Renowned Indian journalist shows mirror to Modi on Kashmir policy

Rebuffing the untrue picture presented by Indian officials on Kashmir situation, a renowned Indian journalist Santosh Bhartiya has shown Indian Prime Minister

Narendra Modi the mirror on his Kashmir policy, summarising that
`the land of Kashmir is with us but the people of Kashmir are not
with us.’
In a letter addressed to Premier Modi, the journalist
encompassed all of his findings during his travel to the valley,
including the brutal killings, use of excessive force, strong anger
in Kashmiri people, raising of Pakistani flags, the disturbance
among the Indian army and mishandling of the Kashmir issue by the
India, particularly the Modi regime.
While writing to his prime minister, Bhartiya was not much
hopeful of any response from his office or even the addressee might
not receive this above 3,400-word letter, so opted to publish it in
the Rising Kashmir newspaper.
He said he was in a state of restlessness after returning from
the Valley. Kashmiris have painful aggression in them against the
Indian system; be it a man of 80 year old or a six-year-old child
and believed this situation would lead them to the disastrous
“massacre” situation.
He said a dangerous misconception was growing in the minds of
the officials of our military troops and security forces that if
anybody who raises the voice against the prevailing system in
Kashmir he or she should be killed to suppress the separatists
movement’, but it is an entirely wrong policy to peruse.
He said what was going on in Kashmir was actually a revolution
of every common man of Kashmir, where a man of 80 to a child of six
raises the slogans of “Freedom and Azadi”.
Calling for correcting the past mistakes committed by India
and balming the people of Kashmir, Santosh Bhartiya said regardless
of creed and age, all Kashmiris believe that a blunder has been done
to the Kashmiris and the system of Kashmir.
“A Kashmiri who does not hold a stone in hand, keeps the stone
in his heart. This revolution has taken a shape of mass-movement
same as the movement of 1942 or JP Movement in which the
contribution of public was more than the leaders,” he said.
Baqr Eid was not celebrated in Kashmir this time. Neither
anyone wore new clothes. Not a single home celebrated Eid. Isn’t
this move of Kashmiris a slap on the faces of the people who talk
aloud and swear upon democracy?
In his letter the journalist quoted Kashmiri people as saying,
” The Valley is bedewed in blood of Kashmiris as more than 10,000
Kashmiris are badly injured by pellet guns; more than 500 have lost
their eyes forever. In such a gloomy atmosphere, “We don’t want to
light up our homes with four bulbs, we don’t feel like and we don’t
want to hurt each other by doing so. We will live by lighting up
with only one bulb.”
The journalist recalled witnessing how people lived on one
bulb light and how young boys piled up the stones on the roads and
the same boys remove those heaps of stone in the evening at six.
He told Modi that during night Kashmiri people slept with the
doubt of pathos that anytime the military and security forces would
enter their homes to pick them up, and they would never ever return
to their homes. Such a situation was never witnessed in our history
not even during the times of British Rule.
Entire generation that was born in 1952 had not seen a single
day of democracy but army, paramilitary forces, bullets, guns, dead
bodies, mass graveyards, disappeared people, torture and mass rapes.
Bhartiya told the prime minister that some people had made him
believe that each person in Kashmir was a Pakistani. In fact, they
say that whatever Indians promised was never respected.
On every tree, on every mobile tower, Pakistani flag swirls in
Kashmir. We inquired about it and people responded by saying that,
“India hates Pakistan. So in order to tease you we swirl Pakistani
flags.”
In order to hurt Indian government, when India looses a
cricket match with Pakistan Kashmiris celebrate even if India loses
a cricket match against New Zealand, Bangladesh, or Sri Lanka
Kashmiris do celebrate. They think that they are able to express
their protest by this way.
“Dearest Modiji, don’t you think that we seriously need to
understand their mentality. If people of Kashmir are not with us
then what are we going to do with bare land of Kashmir. There will
be nothing do business with, no tourism, no love; only our
government will be there followed by our army. People of Kashmir
want to be self-decisive. The only thing Kashmiris say is, “Just ask
us once whether we want to live with India or Pakistan; or want an
independent Kashmir, where there is Pakistan ruled Kashmir, and
Gilgit-Baltistan,” the letter said.

The present situation aroused only due to the failure of last four delegations sent to Kashmir from time to time. Their reports were never made public. No action was taken following these reports.
Bhartiya said Modi has celebrated Diwali amongst Kashmir and promised crores of money-package for Kashmir, but it was never received by the common people there.
Mocking the statements from Indian side, Bhartiya questioned Modi as amid curfew and with no people on roads how Pakistan could give 500 rupee to each stone-pelting boy every day? And was Indian system so helpless or hopeless that it could not catch a single man who distributed these 500-500 rupees to the young boys of Kashmir. This is sheer joke and even Kashmiris mock at us.
The senior journalist also censured Indian media for spreading and exaggerating the communalism in the country. Few of them were blinded by the ambition of becoming the Member of Parliament (MP) that they have forgotten their actual role of a journalist.
He said Modi would be remembered as a ruthless Prime Minister who didn’t bother to stop the massacres, but kept Kashmir intact with India? This will be very painful and bitter history for our coming generations.
Hurriyat is so dominating and powerful in Kashmir that the people strictly abide by their protest calendars.
Santosh Bhartiya seconded Indian corp commander asking the government not to entangle him in political clashes because army was for enemies and not for civilians.
He shared with Modi that every person in Srinagar was praising Atal Bihari Vajpyee for pursuing the policy of dialogue for friendship with Pakistan and remembered as a “masiha” who thought of giving some solution to this conflict.
“And the reason of not trusting you is that you are visiting every country and taking tours around the world; rather you are the only Prime Minister in the world who has visited so many countries in such a short span of time, but your own 60 lakh people back home in Kashmir are saddened and upset with you,” the letter said.
The journalist urged Premier Modi to go to Kashmir and meet people, apprehend the complications and talk to every stakeholder of Kashmir, even to Hurriyat.
Bhartiya, who visited the valley along with other India’s top journalists Ashoke Wankhade and Prof. Abhay Dubey said they actually wept by seeing the bleeding condition of Kashmir.
All the negativity about Kashmiris is actually spread deliberately and intentionally by a group of people in the rest of the country by labeling them as Pakistani-backed-terrorists and that every Kashmiri is a traitor and is against India.
Labelling Kashmir movement with Pakistan is a sheer made-up story and is not true at all.
Recently, there was big hue and cry over Kaveri in Karnataka and Bangalore, but not a single man died and police or army did not shot people. Why there is bloodshed in Kashmir only? Why pellets and bullets are showered in Kashmir only? Why the pellets and bullets are shot above the waist in Kashmir only? Why you need to shoot a six-year-old child? Why a six-year-old child and our own local police are against us?
Santosh Bhartiya asked Modi to free them from the treatment of prejudice and help them from freeing themselves from a fearful and merciless lives they have spend since last 70 years.

Courtesy: APPC

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UN Security Council Resolutions on Jammu & Kashmir

The UN Security Council Resolutions 47 of 21 April 1948, 51 of 3 June 1948, 80 of 14 March 1950, 91 of 30 March 1951, 122 of 24 January 1957 and Resolutions of UN Commission for India and Pakistan of 13 August 1948 and of 5 January 1949 embody the principle that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir would be made in accordance with the will of the people, to join India or Pakistan, expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.

2.         The UN Security Council Resolution 47 of April 21, 1948 is the landmark and most important of these resolutions. All the subsequent resolutions mainly reiterated the principle, laid down in this resolution, of a free and impartial plebiscite to decide whether the State of Jammu & Kashmir should join India or Pakistan. It also establishes the detailed procedure for conducting the plebiscite under the UN auspices. It further sets out the manner of behavior, number and location of Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir (IOK). Its Para 2 (c) states that:

“When the Indian forces have been reduced to the minimum strength mentioned in (a) above, arrange in consultation with the Commission for the stationing of the remaining forces to be carried out in accordance with the following principles:

                                i.            That the presence of troops should not afford any intimidation or appearance of intimidation to the inhabitants of the State;

                             ii.            That as small a number as possible should be retained in forward areas;

                           iii.            That any reserve of troops which may be included in the total strength should be located within their present base area.”

3.         The presence of 700,000 Indian armed forces in IOK, equipped with special powers, is an outrageous violation of Resolution 47.

4.         Resolutions 91 of 30 March 1951 and 122 of 24 January 1957 declare that elections or any other method would not constitute a disposition of the State and reaffirmed that the final disposition of the State could only be determined through a free and fair plebiscite. Therefore, elections in IoK do not alter the internationally recognized disputed status of the State of Jammu & Kashmir.

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Pakistan’s Multi-dimensional Campaign to highlight Indian brutalities in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir

The Government of Pakistan strongly condemned the killing of the innocent people and blatant human rights violations in IoK. The actions taken so far, as a part of the campaign, fall in three categories:

       i.            Highlight the human rights violations by India in the Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, at the international level.

     ii.            Highlight the importance of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute and urgency of addressing the underlying causes.

  iii.            To persuade the international community to prevail upon India to accept the centrality of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute and agree to a dialogue.

To achieve the above, the Government has taken following actions:

10 July 2016:      

·        The Prime Minister issued a strongly worded statement expressing “deep shock” at the killings and deploring the “excessive” and “unlawful” use of force against civilians.

·        Press Release was issued by the Foreign Office condemning Indian brutalities.

11 July 2016:      

·        The Foreign Secretary summoned the Indian High Commissioner and lodged a strong protest condemning killings and human rights violations in IoK.

12 July 2016:      

·        Ambassadors of the permanent members of the Security Council were briefed by the Foreign Secretary.

·        All Pakistani Missions abroad have been instructed to approach the host governments and highlight the human rights violations in the IoK. Our Missions have raised the brutal use of force by the Indian forces with the host governments and local NGOs. They also organized different events on Black Day on 20 July, 2016.

13 July 2016:      

·        The Foreign Secretary briefed the ambassador of the European Union and OIC Contact Group members on Jammu and Kashmir (Azerbaijan, Niger-through Niamey, Saudi Arabia and Turkey)

15 July 2016:      

·        Prime Minister Muhammad presided over a meeting of the Federal Cabinet in Lahore on 15 July, 2016. The Cabinet reviewed the situation in IoK and condemned the human rights violations. The cabinet has decided to observe 20 July, 2016 as a Black Day (inadvertently it was earlier mentioned 19 July i.e. Kashmiris celebrate as Accession Day) in order to draw attention of the international community towards the brutalities and human rights violations being committed by the Indian forces in IoK. 

·        Ambassadors of the African Union and the Middle East were briefed.

·        In line with Cabinet’s decision, the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs wrote letters to the UN Secretary General, President of the Security Council, OIC Secretary General, High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Foreign Ministers of the members of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir (Azerbaijan, Niger, Saudi Arabia and Turkey).

20 July 2016:

·        Kashmir Black Day is observed in the whole country and Pakistan missions abroad.

·        Prime Minister gave a message on Black Day

22 July 2016:

·        Our Permanent Representative in Geneva addressed letters to the Director General WHO and the Director General ICRC.

04 August 2016:

·        The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs has addressed a letter to the President of Medicins Sans Frontiers for the treatment of injured persons.

05 August 2016:

·        The Prime Minister wrote letters to UN Secretary General and the UN Hugh Commissioner on Human Rights on the Indian atrocities in IOK.

06 August, 2016:

·        Through a press statement, the Prime Minister has again called upon the international community to provide medical treatment to the victims of Indian brutalities, especially for eye injuries. The Prime Minister has conveyed Pakistan’s unequivocal support in arranging best available medical facilities to these injured people, anywhere in the world.

·        Pakistan has approached key countries to play their role for the provision of medical treatment especially to victims of pellet guns. 

Role of Parliament:

·        Senate, National Assembly and the Kashmir Committee have adopted resolutions, condemning the killings and brutal use of force in the IoK.

08 August 2016:

·        The Adviser has also written a letter to the Secretary General of Arab League inviting the attention of Arab countries towards the deteriorating situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

11 August 2016:

·        The international community has been called to extend medical help to the injured in IOK.

15 August 2016:

·        The Foreign Secretary invited his Indian counterpart for talks exclusively on Jammu & Kashmir dispute.

19-21 August 2016:

·        The OIC Secretary General visited Pakistan and expressed his unequivocal support to the oppressed people of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. He strongly condemned the Indian brutalities in Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.  

26 August 2016:

·        The Adviser briefed the Ambassadors of P-5 counties and the EU on Indian brutalities in IOK.

27 August 2016:

·        The Prime Minister approved the proposal of sending envoys in important world capitals to highlight the Indian atrocities and to lobby for the Kashmir cause. 

29 August 2016:

·        The Prime Minister wrote a letter to the UN Secretary General and welcomed his offer of good offices and invited him to visit the region at his earliest convenience. The Prime Minister also urged the Secretary General to send a Fact Finding Mission to the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir to investigate the grave violations of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Laws being perpetrated by the Indian forces.

33^rd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva (13 to 30 September 2016):

·        Pakistan forcefully highlighted the grave human rights violations in IoK during the ongoing 33^rd Human Rights Council Session in Geneva.

17 September 2016:

·        The Prime Minister addressed letters to heads of governments/states of permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, France, Russian Federation, UK and the USA) over grave human rights violations in IoK and highlighted the responsibility of the UN Security Council to fulfill its commitment with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

19 September 2016:

·        The OIC Contact Group meeting was held on the sidelines of 71^st UNGA session. Meeting was chaired by the OIC Secretary General and attended by the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Turkish and Azerbaijan Foreign Ministers and senior officials of Saudi Arabia and Niger. The President of AJK and the True Representative of the Kashmiri people also attended the meeting. The meeting expressed deep concern at the grave human rights violations in IoK and expressed complete solidarity with the people of Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir in their valiant struggle.

21 September 2016:

·        The Prime Minister of Pakistan addressed the 71^st session of UN General Assembly on 21^st September, 2016 and presented a very strong case on Jammu & Kashmir dispute in front of the international community and highlighted grave human rights violations being perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

·        The Prime Minister also highlighted the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in all his bilateral meetings in New York and handed over a dossier on grave human rights violations in IoK to UN Secretary General and others

3 October 2016:

·        An All Parties Conference of the Parliamentary Parties was held which reiterated Pakistan’s principled position to continue to support the promised and inalienable right to self-determination of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. The session condemned the Indian brutalities in IoK and reiterated to continue to extend Pakistan’s unflinching political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmir cause.

5 October 2016:

A joint Parliamentary session was held to discuss the grave situation in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. All political parties vowed to extend all cooperation to the Government on Kashmir dispute. The session adopted a resolution condemning the Indian brutalities in IoK and reiterated to continue to extend Pakistan’s unflinching political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmir cause.

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KASHMIR FREEDOM MOVEMENT (CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS)

1846: Kashmir is sold:

The British colonial rulers of India sold Kashmir, including its population, through a deed of sale called the Treaty of Amritsar, to a Hindu warlord who had no roots in the area. This warlord began calling himself the Maharajah of Jammu and Kashmir. His was a particularly brutal regime, memories of which persist to this day. Several mosques were occupied and shut down by his forces. The slaughtering of a cow was declared a crime punishable by death.

1925 to 1947: discrimination against the Muslim majority:

Maharajah Hari Singh continued this policy of discrimination against the Kashmiri population, 94 percent of which is Muslim.

1931: Kashmir's first organized protest:

The people of Kashmir hold their first organized protest against Maharajah Hari Singh's cruelty. The 1931 protest led to the "Quit Kashmir" campaign against the Maharajah in 1946, and eventually to the Azad Kashmir movement which gained momentum a year later.

March 23, 1940: Pakistan Resolution passed:

The Pakistan Resolution is passed at Iqbal Park, Lahore. The resolution demands the establishment of an independent state comprised of all regions in which Muslims are the majority. The letter "K" in the word "Pakistan" represents Kashmir.

July 26, 1946: Azad Kashmir comes into being:

The Muslim Conference adopts the Azad Kashmir Resolution on July 26 1946 calling for the end of autocratic rule in the region. The resolution also claims for Kashmiris the right to elect their own constituent assembly.

June 3, 1947: British accept Pakistan plan:

The British government announces its intention of accepting the demand of Muslims for the independent state of Pakistan. The new nation would be comprised of areas where Muslims are in the majority. All political parties, including the Muslim League (representing Muslims) and the Congress Party (representing Hindus), accept the plan.

August 1947: Kashmiri resistance encounters Maharajah's troops:

The first armed encounter between the Maharajah's troops and insurgent forces occurred in August 1947. At this time, Britain was liquidating its empire in the subcontinent.

August 14, 1947: Pakistan created:

State of Pakistan comes into being

October 25, 1947: Maharajah flees to Jammu:

Faced with a popular revolt against his rule, the Maharajah flees to Jammu on 25th October 1947. Once in Jammu, the Maharajah receives a commitment of military assistance from the Indian government in exchange for his signing the "Instrument of Accession" document.

Lord Mountbatten conditionally accepts the document on behalf of the British Crown and proceeds to outline the conditions for official acceptance in a letter dated 27th October 1947.

"In consistence with their policy that in the case of any (native) state where the issue of accession has been subject of dispute, the question of accession should be decided in accordance with the wishes of the people of the state, it is my government's wish that as soon as law and order have been restored in Kashmir and her soil cleared of the invaders the question of state's accession should be settled by a reference to the people."

November 1, 1947: Kashmir's accession to India is not "bona fide": Jinnah:

Governor General of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah meets Governor General of India, Mountbatten. Jinnah tells Mountbatten that Kashmir's accession to India "was not a bona fide one since it rested on fraud and violence."

November 2, 1947: Kashmiris have a right to determine future: Nehru:

Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in a speech aired on All-India Radio, reaffirmed the Indian Government's commitment to the right of the Kashmiri people to determine their own future through a plebiscite:

"We have declared that the fate of Kashmir is ultimately to be decided by the people. That pledge we have given, and the Maharajah has supported it, not only to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but also to the world. We will not and cannot back out of it. We are prepared when peace and law have been established to have a referendum held under international auspices like the United Nations. We want it to be a fair and just reference to the people and we shall accept their verdict."

The Government of India accepted the "Instrument of accession" conditionally, promising the people of the state and the world at large that "accession" would be final only after the wishes of the people of the state were ascertained upon return of normalcy in the state.

Following this, India moved her forces into Srinagar and a drawn-out fight between Indian forces and the forces of liberation ensued. The forces of Azad Kashmir successfully resisted India's armed intervention and liberated one-third of the State.

January 1948: India brings Kashmir issue to UN Security Council:

Realizing it could not quell the resistance, India brought the issue to the United Nations Security Council in January 1948. The rebel forces had been joined by volunteers from Pakistan and India charged Pakistan with having sent "armed raiders" into the state. It demanded that Pakistan be declared an aggressor in Kashmir. Furthermore, India demanded that Pakistan stop aiding freedom fighters, and allowing the transit of tribesmen into the state.

After acceptance of these demands, coupled with the assurance that all "raiders" were withdrawn, India would allow a plebiscite to be held under impartial auspices to decide Kashmir's future status.

In reply, Pakistan charged India with maneuvering the Maharajah's accession through "fraud and violence" and colluding with a "discredited" ruler in the repression of his people. Pakistan's counter complaint was also coupled with the proposal of a plebiscite under the supervision and control of the United Nations to settle the dispute.

April 21, 1948: UN resolution envisages cease-fire, withdrawals:

The Security Council discussed the question from January until April of 1948. It came to the conclusion that it would be impossible to determine responsibility for the fighting and futile to blame either side. Since both parties desired that the question of accession should be decided through an impartial plebiscite, the council developed proposals based on the common ground between them.

These were embodied in the resolution of 21st April 1948, envisaging a cease-fire, the withdrawal of all outside forces from the state, and a plebiscite under the control of an administrator who would be nominated by the Secretary General. For negotiating the details of the plan, the council constituted a five-member commission known as "United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan," (UNCIP) to implement the resolution.

After the cease-fire, India began efforts to drag the issue down, and under various pretexts tried to stop the UN resolution from being implemented. To this day, India pursues the same plan, and the resolution of 1948 has yet to be realized.

1947 - 48: India, Pakistan at war over Kashmir:

India and Pakistan went to war over Kashmir from 1947-48. All early UN Security Council Resolutions admonished both countries, demanded an immediate cease-fire, which would be followed by a UN-directed plebiscite.

January 24, 1957: UN Security Council reaffirms 1948 resolution:

The Security Council, reaffirming its previous resolution, further declared that any action taken by the Constituent Assembly formed in Kashmir "would not constitute disposition of the state in accordance with the above principles."

February 5, 1964: India fails to keep her promise:

India reneges from her pledge. The Indian representative tells the Security Council, "I wish to make it clear on behalf of my government that in no circumstances we can agree to the holding of a plebiscite in Kashmir." Defense Minister, KirshnanMenon, gives the reason: "Kashmir would vote to join Pakistan and no Indian Government responsible for agreeing to plebiscite would survive.

March 1965: India claims Kashmir:

The Indian Parliament passes a bill declaring Kashmir a province of India.

August 1965: Pakistan accused of sending infiltrators:

India accuses Pakistan of sending infiltrators to Kashmir. Indian forces cross the cease-fire line in Kashmir.

September 6, 1965: India launches attack against Pakistan:

India attacks Pakistan across the international border and tries to capture Pakistan's second largest city, Lahore.

September 23, 1965: calls for an end to hostilities:

The United Nations Security Council arranges a cease-fire.

January 10, 1966: Tashkent agreement signed:

The Soviet Union arranges talks between Pakistan and India. The Tashkent Agreement is signed through the mediating efforts of the Soviet Prime Minister Alexi Kosygin. The agreement reaffirms that the dispute should be settled by peaceful means. The armies are to withdraw to their original positions.

November 1971: attack against East Pakistan:

Indian Army attacks East Pakistan.

December 16, 1971-Bangladesh is established:

Pakistan surrenders East Pakistan to India. India declares East Pakistan as "Bangladesh."

July 2 1972: Simla Agreement signed:

The Simla Agreement between Pakistan and India is signed. Both agree to make efforts toward establishing durable peace by seeking a solution to existing problems, including "a final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir."

1987: a new Kashmiri resistance begins:

The current uprising of the people of Kashmir starts out as a protest against inefficiency, corruption, religious discrimination and Hindu communalism.

January 19, 1990: Kashmir brought under Indian control:

The Indian government brings Kashmir under its direct control. The state legislature is suspended, the government is removed and the former Director General of the Indian Secret Service, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Mr. Jagmohan is appointed governor.

January 20, 1990: hostilities increase:

There are large-scale demonstrations and thirty people are killed by Indian security forces. A curfew is imposed in most cities.

February 25, 1990: support from civil servants:

Government employees join demonstrations.

February 27, 1990: United Nations not allowed in Kashmir:

India refuses to allow any United Nations official to visit Kashmir.

March 2, 1990: Kashmiris shot during Srinagar march:

Forty people are killed when police open fire at a march of more than one million Kashmiris through the streets of Srinagar. Police are ordered to shoot at sight.

March 28, 1990: Refugees flee to Pakistan:

Refugees start pouring into Pakistan from occupied Kashmir.

April 10, 1990: India threatens war:

Prime Minister Singh of India threatens war and says, "we are not going to stop till we have achieved our objectives."

April 14, 1990: military reinforcements in Kashmir:

Indian authorities send military reinforcements to Kashmir.

July 1990: Jammu and Kashmir Disputed Areas Act passed:

Under this act, India's security forces personnel have extraordinary powers over anyone who is suspected of disturbing the peace or harboring militants or arms

November 1992: Amnesty International not allowed into Kashmir:

Amnesty International is barred from going to the Kashmir valley.

January 1-3, 1994: another failure over Kashmir:

Pakistan and India's foreign secretaries fail to narrow differences on Kashmir. Pakistan rules out more talks unless India ends alleged human rights violations in Kashmir.

January 9, 1995: India declares occupied Kashmir "backward":

India declares occupied Jammu and Kashmir territory a "backward" state. It offers tax breaks and concessions to businesses in an attempt to get rid of the Kashmiri freedom movement.

January 14, 1995: Indian intelligence seeks to divide resistance movement:

Unable to crush the Kashmiri struggle for freedom, Indian intelligence agencies increase efforts to exploit sectarian differences among the Mujahideen (the Kashmiri resistance movement).

January 20, 1995: India doesn't want third-party involvement in Kashmir:

India excludes the possibility of third-party involvement in the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. But it says it is prepared to hear from Pakistan directly about how much "elbow room" is necessary to commence talks between the two countries.

May 9, 1995: fire rages through Chrar Sharif:

Hundreds of homes are destroyed on Eid when a fire rages through Chrar Sharif. The Mujahedeen were under siege by the Indian army for two months in this town.

May 12, 1995: anti-India protest in the wake of Chrar Sharif fire:

Anti-India protests overwhelm the Kashmir Valley in the wake of the destruction of the 650-year-old mausoleum of Sheikh NooruddinWali (R.A.) and a mosque next to it. India accuses Pakistan of being behind the destruction of the shrine and issues a strong warning against interference in its internal affairs.

May 18, 1995: APHC rejects offer for talks on Kashmir with India:

The APHC rejects an offer for talks on Kashmir by New Delhi. The organization says it will not enter into any dialogue with New Delhi unless India admits Kashmir is a disputed territory.

July 20, 1995: journalists' kidnapping in Kashmir a sign of media clampdown:

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says the kidnapping of four journalists in Kashmir is only one current example of a complete clampdown on any independent journalism in the area. In its report, On the Razor's Edge, the CPJ also notes the Indian government harasses and intimidates reporters.

November 11, 1995: India launches anti-Pakistan propaganda campaign:

Upset about the media and human rights reports against its campaign of suppression and repression in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, India launches a multi-million dollar propaganda campaign against Pakistan. Pakistan is accused of aiding and abetting "terrorism" in Kashmir using money from the drug trade.

December 23, 1995: APHC seeks intervention of UN, OIC and others:

The APHC seeks the intervention of the United Nations, Organization of the Islamic Conference, Amnesty International and other worldwide human rights bodies to help stop India's destruction of occupied Kashmir.

February 16, 1996: APHC calls for tripartite talks:

Kashmiri groups ask India and Pakistan to begin tripartite talks to end the six-year-old rebellion against New Delhi. The groups say most Muslims in the area support the proposal.

May 5, 1996: Indian Prime Minister makes his first visit to Kashmir:

Indian Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao makes his first visit to Kashmir. He says upcoming general elections in the region could not be foiled by what he described as Pakistani moves toward destabilization.

May 13, 1996: government employees boycott Indian elections:

Over 1.5 million government workers assigned to election duty by Indian authorities strike for 18 days to boycott the electoral process at the call of Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees Confederation.

June 8, 1996: APHC rejects greater autonomy:

The APHC rejects the Indian government's offer of greater autonomy for occupied Kashmir. The organization says the problem cannot be resolved by remaining in India.

August 2, 1996: Gowda tries to sweeten the deal for Kashmir:

HD DeveGowda, Prime Minister of India, reveals a package of economic benefits for Kashmir just before state elections scheduled for the following month. Gowda announces outstanding loans of up to Rs.50, 000 will be waived, Kashmir will receive special assistance of Rs.3.52 billion for developing infrastructure in the state.

September 14, 1996: APHC leadership arrested:

Prior to elections for the state assembly, Indian troops arrest the APHC's entire leadership.

September 16, 1996: sham elections held in Kashmir:

Widespread coercion of voters by the Indian forces takes place during the second phase of the state assembly elections in occupied Kashmir.

A BBC correspondent, who saw many constituencies, said in some places the Indian army broadcast messages from mosques telling people to come out to vote. In other places, people complained they were coerced into voting.

Journalists also reported seeing buses and trucks commanded by the region's paramilitary forces bringing out reluctant voters.

March 3, 1997: Mujahedeen reject carving up Kashmir:

Kashmiri Mujahedeen reject the carving up of Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

"The proposal for any kind of division of the state can never be accepted by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and we will always oppose it," says Shabir Ahmed Shah, a Kashmiri leader.

March 28, 1997: India and Pakistan begin negotiations:

Pakistan's Foreign Secretary, Shamshad Ahmed, and India's Foreign Secretary, Salman Haider, meet at the negotiating table for the first time in three years. The issue of Kashmir is high on the agenda.

March 31, 1997: talks look hopeful:

Pakistan and India end four days of talks aimed at reducing tension and agree to meet again in Islamabad.

April 22, 1997: change in government elicits cautious reaction in Kashmir:

The people in Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir react cautiously over the change of government in India.

May 12, 1997: India and Pakistan meet again:

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral agree to establish joint working groups to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries since 1947.

June 22, 1997: India and Pakistan reach an agreement:

Pakistan and India agree to establish a mechanism for enduring dialogue on issues between the two countries.

June 23, 1997: Kashmir is one of eight major issues:

Pakistan and India pinpoint eight issues to be discussed in future talks including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. However, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says the country maintains its stand on Kashmir.

June 25, 1997: India says Kashmir is not a "disputed territory":

At the conclusion of a second round of talks in Islamabad, India rejects Pakistan's assertion that Jammu and Kashmir is a "disputed territory."

Indian Foreign Minister, Salman Haider, says India will not discuss the status of Indian-held Kashmir with Pakistan. He says if anything is to be discussed it will be "Pakistan-held" Kashmir and northern areas illegally annexed by Pakistan.

July 26, 1997: Indian Prime Minister Gujral warns army:

At the beginning of a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, India's Prime Minister, Inder Kumar Gujral, warns Indian soldiers in occupied Kashmir against committing human rights abuses. He offers to hold unconditional talks with Kashmiri Mujahedeen groups to end seven long years of violence in the region.

July 27, 1997: Gujral does a turnaround:

In a turnaround from the previous day's statement, Indian Prime Minister, Inder Kumar Gujral, says that Kashmir's freedom fighters would have to surrender their arms before peace talks with the government could begin.

August 10, 1997: increase in reports of harassment of Kashmiri women:

Reports are coming through of Kashmiri women and girls being arrested, tortured and raped. The chairperson of the Indian Commission for Women, Dr. MohiniGiri, said Kashmiri women were being treated in the most inhumane way all over Kashmir.

September 27, 1997: India renews armed forces laws:

India directs the state government in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir to renew two special laws. These laws give a free hand and immunity to the armed forces. The Special Powers Act and the Disturbed Areas Act originally came into effect in 1990 and were to expire in early October.

October 12, 1997: rioting after Jami Mosque desecration:

Angry anti-India demonstrations are sparked by the desecration of the historic Jamia Mosque in Srinagar by Indian troops. They besieged the mosque, entered it wearing their boots and carried out an extensive search for three hours.

February 8, 1998: fear over "Kashaf commandos":

The APHC's executive committee expresses grave concern over the formation of a secret force, the "Kashaf commandos," by Indian forces. The newly formed force creates dissension among the Kashmiri Mujahideen and fans the flames of communal violence by killing members of the Hindu minority in Muslim majority areas and then blaming the Mujahideen for the actions.

March 19, 1998: Governor confesses India's human rights violations:

The governor of Jammu and Kashmir, KV Krishna Rao, confesses that Indian forces were responsible for massacre of Kashmiri people on several occasions and that he felt deeply for these human rights violations.

April 2, 1998: Pakistan accused of fomenting war in Kashmir:

India's new Hindu nationalist government accuses Pakistan of helping Kashmiri separatists and warns it is ready to respond to the "proxy war" in Kashmir.

April 10, 1998: Pakistan and India should "go the extra mile":

United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Bill Richardson, urges Pakistan and India to "go the extra mile" and hold a dialogue on Kashmir and other issues in order to stop the nuclear missile race in the area.

April 22, 1998: appointment of new Kashmir governor:

The BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) government appoints GirshSaxena as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. The appointment is resented by human rights activists and intellectuals who demanded a senior politician close to Kashmir be sent as governor.

May 24, 1998: major offensive against Mujahedeen:

Kashmir's Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, says India will launch a major offensive against "foreign" fighters in the northern state of Kashmir and that the Indian government is ready to "flush" the Mujahedeen out of the state.

May 26, 1998: Indian troops and Mujahedeen clash:

In Indian-occupied Kashmir, Mujahedeen clash with Indian troops in the Keri, Rajauri area.

May 30, 1998: India responds to nuclear testing:

In response to Pakistan's nuclear testing, India warns Islamabad about Kashmir. Indian Prime Minister AtalBehari Vajpayee says while India was ready to talk to Pakistan it should harbor no ambitions towards capturing Kashmir. Pakistan says it is prepared to have a non-aggression pact with India on the basis of just settlement of the Kashmir issue.

June 6, 1998: Pakistan proposes Kashmir resolution and a halt to nuclear arms buildup:

Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, proposes talks between Islamabad and New Delhi to stop the South Asian arms race and urges the international community to help resolve the issue of Kashmir.

August 1, 1998: "massive" joint operations against Mujahedeen:

India's Home Minister, L.K. Advani, says more forces are being sent to Indian-occupied Kashmir for "massive" joint operations. He said this is due to the fact that the Kashmiri Mujahedeen have intensified their efforts in the valley for the last many months.

August 19, 1998: Vajpayee wants new talks:

India's Prime Minister, AtalBehari Vajpayee, offers talks with Pakistan. However, he says the dialogue has to be comprehensive and not just focused on Kashmir.

August 26, 1998: India bans Britannica CD-ROM:

India bans importation of Encyclopedia Britannica on CD-ROM because it shows Kashmir as a disputed territory.

August 29, 1998: Nelson Mandela's involvement in Kashmir issue urged: The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) calls on South African President, Nelson Mandela, to persuade Pakistani and Indian teams attending a Non-Aligned Movement meeting to solve the Kashmir issue in a peaceful, democratic and permanent manner.

September 2,1998: NAM calls for resolution of Kashmir dispute:

For the first time in history, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) calls for a peaceful resolution of the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir. Nelson Mandela, who chaired the 12th NAM summit, says everyone should hope the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is solved through peaceful negotiations and everyone should be willing to help resolve the matter.

Indian Prime Minister AtalBehari Vajpayee says "third parties" should stay out of the Kashmir dispute.

September 23, 1998: Pakistan and India agree to resume Kashmir talks:

Pakistan and India agree to resume stalled dialogue on Kashmir and other security issues.

October 18, 1998: no agreement between India and Pakistan:

The first diplomatic talks between the two countries since nuclear testing was conducted by the two in May, end in Islamabad. There is no agreement on how to ease tensions in the area.

May 26, 1999: India launches air strikes against Mujahedeen in Kargil:

After three weeks of "intense skirmishes" between India and Pakistan, India launches air strikes to "flush out" Mujahedeen on its side of a Kashmir cease-fire line. India claims up to 680 "Afghan militants," backed by Pakistan, have invaded high ridges and another 400 are waiting to cross over to the Indian side of the Line of Control. Pakistan calls the air strikes "very, very serious" and puts its troops on high alert. India and Pakistan agree to hold talks over Kashmir in the first sign that the two sides might be trying to defuse escalating tensions.

June 1999: Kashmir peace hope flounders:

As India promises to continue ground and air strikes against infiltrators, a senior Indian minister warns there is little point in peace talks with Pakistan. But after some time, talks on Kashmir are confirmed. Pakistan and India fix a date for their first significant attempt to defuse the tension over Kashmir.

However, India continues its assault on suspected infiltrators holed up in the Himalayas with fresh air strikes, ahead of talks with Pakistan. India and Pakistan end their talks on the fierce fighting in Kashmir without agreement on how to halt the conflict. India presses ahead with its military offensive a day after US President Clinton asks Pakistan to persuade them to pull out.

July 1999: Clinton urges India-Pakistan talks:

India announces it has taken the key Tiger Hill peak following an all-out assault. Mujahedeen fighters are reported to be leaving the mountains of Indian-occupied Kashmir as both Pakistan and India claim victory in the two-month conflict. As fighting in the territory dies down, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appeals for a permanent settlement of the Kashmir dispute.

February 2000: US President makes statement:

President Bill Clinton says he would be happy to mediate between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir conflict -- if asked.

March 2000: killings in mosque:

Indian troops in kashmir kill three separatists in a mosque near the border town of Handwara. In the same month, 36 Sikhs are massacred in the village of Chattisinghpora.

July 2000: India celebrates Kargil "victory":

India holds special ceremonies to mark the first anniversary of its "victory" in the Kargil conflict with Pakistan.

August 2000: more negotiations:

The Indian government and Mujahedeen commanders prepare for a round of peace talks.

November 2000: call for Muslim nations to cut ties with India:

A leading separatist, Syed Salahuddin, calls on Muslim nations to cut diplomatic and economic ties with India. At the same time, Kashmiri leaders call on India to recognize the territory as disputed and to hold talks with Pakistan and Kashmiri leaders.

June 2001: fresh talks:

A new round of talks are slated to begin between India and Pakistan on the issue of Kashmir.

July 2001: Agra Summit:

Indian Prime Minister, AtalBehari Vajpayee, and Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf, meet in Agra, India for a summit on relations between the two nations.

2009 Kashmir protests

In 2009, protests started over the alleged rape and murder of two young women in Shopian in South Kashmir. Suspicion pointed towards the police as the perpetrators. A judicial enquiry by a retired High Court official confirmed the suspicion, but a CBI enquiry reversed their conclusion. This gave fresh impetus to popular agitation against India. Significantly, the unity between the separatist parties was lacking this time

October 2014

In October 2014, Indian and Pakistani troops traded gunfire over their border in the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir, killing at least four civilians and worsening tensions between the longtime rivals, officials on both sides have said. The small-arms and mortar exchanges – which Indian officials called the worst violation of a 2003 ceasefire – left 18 civilians wounded in India and another three in Pakistan. Tens of thousands of people fled their homes on both sides after the violence erupted on 5^thOctober. Official reports state that nine civilians in Pakistan and seven in India were killed in three nights of fighting.

July 2016Kashmir unrest

On 8 July 2016, a popular militant leader BurhanMuzaffarWani was cornered by the security forces and killed. Following his death, protests and demonstrations have taken root leading to an "amplified instability" in the Kashmir valley. Curfews have been imposed in all 10 districts of Kashmir and over 40 civilians died and over 2000 injured in clashes with the police.More than 600 have pellet injuries who may lose their eyesight. To prevent volatile rumors, cellphone and internet services have been blocked, and newspapers have also been restricted in many parts of the state.

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