2010 Kashmir unrest

The three regions: Jammu(Blue outside brown boundary), the Kashmir valley(Blue inside brown boundary) and Ladakh(Pink). The Muslim dominated Kashmir Valley was the area which saw most of the protests.

The 2010 Kashmir unrest was a series of protests in the Muslim majority Kashmir Valley in Indian Administered Kashmir which started in June 2010. These protests occurred in response to a civil disobedience movement launched by Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in Indian Administered Kashmir in June 2010, who called for the complete demilitarization of Jammu and Kashmir. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference made this call to protest, citing human rights abuses by Indian troops.^[1] Protesters shouting pro-independence slogans, defied curfew, attacked security forces with stones and burnt police vehicles and government buildings.^[2][3] The protests started out as anti India protests but later were also targeted against the United States following the 2010 Qur'an-burning controversy.^[4] The Jammu and Kashmir Police and Indian Para-military forces fired live ammunition on the protesters, resulting in 112 deaths, including many teenagers. The protests subsided after the Indian government announced a package of measures aimed at defusing the tensions in September 2010.^[5] In spite of pressure from Hurriyat conference to not accept any compensation from Indian government nearly all of the families of the dead accepted the money offered by the Government of India.^[6]

Background

Main article: Kashmir conflict

On April 30, 2010, the Indian Army claimed to have foiled an infiltration bid from across the Line of Control, at Machil Sector in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir by killing three armed militants from Pakistan.^[7] However, it was subsequently established that the encounter had been staged and that the three alleged militants were in fact civilians of Rafiabad area, who had been lured to the army camp by promising them jobs as “porters” for the Army, and then shot in cold blood, in order to claim a cash award.^[8]

On June 11, there were protests against these killings in the downtown area of Srinagar. Police used massive force to disperse the protesting youth during which a teargas bullet killed a seventeen year old Tufail Ahmad Mattoo who was playing cricket in Gani memorial Stadium.^[9] Several protest marches were organized across the Valley in response to the killings which were met with indiscriminate firing by the security forces deployed in the region.^[10] Thereafter a vicious circle was set, killing of a boy was followed by protest demonstrations and clashes with police and CRPF in which another boy was killed which led to anther protest by the boys till several youth lost their lives.^[11]

However, Indian intelligence agencies claimed that these protests and demonstrations were part of covert operations of Pakistani intelligence agencies and were sponsored and supported from them. Media reports earlier in march had suggested that with the support of its intelligence agencies Pakistan has been once again 'boosting' Kashmir militants and recruitment of 'martyrs' in Pakistani state of Punjab.^[12] It was reported that in a meeting held in Muzaffarabad in mid January 2010 which was chaired by former Inter-Services Intelligence chief Hamid Gul, United Jihad Council called for reinvigorated jihad until Kashmir was free of "Indian occupation".^[12] In May 2010 increased activities of militants was reported from across the border in Neelum valley in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The locals reported that large numbers of militants had set up camps in the area with plans of crossing into the Kashmir valley, and they did not appear to be Kashmiri.^[13]

Demands of protesters

There are about 700,000 Indian troops and paramilitaries in Jammu and Kashmir in response to the militancy in the state which started in 1989.^[14] Protesters demanded that the number of troops in the state of Jammu and Kashmir be reduced. In addition many protesters shouted pro independence slogans demanding Indian forces 'Quit Kashmir'.^[3]

Indian Government's position

Indian government considers Kashmir an integral part of India. Indian viewpoint is succinctly summarized by Ministry of External affairs, Government of India^[15][16] India holds that the Instrument of Accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to India, signed by the Maharaja Hari Singh (erstwhile ruler of the State) on 26 October 1947, was completely valid in terms of the Government of India Act (1935), Indian Independence Act (1947) and international law and was total and irrevocable.^[16] The Constituent assembly of Jammu and Kashmir had unanimously ratified the Maharaja's Instrument of Accession to India and had adopted a constitution for the state that called for a perpetual merger of the state with the Union of India. India claims that this body was a representative one, and that its views were those of the Kashmiri people at the time. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1172 tacitly accepts India's stand regarding all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan and urges the need to resolve the dispute through mutual dialogue and does not call for a plebiscite.^[17] United Nations Security Council Resolution 47 cannot be implemented since Pakistan failed to withdraw its forces from Kashmir which was the first step in implementing the resolution.^[18] Now the resolution is obsolete since the geography and demographics of the region have been permanently altered.^[19] The resolution was passed by United Nations Security Council under Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter.^[20] Resolutions passed under Chapter VI of UN charter are considered non binding and have no mandatory enforceability as opposed to the resolutions passed under Chapter VII.^[21]

Protest and violence

On June 11, Tufail Ahmad Mattoo a 17 year old student died after being hit in the head by a tear gas shell. He was called a martyr immediately and buried in the Martyrs graveyard against his families wishes. His death proved to be a catalyst and subsequently stone throwing mobs confronted the police almost daily. A vicious circle was set, killing of a person was followed by protest demonstrations and clashes with police and Central Reserve Police Force in which another person was killed which led to another protest till more lost their lives and hundreds of security personnel were injured.^[22] Local residents maintained the protest was peaceful and clashes only erupted after the shooting.^[23]

Stone Pelting

The unruly mob pelted stones at the security force and destroyed public property in response to the security forces used live ammunition in some cases resulting in death of some of the protesters.^[24] The protesters were accused by the government of using a stone pelting as a violent mean of creating chaos. Security forces cited stone pelting as a reason for their firing in retaliation as many security force member were hurt by this act.

To prevent the protests Indian authorities imposed curfew in Srinagar and other towns in the valley. In August, the government responded by imposing curfews in the disturbed areas and by deploying Rapid Action Force (RAF) in the Srinagar valley to control demonstrations.^[25] Protesters, however, defied curfew and also pelted stones on the police and paramilitary personnel. Some people even pelted stones on a police post at Pothkhak in Sopore.

September protests

Protests in Kashmir escalated over several days, as demonstrations against public burning of the Koran as a protest in the United States commemorating the September 11 attacks quickly turned into separatist protests against the Indian government in the Muslim-majority province. On September 13, Muslim protesters defied a curfew, setting fire to a Christian missionary school and government buildings. At least 13 people were shot dead by police, and one policeman was killed by a thrown rock; at least 113 policemen and 45 protesters were wounded.^[26][27] On September 12, a church was burned and a curfew instituted in Punjab.^[28] Violence spread into Poonch in the Jammu division, with three protesters shot by police. Protesters burned government buildings and vehicles including the SDM's office, where a gas cylinder exploded inflicting injuries on six persons; the SDPO office; the Forest Department office; the BDO office and two police and five civilian vehicles.^[29] Police prevented the burning of a Christian school in Poonch, and another in Mendhar the next day, in clashes leaving four protesters killed, 19 wounded, but dozens of government offices, a police station, and eight vehicles were burned.^[30] As of September 16, the Hindustan Times placed the death toll at 90, blaming much of the resentment on the indefinite military curfew, the first in ten years to affect the entire Kashmir Valley, calling the curfew "collective punishment" and writing that after four days, "People are running out of milk, vegetables and baby food. "^[31][32] On September 18, after six days, the curfew was relaxed in parts of Srinagar and some other areas for four hours to allow people to buy essentials.^[33]

On the night of September 17, a policeman's house was set on fire in Pinjoora village. On September 18, a large procession in Anantnag defied curfew, carrying the body of Maroof Ahmad Nath, who drowned while fleeing police. After "agitating mobs attempted to torch government property", security forces opened fire, killing Noorul Amin Dagga and injuring five. Fayaz Ahmad Naiku of Boatman Colony (Bemina), Srinigar died from injuries received the preceding day.^[33] A group stoning and attempting to burn the home of Samajwadi Party leader Fayaz Ahmad Bhat were dispersed by gunfire.^[34] A group of men emerging from a mosque were fired on with one killed and four injured in Pattan area. A police spokesman disputed claims that the attack was unprovoked, because a mob tried to block the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway and started heavy stone pelting on security forces.^[34]

Criticism of security forces

Amnesty International called on Indian security forces not to use gunfire against demonstrators.^[35] Prime minister of India Manmohan Singh expressing concern over the deaths asked for revisiting operating procedures and "non-lethal, yet effective and more focussed" crowd control measures to deal with the protesters.^[36]

Criticism of the protests

In response to the unrest in Kashmir, Kashmiri Pandits met with Indian finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and asked that there be no dilution of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA). Their leader Ramesh Manvati belonging to Panun Kashmir said "The security forces must be provided the constitutional protection as they are playing crucial role in preservation of the country's sovereignty."^[37] the Kashmiri Pandits also staged a dharna in Jammu stating that no solution of the problem was possible without including them in the dialogue.^[38]

Indian Home minister P. Chidambaram hinted at Pakistan's involvement in the unrest saying that "It is possible that they believe that relying upon civilian unrest will pay them better dividends. But I am confident if we are able to win the hearts and minds of the people ... those designs can be foiled."^[39]

Condemning the protests Farooq Abdullah president of the largest political party in Kashmir Jammu & Kashmir National Conference stated that Kashmir has been and will always remain a part of India. He however demanded withdrawal of AFSPA.^[40] Chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah has also called for withdrawal of AFSPA. However the leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party opposed the withdrawal of AFSPA and the party spokesman said that BJP saw the hand of Inter-Services Intelligence behind the protests.^[41]

Yasin Malik leader of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front criticized Pakistani militants of subverting the indigenous movement.^[42]

Response of Indian Government

On September 15, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh proposed an all-party meeting in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that dialogue was the only way to find lasting peace, and "We are ready for dialogue with anybody or any group that does not espouse or practice violence". Written invitations included Kashmiri separatists Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, who had been excluded from a previous all-party meeting in 2008 during the Amarnath land transfer controversy. Members of the 39-member delegation include Home Minister P Chidambaram and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley (BJP), Basudeb Acharia (CPM), Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI), Mulayam Singh Yadav (Samajwadi Party) and Ram Vilas Paswan (Lok Janshakti Party).^[43] The delegation subsequently visited Kashmir.^[44] Following this visit Indian government announced several measures to defuse the tensions. The measures included release of all the students arrested during the protests, reopening of schools, discussions on reducing the number of security forces in Kashmir and appointment of a group to begin sustained dialogue with the Kashmiris.^[45] In addition financial compensation of $ 11,000 to the families of each of those killed was announced.^[46] All but one of the 110 families accepted the compensation in spite of calls by the Hurriyat Conference and social pressure on families to reject the money from Government of India.^[6]

References

1. ^ Hurriyat (G) Launches 'Quit Kashmir' Stir With Hartal
2. ^ Yardley, Jim; Kumar, Hari (11 September 2010). "Buildings Are Set Ablaze During Protests in Kashmir". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/world/asia/12kashmir.html. Retrieved 28 September 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Pohlgren, Lydia (4 August 2010). "Kashmiris Storm the Street, Defying Curfew". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/world/asia/05kashmir.html. Retrieved 23 September 2010. 
4. ^ Ahmad, Mukhtar (14 September 2010). "18 dead amid Kashmir protests against India, U.S.". CNN. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/09/13/india.kashmir.violence/index.html. Retrieved 22 September 2010. 
5. ^ "India to free protesters in Kashmir peace move". Reuters. 30 September 2010. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-51833120100929. Retrieved 29 September 2010. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Hussain, Ashiq (20 February 2011). "Valley victims accept compensation, quietly". Hindustan Times. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Valley-victims-accept-compensation-quietly/H1-Article1-664528.aspx#. Retrieved 20 February 2011. 
7. ^ "Three Militants Killed As Army Foils Infiltration Bid". Outlook. 2010-04-30. http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?680686. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
8. ^ "Fake encounter at LoC: 3 arrested, probe ordered". The Indian Express. 2010-05-29. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/fake-encounter-at-loc-3-arrested-probe-ordered/626105/. 
9. ^ Serial Killings Of Teenaged Boys In Police Action Cause Anguish, Fear Psychosis Among Parents
10. ^ Citizens Appeal on Kashmir (9 July, 2010)
11. ^ Six killed in Kashmir violence
12. ^ ^{a b} Why Pakistan is 'boosting Kashmir militants', BBC, 2010-03-03
13. ^ "Kashmir militants 'regrouping' in Pakistan". BBC. 2010-05-14. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8683367.stm. Retrieved 14 May 2010. 
14. ^ "Kashmir's New Warriors". TIME. 21 August 2010. http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,2011808,00.html. Retrieved 28 September 2010. 
15. ^ "Ministry of External Affairs, India - Kashmir Issue". Meaindia.nic.in. http://meaindia.nic.in/jk/kashmirissue.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-02. ^{[dead link]}
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17. ^ "Full Text of Resolution 1172" (PDF). http://www.undemocracy.com/S-RES-1172(1998).pdf. Retrieved 2010-02-02. 
18. ^ Published: 12:00PM BST 24 Sep 2001 (2001-09-24). "A brief history of Kashmir conflict". London: Telegraph.co.uk. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1399992/A-brief-history-of-the-Kashmir-conflict.html. Retrieved 2010-02-02. 
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20. ^ "Foreign Minister of Pakistan, on the role of the Security Council in the Pacific Settlement of Disputes". Pakun.org. http://www.pakun.org/statements/Security_Council/2003/05132003-01.php. Retrieved 2010-02-02. 
21. ^ Kashmir policy: an overview by Shamshad Ahmad, Dawn 2004-08-05
22. ^ Polgreen, Lydia (11 July 2010). "A Youth’s Death in Kashmir Renews a Familiar Pattern of Crisis". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/12/world/asia/12kashmir.html. Retrieved 23 September 2010. 
23. ^ "Kashmir protests erupt into violence after government troops kill four". The Guardian (London). 13 August 2010. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/13/kashmir-protests-killed-ramadan. 
24. ^ "Kashmir curfews fail to deter protests". The Guardian (London). 12 September 2010. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/12/kashmir-curfews-protests-srinagar. Retrieved 9 March 2011. 
25. ^ http://newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/173082
26. ^ Reuters/AFP (2010-09-14). "Thirteen killed in Indian Kashmir as Koran desecration protests continue". The Daily Star. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=119238. 
27. ^ Kashmir clashes lead to deaths
28. ^ Kamal, Neel (2010-09-14). "After Quran rumour, Punjab church gutted". Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/After-Quran-rumour-Punjab-church-gutted/articleshow/6550154.cms. 
29. ^ Shujaat Bukhari (2010-09-16). "3 killed as violence spreads to Poonch". Chennai, India: The Hindu. http://hindu.com/2010/09/16/stories/2010091665151200.htm. 
30. ^ Shefali Prabhu (2010-09-16). "Kashmir: Muslims try to burn a Christian school (only in name)". Asianews.it. http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Kashmir:-Muslims-try-to-burn-a-Christian-school-%28only-in-name%29-19476.html. 
31. ^ Toufiq Rashid (2010-09-16). "Kashmiris locked up, hurt, humiliated by curfew". Hindustan Times. http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/chunk-ht-ui-indiasectionpage-north/Kashmiris-locked-up-hurt-humiliated-by-curfew/Article1-600653.aspx. 
32. ^ Indo-Asian News Service (2010-09-16). "Fourth day of indefinite curfew in Kashmir, toll 90". Hindustan Times. http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/jandk/Fourth-day-of-indefinite-curfew-in-Kashmir-toll-90/Article1-600793.aspx. 
33. ^ ^{a b} "Kashmir toll 97 in 100 days of unrest". Calcutta News. 2010-09-18. http://www.calcuttanews.net/story/686593. 
34. ^ ^{a b} "Kashmir: 2 killed, 19 injured in fresh violence". Indianexpress.com. 2010-09-18. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kashmir-2-killed-19-injured-in-fresh-violence/683422/. 
35. ^ "Death toll 100 in Kashmir demonstrations". UPI. 2010-09-18. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2010/09/18/Death-toll-100-in-Kashmir-demonstrations/UPI-20921284814518/. 
36. ^ Kumar, Vinay (26 August 2010). "Manmohan for non-lethal crowd control measures". Chennai, India: The Hindu. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article595716.ece. Retrieved 29 September 2010. 
37. ^ "Kashmiri Pandits meet Mukherjee, oppose dilution of AFSPA". Hindustan Times. 20 September 2010. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Kashmiri-Pandits-meet-Mukherjee-oppose-dilution-of-AFSPA/Article1-602498.aspx. Retrieved 21 September 2010. 
38. ^ "Pandits observe APD arrival in Jammu as black day". CNN-IBN. http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/pandits-observe-apd-arrival-in-jammu-as-black-day/340238.html. Retrieved 21 September 2010. 
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42. ^ Ali, Zulfiqar (28 September 2010). "Pakistani militants 'hijacking' Kashmir cause". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11425831. Retrieved 29 September 2010. 
43. ^ "Kashmir crisis: Hurriyat invited to meet team of MPs". Hindustan Times. 2010-09-18. http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/india/Kashmir-crisis-Hurriyat-invited-to-meet-team-of-MPs/Article1-601516.aspx. 
44. ^ Yardley, Jim (21 September 2010). "Seeking Kashmir Peace, India Feels Anger of Residents". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/world/asia/22kashmir.html. Retrieved 28 September 2010. 
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46. ^ Yardley, Jim; Kumar, Hari (25 September 2010). "India Calls for Easing of Security in Kashmir". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/26/world/asia/26kashmir.html. Retrieved 28 September 2010. 

External links

• Video:Kashmir unrest prompts new curfew, Reuters