Srinagar: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has paid tributes to the victims of the Handwara massacre and other January massacres in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, underscoring the persistent suffering of the Kashmiri people under Indian rule.
According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, January remains a painful month for Kashmiris, marked by brutal massacres carried out by Indian forces. On January 6, 1993, more than 60 civilians lost their lives, and over 350 shops and houses were destroyed when Indian troops set fire to Sopore town. Similarly, on January 21, 1990, at least 50 individuals were killed when security forces fired on a peaceful procession in Basant Bagh, Srinagar.
The violence continued with the Handwara incident on January 25, 1990, where 17 civilians were killed by Indian Border Security Force troops during a protest. This was followed by the Kupwara massacre on January 27, 1994, resulting in 27 deaths and 36 injuries due to indiscriminate firing.
APHC spokesman Abdul Rashid Minhas, in a statement from Srinagar, paid homage to the Handwara martyrs on their 35th anniversary. He condemned the actions of Indian troops and their use of force against demonstrators advocating for self-determination. Minhas reiterated the commitment of the Kashmiri people to their struggle for freedom, emphasizing that these massacres highlight the atrocities faced by Kashmiris in their pursuit of justice.
The APHC called upon international human rights organizations to hold India accountable for its actions in Kashmir and to seek justice for the victims. The statement urged the global community to take decisive action to alleviate the prolonged suffering of the Kashmiri people.
Other Hurriyat leaders and organizations also issued statements from Srinagar, honoring the massacre victims and reaffirming their dedication to the freedom movement. They appealed to the international community, particularly the United Nations, to recognize these events and pressure India to conduct impartial investigations into the killings.