Escalating Repression in IIOJK: APHC Condemnation of Killings and Mass Arrests

The ongoing human rights crisis in IIOJK has escalated, drawing strong condemnation from pro-freedom organizations and fueling international concerns.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and various other pro-freedom groups have vehemently condemned the extrajudicial killings of two innocent civilians in Baramulla and Kathua districts. These incidents have sparked outrage and added to the already tense situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Alongside these killings, pro-freedom organizations have also condemned the mass arrests of Kashmiri youth by Indian military forces, shedding light on the rising pattern of human rights violations in the region.

Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas, the spokesman for APHC, along with representatives from Jammu Kashmir Muslim League, Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, and other organizations, addressed these grave concerns. They highlighted the alarming increase in extrajudicial killings, fake encounters, and arbitrary arrests in recent years. These actions, they claim, are intended to intimidate the Kashmiri population and disrupt their unwavering struggle for freedom.

The pro-freedom groups have raised the alarm over the Indian government’s increasing repression under the BJP-led administration. They note that Indian military and paramilitary forces have been granted unchecked powers, further exacerbating the systematic oppression of the Kashmiri people. The situation has transformed IIOJK into what many are calling an “open-air prison,” with young individuals detained on fabricated charges and subjected to torture in undisclosed jails and interrogation centers.

The recent wave of mass arrests has only added to the prevailing sense of terror. Over 500 young people have been illegally detained in recent days as a part of widespread cordon and search operations across IIOJK. These arrests are not only intended to instill fear in the families of the detained but also to terrorize the broader Kashmiri population. The intent, according to the organizations, is to suppress the region’s political dissent and break the resolve of the people fighting for their rightful freedom.

Despite facing such extreme repression, the APHC and allied groups emphasize that India’s brutal tactics are ultimately futile. They argue that New Delhi has failed to crush the determined spirit of the Kashmiri people, who continue their demand for self-determination and freedom, regardless of the force used against them.

In light of the extrajudicial killings, the organizations have demanded an immediate investigation into the deaths of the civilians in Baramulla and Kathua. They call for those responsible within the Indian forces to be held accountable for their actions. Furthermore, the groups have demanded the immediate release of all unlawfully detained Kashmiri youth, calling for an end to the terror and repression that has gripped the region.

On a global scale, these organizations urge the international community to take notice of the worsening human rights crisis in IIOJK. They advocate for global powers to address the ongoing violations and to seek a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute, which has long been at the heart of regional instability.

The situation in IIOJK continues to spiral, and it’s clear that the need for a resolution has never been more urgent. The international community must act to protect the rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people.