Kashmir needs humanitarian aid

Islamabad

Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR) has expressed its deep anguish on the continued 114 day curfew and the ferocious brutality inflicted on the public by Indian security forces and police in the occupied Kashmir, says a press release.

JKCHR President Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani has said: “We are witnessing life in the Valley of Kashmir continues today under the 114th day of curfew. More and well considered work needs to be done on humanitarian and political fronts. So far there has been an expression of solidarity on the streets of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan and in some other capitals of the world. Pakistan has raised the matter at the UN GA and through a segment of travel diplomacy. It has not helped the situation in the Valley and Indian army, assisted by the police, is continuing its ferocious brutality and is acting above local law and is violating the Code of Conduct set by UN for law enforcing agencies.”

Dr. Nazir Gilani has said that political parties in Pakistan in aggregate do not seem to have done anything substantive beyond point scoring on Kashmir. Kashmiri political parties in Azad Kashmir and in particular in UK have not moved beyond a press note or a one off street appearance. There is no end to face book politics, which of course ends in a circular run amongst ourselves. AJK President came and may have returned. It would not help us if we discuss here whether he recycled the routine or had an impacting visit. Let us defer a comment on it for another time. However, the reply of British Prime Minister in the House of Commons leaves no doubt that president’s visit has gone unnoticed.

JKCHR president has said that there is an urgent need to address the question of a continued 114 day curfew. We should not wait for India to decide the duration of its brutality. Most urgent need is the Humanitarian Assistance for the victims and the public. UN, Red Cross, Commonwealth, OIC, churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, Pope, NGOs and individuals could be activated and have to be activated without a delay.

Dr. Nazir Gilani has said that Kashmiris living in United Kingdom could contribute 1£ each and handover the money or humanitarian aid to British Government or Red Cross to take to the people of Kashmir. He has appealed to check whether you have spent or set aside one pound or more for Kashmir in the last 114 days. If you have not done so, this is a reminder.

JKCHR president pointed out that people of the world have always considered to help the people of Kashmir. The interest of the Catholic Church in Kashmir dates back to May 1864, when the Church sent Dr William Elmslie as head of Medical Mission to Kashmir. He opened his dispensary on the morning of 9th May, 1865. He would perform operations under the trees. He worked there for 8 years and died in 1872 on his way out of Kashmir. Rev. T. R. Wade worked with him in the early days of this medical mission. Lieut. Robert Thorp was murdered in 1867 by the Hindu ruler for highlighting the sufferings of the Muslims of Kashmir. There is an urgent need to activate this support and sympathy.