Islamabad, Mahmood Ahmad Saghar, the Convener of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter, has asserted that India’s use of military force will not suppress the legitimate freedom aspirations of the people in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This declaration comes amidst ongoing operations and policies by the Indian government aimed at stifling the Kashmiri demand for self-determination.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Saghar’s statement in Islamabad criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Hindutva-led government for its deployment of repressive tactics through both its administrative and military arms in the region. He outlined a range of measures being employed to undermine the Kashmiri struggle for freedom, including cordon and search operations, arbitrary arrests, and the forced eviction of residents from their lands and homes. Additionally, Saghar highlighted the termination of local employees from government positions as part of a broader strategy to alter the demographic composition of the territory.
Saghar pointed out the acceleration of these oppressive acts following the controversial revocation of Articles 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019, which stripped the region of its special status. He noted the issuance of domicile certificates to hundreds of thousands of non-Kashmiris as a move to dilute the Muslim-majority character of the region, an act he described as a blatant violation of international laws and United Nations resolutions recognizing Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory.
The Convener underscored the resilience and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people in their pursuit of freedom, expressing confidence that their efforts will eventually culminate in liberation from Indian control. He also issued a call to the international community and human rights organizations, urging them to intervene and halt the Indian government’s ongoing violations of Kashmiri rights. Saghar’s appeal includes support for a resolution of the Kashmir dispute that aligns with the wishes of its people, reflecting a widespread demand for an end to the conflict through peaceful and democratic means.
Saghar’s comments come at a critical juncture in the long-standing Kashmir issue, highlighting the continued tension and the urgent need for a resolution that respects the rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri population.