CAMPAIGN: Fast to support human rights of Kashmiri people
Dr Sandeep Pandey, National Convenor
National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM)

FAST TO SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS OF KASHMIRI PEOPLE

January 30, 2006
10am to 4:30pm
Rajghat, New Delhi

A one day fast is being organized at Rajghat, New Delhi
on 30^th January, 2006 from 10 am to 4:30 pm in support of the human
rights of citizens from Kashmir. Whereas the Government of India and
almost every political party in India very assertively claims Kashmir to
be an integral part of India, when it comes to trusting them as equal
citizens, the Government and political parties of India are less than
generous towards the people of Kashmir. Immediately after every
terrorist attack, even before a full enquiry has been made, a J&K link
is publicized, with mass media becoming a pliable instrument in the
hands of the State, and views of common public are further biased
towards people of Kashmir. In some cases, the most notable example being the implication of S.A.R. Geelani in the Parliament attack case, we have seen how cases are fabricated against Kashmiris. Kashmiris face human rights violations not only inside Kashmir at the hands of the police,
the military and militants but also outside Kashmir. Kashmiris are looked at with suspicion and often subjected to humiliating questioning. The Kashmiris living in a place like New Delhi are routinely harassed before every 15^th August and 26^th January and these occasions become a good excuse for extortions from them. Kashmiris have difficulty in obtaining a house on rent, getting admission for their children to schools, buying
vehicles, etc.

There is the more serious issue of disappearance of thousands of
people, especially youth, from Kashmir. Custodial killings are also very
common in Kashmir. Just like in the North-East,the military does not
have to keep a record of firings in Jammu & Kashmir as well. As a first
step towards bringing normalcy to Jammu & Kashmir, the military must be
held accountable.

It is to defend the human rights of the people of Jammu & Kashmir
that this fast is being organized. We believe that India and Pakistan
have to find a political solution to the satisfaction of people of Jammu
& Kashmir as soon as possible so that the troubles faced by Kashmiri
people inside and outside of Kashmir must come to an end permanently.

Asha Parivar, National Alliance of People’s Movements, INSAF, PEACE, Lok
Raj Sangathan, Association for India’s Development, Nature Human Centric People’s Movement

Contact: Faisal Khan, 9313106745, Mayank Singh, 9818361619, Sandeep
Singh, 9868413332, Kaushal Kishore, 9810405050, Rajeshwar 9871602612
Email: aid_rajeshwar yahoo.com