Beauty and The Wounds of Kashmir : Paul Barrow

One of Virginia Woolf's well-known quotes, which she wrote in 1929, is that "the beauty of the world has two edges, one of laughter, one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder." Perhaps nothing could be more descriptive of Kashmir. During a visit to Kashmir many years ago, Prime Minister Nehru described what he saw: Like some supremely beautiful woman, whose beauty is almost impersonal and above human desire, such was Kashmir in all its feminine beauty of river and valley and lake and graceful trees. And then another aspect of this magic beauty would come into view, a masculine one, of hard mountains and precipices, and snow-capped peaks and glaciers, and cruel and fierce torrents rushing to the valleys below. It had a hundred faces and innumerable aspects, ever-changing, sometimes smiling, sometimes sad and full of sorrow … I watched this spectacle and sometimes the sheer loveliness of it was overpowering and I felt faint … It seemed to me dreamlike and unreal, like the hopes and desires that fill us and so seldom find fulfilment. It was like the face of the beloved that one sees in a dream and that fades away on wakening. Georges Bataille, the French novelist, has also said, "beauty is desired in order that it may be befouled, not for its own sake, but for the joy brought by the certainty of profaning it." As of its beauty, of its anguish and it's befouling, in Kashmir, there isn't any shortage of evidence. There's been a little brouhaha in India recently over the release of videotape on YouTube of what appear to be Kashmiri men being paraded nude in front of women and chldren by Indian soldiers. Obviously, authorities have protested, called the tape a fraud, and said that it was released merely to embarrass the army. Copies have been removed from Facebook and YouTube. The tape, however, is still available online, The above photo is used as a profile on Facebook by several Kashmiri freedom fighters. Source unknown. and doesn't lie. Fraud, not likely. Embarrassment, yes. Amnesty International has called for an investigation into the incident. It is inconclusive as to how recent it is or exactly where the video was shot, but it has in all likelihood been videotaped by a cellphone, which dates it as fairly recent, and there is language that is used in the tape that is uniquely Kashmiri. It is also clear that it is an operation conducted by an armed force of some kind, and probably CRPF troops. This is a huge crime, not just an embarrassment. This was in fact a sharp-pointed attack upon religious beliefs and sensitivities that has been compared widely among Kashmiris to Abu Ghraib. Another video that is in wide distribution is of a man who has been beaten, is nude from the waist down, and is being carried on the back of another man while he is taunted and threatened with sodomy as another attempts to poke a stick up his anus. The tyranny of one religious culture over another is obviously different from intellectual disagreements within a culture between liberals and conservatives such as in the abortion issue where there are nitpicky debates about which trimester life begins. The question of a victim hasn't left the debate, even if liberals, for the moment, have the upper hand. People have just agreed to shut up about it. Imagine what a bunch of Qur'an-burning American fundamentalists would do. In this case, nobody's agreed to shut up about anything. The extreme quality that sets their differences apart from the usual mainstream kind of politics is as difficult for Americans to comprehend as it is for Kashmiris to understand why no one else seems to give a damn. However, it is a particularly odious basis for dispute, because it creates opportunities for abuse where differences are not merely cultural but religously based, where not only shrines to one's deepest faith get trashed, but all of the little symbols and habits as well that mark those differences. Religiously based terrorism is only one aspect of this problem. Consider this: on August 2, Greater Kashmir reported that in one hospital in Srinigar, out of 31 patients with gunshot wounds, 14 of them were shot in the head. Just a couple of weeks ago, a friend in Kashmir told me that his cousin, 18, was shot that morning along with four other friends while playing carom in the street. One was 25, the rest were younger than my friend's cousin. All of them shot, two in critical condition. They were not engaged in protest of any kind. They were simply playing in the street. A police jeep drove up, two men got out and simply started shooting. Another man ran up and tried to grab the gun of one of the policemen. He was simply pushed away and arrested. There was no curfew at the time, although that is unusual, because curfews have been almost constant since June 11 in which the people cannot leave their homes during daylight hours. Thousands of mass grave sites of unknown victims are everywhere. "BURIED EVIDENCE: Unknown, Unmarked, and Mass Graves in Indian-administered Kashmir a preliminary report" by Dr. Angana Chatterji, Professor, Social and Cultural Anthropology, California Institute of Integral Studies, with others, documents this and says that "The Indian state’s governance of Indian-administered Kashmir requires the use of discipline and death as techniques of social control. The structure of governance affiliated with militarization in Kashmir necessitates dispersed and intense forms of psychosocial regulation. As an established nation-state, India’s objective has been to discipline and assimilate Kashmir into its territory. To do so has required the domestication of Kashmiri peoples through the selective use of discipline and death as regulatory mechanisms. Discipline is affected through military presence, surveillance, punishment, and fear. Death is disbursed through “extrajudicial” means and those authorized by law. Psychosocial control is exercised through the use of death and deception to discipline the living. Discipline rewards forgetting, isolation, and depoliticization." Stories of torture abound. It's been widely reported that soldiers arrest all the men in a neighborhood, and then go back and rape their wives. A very thorough Catalogue of Indian Atrocities in Kashmir documenting some of the abuses in the early 90s was done, and such acts continue without letup. In his introduction, Dr Ayyub Thakur, President of the World Kashmir Freedom Movement, states that "It is common practice for the paramilitary forces to walk into a quiet village/town and start shooting indiscriminately, killing innocent and unarmed civilians - all under the pretence of crack-down operations against the Freedom-Fighters. In most cases, innocent civilians are killed, women gang-raped and properties set on fire." In one case, called the Khanyar Incident, "a peaceful procession carrying the dead bodies of persons killed in Dachhigam incident and those killed at Saidkadal locality were being brought for burial, reciting verses of Holy Quran, [and] the armed forces deployed in the area started indiscriminate firing on the mourners and killed about twenty unarmed civilians and injured more than fifty two persons." Personal accounts reported to me indicate that attacks upon funeral processions and emergency vehicles are also quite common even today. The attack upon a peaceful protest just this past Wednesday leaving more than 80 people injured and many dead is reported to have been unprovoked. This is a war upon a people by a people. This is oppression by its very name. This is a war of dominion. This is a war against popular will. This is a war against religious sentiment. This is a war not only against democracy and against self-rule; this is a war against common decency and consideration, against the right to even be human. This is a war against every possible difference that could be imagined between people. And it is being committed by India against Kashmir. Even more incomprehensible is that its not even really about them. They are but grist in a global mill that churns pure evil. In "A Visit from the Footbinder," a story by Emily Prager, Lao Bing says, "Beauty is the still birth of suffering." I can certainly see the conception; but I'm not sure that I see the child. Paul Barrow is Director of Policy and Communications for United Progressives.

11th August 2OO8 The Bloody Day of Kashmiri Nation

By Er. Bilal Ahmad

“Sincerely supreme sacrifice makes one supreme.”   
Sheikh Aziz 
 (Father of Jehad-e-Kashmir) 

was a supreme. His sacrifice led to a mass uprising which attracted global attention.

In a A symbolic march by Kashmirs to march towards north (Muzaffarabad) when they are harmed in the south (Hindu Jammu) has caused more lives for Kashmiris. It is indeed a shame for human civilization that India continues to be engaged in genocide of Kashmiris. As part of Indian strategy to kill Kashmiris in a sustained manner under different guises, some more Kashmiri Muslims were murdered by India in the background of the Hindus fascist fight for Sri Amarnath illegal land deal. After direct fire on Muzaffarabad marchers, at least eight persons, including a most senior Hurriyat freedom fighting leader of Jammu and Kashmir, Shaikh Abdul Aziz (Father of Jehad-e-Kashmir), were killed as they were marching towards the Line of Control in Baramulla district leader and a boy were killed by Indian security forces in Srinagar district on August 15 a couple of days ahead of Indian independence day.

Following the killing of six protestors including most senior Sheikh Abdul Aziz, the authorities imposed curfew in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir. However, the freedom fighters have reiterated their resolve to continue their mach, come what may. Economic terrorism unleashed by Hindus in Jammu region by blocking the movement of goods between Jammu and Kashmir have caused serious economic problems and this economic terrorism is resented by Kashmirs who have suffered badly and decided to mach to Muzaffarabad to show their anger. Economic terrorism is been used by USA and the Western powers against third world nations, now especially Iran, to cripple their economies. India has thought out similar strategy to make Kashmiris to bend completely and bow down to Indian military dictates. Economic blockade is a crude manifestation of the decades_ old policy of making Kashmir economy fatally dependent on others. Notwithstanding arrests by police in different parts of Kashmir,

Kashmiris in thirty hundred thousands marched towards North Kashmir to participate in the Muzaffarabad March to protest against the economic blockade of the Valley. In North Kashmir, the march to Muzaffarabad commenced from Sopore Fruit Mandi after people defied restrictions. Sopore Fruit Mandi was besieged early morning by police and CRPF men and five trade union leaders were detained and tyres of decorated fruit laden trucks were deflated by the troopers. After arrest of leaders, announcements were made through Public Address System (PAS) asking people to join the Muzaffarabad March_. Thousands of people again joined march with women lined up on roadside yelling pro freedom and pro_Pakistan slogans. They were seen serving water and food packets to the protestors and praying for their safety. After the protestors reached Baramulla, the processionists boarded buses, trucks, scooters to move towards Muzaffarabad. Amidst pro−freedom, pro−Pakistan and anti−India slogans, the protestors, who were led by Huriyat leaders, Sheikh Abdul Aziz and Shabir Ahmad Shah reached chahal, Uri, some 20 kms from Uri. They could not move ahead as the army had dug up trenches to prevent people and vehicles from moving ahead. When the protestors tried to march ahead, they were fired on by the troopers, causing injuring to at least 20 persons including Sheikh Abdul Aziz. Aziz received bullet injury in his abdomen and was rushed to nearby hospital, where from he was referred to SMHS hospital, where he succumbed. Meanwhile, thousands of people were on streets till late night at Sangrama, Delina, Sheeri, Hyderbugh, Zumgum, and Pattan. They were waiting for the sunrise to recommence their _Muzaffarabad March_. There have been thousands of known and unknown Kashmiri martyrs who have laid down their sacred lives in their freedom struggle, much more than what the India had lost dung their independence fight under British rule. Sheikh Abdul Aziz was a pro−Pakistan Kashmiri leaders fighting for the cause of gaining sovereignty back from occupying India. Muzaffarabad is legally a part of Kashmir, now the capital of Azad Kashmir with an independent premier administrated by Pakistan and which would be a part of new Kashmir when it becomes free from Indian military occupation.

Kashmiris have been at the receiving end since their nation was annexed by it neighbor India and hardships are nothing new to them either. Also, now this is not something new to the now fragile economy of Kashmir that it has been subjected to, over the last six decades. The backdrop in which the economy of Kashmir traveled along the time path included a focus on making Kashmir prone to dependency cult, intentionally pursued by New Delhi; priority setting as per the whims of policy planners at New Delhi. The horticulture, floriculture and other commodity sectors have suffered losses that have varied ramifications and most of the growers cannot possibly sustain these losses. These commodities are flooding the already saturated and impoverished local market of Kashmir. The acute hardships faced by people in valley by scarcity of essential commodities, life saving drugs and medicine, even kids_ items, by the economic blockade does call for a new thinking based on self reliance. Of course, now it looks the popular uprising is not going to end until the Kashmirs obtain freedom and independence from India. First of economic terrorism must end followed by state military terrorism. It is noteworthy that in this regard JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yaseen Malik went on a hunger strike unto death but fortunately freedom fighting leaders like Geelani persuaded him to end his long hunger strike. Geelani also reminded him saying, _We differ with the idea of fast unto death as it is not an Islamic way and that we must pray to the almighty for the continuity and eternity of the unity we have showed this time_. Besides, no one will care in India even if entire Muslim community in Kashmir goes on hunger strike until death. India promotes genocide in Kashmir, after all and death of Kashmiris and other Muslims in any manner is welcome to New Delhi. But it is time the Governor of Jammu Kashmir NN Vohra considers recommending to New Delhi to grant independence to Kashmir so that the Kashmiris do not have to stave and die like this and let them live with honor and resources. Any further day in decision−making in favor of Kashmiris could be disastrous for both Kashmiris and India. The Kashmirs do have the efficient leadership, resources and the capacity to govern their own nation in a peaceful manner. About the author: Er. Bilal ahmad can be reached at: bilal2009@gmail.com

FAMILIES OF SLAIN HR DEFENDERS PIN HOPE ON UN RAPPORTEUR

Srinagar, Jan 19: While the United Nations Rapporteur, Margaret Sekaggya is scheduled to visit Kashmir on Wednesday to assess the situation of human rights defenders, justice still eludes the families of several such defenders killed in different incidents in Kashmir in the past two decades, reports GK 18/1.

Pinning hope on the UN Rapporteur, the families of several defenders have shot off letters to Sekaggya to apprise her about their plight.

Fifteen years before, a prominent human rights lawyer Jaleel Andrabi disappeared and was later killed. Justice still eludes his family as the trial of the accused Major Avtar Singh is yet to start, despite repeated directions from a Court to arrest Singh, whose presence in California was confirmed by the United States National Central Bureau (USNCB) of Interpol in 2009.

Disappeared on March 8, 1996, Jaleel’s body was found 19 days after his disappearance. In April, 1997, the Special Investigation Team constituted by the state government to investigate the killing presented its initial findings to the High Court and claimed that one Major Avtar Singh from the 103rd Unit of the Territorial Army and other soldiers were responsible for the abduction and killing of Jaleel. However, the SIT was unable to arrest Singh as they could not trace him.

Talking to Greater Kashmir Jaleel's brother Arshad Andrabi said he had sent a letter to UN Rapporteur seeking justice from the international organization.

He blamed the state government for insincerity to proceed in the matter. “The abnormal delay coupled with inherent defects in the investigation suggests that the government is neither sincere nor interested to pursue the case. They must be waiting for the witnesses to die or be eliminated by the same invisible hands which have manipulated the killing and subsequent cover up of the case for 16 years," he said.

He also talked about a “larger conspiracy” on the part of officers of Army, Intelligence and Police who according to him had worked in tandem before the killing of his brother-Jaleel.

A letter shot by USNCB of Interpol has confirmed that Major Avtar Singh lives in California. However, the US-based agency has asked the Interpol New Delhi to furnish the record of proceedings translated and certified version of conviction record, charge-sheet, and other relevant documents.

In another incident on December 31, 1993, unidentified gunmen kidnapped Dean Faculty of Law Kashmir University Dr Abdul Ahad Wani and took him to a nearby area Sadrabal, Srinagar where he was shot dead. In similar incidents, noted human rights defender H N Wanchoo, advocate Ghulam Qadir Sehlani, Dr Abdul Ahad Guru,  Sheikh Ghulam Rasool Azad (Editor Kashmir Saffron Times), Mushtaq Ahmad Lone Editor, Wehdat-e-Milli), Dr Farooq Ahmad Ashai and Ms Asiya Jeelani were killed.

Reportedly, days after Jaleel’s killing, women human rights defender, Dr Hamida Nayeem went to Geneva to attend a Human Rights Conference. On her return to Valley, she was allegedly harassed and her passport seized by the state government for raising voice against the HR violations.

The Kashmir-based human rights organizations and civil society groups have exuded hope that the UN Special Rapporteur’s visit would help them highlight the crackdown on the human rights defenders.

In the backdrop of last year’s summer unrest in the Valley which left 112 civilians dead in police and paramilitary CRPF action, the UN Rapporteur is to assess the condition of human rights defenders. Officials said Margaret Sekaggya, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, is scheduled to meet top officials of the State including the Home Secretary, Director General of Police besides the civil society and human rights groups.

China shows Aksai Chin as its own

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Beijing, Jan 19 : China today officially launched its state-run mapping website that rivals Google Earth, showing Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin in Jammu and Kashmir -- two key areas of dispute with India --  as part of its territory, K J M VARMA reports in Greater Kashmir 18/1.

The map called ‘Map World’ displayed on the Internet in Chinese language is already being used in I phone and other mobile and Internet user applications in China.

It shows Arunachal Pradesh that China has always claimed as “southern Tibet” as part of its territory. The map makes no specific mention of southern Tibet but it shows China’s borders covered up to Arunachal Pradesh.

Also, the Aksai Chin area, which India asserts as part of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir has been included by the map as part of China’s Xinjiang province. Both areas are part of the border dispute being negotiated between the two countries, which so far have held 14 rounds of talks.

The map, however, displays the Line of Control (LOC) in Kashmir region acknowledging the both sides of the areas respectively under the control of India and Pakistan.

The unresolved border issue has been a simmering issue in Sino-India relations for a long time.
 The issue of Arunachal was in the news again this month after two residents of the state were issued stapled visas by China, a development which observers said could be an indication of a change in Beijing’s policy. China had earlier refused to offer visas to the residents of the state.

However, China reiterated yesterday that its policy that Arunachal Pradesh is a “disputed area” remains “unchanged”.

The online mapping service called MAP WORLD is meant to offer an “authoritative, credible and unified” online mapping service, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Iran exports to Afghanistan up 25%, hit $900m

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TEHRAN, Jan 18:  Iran exported over 900 million dollars worth of goods to Afghanistan in the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year (ended December 21, 2010), report Tehran Times.

The amount shows a 25 increase in comparison to previous year’s figure, IRNA reported. It is estimated that Iran’s exports to Afghanistan will surpass $1.2 billion by the end of the year.

The 3rd meeting of Iran and Afghanistan’s joint economic cooperation commission was held in Tehran in November.

During the meeting the two sides reached agreements to work together closely in the fields of healthcare, cultural heritage, higher education, setting up a joint trade commission, finalizing a preferential tariffs deal, cooperation through free and special economic zones, establishing a joint investment company and boosting customs cooperation.

The two sides also agreed to conduct their trade transactions using the national currencies of both countries and to set up a joint working group to follow up mutual cooperation in the field of transportation.

Construction of renewable and hydroelectric plants was also discussed during the talks.

Kashmiris to observe black day on Jan 26 : APHC

Srinagar, January 16: In northern disputed state of Kashmir, India’s Republic Day on 26th January will be observed as a Black Day to remind the international community that India has trampled over all democratic norms and recognized standards of justice by continuously denying Kashmiris’ inalienable right to self-determination, reports KMS.

Veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani, in a statement in Srinagar today appealed the Kashmiri people to observe complete strike on this day.

The statement also strongly denounced the life imprisonment awarded on Saturday by a Delhi court to six people including two Kashmiris in a false case against them. It said that India after implicating the Kashmiri youth in concocted cases was victimizing them through its biased courts.

Senior APHC leader, Shabbir Ahmed Shah visited Bijbehara and expressed solidarity with the families of the youth who had been martyred by Indian police and troops during the past six months. Talking to the people on the occasion, he said that sacrifices of the Kashmiri martyrs would not be allowed to go waste.

A delegation of Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement after visiting Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu said in a statement that the political detainees were being deprived of sufficient medical and food facilities due to which they had developed various ailments of serious nature.

Indian police arrested six more innocent persons five of them from Nowhatta in Srinagar and one from Navpachchi area of Doda.