2010 Kashmir unrest: Difference between revisions
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#REDIRECT[[Quit Kashmir Movement 2010]] |
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{{COI|date=July 2010}} |
{{COI|date=July 2010}} |
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{{Original research|date=September 2010}} |
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<gallery> |
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{{Cleanup|date=September 2010}} |
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[[File:http://web3.twitpic.com/img/141175916-4e23afdb716db4a0a88833cf405d5c95.4c5bcf10-full.jpg|Quit Kashmir II]] |
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[[File:Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.JPG|right|thumb|The three regions: [[Jammu]](Blue outside brown boundary), the [[Kashmir valley]](Blue inside brown boundary) and [[Ladakh]](Pink). Kashmir Valley was the area which saw constant tension.]] |
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The ''' |
The '''2010 Kashmir unrest''' is a series of riots and demonstrations in [[Kashmir Valley]] in the [[North India]]n state of [[Jammu and Kashmir]]. What originally began as protest against death of a 17 year old boy degenerated into rioting, burning, looting, and killing by June 11. The call for this campaign, led by [[Syed Ali Shah Geelani]] and [[Mirwaiz Umar Farooq]], was given for complete [[demilitarisation]] of Jammu and Kashmir. The Hurriyat has accused [[Indian Forces]] of various human rights abuses including fake encounters, killings of dozens of innocent youth, sexual violence against women, destruction of property and exploitation of the region's natural resources, and claimed that "oppression has reached the extreme", resulting in these protests.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24554|title=Hurriyat (G) calls 9-day ‘quit JK’ campaign|publisher=[[Rising Kashmir]]|date=2010-06-24|author=Ishfaq Ahmad Shah|accessdate=2010-08-10}}</ref>. Subsequently, the movement has degenerated into a cycle of violence, with continued street protests, stone pelting and police firing, and several people, mostly youth, losing their lives as a result.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/JK-on-boil-as-CRPF-kills-2-protesters/articleshow/6103486.cms|title=Kid, youth killed in CRPF firing, Kashmir on boil|publisher=[[The Times of India]]|date=2010-06-29|author=M. Saleem Pandit|accessdate=2010-08-11}}</ref>. Additionally, the protests do not factor in the wishes of the substantial religious kashmiri minority of [[Hindus]], [[Sikhs]], [[Buddhists]] and [[Christians]], these religious minorities account for almost 33 % of population in J & K. Other than them, ethnic minorities like [[Gujjars]] and [[Bakarwal]]s have also wished to remain a part of India. |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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On April 30, 2010, the [[Indian Army]] claimed to have foiled an infiltration bid from across the [[Line of Control]], at Machil Sector in [[Kupwara]] district of Jammu and Kashmir by killing three armed militants from [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?680686|title= Three Militants Killed As Army Foils Infiltration Bid|publisher=[[Outlook (magazine)|Outlook]]|date=2010-04-30|accessdate=2010-08-11}}</ref> |
On April 30, 2010, the [[Indian Army]] claimed to have foiled an infiltration bid from across the [[Line of Control]], at Machil Sector in [[Kupwara]] district of Jammu and Kashmir by killing three armed militants from [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?680686|title= Three Militants Killed As Army Foils Infiltration Bid|publisher=[[Outlook (magazine)|Outlook]]|date=2010-04-30|accessdate=2010-08-11}}</ref> On June 11, there were violent protests against these killings in the downtown area of Srinagar. Police used force to disperse the protesting youth during which a teargas shell killed seventeen year old Tufail Ahmad Mattoo by bursting his skull. Several protest marches were organized across the Valley in response to the killings which were met with indiscriminate firing by the security forces deployed in the region.<ref>[http://www.sacw.net/article1519.html Citizens Appeal on Kashmir (9 July, 2010)]</ref> Thereafter a vicious circle was set, killing of a person was followed by protest demonstrations and clashes with police and CRPF in which another person was killed which led to another protest till more lost their lives. |
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== |
==Protest and violence== |
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Following the death of 17 year old Tufail Mattoo who was hit by a teargas canister during stone-pelting at Rajouri Kadal on June 11. Many protests both violent and peaceful were launched in the valley. |
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[[Kashmir conflict]] remains one of the oldest unresolved disputes in the world. India's position is that Kashmir is an integral part of India, while the people of [[Jammu and Kashmir|Indian Administered Kashmir]] and the Pakistan's maintain that Kashmir is a disputed territory whose final status must be determined by the people of Jammu and Kashmir and [[Indian Forces]] are occupying the state unlawfully. The basic aims of movements are as under: |
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===Complete Demilitarization=== |
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In [[Jammu and Kashmir|Indian Administered Kashmir]] the extent of militarization is appalling. There are 700,000 troops and 70,000 police forces for a population of roughly 10 million. The Indian military has been conducting training sessions with Israel on how to curb resistance in Kashmir<ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3714649 Israeli Troops to Train Indians in Counterterrorism]</ref>. Checkpoints and detention centers (which also turn into torture centers) are all over the valley. There are more soldiers here than in Afghanistan or Iraq. The combined troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in March 2010 were roughly around 250,000.<ref>[http://www.zcommunications.org/kashmir-by-yasmin-qureshi Democracy under the barrel of a gun By Yasmin Qureshi]</ref> [[Indian Forces]] have been accused of various crimes against humanity including mass rapes http://www.dispatchesinternational.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89:the-kunan-poshpora-tragedy-decades-of-inaction&catid=52:india&Itemid=58 |
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===Stone Pelting=== |
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2010 saw a new violent mean of the protest in the valley, "stone pelting". The protesters were accused by the government of using a stone pelting as a violent mean of creating chaos. Security forces cited stone pelting as a reason for their firing in retaliation as many security force member were hurt by this act, mob not only used it randomly but also targeted certain people such as Congress leader and J&K school education minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, whose house was attacked when he was celebrating Eid with his family at his residence in Damhal-Khusipora in Anantnag district.<ref>http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_mob-attacks-jammu-and-kashmir-education-minister-s-house-in-anantnag_1436885</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Some groups have suggested that a third option of Independence be added to the resolutions two options of union with [[India]] or union with [[Pakistan]].<ref name="Right To Self-determination, A Key To Kashmir Solution">{{cite web|url=http://www.countercurrents.org/kashmir-safvi240207.htm|title=Right To Self-determination, A Key To Kashmir Solution|first=Syed Ali Safvi|date=24 February 2007|publisher=Countercurrents.org|accessdate=12 August 2009}}</ref><ref>Kashmiri-cc.ca on [http://www.kashmiri-cc.ca/un/sc21apr48.htm UN Resolution 47] and [http://www.kashmiri-cc.ca/un/ United Nation resolutions on Kashmir].</ref> |
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To prevent the mob violence from escalating, authorities imposed curfew in Srinagar and other towns in the valley. In August, the government responded by imposing curfews in the disturbed areas and by deploying Rapid Action Force (RAF) in the Srinagar valley to control violent demonstrations.<ref>http://newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/173082</ref> Protesters, however, defied curfew and also pelted stones on the police and paramilitary personnel. Some people even pelted stones on a police post at Pothkhak in Sopore. Government alleged that stone pelting in Kashmir valley appears to be fast turning into a lucrative 'business' for some unemployed youths offering this 'service' for a price. Several youths are also operating 'stone pelting' cartels funded by separatist organisations and some political parties, sources say, adding that business worth lakhs of rupees is usually generated through this activity. Details in this regard came out during extensive interrogation of a stone pelter arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir police over a period of last three days. Separatist groups, especially those owing allegiance to Pakistan-terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Tayiba, are alleged to have formed several groups comprising a minimum of dozen people, sources in the interrogation team said.<ref>http://news.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/feb/08/slide-show-1-kashmir-pelting-stones-for-a-price.htm#contentTop</ref> |
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==Suppression Of The Movement== |
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===Curfews, Arrests and Killings=== |
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{{Main|Casualties of the 2010 Quit Kashmir Movement}} |
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===September protests=== |
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In an effort to contain the massive response to "Quit Kashmir Movement" the ''de-facto'' government of [[Jammu and Kashmir|Indian Administered Kashmir]] led by [[Omar Abdullah]] of National Conference, imposed severe restrictions on "The right to demonstrate" vis-a-viz freedom of speech and of assembly. Indefinite curfew was imposed in major parts of the valley. Almost all of the separatist leaders were arrested or put under house arrest immediately after the killing of Tufail Ahmad Matoo and 'shoot-at-sight' orders were issued in sensitive parts of the valley. [[Omar Abdullah]]'s government failed to curb the situation. Rapid Action Forces were sought from New Delhi to control the protesters and enforce curfew. State Police along with [[Indian Forces]] used excessive force to control the situation. This resulted in the death of several people most of whom were teenagers with some even below ten(10) years of age. In one of the incidents a 9 year old kid was beaten to death by the Indian Forces. http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2010/Aug/12/-9-year-old-was-beaten-to-death-by-troops--31.asp The anger and frustration against these killings mobilized people, especially youth. At least 63 persons (as till 23 August, 2010), mostly teenagers, were killed during the intense wave of protests that erupted across the Kashmir Valley with nine casualties reported on 1 August and seven more on 2 August. The victims, including a 17 year old girl, were mostly teenagers falling in the age group of 14 to 20. Ironically, the spate of fresh killings sparked off after the state government announced, on July 27, the constitution of a Commission of Inquiry “to inquire into all the 17 incidents in Kashmir division in which fatalities had occurred on account of action by the State police/forces since June 11, 2010.” |
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Protests in Kashmir escalated over several days, as demonstrations against [[2010 Qur'an-burning controversy|public burning of the Koran as a protest in the United States]] commemorating the [[September 11 attacks]] quickly turned into separatist protests against the Indian government in the Muslim-majority province. On September 13, Muslim protesters defied a military-imposed curfew, setting fire to a Christian missionary school and government buildings. At least 13 people were shot dead by police, and one policeman was killed by a thrown rock; at least 113 policemen and 45 protesters were wounded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=119238|title=Thirteen killed in Indian Kashmir as Koran desecration protests continue|date=2010-09-14|author=Reuters/AFP|publisher=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref>[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/09/201091312934825752.html >> Kashmir clashes lead to deaths ]</ref>On September 12, a church was burned and a curfew instituted in [[Punjab]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/After-Quran-rumour-Punjab-church-gutted/articleshow/6550154.cms|title=After Quran rumour, Punjab church gutted|date=2010-09-14|publisher=Times of India}}</ref> Violence spread into [[Poonch]] in the [[Jammu]] division, with three protesters shot by police. Protesters burned government buildings and vehicles including the SDM's office, where a gas cylinder exploded inflicting injuries on six persons; the SDPO office; the Forest Department office; the BDO office and two police and five civilian vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hindu.com/2010/09/16/stories/2010091665151200.htm|title=3 killed as violence spreads to Poonch|author=Shujaat Bukhari|publisher=The Hindu|date=2010-09-16}}</ref> Police prevented the burning of a Christian school in Poonch, and another in [[Mendhar]] the next day, in clashes leaving four protesters killed, 19 wounded, but dozens of government offices, a police station, and eight vehicles were burned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Kashmir:-Muslims-try-to-burn-a-Christian-school-%28only-in-name%29-19476.html|title=Kashmir: Muslims try to burn a Christian school (only in name)|author=Shefali Prabhu|date=2010-09-16|Publisher=Asianews.it}}</ref> As of September 16, the [[Hindustan Times]] placed the death toll at 90, blaming much of the resentment on the indefinite military curfew, the first in ten years to affect the entire Kashmir Valley, calling the curfew "collective punishment" and writing that after four days, "People are running out of milk, vegetables and baby food. "<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/chunk-ht-ui-indiasectionpage-north/Kashmiris-locked-up-hurt-humiliated-by-curfew/Article1-600653.aspx|title=Kashmiris locked up, hurt, humiliated by curfew|author=Toufiq Rashid|date=2010-09-16|publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/jandk/Fourth-day-of-indefinite-curfew-in-Kashmir-toll-90/Article1-600793.aspx|title=Fourth day of indefinite curfew in Kashmir, toll 90|author=Indo-Asian News Service|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=2010-09-16}}</ref> On September 18, after six days, the curfew was relaxed in parts of [[Srinagar]] and some other areas for four hours to allow people to buy essentials.<ref name=CCN918>{{cite web|url=http://www.calcuttanews.net/story/686593|title=Kashmir toll 97 in 100 days of unrest|date=2010-09-18|publisher=Calcutta News}}</ref> |
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The Commission of Inquiry, consisted of Justice Syed Bashir-ud-Din (Retd) as the Chairman and Justice YP Nargotra (Retd) as a member, The committee is supposed to submit its report within three months. Undeterred by the constitution of the Commission, the killing spree continued across the valley with the number of fatalities rising to above 40 in one month. Young protesters fell to the bullets of the police and CRPF personnel in almost every town and township of the Valley from the proverbial Khannabal to Khadanyar (from north to south Kashmir). |
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On the night of September 17, a policeman's house was set on fire in [[Pinjoora]] village. On September 18, a large procession in [[Anantnag]] defied curfew, carrying the body of Maroof Ahmad Nath, who drowned while fleeing police. After "agitating mobs attempted to torch government property", security forces opened fire, killing Noorul Amin Dagga and injuring five. Fayaz Ahmad Naiku of Boatman Colony (Bemina), Srinigar died from injuries received the preceding day.<ref name=CCN918 /> A group stoning and attempting to burn the home of [[Samajwadi Party]] leader [[Fayaz Ahmad Bhat]] were dispersed by gunfire.<ref name=IDE918 /> A group of men emerging from a mosque were fired on with one killed and four injured in [[Pattan]] area. A police spokesman disputed claims that the attack was unprovoked, because a mob tried to block the Srinagar-[[Baramulla]] National Highway and started heavy stone pelting on security forces.<ref name=IDE918>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kashmir-2-killed-19-injured-in-fresh-violence/683422/|title=Kashmir: 2 killed, 19 injured in fresh violence|publisher=Indianexpress.com|date=2010-09-18}}</ref> With the death toll now reaching 100, Amnesty International called on Indian security forces not to use gunfire against demonstrators.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2010/09/18/Death-toll-100-in-Kashmir-demonstrations/UPI-20921284814518/|title=Death toll 100 in Kashmir demonstrations|date=2010-09-18|publisher=UPI}}</ref> |
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Besides these killings thousands of protesters were also arrested under the infamous Public Safety Act. |
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On September 15, Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] proposed an all-party meeting in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that dialogue was the only way to find lasting peace, and "We are ready for dialogue with anybody or any group that does not espouse or practice violence". Written invitations included Kashmiri separatists [[Mirwaiz Omer Farooq]] and [[Yasin Malik]], who had been excluded from a previous all-party meeting in 2008 during the [[Amarnath land controversy]]. Members of the 39-member delegation include Home Minister [[P Chidambaram]] and Parliamentary Affairs Minister [[Pawan Kumar Bansal]], [[Sushma Swaraj]] and [[Arun Jaitley]] (BJP), [[Basudeb Acharia]] (CPM), [[Gurudas Dasgupta]] (CPI), [[Mulayam Singh Yadav]] ([[Samajwadi Party]]) and [[Ram Vilas Paswan]] ([[Lok Janshakti Party]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/india/Kashmir-crisis-Hurriyat-invited-to-meet-team-of-MPs/Article1-601516.aspx|title=Kashmir crisis: Hurriyat invited to meet team of MPs|date=2010-09-18|publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref> |
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==Media Censorship== |
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===Print And Electronic Media=== |
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[[Image:I Protest.JPG|thumb|Kashmiri E-Protesters use these [[I Protest]] graffiti on their profile pages of Buzz, Facebook, Twitter, etc.]] |
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During the turmoil journalists were subjected to major restrictions because of a curfew imposed by the police and army in response to a wave of demonstrations and unrest. Reporters were unable to move about in the summer capital, Srinagar, because the local authorities canceled their curfew passes. No newspapers were published on 10 July in protest against the restrictions. Several incidents involving journalists were reported in connection with the demonstrations. Members of the Central Reserve Police Force beat 12 journalists covering a demonstration on 6 July. Mark Magnier of the Los Angeles Times was hit by a police officer near Srinagar's Lake Dal on 7 July. Riyaz Masroor of the BBC's Urdu-language service sustained a fracture to his left hand when policemen hit him on 9 July.<ref name="newssafety.org">[http://www.newssafety.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19324:-watchdog-slams-qwave-of-violence-censorshipq-against-indian-media&catid=117:india-media-safety&Itemid=100392 Watchdog slams "wave of violence, censorship" against Indian media]</ref> |
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On August 3 the Srinagar house of NDTV's Jammu correspondent was attacked and on the same day the Baramulla residence of The Tribune Kashmir correspondent Tejinder Singh Sodhi was attacked with a smoke bomb, Sodhi was outside his house doing a story when the men in uniform lobbed a smoke bomb towards him. .<ref>[http://www.kashmirwatch.com/showhumanrights.php?subaction=showfull&id=1280938909&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2&var1news=value1news]</ref> |
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==Demand of protesters== |
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The authorities also imposed restrictions on the free flow of information: censorship of local cable TV stations, censorship of certain Facebook pages and restrictions on mobile phones during the demonstrations. The broadcasting time of local news channels was restricted from hour-long evening news bulletins to just 15 minutes and barring the stations from rebroadcasting them. Besides, many channels were banned from operating anything. This media gag was criticized by various organizations which include “All India Secular Forum”, Press Guild of Kashmir , Reporters without Borders, etc.<ref name="newssafety.org"/><ref>[http://www.countercurrents.org/aisf100710.htm Censorship of Media In Kashmir]</ref> |
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===Reduction of Indian military presence=== |
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There are 700,000 troops in [[Jammu and Kashmir]]. Protesters demand that the number of troops in the state of Jammu and Kashmir be reduced. |
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On June 29, the media gag order has come from Union Telecom Ministry seeking immediate ban on SMS services in the valley. |
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The reasons to implement the gag order was cited as tense law and order situation in the Valley particularly in Srinagar and North Kashmir.<ref>[http://www.risingkashmir.com/?option=com_content&task=view&id=24693 After local TV, Govt orders gag on SMS services]</ref> |
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===Crackdown On E-Protestors=== |
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In a press statement issued on 24 June 2010 Hurriyat Conference had suggested people to use various forms of protest. Protesters registered their protests by writing “Go India, Go Back” or "[[I Protest]]" on walls, boards, placards, roads, social networking websites like Facebook, Twitter and Gmail Buzz. In a bid to contain the voices of dissent emanating from social networking site - Facebook, the state police started crackdown on internet users of Kashmir for posting "anti-India" remarks on social networking sites.The newspaper Greater Kashmir reported that the organizers of a Facebook group were summoned for questioning by the police for posting reports and video footage of the rioting in Srinagar. It was highly condemned by various organizations.<ref>[http://www.countercurrents.org/nabi130710.htm Crackdown On E-Protestors :Terrified, Facebook Users Leave Valley]</ref> |
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==Casualties of the 2010 Quit Kashmir Movement== |
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{{Main|Casualties of the 2010 Quit Kashmir Movement}} |
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'''Civilian killings between June 11-30, 2010:''' |
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13 reported deaths: All Muslim boys and men: |
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Killed by police officials, CRPF personnel, and armed forces personnel |
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'''Civilian killings between of July 1-31, 2010:''' |
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13 reported deaths: 12 Muslim boys and men, 1 Muslim woman |
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Killed by police officials, CRPF personnel, and other state forces personnel |
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'''Civilian killings between August 1-30, 2010:''' |
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45 reported deaths: 43 Muslim boys and men, 2 Muslim women |
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Killed by police and CRPF personnel, including in an explosion |
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'''Civilian killings between September 6-13, 2010:''' |
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24 reported deaths, 18 alone on 13 September 2010: 23 boys and men, 1 women |
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Killed by police officials, CRPF personnel, and other state forces personnel |
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===Plebiscite under UN Auspices=== |
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| ⚫ | According to the separatists India made commitment to the people of [[Jammu and Kashmir|Indian Administered Kashmir]] that the ultimate fate of the people of [[Jammu and Kashmir|Indian Administered Kashmir]] will be decided by them. [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 47]], adopted in 1948, called for a plebiscite to decide the fate of [[Kashmir]]. The [[All Parties Hurriyat Conference]] (APHC), an alliance of 26 organizations in Kashmir seeks self-determination according to the UN resolution. |
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| ⚫ | Some groups have suggested that a third option of Independence be added to the resolutions two options of union with [[India]] or union with [[Pakistan]].<ref name="Right To Self-determination, A Key To Kashmir Solution">{{cite web|url=http://www.countercurrents.org/kashmir-safvi240207.htm|title=Right To Self-determination, A Key To Kashmir Solution|first=Syed Ali Safvi|date=24 February 2007|publisher=Countercurrents.org|accessdate=12 August 2009}}</ref><ref>Kashmiri-cc.ca on [http://www.kashmiri-cc.ca/un/sc21apr48.htm UN Resolution 47] and [http://www.kashmiri-cc.ca/un/ United Nation resolutions on Kashmir].</ref> |
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Indian viewpoint is succinctly summarized by Ministry of External affairs, Government of India<ref name=meaindweb>{{cite web|url=http://meaindia.nic.in/jk/kashmirissue.htm |title=Ministry of External Affairs, India - Kashmir Issue |publisher=Meaindia.nic.in |date= |accessdate=2010-02-02}}</ref><ref name=meaindpdf>{{cite web|url=http://meaindia.nic.in/jk/19jk01.pdf |title=Kashmir: The true story, Ministry of External Affairs, India |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2010-02-02}}</ref> — India holds that the [[Instrument of Accession (Jammu and Kashmir)|Instrument of Accession]] of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to India, signed by the Maharaja [[Hari Singh]] (erstwhile ruler of the State) on 26 October 1947, was completely valid in terms of the Government of India Act (1935), Indian Independence Act (1947) and international law and was total and irrevocable.<ref name=meaindpdf/> The [[Constituent assembly of Jammu and Kashmir]] had unanimously ratified the Maharaja's Instrument of Accession to India and had adopted a constitution for the state that called for a perpetual merger of the state with the [[Union of India]]. India claims that this body was a representative one, and that its views were those of the Kashmiri people at the time. [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1172]] tacitly accepts India's stand regarding all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan and urges the need to resolve the dispute through mutual dialogue and does not call for a plebiscite.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.undemocracy.com/S-RES-1172(1998).pdf |title=Full Text of Resolution 1172 |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2010-02-02}}</ref> [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 47]] cannot be implemented since Pakistan failed to withdraw its forces from Kashmir which was the first step in implementing the resolution.<ref>{{cite news|author=Published: 12:00PM BST 24 Sep 2001 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1399992/A-brief-history-of-the-Kashmir-conflict.html |title=A brief history of Kashmir conflict |publisher=Telegraph.co.uk |date=2001-09-24 |accessdate=2010-02-02 | location=London}}</ref> Now the resolution is obsolete since the geography and demographics of the region have been permanently altered.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianembassy.org/policy/kashmir/kashmir_mea/UN.html |title=Indian Embassy, Washington, D.C. - A Comprehensive note on Jammu & Kashmir |publisher=Indianembassy.org |date= |accessdate=2010-02-02}}</ref> The resolution was passed by [[United Nations Security Council]] under [[Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter]].<ref name="pakun.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.pakun.org/statements/Security_Council/2003/05132003-01.php |title=Foreign Minister of Pakistan, on the role of the Security Council in the Pacific Settlement of Disputes |publisher=Pakun.org |date= |accessdate=2010-02-02}}</ref> Resolutions passed under Chapter VI of UN charter are considered non binding and have no mandatory enforceability as opposed to the resolutions passed under Chapter VII.<ref name="dawn.com">[http://www.dawn.com/2004/08/05/op.htm Kashmir policy: an overview by Shamshad Ahmad], ''[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]'' 2004-08-05</ref> |
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Total civilian death count: Between June 11-September 13, 2010 = 95 |
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1 Police officer was run over by a lorry driven by Kashmiri protestors |
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Up until 18 sep 2010 toll 96 & counting |
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http://www.hindustantimes.com/newdelhi/Three-more-dead-in-Kashmir-violence-toll-96/601848/H1-Article1-601622.aspx |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<references/> |
<references/> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[I Protest]] |
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* [[2009 Shopian rape and murder case]] |
* [[2009 Shopian rape and murder case]] |
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* [[Zakoora And Tengpora Massacre]] |
* [[Zakoora And Tengpora Massacre]] |
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| Line 76: | Line 44: | ||
* [[Sopore massacre]] |
* [[Sopore massacre]] |
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* [[Bomai Killing, 2009]] |
* [[Bomai Killing, 2009]] |
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* [[Kashmir]] |
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* [[India]] |
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* [[Pakistan]] |
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* Kunan Poshpora incident (wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunan_Poshpora_incident |
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[[Category:Kashmir conflict]] |
[[Category:Kashmir conflict]] |
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[[Category:2010 in India]] |
[[Category:2010 in India]] |
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[[Category:Human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir]] |
[[Category:Human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir]] |
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[[Category:Intifada]] |
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Revision as of 07:54, 21 September 2010
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 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (July 2010) |
 | This article possibly contains original research. (September 2010) |
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The 2010 Kashmir unrest is a series of riots and demonstrations in Kashmir Valley in the North Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. What originally began as protest against death of a 17 year old boy degenerated into rioting, burning, looting, and killing by June 11. The call for this campaign, led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was given for complete demilitarisation of Jammu and Kashmir. The Hurriyat has accused Indian Forces of various human rights abuses including fake encounters, killings of dozens of innocent youth, sexual violence against women, destruction of property and exploitation of the region's natural resources, and claimed that "oppression has reached the extreme", resulting in these protests.[1]. Subsequently, the movement has degenerated into a cycle of violence, with continued street protests, stone pelting and police firing, and several people, mostly youth, losing their lives as a result.[2]. Additionally, the protests do not factor in the wishes of the substantial religious kashmiri minority of Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians, these religious minorities account for almost 33 % of population in J & K. Other than them, ethnic minorities like Gujjars and Bakarwals have also wished to remain a part of India.
Background
On April 30, 2010, the Indian Army claimed to have foiled an infiltration bid from across the Line of Control, at Machil Sector in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir by killing three armed militants from Pakistan.[3] On June 11, there were violent protests against these killings in the downtown area of Srinagar. Police used force to disperse the protesting youth during which a teargas shell killed seventeen year old Tufail Ahmad Mattoo by bursting his skull. Several protest marches were organized across the Valley in response to the killings which were met with indiscriminate firing by the security forces deployed in the region.[4] Thereafter a vicious circle was set, killing of a person was followed by protest demonstrations and clashes with police and CRPF in which another person was killed which led to another protest till more lost their lives.
Protest and violence
Following the death of 17 year old Tufail Mattoo who was hit by a teargas canister during stone-pelting at Rajouri Kadal on June 11. Many protests both violent and peaceful were launched in the valley.
Stone Pelting
2010 saw a new violent mean of the protest in the valley, "stone pelting". The protesters were accused by the government of using a stone pelting as a violent mean of creating chaos. Security forces cited stone pelting as a reason for their firing in retaliation as many security force member were hurt by this act, mob not only used it randomly but also targeted certain people such as Congress leader and J&K school education minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, whose house was attacked when he was celebrating Eid with his family at his residence in Damhal-Khusipora in Anantnag district.[5]
To prevent the mob violence from escalating, authorities imposed curfew in Srinagar and other towns in the valley. In August, the government responded by imposing curfews in the disturbed areas and by deploying Rapid Action Force (RAF) in the Srinagar valley to control violent demonstrations.[6] Protesters, however, defied curfew and also pelted stones on the police and paramilitary personnel. Some people even pelted stones on a police post at Pothkhak in Sopore. Government alleged that stone pelting in Kashmir valley appears to be fast turning into a lucrative 'business' for some unemployed youths offering this 'service' for a price. Several youths are also operating 'stone pelting' cartels funded by separatist organisations and some political parties, sources say, adding that business worth lakhs of rupees is usually generated through this activity. Details in this regard came out during extensive interrogation of a stone pelter arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir police over a period of last three days. Separatist groups, especially those owing allegiance to Pakistan-terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Tayiba, are alleged to have formed several groups comprising a minimum of dozen people, sources in the interrogation team said.[7]
September protests
Protests in Kashmir escalated over several days, as demonstrations against public burning of the Koran as a protest in the United States commemorating the September 11 attacks quickly turned into separatist protests against the Indian government in the Muslim-majority province. On September 13, Muslim protesters defied a military-imposed curfew, setting fire to a Christian missionary school and government buildings. At least 13 people were shot dead by police, and one policeman was killed by a thrown rock; at least 113 policemen and 45 protesters were wounded.[8][9]On September 12, a church was burned and a curfew instituted in Punjab.[10] Violence spread into Poonch in the Jammu division, with three protesters shot by police. Protesters burned government buildings and vehicles including the SDM's office, where a gas cylinder exploded inflicting injuries on six persons; the SDPO office; the Forest Department office; the BDO office and two police and five civilian vehicles.[11] Police prevented the burning of a Christian school in Poonch, and another in Mendhar the next day, in clashes leaving four protesters killed, 19 wounded, but dozens of government offices, a police station, and eight vehicles were burned.[12] As of September 16, the Hindustan Times placed the death toll at 90, blaming much of the resentment on the indefinite military curfew, the first in ten years to affect the entire Kashmir Valley, calling the curfew "collective punishment" and writing that after four days, "People are running out of milk, vegetables and baby food. "[13][14] On September 18, after six days, the curfew was relaxed in parts of Srinagar and some other areas for four hours to allow people to buy essentials.[15]
On the night of September 17, a policeman's house was set on fire in Pinjoora village. On September 18, a large procession in Anantnag defied curfew, carrying the body of Maroof Ahmad Nath, who drowned while fleeing police. After "agitating mobs attempted to torch government property", security forces opened fire, killing Noorul Amin Dagga and injuring five. Fayaz Ahmad Naiku of Boatman Colony (Bemina), Srinigar died from injuries received the preceding day.[15] A group stoning and attempting to burn the home of Samajwadi Party leader Fayaz Ahmad Bhat were dispersed by gunfire.[16] A group of men emerging from a mosque were fired on with one killed and four injured in Pattan area. A police spokesman disputed claims that the attack was unprovoked, because a mob tried to block the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway and started heavy stone pelting on security forces.[16] With the death toll now reaching 100, Amnesty International called on Indian security forces not to use gunfire against demonstrators.[17]
On September 15, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh proposed an all-party meeting in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that dialogue was the only way to find lasting peace, and "We are ready for dialogue with anybody or any group that does not espouse or practice violence". Written invitations included Kashmiri separatists Mirwaiz Omer Farooq and Yasin Malik, who had been excluded from a previous all-party meeting in 2008 during the Amarnath land controversy. Members of the 39-member delegation include Home Minister P Chidambaram and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley (BJP), Basudeb Acharia (CPM), Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI), Mulayam Singh Yadav (Samajwadi Party) and Ram Vilas Paswan (Lok Janshakti Party).[18]
Demand of protesters
Reduction of Indian military presence
There are 700,000 troops in Jammu and Kashmir. Protesters demand that the number of troops in the state of Jammu and Kashmir be reduced.
Plebiscite under UN Auspices
According to the separatists India made commitment to the people of Indian Administered Kashmir that the ultimate fate of the people of Indian Administered Kashmir will be decided by them. United Nations Security Council Resolution 47, adopted in 1948, called for a plebiscite to decide the fate of Kashmir. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), an alliance of 26 organizations in Kashmir seeks self-determination according to the UN resolution. Some groups have suggested that a third option of Independence be added to the resolutions two options of union with India or union with Pakistan.[19][20]
Indian viewpoint is succinctly summarized by Ministry of External affairs, Government of India[21][22] — India holds that the Instrument of Accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to India, signed by the Maharaja Hari Singh (erstwhile ruler of the State) on 26 October 1947, was completely valid in terms of the Government of India Act (1935), Indian Independence Act (1947) and international law and was total and irrevocable.[22] The Constituent assembly of Jammu and Kashmir had unanimously ratified the Maharaja's Instrument of Accession to India and had adopted a constitution for the state that called for a perpetual merger of the state with the Union of India. India claims that this body was a representative one, and that its views were those of the Kashmiri people at the time. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1172 tacitly accepts India's stand regarding all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan and urges the need to resolve the dispute through mutual dialogue and does not call for a plebiscite.[23] United Nations Security Council Resolution 47 cannot be implemented since Pakistan failed to withdraw its forces from Kashmir which was the first step in implementing the resolution.[24] Now the resolution is obsolete since the geography and demographics of the region have been permanently altered.[25] The resolution was passed by United Nations Security Council under Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter.[26] Resolutions passed under Chapter VI of UN charter are considered non binding and have no mandatory enforceability as opposed to the resolutions passed under Chapter VII.[27]
References
- ^ Ishfaq Ahmad Shah (2010-06-24). "Hurriyat (G) calls 9-day 'quit JK' campaign". Rising Kashmir. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
- ^ M. Saleem Pandit (2010-06-29). "Kid, youth killed in CRPF firing, Kashmir on boil". The Times of India. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
- ^ "Three Militants Killed As Army Foils Infiltration Bid". Outlook. 2010-04-30. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
- ^ Citizens Appeal on Kashmir (9 July, 2010)
- ^ http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_mob-attacks-jammu-and-kashmir-education-minister-s-house-in-anantnag_1436885
- ^ http://newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/173082
- ^ http://news.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/feb/08/slide-show-1-kashmir-pelting-stones-for-a-price.htm#contentTop
- ^ Reuters/AFP (2010-09-14). "Thirteen killed in Indian Kashmir as Koran desecration protests continue". The Daily Star.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ >> Kashmir clashes lead to deaths
- ^ "After Quran rumour, Punjab church gutted". Times of India. 2010-09-14.
- ^ Shujaat Bukhari (2010-09-16). "3 killed as violence spreads to Poonch". The Hindu.
- ^ Shefali Prabhu (2010-09-16). "Kashmir: Muslims try to burn a Christian school (only in name)".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|Publisher=ignored (|publisher=suggested) (help) - ^ Toufiq Rashid (2010-09-16). "Kashmiris locked up, hurt, humiliated by curfew". Hindustan Times.
- ^ Indo-Asian News Service (2010-09-16). "Fourth day of indefinite curfew in Kashmir, toll 90". Hindustan Times.
- ^ a b "Kashmir toll 97 in 100 days of unrest". Calcutta News. 2010-09-18.
- ^ a b "Kashmir: 2 killed, 19 injured in fresh violence". Indianexpress.com. 2010-09-18.
- ^ "Death toll 100 in Kashmir demonstrations". UPI. 2010-09-18.
- ^ "Kashmir crisis: Hurriyat invited to meet team of MPs". Hindustan Times. 2010-09-18.
- ^ "Right To Self-determination, A Key To Kashmir Solution". Countercurrents.org. 24 February 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
{{cite web}}:|first=missing|last=(help) - ^ Kashmiri-cc.ca on UN Resolution 47 and United Nation resolutions on Kashmir.
- ^ "Ministry of External Affairs, India - Kashmir Issue". Meaindia.nic.in. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ a b "Kashmir: The true story, Ministry of External Affairs, India" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ "Full Text of Resolution 1172" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ Published: 12:00PM BST 24 Sep 2001 (2001-09-24). "A brief history of Kashmir conflict". London: Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Indian Embassy, Washington, D.C. - A Comprehensive note on Jammu & Kashmir". Indianembassy.org. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ "Foreign Minister of Pakistan, on the role of the Security Council in the Pacific Settlement of Disputes". Pakun.org. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ Kashmir policy: an overview by Shamshad Ahmad, Dawn 2004-08-05