement in fake encounters and extra judicial killings are pending in various Indian and Jammu and Kashmir state Courts. 


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