Washington DC, January 12, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Washington-based World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF) has condemned the authorities of India’s notorious National Investigation agency (NIA) for filing criminal cases against Kashmiri political activists, Dr Asif Dar and Muzammil Thakur.
The WKAF in a statement issued in Washington said, “We condemn the fraudulent charges made against Dr Asif Dar and Mr Muzammil Thakur by the Indian National Intelligence Agency (NIA). Dr Dar is one of Kashmir’s most accomplished and peaceful activists, an anaesthesiologist, and role model for Kashmiri youth. Muzammil Thakur is a London based human rights defender and political activist of Kashmiri ancestry.”
On January 6, Indian police registered a case against Dr Dar and Muzammil Thakur under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on false charges. Dr Dar is known for his peaceful resistance against India’s colonialist occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and he remains a fearless supporter of Kashmiris’ efforts to secure their right to self-determination.
Muzammil Thakur is a youthful and articulate public speaker on Kashmiris’ right to self-determination with a large diaspora following on social media. Such baseless claims made by the Indian government are used to suppress the indigenous population’s free speech and activists’ efforts for freedom of Kashmir from foreign occupation, the statement said.
The WKAF said, the actions taken by the NIA are politically motivated and are part of the Indian government’s attempt to censor peaceful Kashmiri voices. The UAPA has been used countless times to harass, assault and imprison activists, political leaders and journalists who aim to expose the human rights violations committed by Indian forces.
As human rights violations against the people of Jammu and Kashmir continue, it is important for activists like Dr Dar and Muzammil Thakur to continue to expose the atrocities committed by Indian forces to the rest of the world. We stand in fierce opposition to India’s actions against Dr Dar, Muzammil Thakur and the people of Kashmir. We condemn any restriction of free speech and expression throughout the region,” it added.
The WKAF urged the United Nations and international community to ensure that rights activists, political leaders, and local journalists are not forcibly silenced for speaking the truth. “Dr Dar’s and Muzammil Thakur’s passion for resistance against the occupation continues to be an inspiration for Kashmiri youth and resistance activists.
On behalf of Kashmiris, domestic and abroad we demand that all charges against Dr Dar and Muzammil Thakur are dropped and the Indian government is held accountable for another unjustified case of censorship and imprisonment under the UAPA,” it demanded.
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