The recent report released by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service has unveiled a harrowing reality that paints a grim picture of the past four years under the Modi regime. The findings shed light on the illegal and unconstitutional actions that have left an indelible mark on the lives of Kashmiris. This report reveals a deeply troubling pattern of violence and disregard for human rights that demands global attention.
According to the report, Indian troops have been responsible for the martyrdom of 792 Kashmiris, including 16 women, over this period. Shockingly, among the casualties are senior Hurriyat leader Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai and Altaf Ahmed Shah, who lost their lives while in the custody of Indian police. This stark revelation of custodial deaths raises serious concerns about the treatment of detainees.
The use of excessive force by Indian troops, paramilitary force and police personnel has resulted in at least 2,369 critical injuries. Peaceful demonstrators and mourners have fallen victim to bullets, pellets, and teargas shells, highlighting a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life.
The report uncovers a distressing trend of killings, surpassing the figures of previous years. Many of these tragic deaths occurred in fake encounters or during violent cordon and search operations. Disturbingly, numerous young individuals were labeled as militants or over-ground workers and subsequently eliminated. The Indian authorities’ reliance on oppressive laws such as the Public Safety Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act has further eroded civil liberties. The toll on families has been immeasurable, with 52 women widowed and 128 children orphaned due to these atrocities. Thousands of houses and structures have been damaged, and reports of the molestation and disgrace of women have emerged, further amplifying the horrors experienced by the Kashmiri populace.
The report pointed out that the killings since 05 August 2019 have been higher than those in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2019. It said, most of the victims were killed in fake encounters and in custody in the garb of violent cordon and search operations in the length and breadth of the territory. As the entire Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has been turned into an open-air prison for its inhabitants, thousands of Kashmiris, including religious and political leaders, businessmen and civil society members, were arrested before or after 5 August 2019 and they still continue to remain in different jails of India and IIOJK. The report underscores the dire economic, political, and social consequences that have befallen Kashmir since the revocation of its special status. The move to alter the demographic makeup of the region has added to the suffering of its predominantly Muslim population.
The relentless crackdown has turned the entire occupied Jammu and Kashmir into an open-air prison, resulting in the arrest of countless individuals, including Hurriyat leaders, activists, and prominent figures. The continued detention of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, coupled with the tragic death of resistance leader Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai in custody, is a somber reminder of the ongoing injustice.
Freedom of the press has been stifled, with journalists facing detention and harassment, further silencing voices that strive to shed light on the ground realities of the region. The findings of this report serve as an urgent call to action, demanding that the international community address the gross human rights violations and brutality that have become synonymous with the situation in Kashmir. The world must unite to ensure justice, accountability, and a future where the people of Kashmir can live free from fear and oppression.
