Sheikh Abdul Mateen
Every year the people of Jammu and Kashmir across the world observe 27th October as black day. Same day on 27th October 1947, Indian occupying forces landed in Jammu and Kashmir and started the chapter of illegal occupation, subjugation, suppression and oppression against the innocent and unarmed people of Jammu and Kashmir. This was the most atrocious incident that threw the region into the throes of instability and perpetual violence. This day is being commemorated as black day, the people of Jammu and Kashmir protest against the India’s illegal occupation and remind the international community especially UN to resolve the long standing international dispute according to the resolutions of the UNSC.
Since the invasion of Indian occupying forces on 27th October 1947, the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are struggling against the forceful occupation and are struggling for the right of self-determination but in reply the Indian occupying forces have been carrying on a ruthless campaign of terror against the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) who are resisting against the illegal occupation and are demanding “Right of self-determination.”
The total number of Indian occupying forces deployed in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) were 150,000 till late 80s but now there are more than nine lakh occupying forces and have been given unlimited arbitrary powers to use lethal force. The region is declared as the world’s largest and most militarized territorial dispute and is one of the largest militarized zone in the world. If we take the Indian army’s total strength, half of it is in IOJK. The ratio of army to people is very much high in IOJK, we don’t get such type of example in entire world.
Ahead of the India’s military invasion a tragic incident “Jammu Massacre” took place which was directed by the army of Dogra ruler Hari Singh, where thousands of Muslims were killed. The exact number of casualties in the killings that continued for two months is not known but estimates range from 20,000 to 237,000 and nearly half a million forced into displacement across the border into the newly created nation of Pakistan. This massacre angered the Pakistani Tribesmen and they crossed border on 22 October 1947 to save Muslim fellows of Jammu and Kashmir. To push Pakistani Tribesmen back, the dominant non-Muslim ruler over Muslim majority state asked Government of India for assistance. In reply Indian government asked him first accede with Indian union
India claims that “instrument of accession” was signed on 26 October 1947 and next day on 27 October India deployed troops in Jammu and Kashmir. However, there are serious doubts about the documents of instrument of accession. The instrument of accession was never accepted by the state of Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
India took Kashmir issue to UN under article 35, chapter 6 of United Nations charter in 1948. The chapter 6 of UN charter outlines the means for peaceful settlement of dispute. It’s very Interesting to note here that India took Kashmir issue to UN and recognized Kashmir issue as dispute and it’s also evident that India accepted that instrument of accession is not permanent accession of Kashmir to Indian union. It is also interesting point to note that India didn’t take Pakistan to United Nations under chapter 7 which is related to acts of aggression as India was alleging Pakistan. Both countries accepted UN resolution of 5th January in 1949, as per UN resolution the plebiscite must be held in Jammu and Kashmir and right “right to self-determination” must be exercised through which people of disputed territory must determine their future. Indian acceptance of UN resolutions proved that “instrument of accession” even if genuine, is declared null and void
Since the Indian invasion on 27TH October 1947, nobody in IOJK feels free, fundamental rights, rule of law, freedom, justice and security is nowhere present in IOJK. Everyone is living a fearful life. Everyone in one or other way is suffering. In this ongoing reign of terror, the people of Kashmir have been facing worst kind of human rights abuses. They have been killed, maimed, dishonored, tortured, humiliated, interrogated and injured by the Indian occupying forces. The atrocities also include extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests and vandalizing of properties. Journalists are not allowed to present right and truthful situation in newspapers and TV channels.
Initially, India showed fake willingness to resolve the dispute but in reality betrayed Kashmiris as well as Pakistan. They have attempted to legalize its illegality rests on a bogus instrument of accession signed by the Maharaja and with the passage of time strengthen their control through atrocities by their occupational forces and implementation of draconian laws. They have used its all efforts to defame the legitimate resistance movement of Jammu and Kashmir and label them as terrorists.
Moreover, the revocation of semi-autonomous status of IIOJK on 5th august 2019 pushed the region into uncertainty, chaos and lawlessness. This was totally an unconstitutional and undemocratic act. It was also done under the shadow of occupying forces. The decision was also inconsistent with the earlier rulings of the supreme court of India. Since the revocation of article 370 and 35A, the Hindu extremist government has executed several controversial policies to alter the demography of Muslim majority state of Jammu and Kashmir. They are establishing exclusive Hindu settlement in the region.
The history of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) from the signing of forceful instrument of Accession to the induction of special status and abrogation of special provisions is marked with India’s deception, betrayal, rigged elections and installations of puppet governments, vengeful governor and president rules. The principal goal of India is to crush the pro-resolution movement of Kashmiri people and to establish exclusive Hindu settlement in the region.
In response to forced military occupation and all the atrocities the people of Jammu and Kashmir always show tolerance against brutality and continue their resistance movement. People of IOJK have never bowed their heads in front of India. Kashmiris are sacrificing their lives and stand in front of brutal forces to face bullets for their sacred cause. Through peaceful means including protests, they want to gain response of international community to end this long standing dispute. The people of IOJK pledged to take the ongoing resistance movement to its logical end.
No doubt occupied Jammu and Kashmir is under forceful occupation of India but from beginning people of IOJK have never ever surrendered to the brutality of Indian forces. India tried very hard to control and depress the voices of people but despite lot of violations failed to change the pro-resistance and anti-India mindset of people.
The India’s denial to grant right to self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir has destabilize the region and are posing serious threat to the perpetual peace in the region. The frantic attempts to show fake normalcy and adoption of imperialistic design in IOJK will not work.
The Modi led BJP government should shun the execution of undemocratic, unconstitutional and brutal policies, dialogue is the only way forward to seek a just and lasting settlement of the Kashmir dispute.
The writer is a General Secretary of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (AJK Chapter)