Dr Kaisar Ahmad, Principal at Government Medical College Srinagar, told Reuters that over 280 people had been treated for pellet injuries since July 9 when violence broke out in Kashmir during protests sparked by the killing of a Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani.
Advertisement
In his remarks on the occasion, Ambassador of Pakistan Sohail Mahmood highlighted the significance of the observance of ‘Black Day, ‘ underscored the grave concern of the Government and people of Pakistan over the human suffering in Kashmir due to the excessive use of force by the occupying forces, stressed that efforts were underway to apprise the global community of the atrocities being perpetrated, and underlined the need for the world community to play its role in facilitating a just, peaceful and durable solution of the Kashmir dispute. Sharif said that India had promised to the world to arrange a plebiscite in Indian-controlled Kashmir, but such a commitment was yet to be honored.
Pakistan used Wani’s killing to needle India at the United Nations and issued statements where it accused India of atrocities in Kashmir. When asked if Pakistan is considering severing diplomatic tie with India over the Kashmir violence, Aziz said: “Severing ties with India over the issue is no solution to the issue of Kashmir”. “Our people are laying down their lives for a reason and this reason is right to self-determination”, he noted.
Kashmir Valley remains under curfew on the thirteenth day of the civilian uprising with the separatist leadership withdrawing strike call for two hours today afternoon for people to “stock up essentials”, while extending the shutdown till July 25. The adviser declared that Pakistan “fully backs” All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) leader Syed Ali Geelani’s four-point formula on Kashmir. Almost 2,000 civilians and about 1,600 government troops have been injured.
The state government’s political adviser, Amitabh Mattoo, said the decision to temporarily ban newspaper publication was made without the knowledge of the state’s top elected official, Mehbooba Mufti. Streets were mostly deserted otherwise, and with shops still closed, people were trying to cope with shortages of food and other necessities.
“They broke off from India in the name of religion, but today they are broken in two parts because of terrorism”.
According to a police officer, the situation in the Valley remains “under control”, although incidents of stone pelting have been reported from “Baramulla, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Bandipora and Srinagar city”, the officer said.
But the police spokesperson said, “There will be no relaxation in curfew and restrictions across the Kashmir Valley”.
Advertisement
Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since independence in 1947, but both claim the Himalayan territory in full. The abbreviated parts include many academics writings, journals, pages of local newspapers, and user accounts holding thousands of photographs, videos, and information posted about recent happenings of Kashmir.
