News Desk |
United Nations has started to react to the situation in Indian occupied Kashmir. Modi’s ultra rightist Hindutva government, which reminds many of the Nazi Germany, had imposed curfew in the state of Jammu & Kashmir one day before revoking Article. 370 and Art. 35-A on Aug. 5th. Article 370 and 35-A had provided special constitutional guarantees to local population against fears of demographic change. Kashmir disputed under the UNSC resolutions had joined India in 1947 under these special constitutional guarantees.
India had begun moving up to 200,000 troops into what is already the most militarized region in the world, with an unmatched soldier to citizen ratio.
The UN noted that the heavy-handedness of the occupying force had reached a “new level” and that this would “exacerbate the human rights situation.” It can be seen that even the UN has recognized the eruption of protests that are possible in lieu of this crackdown.
"We are deeply concerned that the latest restrictions in Indian-Administered Kashmir will exacerbate the human rights situation in the region" — @UNHumanRights spokesperson
— United Nations (@UN) August 7, 2019
The UN noted the iron fist with which the situation was being dealt with. No organic information from individuals within this siege was being obtained due to the internet and media blackout, so there was no knowing of the current state of things.
In a video shared on Twitter on Wednesday, the UN spokesperson on human rights said “I would refer you back to our July 8, 2019 report on the human rights situation in Kashmir which documented how authorities have repeatedly blocked communications networks to muzzle dissent, used arbitrary detention to punish political dissidents and employed excessive force while dealing with protests leading to extra judicial killings and serious injuries.”
Is this how #KashmirWelcomesChange? pic.twitter.com/qQuCbYvMEA
— mhrnszd (@mhrnszd) August 8, 2019
The Buildup to the “Integration” of IOK
Over the weekend before this historic Monday, there was an atmosphere of intense anticipation and trepidation in the Indian-occupied Kashmir and for all those around the world who were watching the situation closely. India had begun moving up to 200,000 troops into what is already the most militarized region in the world, with an unmatched soldier to citizen ratio.
Read more: Pakistan demands UN to dispatch fact-finding mission to IoK
According to Pakistan’s foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the total number of troops now numbers nearly 900,000 in a valley of less than 13 million people. When political workers and leaders including the pro-Indian union former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were arrested, the hardened residents of the valley knew something ominous was afoot.
The arrests come hours after India repealed Articles 35A and 370 from its Constitution, revoking the special status granted to Indian-administered Kashmirhttps://t.co/uK7vlToFCe
— Samaa News (@SamaaEnglish) August 5, 2019
The governor of Indian-occupied Kashmir claimed that the troop movement was because of an increased threat from Pakistan. As the Indian military began using cluster bombs to deliberately target civilians, it became clearer that they are trying to set up a decoy. When article 370 and article 35 A were scrapped on Monday, the world realized exactly what India had in mind for its “settler-colonial project,” as termed by the Washington Post.
Pakistan’s Reaction to India’s Unilateral Step
Pakistan has initiated a broad diplomatic and economic offensive against India since its unilateral decision to annex IOK. It has been gathering support from world leaders, and many have come out openly in favor of Pakistan’s position on Kashmir. President Erdogan of Turkey and Mahathir Mohammad of Malaysia have both openly backed Imran Khan and assured him of support. China has back the Pakistani stance and Muhammad Bin Salman has reportedly been taken into confidence as well. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is meant to start a series of visits abroad to take the international community into confidence over this grave issue.
President Erdogan offers Turkey's steadfast support to Pakistan's Khan after India scraps disputed Kashmir's special status raising tensions in South Asia https://t.co/EiEkdgBcRp
— TRT World (@trtworld) August 5, 2019
PM Imran Khan promised to deliberate with the relevant quarters and take the necessary steps to deal with this situation. A Corp Commanders Conference also met to declare that the Pakistan Army is willing to go to any extent to extend support towards the Kashmiri freedom fighters.
Read more: If it can be done to Kashmir it can be done to any other state in India
The Government on Wednesday announced a downgrading of diplomatic ties with India, suspension of all bilateral trade, and a day of solidarity with the Kashmiris on the 14th August. The government also announced its decision to take the matter to the UN,
1-Downgrading of diplomatic relations with India.
2-Suspension of bilateral trade with India.
3-Review of bilateral arrangements.
4-Matter to be taken to UN, including the Security Council.
5-14th of August to be observed in solidarity with brave
Kashmiris. #StandwithKashmir pic.twitter.com/v06GmMc5lG— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 7, 2019