Srinagar: The Indian armed forces and police are accused of targeting young Kashmiris in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), aiming to quell their calls for a UN-backed plebiscite, as per report released on International Youth Day.

According to Kashmir Media Service, on this observance day, Indian forces are allegedly involved in the extrajudicial killings and daily harassment of Kashmiri youth, who are demanding their political and legal rights, including the right to self-determination. The report details the extensive use of cordon and search operations, house raids, and detentions as tools of oppression against the youth in the region.

The report further highlights the intensification of these actions since August 5, 2019, when India revoked the special status of IIOJK and enforced a strict military and police presence. 54 Kashmiri youths have been killed and 2,825 arrested this year, while since 1989, Indian forces have been responsible for the deaths of 96,341 Kashmiris, mainly youths.

It emphasizes the resilience of the Kashmiri people, asserting that despite severe crackdowns, the spirit for freedom and peace among the youth remains unbroken. The report calls on the international community and the United Nations to intervene and hold India accountable for the ongoing human rights violations and brutal treatment of Kashmiri youths.