09-22-2006, 09:47 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Realisation dawns on HRW </b>
Pioneer.com
Hari Om
The US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) acknowledged that there is "considerable evidence that Islamabad has provided Kashmiri militants with training, weapons, funds and sanctuary". Its 156-page report, which was released in Srinagar on September 12, says: "Officially, Pakistan denies ever arming and training militants. Under pressure from the US after the attacks of September 11, 2001, Pakistan banned several militant groups in January 2002, including Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Tayyeba. But these groups have continued to operate after changing their names."
The HRW has also exposed the Valley-based terrorists. Its report says that they have "targeted civilians, including women and children whom they consider to be traitors to the cause or for expressing views contrary to theirs', murdered nearly 600 Kashmiri politicians since the conflict began (in 1989) and killed or tortured officials conducting polls". It has, in addition, held the terrorists responsible for attacking "religious minorities in Kashmir such as Hindus and Sikhs, as well as the (ethnically different and tribal) Gujjars (read Sunni Muslims), whom militants attack because they believe them to be Government informers".
What, however, is more striking is its comment that "numerous massacres, bombings, killings and attacks on schools, attributed to the militants, are often intentionally downplayed by supporters of Kashmir independence or its accession to Pakistan". More significant perhaps is its candid observation that "a conflict over Kashmiri identity and independence has slowly but visibly mutated into a fight under the banner of religion".
Whatever the HRW has reported is what dispassionate Kashmir-watchers have been saying since 1990. Its report has only vindicated their stand, though partially. Partially because the HRW has failed to realise the gravity of the situation as it exists today - one that warrants a full-scale confrontation with those who have been taking recourse to violence to get the State segregated from the Union of India. No wonder it has asked India to repeal section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the J&K Disturbed Areas Act, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, etc.
Extraordinary situations demand special powers and laws. And it must never be forgotten that Jammu & Kashmir is facing similar circumstances.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Tauba! Tauba!! A severe blow to Pakistanâs Honour and dignity - Bush has Ms Rice De-brief Mush!!!
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--> <!--emo&:roll--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ROTFL.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ROTFL.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Pioneer.com
Hari Om
The US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) acknowledged that there is "considerable evidence that Islamabad has provided Kashmiri militants with training, weapons, funds and sanctuary". Its 156-page report, which was released in Srinagar on September 12, says: "Officially, Pakistan denies ever arming and training militants. Under pressure from the US after the attacks of September 11, 2001, Pakistan banned several militant groups in January 2002, including Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Tayyeba. But these groups have continued to operate after changing their names."
The HRW has also exposed the Valley-based terrorists. Its report says that they have "targeted civilians, including women and children whom they consider to be traitors to the cause or for expressing views contrary to theirs', murdered nearly 600 Kashmiri politicians since the conflict began (in 1989) and killed or tortured officials conducting polls". It has, in addition, held the terrorists responsible for attacking "religious minorities in Kashmir such as Hindus and Sikhs, as well as the (ethnically different and tribal) Gujjars (read Sunni Muslims), whom militants attack because they believe them to be Government informers".
What, however, is more striking is its comment that "numerous massacres, bombings, killings and attacks on schools, attributed to the militants, are often intentionally downplayed by supporters of Kashmir independence or its accession to Pakistan". More significant perhaps is its candid observation that "a conflict over Kashmiri identity and independence has slowly but visibly mutated into a fight under the banner of religion".
Whatever the HRW has reported is what dispassionate Kashmir-watchers have been saying since 1990. Its report has only vindicated their stand, though partially. Partially because the HRW has failed to realise the gravity of the situation as it exists today - one that warrants a full-scale confrontation with those who have been taking recourse to violence to get the State segregated from the Union of India. No wonder it has asked India to repeal section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the J&K Disturbed Areas Act, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, etc.
Extraordinary situations demand special powers and laws. And it must never be forgotten that Jammu & Kashmir is facing similar circumstances.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Tauba! Tauba!! A severe blow to Pakistanâs Honour and dignity - Bush has Ms Rice De-brief Mush!!!
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--> <!--emo&:roll--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ROTFL.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ROTFL.gif' /><!--endemo-->