Remembering the Kupwara Massacre in IIOJK: 31 Years of Justice Denied

Thirty-one years later, the sounds of gunfire still resonate in the hearts of those who lost loved ones in the brutal Kupwara massacre, yet justice remains a distant dream for the victims and their families.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has paid heartfelt tributes to the victims of the 1994 Kupwara massacre, marking its 31st martyrdom anniversary today in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). On this day, Indian forces brutally killed 27 innocent Kashmiris as a retaliatory measure for observing a shutdown during India’s Republic Day on January 26.

In a statement released in Srinagar, APHC spokesperson Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas condemned the massacre and highlighted the continued lack of accountability for the Indian forces responsible. Minhas appealed to international human rights organizations to step up their efforts in seeking justice for the victims. He stressed that the sacrifices of the martyrs would never be forgotten and vowed that the peaceful struggle for self-determination in IIOJK would persist, no matter the challenges.

The tragic incident occurred when the people of Kupwara took part in a shutdown to express their resistance to Indian rule, coinciding with Republic Day celebrations. Local accounts suggest that the day before the massacre, an Indian army officer had warned shopkeepers to attend Republic Day celebrations at a nearby camp. When the shopkeepers refused and resumed their work the next day, Indian soldiers arrived in trucks, indiscriminately opening fire on the crowd. The brutal attack left 27 people dead and many more injured.

Despite the passage of over three decades, the families of the victims still seek justice. No significant action has been taken to hold the perpetrators accountable, and the wounds of the massacre remain fresh in the collective memory of the people of IIOJK.

The annual commemoration in Kupwara included visits to the Martyrs’ Graveyard, where locals offered prayers for the victims of the massacre and other Kashmiri martyrs. The solemn occasion served as a reminder that the fight for justice continues, with no end in sight. Advocate Minhas’ statement reiterates the need for a global response to the atrocities committed in IIOJK, urging international bodies to address human rights violations in the region.

Despite the overwhelming evidence of brutalities committed by Indian forces, the quest for justice has been met with indifference by the international community. As time passes, it becomes even more evident that the people of IIOJK are not only fighting for justice for their fallen comrades but also for the realization of their long-sought right to self-determination.

The 31st martyrdom anniversary of the Kupwara massacre serves as a stark reminder of the unaddressed injustices faced by the people of IIOJK. While the world watches in silence, the people of IIOJK continue their struggle, unyielding in their demand for accountability, justice, and the recognition of their rights.