SRINAGAR: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has called upon the central government to intervene and address the reported killings and alleged human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), asserting that New Delhi cannot remain silent if it considers the territory an integral part of India.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Abdullah, speaking to reporters in Srinagar, detailed his appeals to international human rights mechanisms, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the External Affairs Minister, urging them to take note of the escalating situation in PoK and seek urgent intervention.
Abdullah stated that he had formally requested the United Nations Human Rights Commission to visit the region, assess the ground situation, and work towards resolving the prevailing issues. He further reiterated his appeals to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister to acknowledge and act upon the reports emanating from PoK.
Questioning the central government’s stance, Abdullah highlighted the apparent disconnect between consistently asserting PoK as Indian territory and the lack of public statements addressing alleged rights abuses and killings. “They keep saying PoK is our part. If it is your part, then why don’t you speak about what is happening there? Why don’t you say the killings should stop? I have not heard any statement from them,” he remarked.
In addition to the PoK situation, Abdullah also addressed domestic concerns within Jammu and Kashmir. He cautioned that ongoing student-led protests would persist if the authorities failed to honor the assurances previously provided to the demonstrators. “If the promises made to them are not fulfilled and instead they are met with FIRs, arrests and harassment, this movement will continue. The students have risen and, God willing, they will carry it forward,” Abdullah stated, emphasizing the students’ determination.
The National Conference president also voiced significant concerns regarding the pervasive issue of drug abuse among the youth in Jammu and Kashmir. He identified unemployment as another major socio-economic challenge confronting the region, underscoring the need for comprehensive solutions.
Abdullah further expressed strong criticism regarding what he described as a security crackdown following a recent incident in Anantnag. He claimed that thousands of individuals had been detained and several houses demolished in the aftermath, urging the government to refrain from actions that could potentially deepen public alienation and mistrust.
The remarks from the National Conference president come amidst a period of continued political and social unease in Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah’s comprehensive appeal underscores a broader demand for heightened attention to a range of critical issues, from alleged human rights violations in PoK to the pressing concerns of unemployment, drug abuse, and the government’s approach to student protests within the Union Territory.
The Chenab Times News Desk