jammu - kashmir fracts problems and solution

National Workshop

on

Jammu-KashmirFacts, Problems and Solution

19-20 November 2011Smriti Mandir, Nagpur

Jammu-Kashmir Study Centre

01

Introduction: Jammu and Kashmir

A lot of misconceptions created region of widely varying people and

deliberately by vested interests have geography. In the south, Jammu is a

become firm beliefs. That is the greatest transition zone from the Indian plains

tragedy Kashmir is facing and is the root to the Himalaya. Nature has lavishly

cause of the most issues related to the endowed Kashmir with certain

trouble torn state. distinctive favours which hardly find a

parallel in any alpine land of the world. First casualty is the myth that It is the land of snow clad mountains Kashmir means Jammu & Kashmir. In that share a common boundary with fact, Kashmir is just 7.13% area of the Afghanistan, China and Pakistan; state of Jammu & Kashmir as it existed J a m m u a n d K a s h m i r i s t h e and acceded to The Dominion of India northernmost state of the Indian Union. on 26th October 1947. It is only 15.63% of Known for its extravagant natural the area that continues to be within beauty this land formed a major Indian administration. So we need to be caravan route in the ancient times. very careful when we talk of Kashmir

issue. Trade relations through these

routes between China and Central Asia Second impression that has been made it a land in-habited by various accepted as a fact is that J&K is a Muslim religious and cultural groups. It was state. No, it is not. It certainly is the during the reign of Kashyapa that the Muslim majority state but Muslims are various groups led a settled life. in Majority in only one province. Both Buddhism influenced Kashmir during Laddakh and Jammu divisions are the rule of Ashoka and the present town Buddhist and Hindu majority areas of Srinagar was founded by him. This respectively. Third is the misconception place was earlier called 'Srinagari' or about the Muslim population of Purandhisthan. The Brahmins who Kashmir valley. We are being asked to inhabited these areas admired and believe that the majority community is a adorned Buddhism too. From the homogenous entity. It's also not true. regions of Kashmir Buddhism spread Kashmiri Muslim community is as of Ladakh, Tibet, Central Asia and heterogeneous and divided or united as China. The state consists of following any other community in rest of the main regions.country with sharp divisions leading to

bloody conflicts at times.

The state of Jammu & Kashmir is a

Jammu-Kashmir : Facts, Problems and Solution

02

Many historians and locals believe Jammuthat Jammu was founded by Raja Jambu

Lochan in the 14th century BC. Jambu Jammu is one of the administrative Lochan was the brother of Raja Bahu

divisions within Jammu and Kashmir Lochan who constructed a fort on the state in India. Jammu city is the largest bank of river Tawi. Bahu Fort is a city in Jammu and the winter capital of historical place in Jammu.Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu City is also The city name figures in the ancient known as "City of Temples" as it has book Mahabharata. Excavation near many temples and shrines, with Akhnoor, 20 miles (32 km) from Jammu glittering shikhars soaring into the sky, city, provides evidence that Jammu was creating the ambiance of a holy and once part of the Harappan civilization.peaceful Hindu city.

Remains from the Maurya, Home to some of the most popular Kushan, Kushanshahs and Gupta

Hindu shrines, Jammu is a pilgrimage periods have also been found in Jammu. tourism destination in India. The town of Jammu is also mentioned in accounts of Katra, which is close to Jammu, contains the campaigns of Timur. the Vaishno Devi shrine. Nestling on top

Jammu came under the control of of the Trikuta Hills at a height of 1700 m is

Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19 century the sacred cave of Vaishno Devi shrines

and became a part of the Sikh Empire. dedicated to the three forms of the

Maharaja Ranjit Singh appointed Raja mother goddess - Mahalakshmi ,

Gulab Singh the ruler of Jammu in 1820. Mahakali and Mahasarasvati. Pilgrims

After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, start trekking to the cave temple, which is

Punjab, The Sikh Empire was defeated 13 km from Katra. The majority of

by the British. Jammu's about 6 million population

Not having the resources to occupy practices Hinduism, while Islam and

the hills immediately after annexing Sikhism enjoy a strong cultural heritage

parts of Punjab, the British recognized in the region. Due to relatively better

Maharaja Gulab Singh, the strongest infrastructure, Jammu has emerged as

ruler north of the Sutlej River, as ruler of the main economic centre of the state.

Jammu and Kashmir. After the Treaty of The Shivalik Range comprises most

Amritsar, the Maharaja became the of the region of Jammu. The Pir Panjal

vassal of the Sikh Empire and was partly Range, the Trikuta Hills and the low-

responsible for its treaty obligations. lying Tawi River basin add to beauty and

Maharaja Gulab Singh is thus credited as diversity to the terrain of Jammu. The Pir

the founder of Jammu and Kashmir. Panjal range separates Jammu from the

Thus the two areas of Kashmir and Kashmir valley.

Jammu were integrated into a single


03

political unit. The reign of Ranavir Singh Kashmir(ascended in 1857) witnessed a great

amount of enthuiasm for Sanskrit.

Sivasankara compiled the Dharmasastra Amongst the oldest chronicles in the D i g e s t , V a s u d e v a w r o t e t h e

world is the Rajatarangini. It is the Chittapradipa amongst others. The king history of Kashmir, written in verse; by appears as the sponsor of no less than Kalhana in 1149-50 a.d. this book is thirty two branches of Sanskrit literature. considered a masterpiece and followed a Jammu is the only region in the state method of historical research. He was of Jammu and Kashmir that has a Hindu followed by Jonaraja who died in 1459 majority population – approx. 65% of a.d, imitated Kalhans style and brought Jammu's population practice Hinduism, the history narrative up to the reign of 30% practice Islam and most of the Zain-ul-Abidin. Srivara, Prajya Bhatta remainder are Sikhs. Most of Jammu's and Suka carried on the history till Hindus are Dogras, Kashmiri Pandits, Kashmir's conquest by Akbar. migrants from Kotli and Mirpur and

Punjabi Hindus, West Pakistan Refugees

and internally displaced of POK Upto 600 BC

Many Sikhs are migrants from According to the Rajatarangini, the Pakistan Controlled Kashmir (from areas oldest ruler was Gonanda I, who like Muzaffarabad and Punch sector appears to have ruled in the days just areas occupied by Pakistan during 1947). before the Mahabharata. It is emperor People of Jammu speak mostly Dogri, Ashok who is said to have founded the Poonchi, Gojri, Kotli, Mirpuri, Hindi, city of Srinagari, now Srinagar. Punjabi, and Urdu. Hindus of Jammu Uttarakurus were located beyond the region are subdivided into various Himalayas.groups, and of them Brahmins and This is corroborated by the fact that Rajputs are the predominant ones. Taxila became a centre of learning and According to the 1941 census, 30% of classical Sanskrit was first developed in them were Brahmin, 27% Rajput, 15% Kashmir.Thakkar, 4% Jat and 8% Khatri.

320 to 740 AD

According to Kalhana, nearly the

whole of the Gupta age was ruled by the

Gonanada dynasty ie for about 300 yrs.

After them a new dynasty known as

Karkota or Naga was founded by


04

Durlabha-vardhana. He had married the Yasakara who earned a reputation as a

daughter of the last Gonanada king and man of great learning. Besides being a

became king in 527 a.d. According to good administrator, he built a Matha

Hiuen Tsang who visited Kashmir, the (monastery) for the residence of

king ruled over parts of western and students coming from Aryadesa to

north western Punjab as well. The King's Kashmir for higher education.

son Chandrapida in 713 ad defend his A Turkish family ruled the Kabul kingdom against the Arabs. Valley and Gandhara for a long time.

He was followed by Lalitaaditya Kallar, a minister, overthrew the king to

Muktapada in 724 ad, the greatest king of found the Hindu Shahi dynasty in the

that dynasty. He defeated the Tibetans second half of the ninth century a.d and

and the Turks. His extensive conquests, is identified as Lalliya Shahi in the

up to Bengal, made Kashmir the most Rajatarangini. After the death of

powerful kingdom since the days of the Lalliya's son, Kamaluka, his grandson

Guptas. The most famous of his works is Bhima-about 900 ad, ascended the

the Martanda Temple. He died in 760 ad throne. By giving his daughter is

while the dynasty continued to rule till marriage to the King of Lohara in

the middle of the ninth century ad. When Poonch, he was able to exercise influence

Jayapida, the grandson of Lalitaditya, in Kashmir to build a magnificent

lost the throne of Kashmir, he came to temple of Vishnu and call it Bhimaksava.

North Bengal. In the 8th century ad, (Has now been converted into a Muslim

Sarvajnamitra, a nephew of the King of Ziarat). There were a series of kings

Kashmir became one of the principal thereafter. It ends with King Jayapala

teachers of Nalanda. who fought the Sultan of Ghazni.

Renowned scholar, Kumarjiva, Towards the middle of the 8th

responsible for translating over 100 century was built the magnificent

Sanskrit texts into Chinese, was taken by Marthananda temple. While resting in

his mother at the age of nine to Kashmir the Valley the learned Brahmans told

to study Buddhist literature. Sankaracharya that unless he defeated

the learned persons of Sarada Pitha they

would not accept the supremacy of his 750 to 1000 A.D. philosophy. With his arguments he Lalitaditya's son Vajraditya ruled defeated all the learned men at that high from 762 a.d. The Arab governor of Sind seat of learning including Jains and raided Kashmir around 770 The next Buddhists. The King of Kasmira or successor was Jayapida referred to above. Kashmir has made arrangements for the He was a brave general like his Grand Shankaracharya's stay at Srinagar but he Father Lalitaditya. Thereafter, a series of chose to stay near an ancient Siva temple Kings ruled Kashmir. Next in line was


05

overlooking the city. Since then the invaded Kashmir in 1540 and died in one

temple has popularly been known as the such war in 1551. There were a series of

Sankarcharya temple. kings between 1551 and 1579 till Yusuf

Shah became king who submitted to

Akbar 's forces in 1586. Akbar 1000 TO 1300 AD imprisoned Yusuf. His son Yaqub Around 1014 ad, Mahmud Ghazni continued fighting Akbar till he was plundered the Valley for the first time. defeated. Sahamer became King in 1339 ad under

The reigns of Jahangir and Shah the name Shams-ud-din. This marked the Jahan did not see much interaction with advent of Muslim rule in 1338 ad. Kashmir. During Aurangzib's stay in

Punjab in 1674-75 officials converted a 1300 to 1526 AD

large number of Hindus to Islam. In The history of Kashmir was given in order to infuse courage in Hindus, Guru

three Sanskrit chronicles ie from the Tegh Bahadur visited East Punjab. This middle of the 12th century to the time it created confidence in the minds of was conquered by Akbar. The earliest people. Enthused, the Kashmiri leaders one was by Jonaraja. The Muslim told the Guru of their plight. He advised chronicles are based on these writings. them to inform Aurangzeb to convert

After a series of kings The next the Guru first and then all of them would important king was Sikandar whose embrace Islam. Surely Guru did not reign marks a turning point in the history convert and paid for his life by being of Kashmir. A large number of fanatical beheaded on 11/11/1675. Muslims from outside the country came,

occupied offices of the state and became 1707 to 1818 AD

the king's friends. Idols were destroyed; After Aurangzeb's death the decline temples demolished, attempts were

of Mughal power did not affect Kashmir made to kill the Brahmins. His son Mir till Ahmad S Shah Abdali conquered it in Khan continued with the torture of 1752. The Afghans ruled it till 1819. Brahmins. There were 28 governors during Afghan

Shahi Khan became the next king in rule of which there was only one Hindu,

1420. He was well versed in Persian and Sukhjiwan. In 1753 he was the first

Sanskrit, had the Mahabharat translated Hindu chief of Kashmir since 1320 ie in

into Persian. He died in 1470 ad. 433 yrs. He was a brave soldier, wise

administrator, scholar and poet . But he 1526 to 1700 AD fell out with Ahmad Shah Abdali who A series of kings ruled Kashmir till invaded Kashmir with the help of Ranjit

1540. Humayun's general Mirza Haidar Deo, the ruler of Jammu. Sukhjivan was


06

captured, blinded and trampled to death Ladakhby horses.

After this Afghan rule was a tale of

atrocities. Sunni-Shia riots broke out in Ladakh lies between the Kunlun 1763-65. Mir Hazar Khan in 1793 sewed

mountain range in the north and the up Hindu leaders in gunny bags and main Great Himalayas to the south, is threw them in the Dal Lake to be one of the most sparsely populated drowned. Ata M K Alkozai forcibly regions in Jammu and Kashmir state.seized pretty girls to satisfy his lust.

Historically, the region included the Many parents were forced to shave the Baltistan (Baltiyul) valleys, the Indus heads of their daughters rather than Valley, the remote Zangskar, Lahaul and allow them to be molested and degraded. Spiti to the south,Aksai Chin and Ngari, This forced many Pandit families to including the Rudok region and Guge, migrate to Rajauri, Poonch and Delhi. As in the east, and the Nubra valleys to the a result of oppression, great unrest north.spread in the province. It was conquered

by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1819 after Contemporary Ladakh borders approached by one Birbal Dhar, a noble Tibet to the east, the Lahaul and Spiti to of Kashmir. Birba Dhar kept his son as a the south, the Vale of Kashmir, Jammu gurantee for the support of Kashmir and Baltiyul regions to the west, and the nobles to the Sikh army. trans–Kunlun territory of Xinjiang to the

far north. Ladakh is renowned for its

remote mountain beauty and culture.

the past Ladakh gained importance

from its strategic location at the

crossroads of important trade routes,

but since the Chinese authorities closed

the borders with Tibet and Central Asia

in the 1960s, international trade has

dwindled except for tourism. Since

Ladakh is bordering with china

occupied Tibet, Indian military

maintains a strong presence in the

region.

The largest town in Ladakh is Leh. It

is one of the few remaining abodes of

Buddhism in South Asia, a majority of

Ladakhis are Buddhists and the rest are


07

mostly Shia Muslims. Some Ladakhi Namgyal dynasty which survives till

activists called for Ladakh to be today. The Namgyals repelled most

constituted as a union territory because Central Asian raiders and temporarily

of its religious and cultural differences extended the kingdom as far as Nepal, in

with predominantly Muslim Kashmir. the face of concerted attempts to convert

the region to Islam and destroy Buddhist Rock carvings found in many parts of artifacts. In the early 17th century efforts Ladakh show that the area has been were made to restore destroyed artifacts inhabited from ancient age. Around the and gompas and the kingdom expanded 1st century, Ladakh was a part of the into Zangskar and Spiti. However, Kushana empire. Buddhism spread into despite a defeat of Ladakh by the western Ladakh from Kashmir in the 2nd Mughals, who had already annexed century when much of eastern Ladakh Kashmir and Baltistan, it retained its and western Tibet was still practising the independence.Bon religion.

In the late 17th century, Ladakh In the 8th century, Ladakh was sided with Bhutan in its dispute with involved in the clash between Tibetan Tibet . This event is known as the Tibet-expansion pressing from the East and Ladakh-Mughal war of 1679-1684. Chinese influence exerted from Central Kashmir helped restore Ladakhi rule on Asia through the passes. Suzerainty over the condition that a mosque be built in Ladakh frequently changed hands Leh and that the Ladakhi king convert to between China and Tibet. In 842 Nyima-Islam. The Treaty of Tingmosgang in Gon, a Tibetan royal representative 1684 settled the dispute between Tibet annexed Ladakh for himself after the and Ladakh, but severely restricted break-up of the Tibetan empire, and Ladakh's independence. In 1834, the founded a separate Ladakhi dynasty. Dogras under Zorawar Singh, a general During this period Ladakh acquired a of Ranjit Singh annexed Ladakh. predominantly Tibetan population.

A Ladakhi rebellion in 1842 was Faced with the Islamic conquest of crushed and Ladakh was incorporated South Asia in the 13th century, Ladakh into the Dogra state of Jammu and chose to seek and accept guidance in Kashmir. The Namgyal family was religious matters from Tibet. For nearly given the jagir of Stok, which it two centuries till about 1600, Ladakh was nominally retains to this day. European subject to raids and invasions from influence began in Ladakh in the 1850s neighbouring Muslim states, which led to and increased. Geologists, sportsmen the partial conversion of Ladakhis to and tourists began exploring Ladakh. In Islam.1885, Leh became the headquarters of a K i n g B h a g a n r e u n i t e d a n d mission of theMoravian Church.strengthened Ladakh and founded the


08

At the time of the partition of India in the north-east corner of Ladakh has been

1947, Pakistani raiders had reached the venue of a continuing military

Ladakh and military operations were standoff between India and Pakistan

initiated to evict them. The wartime and the highest battleground in the

conversion of the pony trail from world

Sonamarg to Zoji La by army engineers There is a competition to occupy the permitted tanks to move up and heights of the Saltoro Ridge which successfully capture the pass. The borders the Siachan glacier. Since then advance continued. Dras, Kargil and Leh strategic points on the glacier are were liberated and Ladakh cleared of the occupied by both sides, with the Indians infiltrators. having a clear strategic advantage.

In 1949, China closed the border Following demands for autonomy between Nubra and Xinjiang, blocking from the Kashmiri dominated state old trade routes. In 1955 China began to government; the Ladakh Autonomous build roads connecting Xinjiang and Hill Development Council was created Tibet through this area. It also built the in the 1990s. Leh and Kargil Districts Karakoram highway jointly with now each have their own locally elected Pakistan. India built the Srinagar-Leh Hill Councils with some control over Highway during this period, cutting the local policy and development funds.journey time between Srinagar and Leh Ladakh is the highest plateau of the from 16 days to two. Kargil was an area of Indian state of Kashmir with much of it conflict in the wars of 1947, 1965 and 1971 being over 3,000 m (9,800 ft). It spans the and the focal point of a potential nuclear Himalayan and Karakoram mountain conflict during the Kargil War in 1999. ranges and the upper Indus River valley.

The Kargil War of 1999, codenamed Before partition, Baltistan, now "Operation Vijay" by the Indian Army, under Pakistani control, was a district in saw infiltration by Pakistani troops into Ladakh. Skardu was the winter capital parts of Western Ladakh, namely Kargil, of Ladakh while Leh was the summer Dras, Mushkoh, Batalik and Chorbatla, capital.overlooking key locations on the

The peaks in the Ladakh range are at Srinagar-Leh highway. Extensive

a medium altitude close to the Zoji-la operations were launched in high

(5,000–5,500 m or 16,000–18,050 ft), and altitudes by the Indian Army with

i n c r e a s e t o w a r d s s o u t h - e a s t , considerable artillery and air force

culminating in the twin summits ofNun-support. Pakistani troops were evicted

Kun (7000 m or 23,000 ft).from the Indian side of the Line of

The Suru and Zangskar valleys form Control.

a great trough enclosed by the Since 1984 the Siachan glacier area in

Himalayas and the Zangskar range.


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Rangdum is the highest inhabited region in the Karakoram and second-longest in

in the Suru valley, after which the valley the world's non-polar areas. It falls from

rises to 4,400 m (14,436 ft) at Pensi-la, the an altitude of 5,753 m (18,875 ft) above

gateway to Zangskar. Kargil, the only sea level at its source at Indira Col on the

town in the Suru valley, is the second China border down to 3,620 m (11,875 ft)

most important town in Ladakh. It was an at its snout are occupied by troops on

important staging post on the routes of both sides.

the trade caravans before 1947, being Ladakh is a high altitude desert as more or less equidistant, from Srinagar, the Himalayas create a rain shadow, Leh, Skardu and Padum. denying entry to monsoon clouds. The

The Zangskar valley lies in the main source of water is the winter

troughs of the Stod and the Lungnak snowfall on the mountains. The regions

rivers. The region experiences heavy on the north flank of the Himalayas —

snowfall; the Pensi-la is open only Dras, the Suru valley and Zangskar —

between June and mid-October. Dras and experience heavy snowfall and remain

the Mushkoh Valley form the western cut off from the rest of the region for

extremity of Ladakh. several months in the year, as the whole

region remains cut off by road from the The Indus river is the backbone of rest of the country. Summers are short, Ladakh. Most major historical and though they are long enough to grow current towns — Shey, Leh, Basgo and crops. The summer weather is dry and Tingmosgang (but not Kargil), are pleasant. Temperature ranges are from situated close to the Indus River. After the 30 to 35 °C in summer and minimums Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, the stretch of range from -20 to -35 °C in winter. the Indus flowing through Ladakh is the

only part of this river, which is greatly Ladakh sends one member (MP) to

venerated in the Hindu religion and the lower house of the Indian parliament

culture, that still flows through India. the Lok Sabha.

The Siachan Glacier is located in the Among the popular places of tourist

eastern Karakoram range in the interest include Leh, Drass valley, Suru

Himalaya Mountains along the disputed valley, Kargil, Zangskar, Zangla,

India-Pakistan border. The Karakoram Rangdum, Padum, Phugthal, Sani,

range forms a great watershed that Stongdey, Shyok Valley, Sankoo, Salt

separates China from the Indian Valley and several popular trek routes

subcontinent and is sometimes called the like Lamayuru - Padum - Darcha, the

"Third Pole." The glacier lies between the Nubra valley and the Indus valley.

Saltoro Ridge immediately to the west Ladakh was the connection point and the main Karakoram range to the between Central Asia and South Asia east. At 70 km long, it is the longest glacier when the Silk Road was in use. The sixty-


10

day journey on the Ladakh route Manali-Leh Highway from Himachal

connecting Amritsar and Yarkand Pradesh. The highway crosses four

through eleven passes was frequently passes, Rohtang la (3,978 m, 13,050 ft),

undertaken by traders till the third Baralacha la (4,892 m, 16,050 ft),

quarter of the 19th century. Another Lungalacha la (5,059 m, 16,600 ft) and

common route in regular use was the Taglang la(5,325 m, 17,470 ft) and the

Kalimpong route between Leh and Lhasa More plains and is open only between

via Gartok, the administrative centre of May and November when snow is

western Tibet. Gartok could be reached cleared from the road.

either straight up the Indus in winter or Ladakh has a population of about through either the Taglang la or the 2,60,000 which is a blend of many Chang la. Beyond Gartok, the Cherko la different ethnic groups.brought travellers to the Manasarovar Among non-Ladakhi residents, and Rakshastal lakes, and then to Barka, there are followers of Hinduism and which is connected to the main Lhasa Sikhism, and a small number of road. These traditional routes have been followers of the Bon religion. According closed since the Ladakh-Tibet border was to the 2001 population census of India, sealed by the Chinese government. Other 47.4% of the population is Buddhist, routes connected Ladakh to Hunza and 45.9% Muslim, 6.2% Hindu and 0.5% Chitral but, as in the previous case, there others. The region's population is split is currently no border crossing between roughly in half between the districts of Ladakh and Pakistan. Leh and Kargil. Leh is 77% Buddhist and

In present times, the only two land Kargil is 80% Muslim.routes to Ladakh in use are from Srinagar

and Manali. Travelers from Srinagar start

their journey from Sonamarg, over the

Zoji La pass (3,450 m, 11,320 ft) via Dras

and Kargil (2,750 m, 9,022 ft) passing

through Namika la (3,700 m, 12,140 ft)

and Fatu la (4,100 m, 13,450 ft). This has

been the main traditional gateway to

Ladakh since historical times and is now

open to traffic from April or May until

November or December every year.

However, with the rise of militancy in

Kashmir, the main corridor to the area

has shifted from the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh

route via Zoji la to the high altitude


11

On 7th November the Indian troops Pak Occupiedwon the battle of Shaltang, thereby

removing all threats to Srinagar. Three Jammu- Kashmirdays later, Baramulla was recaptured.

The process of retreat by the enemy on The Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh

all fronts began.was not interested to accede with

With the Indian Army finding that Pakistan but the Pakistan was very keen

the only way the raiders could be to annexed it. Therefore, An all-out

completely removed from Kashmir was invasion of J&K started on 22nd October

by attacking their bases and sources of 1947. The main raiders' column consisted

supply in Pakistan, India warned of an estimated five thousand tribesmen

Pakistan on 22nd December 1947 that including soldiers of the Pakistan Army

unless Pakistan denied her assistance “on leave” and led by a few regular

and bases to the invaders, India would officers who knew Kashmir well. Garhi

be compelled to take such action.and Domel were quickly captured and

At that critical stage in J&K's history, the gates of Muzaffarabad were reached. Lord Mountbatten urged our PM, On 24th October, Mahura Power House J a w a h a r l a l N e h r u , a b o u t “ t h e supplying electricity to Srinagar was overwhelming need for caution and taken over; the capital of the State was r e s t r a i n t ” ; h e s t r e s s e d “ h o w plunged in darkness.embroilment in war with Pakistan

Maharaja sought India's military would undermine the whole of Nehru's

help and signed the Instrument of independent foreign policy and

Accession on 26th October 1947 to enable progressive social aspirations.” And, on

that help to be rendered. As Governor-Mountbatten's advice, Nehru decided to

General of the Dominion of India, Lord lodge a complaint to the United Nations

Mountbatten signed his acceptance of the Security Council. That was done on

Instrument deed on the next day.December 31, 1947.

In the early hours of 27th October Following the 1949 cease-fire

1947 began an operation the like of which agreement, the government of Pakistan

had never before occurred in the history divided the northern and western parts

of warfare. With the wholehearted co-of Kashmir which it held into the two

operation of the civilian air companies, separately-controlled political entities:

over a hundred civilian aircraft and Royal Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Indian Air Force planes were mobilized

Kashmir - The area of northern Kashmir to fly troops, equipment and supplies to is still in occupation of Pakistan.The Srinagar. Some of the pilots flew did narrow southern part, 250 miles (400 several sorties in the course of the day; the km) long, with a width varying from 10 ground crew rose to the occasion.


12

to 40 miles (16 to 64 km) and an area of involving a third party, such as the

Kashmir that was once under Pakistani United Nations.

control is the Shaksgam tract—a small Pakistan named this region Azad region along the northeastern border of Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) which is a t h e N o r t h e r n A r e a s t h a t w a s self-governing state under Pakistani provisionally ceded by Pakistan to the control but is not constitutionally part of People's Republic of China in 1963 and Pakistan. It has its own elected which now forms part of China's Uygur president, prime minister, legislature, Autonomous Region of Xinjiang. high court, and official flag. The

In 1972, the then-current border government of Pakistan has not yet

between Pakistan and India, which held allowed the state to issue its own

areas of Kashmir, was designated as the postage stamps, however, and Pakistani

"Line of Control". The Line of Control has stamps are used in the state instead. It

remained unchanged since the 1972 has its own Judiciary as well.

Simla Agreement, which bound the two POJK's financial matters, i.e., budget countries "to settle their differences by and tax affairs, are dealt with by the peaceful means through bilateral Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council, negotiations." Some political experts rather than by Pakistan's Central Board claim that, in view of that pact, the only of Revenue. The Azad Jammu and solution to the issue is mutual negotiation Kashmir Council is a supreme body between the two countries without consisting of 11 members, six from the


Division District Area (km²) Population (1998) Headquarters

Mirpur Bhimber 1,516 301,633 Bhimber

Kotli 1,862 563,094 Kotli

Mirpur 1,010 333,482 Mirpur

Muzaffarabad Muzaffarabad[11] 2,496 638,973 Muzaffarabad

Hattian ? ? Hattian Bala

Neelum[12] 3,621 106,778 Athmuqam

Poonch Poonch 855 411,035 Rawalakot[11]

Haveli 600 (est.) 150,000 (est.) Forward Kahuta[11]

Bagh 768 243,415 Bagh

Sudhnati 569 334,091 Pallandari

POJK Total 10 districts 13,297 2,972,501 Muzaffarabad

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government of Azad Jammu and some mineral and marble resources

Kashmir and five from the government of close to Mirpur and Muzaffarabad; there

Pakistan. Its chairman/chief executive is are also some graphite deposits at

the president of Pakistan. Other members Mohriwali. There are some reservoirs of

of the council are the president and the low-grade coal, chalk, bauxite, and

prime minister of Azad Kashmir and a zircon.

few other AJK ministers. The state is In the latter part of 2006, billions of administratively divided into three dollars for development were mooted divisions which, in turn, are divided into by international aid agencies for the ten districts. reconstruction and rehabilitation of

T h e n o r t h e r n p a r t o f P O J K earthquake-hit zones in Azad Kashmir,

encompasses the lower area of the though much of that amount was

Himalayas, including Jamgarh Peak subsequently lost in bureaucratic

(15,531 feet/4,734 meters). However, channels.

Hari Parbat peak in Neelum Valley is the

highest peak in the state. Fertile, green,

mountainous valleys are characteristic of

geography, making it one of the most

beautiful regions of the subcontinent. The

region receives rainfall in both the winter

and the summer. Muzaffarabad and

Pattan are among the wettest areas of the

region. Throughout most of the region,

the average rainfall exceeds 1400 mm,

with the highest average rainfall

occurring near Muzaffarabad (around

1800 mm

The majority of the population is

culturally, linguistically, and ethnically

related to the people of northern Punjab.

The principal languages spoken are

Pahari, Gojri, Dogri, Potohari, Urdu,

Kashmiri, Pashto and Punjabi.

Agriculture is a part of Azad

Kashmir's economy; low-lying areas that

have high populations grow crops like

barley, mangoes, millet, corn (maize),

and wheat, and also raise cattle. There are


14

that proves their age. Many of these Gilgit-Baltistancarvings and inscriptions will be

inundated and/or destroyed when the

planned Basha-Diamir dam is built and Gilgit-Baltistan, the much larger area the Karakoram Highway widened.

to the north of Jammu and Kashmir. It The local Northern Light Infantry is was officially granted full autonomy on the army unit that was believed to have August 29, 2009 but the present Indian assisted and possibly participated in the Govt. didn't show any concern other than 1999 Kargil conflict. More than 500 issuing a token statement. soldiers were believed to have been

Gilgit-Baltistan borders Pakistan's killed and buried in the Northern Areas Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province to the in that action. Lalak Jan, an Shia Imami west, Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor Ismaili Muslim(Nizari) soldier from to the north, China to the east and Yasin Valley, was awarded Pakistan's northeast, POJK to the southwest, and most prestigious medal, the Nishan-e-Jammu and Kashmir to the southeast. Haider, for his courageous actions Gilgit-Baltistan covers an area of 72,971 during the Kargil conflict.km² (28,174 mi²) and is highly On 29 August 2009, the Gilgit-mountainous. It has an estimated Baltistan Empowerment and Self-population approaching 18,00,000. Its Governance Order, 2009, was passed by administrative center is the city of Gilgit . the Pakistani cabinet and later signed by

The territory became a single the President of Pakistan. The order administrative unit in 1970 under the granted self-rule to the people of Gilgit-name Northern Areas and was formed by Baltistan, by creating, among other the amalgamation of the Gilgit Agency, things, an elected legislative assembly. the Baltistan District of the Ladakh Gilgit-Baltistan thus gained de facto Wazarat, and the states of Hunza and province-like status without having so Nagar. constitutionally.

There are more than 50,000 pieces of Gilgit-Baltistan is administratively rock art (petroglyphs) and inscriptions all divided into two divisions which, in along the Karakoram Highway in Gilgit- turn, are divided into seven districts, Baltistan, concentrated at ten major sites including the two Baltistan districts of between Hunza and Shatial. The carvings Skardu and Ghanche, and the five Gilgit were left by various invaders, traders, districts of Gilgit, Ghizer, Diamer, and pilgrims who passed along the trade Astore, and Hunza-Nagar. The main route, as well as by locals. These carvings political centres are the towns of Gilgit were pecked into the rock with stone and Skardu.tools and are covered with a thick patina


15

latter being one of the most feared

mountains in the world.Gilgit-Baltistan borders the Wakhan

corridor of Afghanistan to the northwest, Three of the world's longest glaciers

China's Uygur Autonomous Region of outside the polar regions are found in

Xinjiang (Part of Ladakh, illegally Gilgit-Baltistan — the Biafo Glacier, the

handed over to China by Pakistan) to the Baltoro Glacier, and theBatura Glacier.

northeast, the Indian state of Jammu and There are, in addition, several high-

Kashmir to the south and southeast, the altitude lakes in Gilgit-Baltistan:

POJ K to the south, and Pakistan's North- Sheosar Lake in Deosai Plains - West Frontier Province to the west. (Astore region)

Gilgit-Baltistan is home to five of the Satpara Tso Lake in Skardu - Baltistan"eight-thousanders" and to more than Katzura Tso Lake in Skardu - Baltistanfifty peaks above 7000 meters. Gilgit and Zharba Tso Lake in Shigar - BaltistanSkardu are the two main hubs for

Phoroq Tso Lake in Skardu - Baltistanexpeditions to those mountains. The

Bara Tso Lake in Gangche - Baltistanregion is home to some of the world's

Byarsa Tso Lake in Gultari - Baltistanhighest mountain ranges—the main Borith Lake in Gojal ranges are the Karakoram and the

(Upper Hunza- Gilgit)western Himalayas . The Pamir

mountains are to the north, and the Rama Lake near AstoreHindu Kush lies to the west. Amongst the Rush Lake near Nagar - Gilgithighest mountains are K2 (Mount Kromber Lake In Kromber PassGodwin-Austen) and Nanga Parbat, the ( Ishkoman Valley, Ghizer District)


Division District Area (km²)

Population (1998)

Headquarters

Baltistan Ghanche 9,400 88,366 Khaplu

Skardu 18,000 214,848 Skardu

Gilgit Gilgit 39,300 383,324 Gilgit

Diamir 10,936 131,925 Chilas

Ghizar 9,635 120,218 Gahkuch

Astore 8,657 71,666 Gorikot

Hunza-Nagar

Aliabad, Sikandarabad

Gilgit-Baltistan totals

7 districts 72,971 970,347 Gilgit

16

Barodaroksh lake in Bar valley Nagar of the area which being the remotest

region of Pakistan was neglected for

over quarter of century. This forum led The Deosai Plains, are located above the people of the area to actively invest the tree line, and constitute the second-and learn the modern trade know how highest plateau in the world at 4,115 from its neighbor Xingkiang. Rest of the meters (14,500 feet)after Tibet. economy is shouldered by mainly The climate of Gilgit-Baltistan varies agriculture and tourism. Agriculture from region to region, surrounding such as: wheat, corn (maize), barley, mountain ranges creates sharp variations fruits; Tourism is mostly in trekking and in weather. There are towns like Gilgit mountaineering and this industry is and Chilas that are very hot during the 'growing in importance'day in summer, yet cold at night, and

In early September 2009, Pakistan valleys like Astore, Khaplu, Yasin, signed an agreement with the People's H u n z a , a n d N a g a r w h e r e t h e Republic of China for a mega energy temperatures are cold even in summer.project in Gilgit-Baltistan which The economy of region is basically includes the construction of a 7,000-based on traditional route of trade megawatt dam at Bunji in the Astore through Silk Road. China Trade District. organization was the leading economic

forum through which most of barter

trade activity made a phenomenal

change in the general economical outlook


17

The “Kashmir { Jammu and Kashmir by Maharaja was covered with a letter of

} “State of Hari Singh that was part of circumstances & reasons. Maharaja Hari

British Indian Empire in 1947 comprised Singh did try to explain some of the

of three distinct regions in the broader reasons in his letter dated 26 October

sense. Maharaja had hence classified the 1947 addressed to Mountbatten

management of His State in 3 Governor General of India ( GGOI ) for

administrative units,{i} The Province of not signing the Instrument of Accession

Jammu ( headed by a Governor and had with either Dominion by 14-08-1947.

two jagirs also associated with it i.e No doubt Maharaja of J&K as per the

Poonch and Chenani) , {ii} The Province Indian Independence Act 1947 and

of Kashmir ( headed by a Governor ) and Government of India Act 1935 was the

{iii} Ladakh headed by a Wazir E only authority to take a decision

Wazarat. Pirpanchal mountain range regarding a State of British Empire that

separated the Province of Jammu from was outside British India and make any

the Province of Kashmir. Srinagar was observations on the circumstances as

the summer capital and Jammu was the prevailed around him while taking a

winter capital of Maharaja. decision regarding accession to any of

t h e d o m i n i o n o r o t h e r w i s e Maharaja Hari Singh acceded to relationships. Dominion of India on 26 Oct 1947 under

an instrument designed for Accession Maharaja in his letter said,“ I have to

with dominion of India . It was accepted inform your Excellency that a grave

by Governor General of India on 27th of emergency has arisen in my State.” The

October 1947. Maharaja further said, “ I wanted to take

time to decide to which Dominion I Governor General of India did should accede or whether it is not in the address a letter to Hari Singh that is being best interests of both the dominions and used by some separatist elements to call of State to stand Independent, The mass the acceptance of Accession as infiltration of tribesmen drawn from conditional. J&K has remained disturbed distant areas of North West Frontier politically. In addition very few people Province, coming regularly in motor have worked all these years treating J&K t r u c k s , u s i n g t h e M a n s e h r a -affairs outside personal political gains. Muzaffarabad road and fully armed Only designated authority to decide with up-to-date weapons, cannot accession of Princely State was the Princepossibly be done without the knowledge

The Instrument of Accession signed of the Provincial Government of North


Accession is full, final and irrevocable

18

West Frontier Province and the and by then neither the Maharaja nor

Government of Pakistan.”….Regarding Government of India had gone to UN /

his people the Maharaja said, :“ The UN Security Council . And so strangely

people of my State, both Muslims and on the on set itself Lord Mountbatten

non Muslims , generally have taken no Governor General of India made such

part at all…… “.With the conditions self conceived remarks on the offer for

obtaining at present in my State and the Accession as was made by Maharaja of

great emergency of the situation as it J&K and classified J&K State as a State

exists, I have no option but to ask for help where the issue of Accession was a

from India Dominion……. Naturally dispute. Where as in the circumstances

they can not send the help asked for by as explained by Maharaja in his letter

me without my State acceding to the there was no reference of any dispute or

Dominion of India. I have accordingly resistance to accession with India

decided to do so and I attach the Dominion from the people of his State.

Instrument of Accession for acceptance The Maharaja had no where talked of

by your Government.” …” I may Inform any dispute regarding accession of J&K .

your Excellency's Government that it is Then why this condition of my intention to at once set up an interim settlement of issue of accession by government and ask Sheikh Abdullah to reference to the people and what was the carry the responsibilities in this basis for Governor General in the name emergency with my Prime Minister. “ of Government of India to call the issue

Lord Montbatten said, : In the of accession a dispute as regards J&K

circumstances mentioned by your when Maharaja Hari Singh Bahadur in

Highness, my Government have decided his letter dated 26 Oct 1947 had clearly

to accept the accession of Kashmir State to informed that the people of his State ,

the Dominion of India. It is my both Muslims and non Muslims , general

Government's wish that , as soon as the had taken no part at all in the

law and order have been restored in disturbances where ever the same

Kashmir and its soil cleared of the prevailed.

invader, the question of State's accession The said letter has been used by anti should be settled by a reference to the India elements and their sympathizers/ people. My Government and I note with supporters to term the accession as satisfaction that Your Highness has conditional , even temporary.. Maharaja decided to invite Sheikh Abdullah to or had not made any conditional accession. an interim Government to work with Hence technically the Accession of J&K your Prime Minister.” with Indian Dominion has been surely

It is worth noting here that the letter there and those asking for right of self

from Mountbatten was dated 27/10-1947 determination in the context of political


19

and national status of J&K have to first British Parliament , there was no

call for secession of J&K from Union of provision for any conditional accession

India and may be even before that for worth sharing the sovereignty with any

undoing the Indian Independence Act of one out side the Dominion. Ofcourse

British Parliament. And if at this stage the same Act had given the Princes of

Indian Independence Act 1947 is princely states a sole right to decide on

negated, who shall endorse the 1947 accession to either of the dominions i.e

partition of British India ? Independent Dominion of India and

new dominion of Pakistan.Rather it could be inferred that

Maharaja Hari Singh had no where Hence from all technical reasons the

acknowledged the conditional accession letter of Mountbatten dated 27th Oct

nor did he assign to the National 1947 was not the part of instrument of

Assembly, that was ordered to be elected accession.

for working out a more democratic although not required in terms of the constitutional arrange for internal Instrument of accession, the State governance vide the 5th March 1948 Constituent Assembly ratified the proclamation, the job of endorsing the accession of the State to the Union of accession nor was such job assigned to India on February 6, 1954. The President the Constituent Assembly that was to be of India subsequently issued the elected under the proclamation dated 1st Constitution (Application to J&K) Order May 1951 of Yuvraj Karan Singh . 1954 May 14 under Article 370 of the

While the power was transferred to Indian Constitution extending the

the people in British India, the rulers of Union Constitution to the State with

the princely States were given / some exceptions and modifications. The

suggested an option to join either of the J&K Constitution Act 1996 Samvat too

two Dominions – India or Pakistan. The was amended on 14 may 1954AD.

Government of India Act 1935, as The State's Constitution for adopted in the Indian Independence Act, handling the issues left to State by the 1947, provided, "An Indian State shall be Union Constitution came into force on deemed to have acceded to the Dominion January 26, 1957 under which the if the Governor General has signified the elections to the State Legislative acceptance of an Instrument of Accession Assembly were held for the first time on executed by the ruler thereof."….., the basis of adult franchise the same Pakistan and even Britain were party to year. The Section 3 of the Constitution these provisions. So the choice of joining says, "The State of Jammu and Kashmir either of the Dominions was left to the is and shall be an integral part of the Rulers of the States concerned. Moreover, Union of India." The Section 4 of the in the Indian Independence Act, 1947 of Constitution defined the territories


20

which on the fifteenth day of August, November 1949 that Yuvraj Karan Singh

1947, were under the sovereignty of the Sadar e Riyasat / Maharaja's

suzerainty of the Ruler of the State." authorized Regent too issued a

proclamation accepting the constitution 1 . From all technical angles the being drafted by the Constituent Accession of J&K as of 1947 with Indian Assembly of independent India dominion is complete and legitimate. Dominion/ Republic. Under the Indian Independence act

Prince of J&K was the only designate 4 . Though not required as per the

authority to decide for Accession . instrument of Accession signed by the

Prince of J&K , still the Constituent 2 . M a h a r a j a H a r i S i n g h assembly also formally ratified unconditionally acceded to Dominion of /confirmed the accession with India.India and also initiated for a duly elected

Constituent Assembly where in all the 75

National Conference leaders got elected.

Mountbattens letter is not part of

instrument accession from technical

angle.

3 Though a little late, in view of the

circumstances in hand , it was on 25


21

Muslim separatist politics in Jammu de-stable Maharaja of J&K.

and Kashmir, particularly Kashmir L o c a l M u s l i m y o u n g m e n , valley dates back to 1930,s. particularly educated from Aligarh

It was the period when Indian were patronized to rise in rebellion

freedom movement had entered a besides Muslim League cadres from

decisive phase. Punjab were systematically infiltrated in

disguise into J&K.Indian nation under the leadership of

Indian National Congress had declared One such person Qadeer by name

“Puran Swaraj” as its objective. 26th was smuggled in as a cook of western

January 1930 was declared the complete traveler. In Srinagar Qadeer started

independence day. cooking politics instead of food-his

declared objective.Revolutionaries like Shaheed Azam

Bhagat Singh and ChanderShekhar Azad Local authorities arrested this man

had created a fear among the British. for inciting communal trouble and

disturbing the peace.To counter this unprecedented

awakening across the country Britishers Local stooges under the leadership

secretly encouraged Muslim League and of sheikh Abdullah were mobilized to

the demand for separate homeland for undermine the rule of law. This entire

Muslims on the basis of two nation mobilization was on communal grounds

theory. and minority Hindus became natural

targets.In open the British government

convened series of Round Table On 21 June 1931J & K M u s l i m

Conferences in London to address the Conference was formed by Mir Waiz

governance grievances of the people of Yousuf Shah, Sheikh Abdullah,

India. Chowdhury Ghulam Abbas and others.

In the very first Round Table 13th July 1931 was a conspiracy

Conference held from November 1930 – hatched by the British Political

January 1931 Maharaja Hari Singh, the Department against Maharaja Hari

then ruler of J&K as Chairman of the Singh for his highly patriotic stand at the

Chamber of Princes supported the Round Table Conference in London. The

complete freedom demand of the INC, an other dimension of the plot was to coerce

act not liked by the imperialists. him to submit to the long promoted

British demand for lease of strategic As a measure of punishment, the G i l g a t . T h e c o n s p i r a c y w a s British government of India decided to


Roots Of Separatism

22

implemented on the ground by Naya Kashmir campaign as a manifesto.

Wakefield, Maharaja Hari Singh's Prime The manifesto of Naya Kashmir,

Minister and the British Resident contained a declaration for the

establ ishment of a responsible Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference, Government besides the high ideals of the political party constituted to reformation in social, educational and institutionalize the agitation against the economic fields along with a provision Maharaja and his government. The for independent judic iary and Muslim Press of Lahore, and Ahmadiya parliamentary democracy. According to Jamat and Majlis Ahrar, two religio-Sheikh Abdullah, all these things were political movements of Punjab, also gave possible when the Maharaja was ousted him a helping hand in that formative from power. period.

With full religious zeal the National Sh. Abdullah converted Muslim Conference launched its Quit Kashmir Conference into All J&K National movement on May 10, 1946. Conference On 10th June 1939. To be able

to get support of the Indian Press and For the brief period from 1947-53 in

leadership in his struggle for power in which National Conference was in

Kashmir. Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan power they used the state apparatus to

persuaded him to do so make Kashmir an independent entity.

But Sheikh Abdullah did not leave When ousted for his anti national

his essential component, the communal policies in 1953 MA Beig, the 2nd in

politics. For him Kashmir was a nation command of NC formed the Plebiscite

and National conference its national front and asked for implementation of

party. UN resolutions.

The Second World War and arrest of It is worthwhile to note that the HQ

all top leaders of the Congress in the wake of NC is called “Mujahid Manzil” that is

of the quit India Movement of 1942, gave the goal of Muslim warriors.

a new turn to Kashmir's politics. The Separatist sentiment was, therefore communist party of India, which began institutionalized to make it a perpetual to support the British after German attack sentiment.on Soviet Russia and Russian entry into ŸTrouble for Hindu minority was the Anglo-American Camp. They began being institutionalized in Kashmir. A to take special interest in Kashmir. Many fresh dose of migration that had almost top communist leaders of Punjab began stopped in Sikh-Dogra regime began to give pro-communist tilt to politics and anew after Battaloot day of 1931. Muslim policies of the National Conference. Conference headed by Sheikh Abdullah

The National Conference under the with the backing of British was gaining leadership of Sheikh Abdullah adopted strength. Jawahar Lal Nehru who had


23

personal envy with Maharaja and close

affinity with sheikh started meddling.

Ambitious sheikh saw his future with

loosely knit Congress as compared to Ali

Mohd. Jinnah and Muslim League. This

along with several other factors lead to

transformation of Muslim Conference

into National Conference. Nation

denoting Kashmir, not India. With this

kind of situation we reach 1947. Partition

of the country on the basis of two nation

theory and subsequent events had its toll

in Kashmir. Insistence of Pt. Nehru to

install Sheikh Abdulla as Prime

Minister/emergency administrator

ensured that NC cadres built on

communal narrative became ruling elite

overnight. “ Ray of Hope” statement

gave them the much required moral

license to do whatever they wanted. In Reduction of the intake of Hindus in this process atrocities committed against

the higher educational institutions in minority got suppressed. That Hindus in spite of merit and competence. District Baramulla in particular had to

suffer enormously remained concealed. Forgotten Heroes An entire generation including has

grown up listening to horrible tale of the People l ike Shaheed Mohd. dreadful days Maqbool Sherwani were pushed into

oblivion and separatist rewarded .A well-planned psychological war was constantly. Sheerwani was the person unleashed against the Hindus, which who faced tribal raiders in 1947 and involved: played an important role in delaying

their march to Srinagar. He was tied to a

pole and 24 bullets fired at him. He was

not allowed to be an inspiration for local

populace. Instead the people who were

actively involved in plundering Hindus

ascended to the throne.

As soon as NC took charge of the

general communal tension to instill fear among them, so that they abandoned their homes;

v promotion of the distress sales of Hindu property, with finances made available from various Muslim endowments and trusts;

v pressure built upon the small Hindu business community to close down whatever business enterprises it owned;

vElimination of Hindus from decision making process;

vDelimitation and redrawing of territorial constituencies so as to get rid of all chances of any Hindu getting elected to state legislature;

v the recruitment of the Hindus in the services was further reduced to almost eliminate them completely with a view to compel them to leave the State;

v denigration of their religious precept and rituals;

v desecration and destruction of their temples;

v encroachment on their religious endowments, unlawful occupation of the land attached to temples and ancient shrines;

v frequent provocations to arouse


24

administration Islamisation was given Competitive encouragement to this

official colour. Capturing Hindu sentiment ensured that all the successive

landsprivate as well as community was governments irrespective of party to

done under laws prepared for the which it belonged harboured or at least

purpose. Infamous land to tiller was demonstrated their desire and

designed in such a way that even small commitment to a separatist Islamic state

and marginal hindu land owners were After Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad( left with no or a little land. Recruitment who replaced Sheith Abdullah in 1953), policy was also designed in such a way Ghulam Mohd. Sadiq was installed as that gave enormous advantage to the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir majority community. Hence if a in February 1964. matriculate Hindu was eligible for say During his time the State witnessed post of constable in case of Muslims it m a n y p o l i t i c a l c h a n g e s . T h e was middle pass only.this was nomenclatures of Sadr-i-Riyasat and the irrespective of what the status of the Prime Minister were changed to Muslim candidate was. Governor and the Chief Minister

In this manner all the fundamental respectively. human rights of Hindus of J&K As a result of the efforts of Sadiq, the recognised by the constitution and part of National Conference was merged with Universal Declaration like the Indian National Congress. The Praja

A n y s y m b o l e x h i b i t i n g t h e Parishad Party had already merged with civilisational relation and bonding Jan Sangh. Sadiq adopted a policy of between Kashmir and rest of the country liberalisation towards Sheikh Abdullah.were and is being destroyed in a On the other side the Sheikh had not systematic manner. abandoned his old policy and activities

Urdu was thus designated as official and naturally he followed the same old language and not the Kashmiri which is path. closer to Sanskrit. And now while in Al Fatah, deriving its name from government the Kashmiri language has Arab Guerrilla organization committed been distorted to make it look an abstract to liberalization of Palestine, dominated of persio-Arabic language. the separatist movement in Kashmir

This process continues un abated till soon after Tashkent Agreement. It date. And after several decades of this started its activity in 1966, gradually policy we witness an isolated and swelled its ranks and by 1969 it became a marginalized section of opportunist full-fledged organization and almost elements using separatism as an peaked in 1971. instrument of personal ambitions Al Fatah was first attempt to becoming almost mainstream sentiment. militarize separatist sentiment in


25

Kashmir immediately after the Sacred without abonding his real intentions.

Relic Agitation in 1963 when massive Sheikh fully supported "Al Fatah" . protests were witnessed in the Valley. Its 30 activists, who were in Jail on

It was for the first time that the charge of sedition, were released after

separatists in the Valley realized that Sheikh Abdullah withdrew the cases

there existed a military option too to against them.

achieve their goal. The organisation like the Jamait-e-

when Pakistan launched its second Islamic too received his support.

mission in 1965 to annex Kashmir it was The Sheikh disbanded the Plebiscite b a n k i n g o n t h e l o c a l s u p p o r t Front and merged it with the National orchestrated by Al Fatah. Conference in order to wear a nationalist

this misadventure failed and Al mask on its anti-national activities.

Fatah had to lie low for a long time. The anti-defection law was enacted Subsequently, its cadre was rehabilitated in such a way as would ensure in the mainstream by the successive supremacy of his political group.governments in the State under the

pretext that it had abjured violence and “Resettlement Bill" was introduced

the separatist ideology.in state Assembly with a purpose to

Some of its members were absorbed remove the constitutional returning to in state apparatus thus enabling the state of the people who had migrated separatists to join the system to wreck it to Pakistan in 1947. from within to achieve the ultimate goal.

Farooq Abdullah, son and successor It needs to be understood that the of Sheikh continued this policy.

strong foundations for the current armed weapons from Pakistan were

insurgency was laid by Al Fatah cadre smuggled into Kashmir during the time

e n t r e n c h e d w i t h i n t h e S t a t e of Farooq Abdullah and during the same

establishment itself.time Jamait-e-Islami incited Kashmiri

Hijacking of 'Ganga' the Indian Muslim youths to taking up arms and Airlines flight that had taken off from anti-India propaganda was launched Srinagar on the morning of January 30 for through the cassettes. Delhi, and subsequent Indo –Pak war

The result was that the terrorists resulting in stunning defeat of Pakistan

enjoyed the upper hand. Taking a n d e m e r g e n c e o f B a n g l a d e s h

advantage of the ostrich type attitude of demoralized Kashmir separatists,

the Chief Minister, many religious particularly Sheikh Abdullah.

organisations - Islamic Students League, He entered into an agreement with Ahle Hadis, Umate Islami and Jamait-e-

Indira Gandhi and returned to Power Islami started uprooting the ancient


26

national glory in Kashmir. These alternative to NC.

organisations started the work of This has convinced the common influencing educational institutions man in street that genuine democracy while following Pakistan's style of will never flourish in Kashmir.Islamisation.

70hardcore terrorists arrested by Economics of Militancysecurity forces with active support of T h e s e c o n d a s p e c t o f t h e swyamsewaks in several instances were disinformation campaign about the released on the eve of Eid in 1989. militant violence is pertaining to the

Kidnapping drama of Rubya Syed alleged economic deprivations, the daughter of Muft i Sayyed and Muslims faced in the State. The local subsequent release of five terrorist political leadership, specifically the leaders was another example of abject leadership of the National Conference surrender. and the splinters of the Muslims United

Abandoning of responsibility and Front, a section of the Muslim leadership creating hurdles in the way of Governor of the Congress the left parties and some Jagmohan with the help of Congress of the constituents of the Janta Dal, party under Rajiv Gandhi's leadership b lamed the Hindus of having proved disastrous. appropriated economic advantage at the

cost of the Muslim majority. The This opportunist use of Kashmir by Muslims, they alleged, were compelled NC-Congress for narrow political by poverty and economic depression to purposes continues under Omar-Rahul resort to armed resistance against India.combination.

Another dangerous consequence of

this political opportunism is the PDP of

Mufti Sayyed who is leaving no stone

unturned to establish his family as an


27

Article 370 of the constitution of Maharaja Hari Singh out of state to India is temporary in nature and grants ensure its grip over power.special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The exclusion of the Jammu and

The whole question of constitution Kashmir State from the constitutional making in the State was considered in o r g a n i z a t i o n o f I n d i a a n d i t s May 1949, at a Conference of the Premiers reconstitution into a separate political of the various States and the Union of identity based upon the Muslim States. The Conference of the Premiers precedence is Article 370 in nutshell.decided to leave the task of the framing of Article 370 implies Sixfollowing the Constitution of the States to the Special Provisions for Jammu &KashmirConstituent Assembly of India.

1) Jammu & Kashmir was allowed The Maharaja of Kashmir accepted to have its own constitution.

the Constitution of India the same way; it 2) Parliament’s legislative power

was accepted by other acceding princely over the state was restricted to three

States.subjects – Defence, Foreign affairs, and

The Interim Government of Jammu communications.and Kashmir State , which was

constituted by the National Conference, 3) If other constitutional provisions

did not accept that the Constituent or other Union powers were to be

Assembly of India should frame the extended to Kashmir, the prior

Constitution of the State and insisted concurrence of the state govt. was

upon the convocation of a separate required.

Constituent Assembly in the State.

The Constituent Assembly of India, Text of the Article 370 in spite of tragic partition, had opted for a

Union of India based on the secular Article 370 of the Indianintegration of the people of India.

Constitution-In broad terms, the National

Conference leaders took the position, to (1) Temporary provisions with exclude the Muslim majority State from

respect to the State of Jammu and the Constitutional organization of India. Kashmir.

NC under the leadership of Sheikh Notwithstanding anything in this Abdullah in collaboration with Jawahar

Constitution,- Lal Nehru forced legitimate ruler


Article 370 of the constitution of India

28

(a) the provisions of article 238 shall Instrument of Accession of the State

not apply in relation to the State of referred to in paragraph (i) of sub-clause

Jammu and Kashmir; (b) shall be issued except in

(b) the power of Parliament to make consultation with the Government of the

laws for the said State shall be limited to– State :

(i) those matters in the Union List and Provided further that no such order

the Concurrent L i s t which , in which relates to matters other than those

consultation with the Government of the referred to in the last preceding proviso

State, are declared by the President to shall be issued except with the

correspond to matters specified in the concurrence of that Government.

Instrument of Accession governing the (2) If the concurrence of the accession of the State to the Dominion of Government of the State referred to in India as the matters with respect to which paragraph (ii) of sub-clause (b) of clause the Dominion Legislature may make (1) or in the second proviso to sub-clause laws for that State; and (d) of that clause be given before the

(ii)such other matters in the said Lists Constituent Assembly for the purpose of

as, with the concurrence of the framing the Constitution of the State is

Government of the State, the President convened, it shall be placed before such

may by order specify. Assembly for such decision as it may

take thereon.

(3) Not withstanding anything in the Explanation.- For the purposes of this foregoing provisions of this article, the article, the Government of the State means the President may, by public notification, person for the time being recognised by the

President as the Maharaja of Jammu and declare that this article shall cease to be Kashmir acting on the advice of the Council of operative or shall be operative only with Ministers for the time being in office under such exceptions and modifications and the Maharaja's Proclamation dated the fifth from such date as he may specify : day of March, 1948; Provided that the recommendation

(c) the provisions of article 1 and of of the Constituent Assembly of the State this article shall apply in relation to that referred to in clause (2) shall be State; necessary before the President issues

such a notification. (d) such of the other provisions of this

Constitution shall apply in relation to (Source: Constitution of India)that State subject to such exceptions and

modifications as the President may by

order specify :

Provided that no such order which

relates to the matters specified in the


29

Government for her son Vipul's Implications of Article 370treatment. "Hence your son's medical

the case cannot be settled at any cost on Manifestation of Limitations on Law

the instruction of the Home Ministry," making in India, Examples:

Ahmed wrote. Chapter- I ( Preliminary )- Be it

This is a case of 2007 that got some enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-sixth

media attention.Year of the Republic of India as follows:—

Refusal to limit the authority of state 1 (1) This Act may be called the Right

power and the nature and extent of to Information Act, 2005.

individual liberty and freedom.(2) It extends to the whole of India

Denial of protection against except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

discrimination on grounds of religion, Implication of Such limitation [Reply

caste and region and laid down legal from Deputy Secretary to Home MHA

remedies against arbitrary exercise of North Block department of J&K

authority. Government]

I s o l a t e t h e S t a t e f r o m t h e WRT your above quoted letter for

mainstream of the Indian political providing of information to the applicant

development.regarding above noted subject, I am

Push the state into a separate orbit of directed to say that as per section 3 of J&K

political operatives, which ultimately Right to Information Act,2009 every

isolated it from the rest of the country.person residing in the state shall have the

The provisions with regard to right to information. Since the applicant citizenship are applicable to the state is not a resident of J&K state, the with a number of exceptions. application filed by him has not been

There is an overlapping in Article I entertained.’and Article 370 as far as definition of CM J&K not bound to obey the orders Union is concerned. of Union government Even in case of

The State of J&K has a Flag of its terminally ill people Article370 comes to own. The Indian National Flag can be rescue of reluctant officers. flown only along with the State Flag. "It is to intimate that the Government

Jammu and Kashmir is the only State of Jammu and Kashmir is not bound to that has dual citizenship, one of the State obey the orders of the Home Ministry and the other of India. Even the voter’s under Article 370, which gives special lists for State elections and for status to the state," Chief Minister Parliament elections are not common.Ghulam Nabi Azad's special secretary

Zafar Ahmed reportedly wrote to Usha If a girl belonging to Jammu and

Koul, who had sought aid from the State Kashmir marries a boy from outside the


30

state, who is not a state subject, she loses The Supreme Court is not vested

all her rights as a 'State Subject'. Even if with the jurisdiction of the Federal Court

her children are then born in the state, in regard to the Jammu and Kashmir

those children have no rights as state State;

subjects! The appellate jurisdiction of the

The Urban Land Act, 1976, which is in Court cannot be enlarged by the

force in the entire country, is not Parliament without having received a

applicable to Jammu and Kashmir. request to that effect from the State; and

Therefore, rich landlords, belonging to In regard to the Jammu and Kashmir the majority community in the Valley, State the Parliament is not empowered indulge in economic exploitation of the to confer on the Supreme Court powers poor and the Indian citizens, who are to issue directions, orders and writs in non-state subjects and living in the valley, the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, cannot even secure loans from the prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari financial institutions. for purposes other than the enforcement

. The State Government of Jammu of the fundamental rights.

and Kashmir did not accept the Anti- The provisions of the Constitution of defection law adopted in the country; it India with regard to the services do not made several amendments. The decision apply to the Jammu and Kashmir State, on defection is not taken by the Speaker of except in regard to the powers of the the Assembly but by the leader of the Parliament to create one or more all connected political party, giving India services common to the Union and unbridled authority to the leader of the the States and regulate and recruitment party. and conditions of service of any such

Burning of the national flag is not a services.

cognizable offence. The provisions of the Constitution of

Under Article 370 the Indian India with regard to the election is

Parliament cannot increase or reduce the applicable to Jammu and Kashmir with

borders of the state. certain major modifications.

The High Court of J&K has limited The provisions of the Constitution of

powers as compared to other High India that law made by the Parliament in

Courts within India. It can’t declare any regard to the delimitation of the

law unconstitutional. Unlike High constituencies cannot be called into the

Courts in other states, under Article 226 question in any court of law, do not

of the Constitution, it can’t issue writs apply to the State.

except for enforcement of Fundamental

Rights.


31

H i s t o r i c a l l y , t h e p r e s e n t of the state in the hands of Kashmiri

conglomeration of three heterogeneous Muslims. With Kashmir valley-centric

regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh mindset Sheikh Abdullah deliberately

were never an organic political entity. earmarked 43 seats for Kashmir, 30 for

This sharp inter-regional contradiction Jammu and 2 for Ladakh in the then

has a ‘spill over’ in the political house of a 75-member Legislative

perception of the three dominant Assembly in the state, even though more

communities of the respective region and than half of the population and 90 per

integration is absent. cent of the land area belong to Jammu

and Ladakh. Presently, in the house of Political domination of Kashmiri 87-member legislative assembly in the Muslims and their discrimination against state, Kashmir valley sends 46 members Jammu and Ladakh kept the latter and the rest is shared between the two neglected. Both these regions are raising regions with 37 from Jammu and only 4 the issue of abject discrimination at all from Ladakh. Of the total 6 Lok Sabha possible levels but have failed to get seats in the state, Kashmir valley, Jammu justice in the name of containing and Ladakh have been sharing 3, 2 and 1 separatismin Kashmir valley. The neo-seats respectively. The regional share of elite ruling section of Kashmir has political representation in the state is not constantly discriminated several regions in conformity with the strength of of Kashmir also. This clearly indicates population and voters structure of the that this ruling class that captured the respective region. The voters strength of power in the state in 1947 by pure Jammu (24,55,174), Kashmir valley manipulation and blackmail is interested (24,22,765) and Ladakh (1,43719) in enjoying the power only and haveno vindicates the allegation that the people respect for ideals they claim. of Jammu and Ladakh due to uneven Political domination of Kashmiri representation in the state Legislative Muslims: Assembly were discriminated in the

The democratic process in the state of decision making process in the state.

Jammu and Kashmir was initiated with There are also allegations that in the

first assembly election in 1951. But by absence of the control of the Election

maneuvering the dominant political Commission of India in conducting the

representation of the valley in the state election in Jammu and Kashmir till 1967,

Legislative Assembly, Sheikh Abdullah the National Conference manipulated

managed to place the political command the rejection of the nomination of


Discrimination with Jammu and Laddakh

32

opposition candidates to maintain its But Wazir Commission report was not

hegemony in the political control of the implemented putting the people of

state. most backward areas of Kishtwar,

Rajouri and Samba to great financial / Where as Kashmir Region (province) developmental disadvantage. And to had only three districts (Anantnag, add to this, so strangely, it was in 2006 Baramulla and Muzafarabad ). After 1947 that without any rational study Ghulam invasion from Pakistan side some areas Nabi Azad lead Congress Government of Mirpur district and Muzafarrabad carved 4 new districts in Kashmir were encroached by Pakistan as POK. Division as against only one As far as the administrative units of recommended by Wazir Commission in Maharaja's J&K are concerned, before 1984. Where as for Jammu Region as 1975, Jammu Region had six districts ( against 3 recommended by Wazir Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri, Commission only four were created. Poonch and Doda } spread over nearly This way Jammu region was given just 26000 sq Km where as Kashmir region 33 % more than what Wazir Commission had only three ( Anantnag, Baramulla recommended where as Kashmir region and Srinagar ) districts( 2.5 Districts of was given 300 % more than what Wazir Pre 1947 days ) spread over nearly 16000 Commission had recommended. So, sq km But as regards Kashmir region the overall a net financial advantage was number of districts was arbitrarily intentionally and irrationally tilted increased to 6 districts (Srinagar, towards to Kashmir Region. B a d g a m , B a r a m u l l a , K u p w a r a ,

A n a n t n a g a n d P u l w a m a ) i n A t o v e r a l l p l a n n i n g a n d

1978/79..Where as the cause of Jammu development level too Jammu region

region was neglected, rather it could be has been neglected , if not discriminated.

termed discrimination.This surely made The road net work in this region has the case of Kashmir Division more remained severely overlooked upto stronger for additional development 2005 and the connectivity was just less funds based on the number of districts . than 40 % as compared to Kashmir

Similarly Wazir Commission region till the last delimitation was done.

recommended three new districts for No doubt climate wise Kashmir Jammu region in 1984 { Samba/ Bahu, Valley has more uniformly distributed Reasi and Kishtwar ) and only one more tourism friendly locations and sites. But for Kashmir division. This way Jammu Jammu region does have many good r e g i o n w o u l d h a v e g o t m o r e areas worth development of summer development funds taking into tourism, adventure tourism and pilgrim consideration 9 districts for Jammu tourism. Rather Jammu region has much Region and only 7 for Kashmir division. more scope for pilgrim tourism as


33

compared to Kashmir region. The areas 2005 is of superior in quality / market

of Rajouri / Poonch, Doda/ Bhaderwa/ value than Kashmir valley saffron.

Kishtwar/ Udhampur and even Kathua There is no special programme / have enough scope for commercial i n c e n t i v e s f o r p r o m o t i o n o f tourism. There is enough scope for Hort iculture in Jammu region. developing and promoting tourist Himachal Pradesh has been able to circuits where high valley tourist could promote the Citrus and Mango along surely plan a stay of 10 to 15 days at a with Apple and cherry quite time. But the areas have been totally competitively. Citrus and Mango are neglected. Even after 1990 when tourist fruit crops of Jammu region. Even Apple traffic to Kashmir valley was badly that could be grown in Poonch / Doda/ hampered not even one and easiest to Kishtwar as well as walnut have not seen develop tourist circuit around Patnitop/ any particular support programme in Sansar/ Bhadarwa could be developed in these areas although there was more 20 years. This speaks of the neglect and need for such development/ subsidy intentions. programmes in Jammu region since

There is no any programme for even in the pre 1947 days these areas

development and promotion of world were economically most neglected.

reknowned pulses like RAJMAS of the Similarly there is no special hills of Jammu Region. It is alleged that programme / incentives for promotion thousands of quintals of Rajmas are sold and development of local craft s / to visitors in local market after import weaving industry (like Loee and from other states since the local growers Kambal ) in Jammu region that could are not able to meet the demand of the otherwise do a lot for improvement of market in Jammu. the economy of these areas.

Similarly there is no special Jammu region has been the largest programme / incentives for promotion producer of natural quality honey of of production of JAMMU desi Basmati appreciable medicinal value. Doda like 370. If atall the millers of Jammu region had been the leader for wild region go for export of this Basmati it is at honey. Apiculture development the cost of the local poor people of J&K. department does exist but no

There is no special high value project programme for growth of this industry

and programme of Saffron ( Kesar ).as as commercial apiculture and

grown in the villages of Kishtwar. promotion of products of these areas has

Nothing has been done to promote even been chalked out worth appreciation.

the name and quality of Kishtwar Saffron A t o v e r a l l p l a n n i n g a n d which as per statement made in development level too Jammu region Legislative Assembly of J&K in March has been neglected , if not discriminated.


34

The road net work in this region has Similarly there is no special

remained severely overlooked upto 2005 programme / incentives for promotion

and the connectivity was just less than 40 of production of JAMMU desi Basmati

% as compared to Kashmir region till the like 370. If atall the millers of Jammu

last delimitation was done. region go for export of this Basmati it is

at the cost of the local poor people of No doubt climate wise Kashmir J&K.Valley has more uniformly distributed

tourism friendly locations and sites. But There is no special high value project

Jammu region does have many good and programme of Saffron ( Kesar ).as

areas worth development of summer grown in the villages of Kishtwar.

tourism, adventure tourism and pilgrim Nothing has been done to promote even

tourism. Rather Jammu region has much the name and quality of Kishtwar

more scope for pilgrim tourism as Saffron which as per statement made in

compared to Kashmir region. The areas Legislative Assembly of J&K in March

of Rajouri / Poonch, Doda/ Bhaderwa/ 2005 is of superior in quality / market

Kishtwar/ Udhampur and even Kathua value than Kashmir valley saffron.

have enough scope for commercial There is no special programme / tourism. There is enough scope for i n c e n t i v e s f o r p r o m o t i o n o f developing and promoting tourist Hort iculture in Jammu region. circuits where high valley tourist could Himachal Pradesh has been able to surely plan a stay of 10 to 15 days at a promote the Citrus and Mango along time. But the areas have been totally with Apple and cherry quite neglected. Even after 1990 when tourist competitively. Citrus and Mango are traffic to Kashmir valley was badly fruit crops of Jammu region. Even Apple hampered not even one and easiest to that could be grown in Poonch / Doda/ develop tourist circuit around Patnitop/ Kishtwar as well as walnut have not seen Sansar/ Bhadarwa could be developed in any particular support programme in 20 years. This speaks of the neglect and these areas although there was more intentions. need for such development/ subsidy

There is no any programme for programmes in Jammu region since

development and promotion of world even in the pre 1947 days these areas

reknowned pulses like RAJMAS of the were economically most neglected.

hills of Jammu Region. It is alleged that Similarly there is no special thousands of quintals of Rajmas are sold programme / incentives for promotion to visitors in local market after import and development of local craft s / from other states since the local growers weaving industry (like Loee and are not able to meet the demand of the Kambal) in Jammu region that could market in Jammu. otherwise do a lot for improvement of


35

the economy of these areas. commercial apiculture and promotion

of products of these areas has been Jammu region has been the largest chalked out worth appreciation.producer of natural quality honey of

appreciable medicinal value. Doda The following facts will make it clear

region had been the leader for wild to any sensible, unbiased and secular

honey. Apiculture development mind that the Jammu is fighting for

department does exist but no justice. In reality , it is a fight for integrity

programme for growth of this industry as and freedom of India.


Jam m u K ash m ir

A rea 26293 skm 15948skm

C on tribu tion to G ovt in com e

75% by w ay of taxes an d electricy 20% , bu t n ot by w ay of tax or electr w h ich are free in th e valley for last 60 years

V oters 3059986 (actu al figu res, th is exclu d es lacs o f th ose w h o h ave been d en ied votin g w rites

m isu sin g th e section 370)

2883957 (in flated figu res , th ere are lo ts o f bogu s voters)

A ssem bly seats 37 47

L ok sabh a seats 2 3

S tate cab in et m in isters

5 14

U n em p loym en t 70% 30%

G ovt

E m p loym en t

1 .2 lacs 3 lacs

Secretariat

em loyees

20% 75%

P h e laborers 500K 2100K

E lectrification 70 % 99 %

R oad s 4571 km 7129 km

R oad d en sity/

km

23% 51%

T ou rists 80 lacs 4 lacs

T ou rism exp end itu re

10% 85%

P u blic sector en terp rises

N il 3

A gricu ltu re exp end itu re

30% 70%

Sericu ltu re exp end itu re

30% 70%

36

Jammu has over the years become a the parliament but not for state

land of refugees. Different kinds of assembly. They were in fact stopped by

people belonging to all types of castes the state government in 1947 and

and creeds have found place of refuge in promised proper rehabilitation. But that

Jammu after being persecuted and promise was never kept.

discriminated at the places of their origin.

Right from 1947 after the partition of POJK RefugeesIndia people came to save their life and Jammu also houses nearly one honour and settled in Jammu. Major million refugees from Pakistan-categries of refugees now in jammu are as occupied-Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). follows: They had, like the refugees from West

Pakistan, also left their original habitat West Pak Refugees in 1947 to escape their physical Over two lakh refugees from West liquidation at the hands of the votaries of

Pakistan -- mostly members belonging to the pernicious two-nation doctrine and the depressed classes -- have been save their honour, culture and religion. leading a wretched life in Jammu since They were displaced from Mirpur,Kotli, 1947. They migrated to Jammu to save Deva Batala, Bhimber, Muzaffarabad, their life. Even after over 64 years of Gilgit etc.They left behind properties independence and forced migration worth millions and millions of crores. these refugees have failed to obtain They have been struggling since then to citizenship rights despite repeated obtain compensation and proper p a s s i o n a t e p l e a s a n d p r o t e s t rehabilitation, but with no result. As a demonstrations. Their life is nothing but result, they continue to suffer. The a hell on earth as they are considered a authorities remain unmoved and always community who don't deserve human offer crumbs to them to conciliate them. rights, including the right to education Such is the perverted thinking of the and vote. No authority cares for them. All authorities. They, instead of focusing on those who matter in the state and at the the persecuted and hounded out centre focus only on the prosperous communities, focus only and exclusively Kashmir and the people it houses. They on the rather prosperous and all-cannot get admission in professional powerful Kashmir and its privileged colleges of the state nor can they apply for people. These refugees are actually the government jobs. They can vote for residents of J&K state and are paying for


Refugee problem in J&K

37

inability of the government to vacate the services and education (ii) economic

POJK from the illegal occupation of back up like loans / subsidies etc (iii)

Pakistan. the accumulated appreciated value of

assets left behind by them in POK ( they These POjK DPs have remained can surrender the property rights in Neglected all these years.favour of Government ). Many POK No claims of the properties left DPs who went outside J&K could not behind by them in POK have been given e v e n c a r r y S T A T E S U B J E C T to them like other refugees from Pakistan.CERTIFICATES while running for life in

There has been no regular exercise 1947. They should be given SSC/ PRC on

done by GOI or J&K for registration / the basis of camp registrations they had

number count of the families displaced in 1947/48.

from POK and those killed during the

disturbance. Only registration done has

been for those who qualified for ex IDPs from Kashmir Valleygratia relief ( amount was very small ) In 1989-1990, Kashmir witnessed and submitted for applications. The genocide of the miniscule minority of number of such applicants ( not invited Kashmiri Hindus. Several Hindus lost for general registration ) was around their lives. Several Hindu women only 31600 as per the official sources. suffered. Their religious places were Many who went outside J&K in 1947 have vandalized. The fanatics created an remained totally unattended. environment that left the Kashmiri

No any special assistance like Hindus with no other option but to quit reservation in services, reservations in their homes and hearths and migrate to educational institutions, subsidies on Jammu and other places of the country. financial supports from financial It happened in early 1990. Ever since institutions etc has been given to them. then, they are longing for a dispensation

that induces them to go back to the Even the small ex gratia assistance in Valley and lead there a dignified life in 1960s was adjusted against small the land of their ancestors. But nothing accommodations provided to them.has come out of their passionate pleas. POJK DPs have now started Most of them continue to lead a complaining of Discrimination against miserable life in the unliveable camps, them in addition to neglect of their cause including the newly-built and "unsafe" after 1990 migration of people of Kashmir Jagati Township. The displaced Valley and have started demanding even Kashmiri Hindus continue to confront a additional compensation for no timely situation that makes them believe that support ( as has been provided to they are not part and parcel of the Indian Kashmiri Migrants) provided to them society and that the authorities, instead over the years and (i) reservations in


38

of redressing their grievances, have 23-29,1988 issue (photocopy enclosed).

abandoned them to placate Kashmir and The very title of the story filed by him,

its people. “Valley of Fears: Is There a Sinister

Attempt to Force a Hindu Exodus?” Gross political mismanagement, conveyed the crux of the situation. unprecedented corruption and loot of

public exchequer by the emerging neo- The government virtually abdicated

elite lead to public disenchantment in its responsibility in the fast deteriorating

Kashmir. The ruling establishment security situation in the state, supinely

collaborated and cooperated with Islamic surrendering before the secessionist

fundamentalists in diverting the growing onslaught . Incidents of bomb blasts,

public anger towards the Central attacks on high profile targets,

government, Hindu minority and India appearance of photographs of fully

as a whole. armed terrorist leaders in the media etc.

announced the arrival of ‘gun culture’ in Petro-dollars pumped into Kashmir the Valley. from Arabian countries, perceived

successes of ‘Mujahideen’ in Afghanistan Instead of taking effective measures

and collapse of the USSR as a to curb militancy, it released 70 hard core

superpower encouraged Muslim youths terrorists on one pretext and 5 more in

in Kashmir to take to the gun. the stage-managed Rubaiya Sayeed

abduction case.‘Civil curfews’; Hartals, Organised violence and brutal violent demonstrations became the attacks against the helpless minority order of the day. Official vehicles were Hindu community began right from 1986 openly used to smuggle in arms and and even much earlier. Riots broke out ammunition as well as subversives. The against Kashmir’s Hindu minority in terrorists struck under a definite design February 1986,assuming a genocidal to eliminate Hindus. Dealing the first dimension.It was a full dress rehearsal of blow, Tika Lal Taploo, a leading lawyer the plan for their genocide chalked out by and popular political leader, was Pakistan’s infamous ISI codenamed g u n n e d d o w n o n 1 4 t h ‘Operation Topac’. September,1989. Administrative circles The Administration remained busy discounted the fears of the scared in placating Muslim fundamentalists minority as unfounded. Instead of providing protection to the

Hell broke loose on the night of 19th besieged minority community.The January, 1990, with almost the entire happenings of 1986 were factually Muslim community coming out on the summed up by Vinod Sharma, a veteran streets, raising hateful slogans against journalist with established secular the Hindu minorityThe night of January credentials, in a report carried by the 19, 1990 exposed the hollowness of the newsmagazine ‘The Weekly’ in its March


40

secular pretensions of Kashmir’s political enterprises, hoping that the situation

organisation when almost the entire will soon normalize and they will be able

Muslim majority came out on the streets to return to their native land.

raising vicious slogans against the Official records say that 56487 terrified Hindu minority, particularly families are registered as Kashmiri insulting to its womenfolk. There was no “migrants”. Out of these 34562 families sign of administration visible or invisible are in Jammu,19338 in Delhi and the anywhere in Srinagar on that day. The remaining in other states. But only 15078 fundamentalist terrorists went on families in Jammu, that is less than 50%, rampage, virtually taking over the city and 4335 families in Delhi, that is about and doing whatever they wanted to do. 21%, are receiving cash assistance from

The minor i ty community of the government. 5242 families in Jammu

Kashmiri Hindus had no option but to and around 250 families in Delhi have

leave for the safety of their life and limb been provided camp accommodation --

and honour of their womenfolk. They left that is just 10% of the registered families.

their homes and hearths leaving The remaining families have been left to

everything behind -- movable and fend for themselves. These people are

immovable property, jobs, and business living in extremely miserable and

enterprises, hoping that the situation will subhuman conditions.

soon normalize and they will be able to The minority Hindu community has return to their native land. not been displaced from Kashmir only

The night of January 19, 1990 exposed physically but also culturally. Their

the hollowness of the secular pretensions imprints on the history and geo-culture

of Kashmir’s political organisation when of Kashmir are being deliberately

almost the entire Muslim majority came erased. Historical places are being

out on the streets raising vicious slogans renamed, existence of cultural heroes

against the terrified Hindu minority, denied and access to their language is

particularly insulting to its womenfolk. being denied to the displaced Hindus as

The fundamentalist terrorists went on part of the plan to prevent their return.

rampage, virtually taking over the city The census of 2001 showed the and doing whatever they wanted to do. numbers of Kashmiri Hindus much

The minor i ty community of below their actual population, and gave

Kashmiri Hindus had no option but to an unreal picture of their existence.

leave for the safety of their life and limb Same is being repeated in 2011. Kashmiri

and honour of their womenfolk. They left Hindus have been unceremoniously

their homes and hearths leaving eliminated from revised voter lists. The

everything behind -- movable and displaced Hindu minority of Kashmir is

immovable property, jobs, business not only trying to come to terms with the


41

trauma of displacement, but is also deplorable. The areas which have

f ight ing in jus t i ces o f a b iased witnessed migration in Jammu after the

government. state was engulfed by secessionist and

communal violence in 1989 include the Discrimination is clearly visible in erstwhile Doda district, Rajouri district, providing relief to the victims on the basis Poonch district and the erstwhile of religion. The displaced Hindu Udhampur district. They left their minority of Kashmir is not only trying to homes and hearths to escape the come to terms with the trauma of fanatics' ire and wrath. They migrated displacement, but is also fighting years ago, but no one is interested in injustices of a biased government. their well-being, happiness and Discrimination is clearly visible in rehabilitation. Then, there are border providing relief to the victims on the basis migrants. They abandoned their homes of religion.to escape the Pakistani wrath and help

the Indian State defeat the Pakistani Terror Victims of Jammu Region

onslaughts. They should have been In the Jammu region, both Muslims &

taken care of for their sacrifices and Hindus from various areas particularly

contribution, but the authorities have Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar,

not done anything concrete to mitigate Ramban, Reasi. Udhampur were forced

their woes. Such is the attitude of the to leave their native areas and live under

authorities in a state called a welfare miserable and sub-human conditions in

state. Jammu and elsewhere Supreme Court of

And, then, there are the original India and High Court J&K, in their

inhabitants in Jammu province. Their interim directions have impressed upon

number is more than three million. Their the state government to treat the

plight is miserable and their life pathetic. migrants of Jammu region on the analogy

In fact, they constitute the most of Kashmiri migrants in respect of

neglected lot in the whole of the country. sanction of relief and other benefits, but

New Delhi considers them irrelevant the state government is reluctant to

and perpetrates on them injustice after implement the court directions as a result

injustice. The situation has virtually of which they have been living in

climaxed to the point that their very miserable conditions and are leading

identity is under grave threat. New despondent lives.

Delhi acts as an agent of Kashmir and The impact of terrorism in the Jammu

Kashmiri leadership and virtually region does not get due attention. The

despises the people of Jammu province, living conditions of the displaced persons

including refugees of all varieties, under (about ten thousand families) in the

the misguided notion that the terrorism hit areas of Jammu region are


42

conciliation of the neglected people of support enabling them to sustain the

Jammu province might "hurt the psyche regular socio economic losses have been

of Kashmir and Kashmiri leadership". provided to them. This need a detailed

study so that they are got compensated

for the neglect meted to them so far.War RefugeesCat-II >those who have been

India has fought wars with Pakistan permanently uprooted from their

in 1965, 1971 and 1999. Most of the people homes ( like Chammb refugees) :

who got affected due to these wars These people were provided some belonged to Jammu Region and Ladakh

compensation in kind after the region. As regards Jammu Region India permanent dislocation was caused to surrendered some more areas to Pakistan them officially. Here too no regular , particularly Chammb area, as after affect a g e n c y h a s b e e n e n g a g e d b y of 1965 / 1971 wars and a large number of government to estimate the loss they people of J&K were displaced from suffered and hence the compensation Chammb areas . Here too bulk of them given to them has to be still tested. More were non muslims. The question so no Non Governmental Organisation liberation of POK as of 1947 has still from JK / national level / international remained unresolved till date and level too has done any study on their instead some mores have been cause.surrendered to Pakistan.

These people had remained Affected people are all Permanent disturbed for decades even before they Residents of J&K ( subjects of J&K). l e f t Chammb and hence were There are two broader categories of economically and educationally people who had been / have been backward. These people hence need be suffering due to Indo – Pak LOC/ supported with special support for International Border conflicts.education, trade, employment and Cat-1 > those who have faced services. Hence they too fall in the regular dislocations / disturbances.category of most neglected people of

These people have not lived J&K.

peacefully for last six decades. They have

been forced leave their homes and lands

very often. They have been provided

some short term surviving assistances

and have been many a times asked to go

back even when the conditions had not

fully improved. Some reservations in

services / education were provided to

people living in ALOC/ LOC. But no


42

The total population of the State orchestrated tradition of tolerance and

according to census of India, conducted secular values of the Muslim leadership

in 1981, was 59,27389 of which 19,30,448 in Kashmir.

were Hindus, 38,43,451 were Muslims, The total population of the Hindus 1,33,675 were Sikhs, 69,706 were according to the Census of 1981, formed Buddhists, 1,576 Jains, and 2,481 32.4 percent of the total population of the Christians. The population figures, State. The population of Sikhs formed quoted above did not include the two and 2.1 percent of the population of the State a half lakh Hindus and Sikhs, who and the population of Buddhists migrated to Jammu and Kashmir in 1947, constituted 1.1 percent of the population and the Hindus and Sikhs who were of the State. The population of the Hindu displaced from the territories of the State and Sikh Sharnarthis, refugees still occupied by Pakistan and who have lived awaiting settlement, constituted 4.1 in the State ever since. percent of the population of the State.

These people are still awaiting Added together, the population of the

settlement in the State. This has been in Hindus, the Sikhs and the Buddhists in

contrast with the expedition and the State, constituted 39.7 percent of the

efficiency with which the Muslim population of the State.

refugees from Tibet, who claimed The Jammu and Kashmir is a Kashmiri lineage and who migrated to prosperous State, which in terms of per Kashmir in the wake of the Chinese capita in come is placed fourth among annexation of Tibet in 1950, the Afghan the Indian States. The prosperity of the refugees and thousands of Muslim Muslims accounted for a greater share in immigrants, who sneaked across the the figures cited above due to more Cease-Fire Line, from the occupied favourable allocation of financial territories, in the wake of the Indo- resources for the Kashmir division, Pakistan conflict of 1965, and the varying between 65 to 69 percent as Bangladesh War of 1971, were settled in compared to 35 to 31 percent allocated to both the provinces of the State. the two divisions of Jammu and Ladakh.

These ugly facets of the Indian policy The widespread propaganda towards Kashmir and the double campaign about the so-called economic standards of the State Government have deprivation of the Muslims of Kashmir, hardly been known outside the State and was designed to conceal the real import have generally been lost in the din of the and objectives of the militancy and was


Some useful facts

43

aimed to mislead the Indian public Of the industries using electric

opinion in order to provide tactical power in Kashmir province, 98.9 per

advantage to the secessionist forces cent were owned by the Muslims and

working against the unity of the country. only 0.02 per cent were owned by the

The Muslims in the province were and Hindus.

still are, a prosperous community. The The handicrafts and handloom Muslims of Kashmir dominated the industry of Kashmir division was almost economic organisation of the State, as wholly owned by the Muslims and shown by the following facts: provided employment to 91,941

The Muslims in Kashmir owned 97.4 persons, among whom only 0.4 per cent

percent of the agricultural land, leaving were Hindus.

2.6 per cent of agricultural land in the The membership of the handicrafts ownership of the Hindus and the other and handloom cooperative societies in minorities, who together constituted 1985-86, the years, when the Muslim about 11 percent population of the f u n d a m e n t a l i t s w e r e g e t t i n g province. The Muslims owned 96 percent militarised, was 17,776, of which only 0.3 of the fruit orchard acerage in the per cent belonged to the Hindus in Kashmir province, whereas the Hindus Kashmir. owned only 2.8 percent of the fruit In 1985-86, the number of small-orchards. scale industries and industrial units

TheMuslims in Kashmir owned 98.7 registered with the Directorate of per cent acerage of Kareva highland, Industries in Kashmir province was growing saffron, whereas the Hindus 46,293. The number of units registered in owned 0.03 percent land yielding saffron. the name of the Hindus of Kashmir The export of dry fruit: almond, and estimated to only 0.01 percent. 98.7 walnut, was a monopoly of the Muslims percent of the industrial units were in Kashmir, the Hindus having negligible registered in the name of the Kashmiri or no share in the export of dry fruit from Muslims. Kashmir. The Khadi and village industries

The export of precious walnut and registered under Khadi and Village willow-wood was wholly a monopoly of Industries Board, provided employment the Muslims, the Hindus having no share to 28,110 persons. 98.8 percent of the in it. The employment of the Muslims in employees were Muslims. the horticulture industry approximated According to the statistics and to 8 lakhs of people working on 4,81,000 figures collected from the Government orchard holdings. The employment of sources for the years 1985-86, the State Hindus in the Horticul- ture indus try Transport Corporation employed 6,434 was less than 0.5 percent. persons of which the Kashmiri Hindus


44

accounted for 0.8 percent. According to 0.1 per cent.

the figures available for the year 1985-86, The share of the Hindus in the from the government sources, the entire industrial loans, provided by the State boat transport in the State was Government, the loans on self-monopolised by the Kashmiri Muslims. employment schemes, loans on small

The hotel industry is a highly scale and handicraft industrial units and

lucerative industry in Kashmir. It was the lands alloted for the establishment of

always a closed preserve of the Muslims such industries, was negligible; less than

of Kashmir. The Muslims owned about 96 0.1 per cent. The Hindus were almost

percent of the hotel property in Kashmir, excluded from contracts and public

the Hindus owned only 2.2 percent of the works undertaken by the Government

Hotel property in Kashmir. and were given, on an average, a share of

4 percent in the works undertaken by the 94 percent of the State subsidy paid State. on horticulture, agriculture, agricultural

implements, fertilisers, pesticides etc.

was appropriated by the Muslims in Land to tillerKashmir with 2.4 per cent and less of the With one stroke of pen Hindu subsidies received by the Hindus. The community was rendered landless. Muslims appropriated the whole of the Social boycott of pro Indian parties.; State subsidies on industrial loans, Gujjar Bakerwals , shias and Ahmedias exports, self employment schemes etc. also not accepted as equals. Caste system The share of the Hindus of Kashmir in within Muslims prevalent everywhere. such subsidies was negligible; less than Love Jihad existed in Kashmir earlier.


45

Kashmir is being termed as stormy access to the Gulf through Pakistan,"

centre of world. Every major power is stated the NYT. Beijing intends to create

active in this area. First in the name of a corridor from the Indian Ocean up to

containing elsewhere USSr and now to the Chinese province of Xinjiang. The

have a pie of natural resoueces of central first cornerstone of this grandiose

Asian countries every country is trying to project has been the construction of the

meddle in the area. Af-Pak is hence Gwadar Port, at the mouth of the Persian

emergingas a major cetre of global power Gulf and outside the Strait of Hormuz. It

games. This has its impact on Kashmir is near the key shipping routes used by

and India as whole. Some key players in the mainline vessels that have

Kashmir are as follows: connections to Africa, Asia and Europe,

and it enjoys a high commercial and

strategic significance.ChinaThe port was financed and built by China has been deploying thousands

China and inaugurated in 2007 by the of soldiers in the strategic Gilgit-former Pakistani President Pervez Baltistan. Although cooperation between Musharraf. At present, it takes a Chinese Pakistan and China is not new -- it was tanker about 16 to 25 days to reach the China in the 1970s that supported Gulf. Once high-speed rail and road Pakistan's attempts to acquire its nuclear links through Gilgit-Baltistan are capability -- the deployment of Chinese completed, however, China will be able troops in Pakistan, however, indicates a to transport cargo to and from Xinjiang worrying alliance. The presence of the to Gwadar and to other Pakistani port Chinese People's Liberation Army [PLA] facilities, within 48 hours.in Gilgit-Baltistan region, where a

PLA's soldiers in Gilgit-Baltistan are nascent revolt against the Pakistani rule a lso expected to work on the is taking place, constitutes the direct infrastructure in the region. According involvement of Beijing in the dispute to reports, China is planning the over Kashmir, making any future construction of roads and bridges; a understanding between Pakistan and high-speed rail system, and nearly two-India more difficult, and can only arouse dozen tunnels. As the whole area is a new and serious rift between New Delhi closed to foreign observers, news can and Beijing.only be obtained through intelligence "China wants a grip on the strategic information, as well as satellite imagery area to assure unfettered road and rail


Major Players in Kashmir

46

that shows construction activities are whose populations, combined, make up

underway throughout the region. slightly less than 40% of the world

population. They are also both striving Many of the PLA soldiers are for strategic regional supremacy. By supposedly currently building the linking its western province to the railroad. Others are extending the Indian Ocean, China will not gain just a Karakoram Highway, which connects strategic stronghold and access to the China and Pakis tan across the Persian Gulf, but also could significantly Karakoram mountain range, and influence the geopolitics and trade in the engaged in activities for constructing Indian Ocean Region, as well as in dams, expressways and other projects.Central Asia.Their presence is also apparently

US obtains more influence in South meant to deter any possible disturbances Asia, compared to Russia and China; from the local population, within which United States changed its security policy are simmering rebellious sentiments for the Asia-Pacific region against the Pakistani rule.

This is primarily demonstrated in

the United States' increasing focus on the USA and WestAsia-Pacific region or, more accurately,

The alliance between the U.S. and in the emergence of an integrated

Pakistan appears to be becoming less and military strategy for the Europe-Atlantic

less sound. The U.S.-led war against the region and the Asia-Pacific region. India

Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and other terrorist and the Indian Ocean are expected to

groups in Afghanistan is quickly play an important role in such a geo-

deteriorating into a growing open strategy. In the closing days of the

conflict with Pakistan's Inter-Services Clinton administration, the containment

Intelligence (ISI)., which represents the of China gradually increased in

core of Pakistani military power and can importance as a factor influencing

also act independently from Pakistan's America's Asia-Pacific strategy. In

government. The agency is responsible addition to causing trouble on the

for the creation of the mujahiddin Ta iwan i s sue , the s t ra tegy o f

movement in Afghanistan during the containment included reliance on

war against the USSR; and later, for the Japanese and Indian Forces, and

movements for the "liberation" of especially on the trend of enhancing

Kashmir, as well as the first attack on India's capabilities to contain China.

World Trade Center, and the attacks on Giving the fact that counter-terrorism

hotels and a Jewish Habad Cenmter in has became the primary issue in

Mumbai. China and Pakistan share many American strategy, the United States

common interests: both have territorial intends to use the war on terrorism to

disputes with India. China and India,


47

implement its military strategy in the Britsh compulsionAsia-Pacific region in addition to Most British Kashmiris originate strengthening homeland security. The from Azad ("free") Kashmir, which isn't US military strategy in the Asia-Pacific so much free as controlled by Pakistan (a region, consequently, includes securing source of suppressed anger). But they're influence and location in Central Asia; Kashmiris in the sense that they the l imit ing of Western Asia ' s originate from the old princely state of development; and a return to South East Jammu and Kashmir. 500,000 or so Asia. Within this context, India and the fellow citizens who originate from Indian Ocean constitute the bridge for the Pakistan and well over a million British United States in its regional military citizens of Indian origin, concentrated in strategy. a relatively small number of urban areas,

While Pakistan has attempted to among whom the Kashmir issue arouses balance Indian superiority by seeking divided views and fervent passions. The external ties, India has perceived this as a conflict in Kashmir, like the condition of way of upsetting the natural balance of Pakistan, thus has ripple effects in power in South Asia.25 For America, Britain. Pakistan's a long way from Pakistan's role in the United States' collapse. (The army remains a dominant military strategy is especially important force.) But trouble there has effects here. when America's personal interests are in The Al Qaeda connection's too obvious jeopardy (anti-communism, containment to stress. A further war over Kashmir of the erstwhile Soviet Union, and between India and Pakistan - three have counter terrorism). As Pakistan is a been fought since the 1940s - could have traditional ally of the United States and a serious consequences.frontline state in fighting terrorism,

without a more normal India-Pakistan Pakistani Terrorist Machinery relationship, the India-US relationship

Aimed at Kashmir will remain highly sensitive to Indian

For Islamabad, the liberation of perceptions of Washington's relationship Kashmir is a sacred mission, the only with Islamabad. task unfulfilled since Muhammad Ali

In conclusion, based on the rise of the Jinnah's days. Moreover, a crisis in

Indian power, the importance of South Kashmir constitutes an excellent outlet

Asia and the emergence of an Asia-Pacific for the frustration at home, an

perspective, the United States has instrument for the mobilization of the

gradually changed its balance of power masses, as well as gaining the support of

policy. America is using the balance of the Islamist parties and primarily their

power (method) to secure a power loyalists in the military and the Inter

advantage (goal).


48

Services Intelligence (ISI) Kashmir.

The ISI has a major interest to

continue the crisis. Back in the 1970s, The Jammu and Kashmir People's Pakistan started to train Sikhs and other Democratic Party (PDP) was founded in Indian separatist movements as part of 1999 by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and is Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's strategy for forward a separatist party that advocates self-strategic depth. Pakistan adopted the rule for Jammu and Kashmir.sponsorship of terrorism and subversion

as an instrument to substitute for the lack T h e A l l P a r t i e s H u r r i y a t of strategic depth and early warning Conference (APHC) was founded in capabilities. The Pakistani sponsored 1993 and is a political front formed as an terrorists and the Pakistani intelligence alliance of 26 political, social and operatives in their ranks would be able to religious organisations in Kashmir. One warn Pakistan of any impending Indian of the main objectives of the APHC is invasion, and then launch a guerrilla ascend the Indian controlled regions of warfare against the Indian Army even Kashmir to Pakistan and to instate before it reached the border with Islamic governance.Pakistan. Therefore, sponsoring

separatist subversion has become a The Indian National Congress

crucial component of Islamabad's (INC) is one of the two major political

national military strategy. parties in India and is considered centre-

Deadliest Pakistani Terrorist Groups left in the Indian political spectrum. In

Active in Jammu and Kashmir: the 2009 general election it formed a

Harkat-ul-Ansar (recently renamed coalition with a number of allies called Harkat-ul-Mujaheedin) the UPA and was able to form a majority

Headquarters: Muzaffarabad (Pakistan- and form a government.Occupied Kashmir)

Lashkar-e-Toiba The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is

Headquarters: Muridke (Pakistan) India's second largest political party and Hizbul Mujahideen is considered centre-right in the Indian Groups active in Kashmir political spectrum and is the Hindu-

National party. They were in power

T h e J a m m u a n d K a s h m i r from 1998 to 2004 when Atal Bihari

Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) was Vajpayee was Prime Minister.

founded in 1998 by Hashim Qureshi and

Shabir Ahmad Shah as a separatist party The Jammu and Kashmir National that advocates self-rule for Jammu and Conference Party (NCP) was founded


59

by Sheikh Abduallah in 1939 and o p e r a t i o n s . T h e y h a v e t a k e n

dominated electoral politics for many responsibility for a number of violent

decades in the state, it is now being led by attacks including the Red Fort attacks in

his grandson Omar Abdullah. They are a Delhi in 2000. India has also accused

moderate separatist party and call for them of being responsible for the 2009

Jammu and Kashmir's right to self- Mumbai attacks. They differ from the

determination and autonomy. other main militant groups as most of

their members are non-Kashmiri. They

are an extremely well-known and Jaish-e-Mohammed is a militant prominent group in Pakistan. However, organisation that operates in Kashmir but they have been banned since 2002 in is based in Pakistan. The group's main Pakistan, but they continue to operate aim is to ascend the Indian controlled and include different factions.regions of Kashmir to Pakistan and to

instate Islamic governance and has

carried out several attacks. It has been Farooq Abdullah Has dominated

banned in Pakistan since 2002 and its local politics for years and is the son of

Commander-in–Chief Masood Azhar is Sheikh Mohammed, who founded the

currently imprisoned in Pakistan, National Conference Party. While he has

however, the group continues to operate. accepted that Kashmir should remain

part of the Indian Union, he has

campaigned for its greater autonomy. Hizb-ul-Mujahideen is a militant He has been criticised for shifting his organisation that has operated in allegiances to political parties, but is Kashmir since 1989 and is the militant currently an ally of the BJP.wing of the Kashmiri political and

religious group Jamaat-e-Islami. The

current leader of the group is a Kashmiri Omar Abdullah is the son of Farooq

known as Sayeed Salahudeen who Abdullah and was made head of the

resides in Pakistan. The group is National Conference in 2008, he

considered by many to be the most resigned in 2009 amid allegations of a

widely supported and populist militant sex scandal, however he is currently still

group active in the conflict. in the party and is Chief Minister for

Jammu and Kashmir.

Lashkar-e-Taiba was founded in

1994 as the militant wing of the Marqaz, a Shabir Shah is a high profile

centre which was founded in the 1980s by campaigner for Kashmiri independence

Hafiz Mohammed Saeed and is one the since the late 1960s, and has spent much

largest and most active of the militant of his life in Indian jails. However, he


50

was suspended from the APHC due to Hurriyat Conference, a coalition of

political disagreements and went on to separatist parties in the Kashmir valley.

found his own party in 1998 called the As the Mirwaiz (Mir-Head; Waiz-Priest)

Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom of Kashmir and chairman of the

Party (JKDFP). Hurriyat Conference has both an

important religious and political role in Abdul Gani Bhat is another key the Kashmir Valley.player in Kashmiri politics and advocates

for Kashmir's accession to Pakistan. In He was Placed on the stage at the age

1993 his party, the Muslim Conference, of 17, following the assassination of his

became part of the main Kashmiri father, Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq, the then

separatists alliance the APHC. He leader of Awami Action Committee.

recently claimed that other separatists

involved in the conflicts had assassinated Sajjad Gani Lone is a Kashmiri some high profile leaders in the separatist politician, the youngest son of Abdul movement and his own brother. Ghani Lone, who was killed in a rally in

Srinagar. After the death of his father,

Syed Ali Shah Geelani is a Sajjad Lone became the chairman of

prominent separatist leader from People's Conference. In the 2009 Indian

Kashmir. He headsy Tehreek Hurriyat general election he stood as an

and is a hardliner. independent candidate in Baramulla,

becoming the first separatist leader to

stand in a general election in Jammu and Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Umar Kashmir in 20 years. . He was defeated Farooq is the chairman of the Awami by the National Conference candidate Action Committee and the All Parties Sharifuddin Shariq.


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jammu - kashmir fracts problems and solution

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