This refers to killing of over 100 civilians in the past 100 days of unrest in Kashmir. Instead of debating and discussing the issues like Armed Forces Special Powers Act and demilitarization, I think it would have been better if we had first demanded justice for the victims who lost their lives in action by police and CRPF. We should have made it a point that those involved in civilian killings are brought to book. Unfortunately we, as always, diverted the issue toward AFSPA revocation which is not the only demand in Kashmir. If the police or CRPF men involved in the killing of unarmed civilians—including kids, children, women and elderly—are not punished, that means we are giving them a license to go on killing Kashmiris. It is the prime responsibility of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to make the cops accountable and punish those who have resorted to disproportionate use of force against the people. If the government cannot protect the human rights of its citizens, it has no right to claim that it is a “popular government.” That means it is inefficient government which is not able to control its forces. And importantly, the Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, must tell the Government of India to punish the policeman involved in civilian killings. That would be a biggest achievement.

Khursheed Ahmad Wani
Varmul Kashmir

Lastupdate on : Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 30 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST