Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 29 (ANI): Reacting to the violent clashes and firing in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) MLA Tanvir Sadiq on Tuesday said people who were lecturing us on human rights are creating the same thing across the border.
“The people who were lecturing us on human rights are creating the same thing across the border…the government of Pakistan cannot preach one thing for the people of Kashmir and say that there were human rights violations here, but then do the same thing there…I hope the MEA and the Minister of External Affairs take very strong notice of it,” he told ANI.
This comes as protests emerged as the region witnessed escalating tensions during the 52-day-long protest movement, with demonstrators demanding the release of detainees, withdrawal of cases against protesters, and acceptance of their broader demands.
Amnesty International on Tuesday called for an independent and transparent investigation into reports of the use of lethal force against protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) by Pakistani forces while urging Pakistani authorities to restore communication services and allow media and independent observers access to the region.
In a statement, Amnesty International’s Acting Regional Director for South Asia, Isabelle Lassee, reacted to the security forces using lethal force against protesters in Rawalakot during the first day of the regional election.
“The disturbing reports emerging from Rawalakot are consistent with the Pakistani authorities’ long history of unlawful violence against protesters in Jammu and Kashmir. A prompt, independent, and transparent investigation must be ordered into the security forces’ use of force against protesters,” Lassee said.
Meanwhile, reacting to Mehbooba Mufti’s statement, the JKNC MLA said, “I have not seen a weaker, selfish leader than her because she did two things today. She did not apologize, she justified her remark by saying that she wanted to say something else…if she is sincere enough, she needs to apologize for the remark, which has painted every Kashmiri with the same brush by saying that every Kashmiri is a militant…if you are a Chief Minister, you need to be strong enough and intelligent enough to understand that whatever you say has a bearing on the people of Kashmir. Nothing else will suffice, but a two-word apology from her…August 5 is a black blot on the history of Jammu and Kashmir. The National Conference will fight democratically and constitutionally to get what was snatched from us.”
Mufti on Monday apologised for a controversial remark made while addressing a protest in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, saying that “If my people were hurt, then I sincerely apologise for that.” (ANI)
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