Islamabad, May 08, 2023 (PPI-OT): India is perpetually violating human rights in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Pir Dastgeer Srinagar massacre of May 8, 1991, is a grim reminder of the Indian forces’ brutalities on innocent Kashmiris.

Indian troops associated with Central Reserve Police Force and Border Security Force opened fire on thousands of people who had assembled in Pir Dastgeer, Khanyar, locality of downtown Srinagar, on 8th May 1991 to bury some martyred Kashmiris, killing 18 civilians on spot. One infant and his father were also killed in the firing.

Dastgeer Khanka Sahib is a 200-year-old shrine situated in Khanyar, Srinagar. The shrine is famous for a copy of old Quran written by Ali Ibn Abi Talib (R.A), and the relic which is locally called Mouia Pak, a hair strand of Abdul Qadir Gilani.

It was constructed in 1806 and expanded in 1877 by Khwaja Sanaullah Shawl. It is the centre of the activity hub of the Khanyar and is surrounded by a large market. On the Urs or birth date of the Abdul Qadir Gilani (R.A), thousands of people from all over Kashmir go there and offer prayers. Owing to its historic and sacred relevance the shrine is regarded as a holy ziarat for Muslims of Kashmir.

It is well-known fact that Indian forces operate with impunity in IIOJK. The draconian laws, like Public Safety Act (PSA), Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Prevention of Terrorism Act, give extraordinary powers to the Indian forces’ personnel to kill unarmed civilians.

International human rights organisations and groups have repeatedly criticized the Indian government on providing an umbrella of illegal provisions to commit gross right violations in IIOJK. From Kashmir to India, minorities’ rights are violated under the patronage of Indian state, thus disrespecting International law, norms and has emerged as a threat to regional peace.

India has become an apartheid state where human rights and “equality” have become a distant idea. The western powers, often claim to be the champions of human rights, have failed to hold India accountable for its bad human right record because of their vested interests.

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