Kashmiris mark 1993 massacre

 

Shutters down, deserted streets, and large contingents of security forces patrolling the streets. Twenty years after a heart-wrenching tragedy struck this apple town in North Kashmir, the wounds have not healed yet and memories are still fresh.

Complete shutdown was observed in northern town of Sopore in Indian-administered-Kashmir to mark the 20th anniversary of Sopore massacre, in which 55 Kashmiri civilians were allegedly killed by the Indian security forces on January 6, 1993.

On that fateful day, according to eye witnesses, Indian security forces opened indiscriminate fire on unarmed civilians after a a security personal was killed in an ambush by militants.

A total number of 55 civilians were killed and many more were injured. The families of victims are still waiting for justice, as the judicial inquiry ordered by state government never conducted any probe and perpetrators were never prosecuted.

The memories of that tragedy still haunt the people in this town.

Authorities say the high civilian casualty resulted due to the intense gunbattle between militants and security forces.
However, witnesses say that security forces resorted to unprovoked fire on the civilians, and set ablaze number of residential houses, shops, and vehicles.

Human rights groups have been demanding independent and impartial probe into the incident. They say the authorities are trying to hush-up the case to avoid the embarrassment for security forces involved in it.

Kashmir's human rights activists accuse Indian government of failing to prosecute security forces involved in human rights violations in Kashmir. A rights group recently released a report documenting more than 200 cases and naming 500 Indian security men involved in crimes including enforced disappearance, killings, rape, and torture, who were let off.

However, Indian government says that it is prosecuting the security forces involved in human rights violations. The government has called for zero tolerance regarding human rights abuses in this region.

Life has come to a grinding halt in northern Kashmir to mark the massacre. The incident is known as one of the worst massacres in the history of the disputed region, with its legacy haunting the locals.

Kashmir's oldest pro-independence group starts 'court arrest' campaign

 

Kashmir's oldest pro-independence group Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has found a novel way to protest against the life sentences and death penalties given ot Kashmiri political prisoners by Indian courts. They are courting arrests.

Hundreds of pro-independence activists converged at JKLF's headquarters in the summer capital of Indian administered Kashmir after Friday prayers and started marching towards Srinagar's commercial centre Lal Chowk.

Chanting pro-independence slogans, the protestors demanded the cancellation of life sentences and death penalties awarded to Kashmiri political prisoners by various Indian courts. They urged the international community and Indian civil society to take note of the plight and alleged harassment of Kashmiri prisoners languishing in various jails across India.

Speaking to Press TV, JKLF chairman said Kashmiris made have moved from violent protests to non-violent democratic movement . But India has stepped up the campaign against the dissident political groups.

Formerly a militant outfit, JKLF gave up guns in early 1990s, and pledged to resolve Kashmir dispute through peaceful democratic struggle.

Malik says the government of India is now using its judiciary to take vengeance against pro-independence activists.

Over the course of past 18 months, Indian judicial courts have awarded life imprisonment to several Kashmiri political prisoners.

According to human rights groups, hundreds of Kashmiri political prisoners are suffering in various Indian jails.

Kashmir is a bone of contentions in ties between India and Pakistan and the two countries have fought three wars over this disputed region. India blames Pakistan for supporting separatist rebellion in the Muslim majority territory. According to human right groups more than 70,000 people have lost their lives in conflict in Kashmir since late 1980s.

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Yasin Malik has accused the Indian government of pursuing vengeance against Kashmiri political prisoners. He has filed complaints with various Indian jails and has called on world powers to intervene before it is too late.

Shia Muslims observe Arbaeen in Kashmir

Undeterred by the intense cold, massive mourning processions were held in India-administered Kashmir to commemorate Arbaeen of the martyrs of Karbala.

Thousands of people took part in the processions, reciting soul-stirring elegies and hymns, wearing black dresses and badges, and beating their chests in a spirit of devotion.

Arbaeen marks the fortieth day from Ashura, when the grandson of Holy Prophet, Imam Hussain (AS), was martyred in the desert plains of Karbala in Iraq along with his family and friends 14 centuries ago. Muslims across the globe commemorate the sacrifices each year.

In Kashmir, the only Muslim-majority state in India, Ashura and Arabeen are observed with tremendous fervor and passion. Mourners parade the streets carrying the replicas of Imam Husain’s sepulture in Karbala.

Big banners and billboards are put up on every street, alley and pathway. According to these mourners, the annual commemorations help them re-organize their life around the pristine principles exemplified by Imam Husain and his companions in Karbala.

Volumes have been written to depict the tragedy of Karbala. More than 1400 years have passed but the memories of that great tragedy are still deeply etched in the hearts of people.

The late founder of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini, brilliantly expressed the essential reality, saying that "Every day is Ashura and every place is Karbala."

Ashura and Karbala are symbolic representation that cannot be confined within the boundaries of time and place.

Today, Imam Hussain (A.S) is remembered for the brave sacrifices he made in order to save Islam.

The unyielding stance taken by Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein against the evil in Karbala centuries ago carries an eloquent message that has gripped hearts and minds of people throughout history. These mourners, who have gathered here today to pay tribute to martyrs of Karbala, want to carry the tradition forward.

Kashmir's pro-independence leaders express willingness to talk to India‏

Back from a 10-day visit to Pakistan, a top separatist leader in Indian administered Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has termed the visit as successful.

Mirwaiz has also reiterated his demand that Kashmiris be included as a principle party in the dialogue process between India and Pakistan. 

Addressing media persons at the Hurriyat Conference headquarters in Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar, he said both India and Pakistan need to resolve the deadlock over Kashmir while taking the aspirations of Kashmiri people into consideration. 

Speaking to Press TV, Mirwaiz said Kashmir and Afghanistan are interlinked, adding that India and Pakistan can reach an understanding viz-a-viz Afghanistan, if the Kashmir issue is resolved. 

Addressing a Friday congregation upon his arrival in Kashmir, Mirwaiz warned of an anti-government uprising in 2013 and 2014 if the government of India fails to take the Kashmir issue seriously. 

However, he expressed willingness to engage in meaningful talks and deliberations with New Delhi if it adopts a political approach instead of a military one. 

Mirwaiz said Kashmir is an important party to the dispute and therefore the participation of Kashmiris is a must in the dialogue between the two estranged South Asian neighbors. 

Massive anti-government protests have rocked this disputed region for three consecutive years from 2008 to 2010 in which more than 200 people have been killed and many more injured. 

Even after so many decades, Kashmir continues to be the bone of contention between India and Pakistan and the bitter dispute over this region has hampered the prospects of peace and stability in South Asia. 

Since their independence, India and Pakistan have fought three wars over Kashmir. Various accords, treaties and bilateral negotiations between the two countries have proved to be a futile exercise. 

With over half a million Indian troops, Kashmir is the most militarized zone in the world, even more than Afghanistan and Iraq. 

The much publicized Pakistan visit of pro-independence leaders has been termed successful by Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. 

He believes India must show the spirit and willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve this dispute.

Kashmir’s pickle king to set benchmark

While meandering through the narrow alleyways in Habba Kadal, a buzzing downtown in Kashmir's capital, you come across a pickle shop owned by a man who has beaten the record, by preparing one hundred varieties of these delicious, spicy pickles.

As you step inside the shop, you are greeted by the enticing aroma of spices wafting through the cold December air. 

Haji Ghulam Qadir Sunoo and his pickles are the talk of the town. The buzz around these pickles has spread far and wide, even outside Kashmir. 

Ghulam Qadir Sunoo has much deservedly earned the title Pickle King of Kashmir. He serves a whole range of pickles with wide varieties, each with a different flavor. 

Qadir took to pickle-making business in late 1980s after he suffered heavy losses in transport business. He lost his wife and two children during two decades of conflict in this disputed region. 

Qadir's varieties of pickles include chicken, mutton, vegetable, fish, mango, garlic and cherry. The non-vegetarian ones are hot sellers, particularly during winters. People come to his shop from different regions to relish the delicious pickles. Qadir says that many of his pickles have health benefits and help in preventing many diseases. 

Qadir is planning to add more varieties to the list. 

Experts say that regular eating of different pickles is beneficial for patients suffering from heart diseases, diabetes, high cholesterol, and respiratory problems. 

Known for their distinctive flavor and sophisticated preparation, Ghulam Qadir's pickles have always been in the news. He wants to set a benchmark for new generation of pickle makers in this part of the world. 

Kashmir's ski resort opens for winter sports

Winter is the exciting time to be in Indian-administered Kashmir. Enveloped by dense carpet of snow, most of the hill resorts in this Himalayan region present a delightful picture at this time of year. Winter is also the time for games and sports related activities on high slopes which attract visitors from across the world.

Often described as the 'heartland of winter sports in India', this year again, Gulmarg is being thronged by record number of tourists for the snow festival. 

The week-long festival on the breathtaking slopes of this world-famous picturesque hill resort kicked off on Tuesday, coinciding with Christmas celebrations. 

Gulmarg resort is one of the best ski destinations in Asia. It attracts thousands of visitors and ski lovers from different parts of the world for the week-long sports carnival. 

Among the main attractions this year will be snow cycling, ice skating, sledge race, snow rugby, and night skiing, which is rare in this part of the world. 

Gulmarg offers best slopes for amateur and professional skiers, who weave their magic on ice much to the delight of spectators. 

Situated at an altitude of 2730 meters above sea level, Gulmarg boasts of the world's highest ski lift in the world at dizzying 4,120 meters. 

Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering has also started its skiing courses in which hundreds of students will be trained ever year. 

Gulmarg has been declared the Winter Games Capital of India by Winter Games Federation of India. 

Kashmir's Tourism department is expecting a massive rush of visitors and sports buffs as the festival progresses. 

The people associated with tourism industry are expecting to reap rich dividends from the festival this year. 

Kashmir mass uprising leaves many disabled

Indian-administered Kashmir was rocked by widespread anti government protests between 2008 to 2010, which left more than 200 people dead, most of them youth and many more maimed for life.

Family members of these youth say they face a real challenge as it is extremely difficult to bear the medical expenses. 

18-year-old Mohammad Javed Pathan was hit by a live bullet on his leg. After undergoing seven operations, his leg was finally amputated. 

The only son of his parents, Javed was a promising sportsman. He says the bullet has shattered his dreams for ever. 

Javed's father is a manual labourer. His mother says they are facing lot of hardships to meet Javed's exorbitant medical expenses. 

Javed's is not the isolated case. There are scores of teenagers who have suffered nervous breakdown and have been rendered disabled. 

Yawar Ibrahim was hit by a teargas shell on his head. He is disabled now. He needs someone to feed him and to hold him while walking or going to washroom. He can not speak properly, and vaguely recalls the incident that changed his life forever. 

She says the family has sold out almost everything to bear the expenses. 

Doctors say he will remain paralysed for life from one side of his body, and would even lose the ability to speak. 

Having been rendered disabled for life, the going is getting extremely tough for these victims who suffered critical injuries during the anti-government mass uprising between 2008 and 2010. Families are finding it difficult to bear their exorbitant medical expenses, and no help seems to be coming their way.