#Demand for removal of AFSPA

[meetdheeraj]

There was a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir (what is the new name after dividing the state into three parts?).

I can see some of you who don't otherwise post “political” opinions about it. Honestly, I'm happy to see all of you sticking your neck out. I'm not suggesting I know better but do you know what terrorism or terrorists mean? Forget dictionary meaning or legal definition. In your head, what does it mean? Is it terrorism when a section of people in Manipur are mercilessly killed, their houses are burnt, women approach police and police hand them to a mob from the majority community and later videos of them being paraded go viral; Is that terrorism? There's murder, burning, rapes and still, it doesn't sound like terrorism. Why is it? Is it because the media is not calling it so? Or because so many of you are not posting “I condemn terrorists rampaging havoc in Manipur”?

Okay. Okay. Manipur is too much stressful. Probably it'll harm your mental health if you start knowing about Manipur. Forget it then.

How about that man in uniform on the train taking his service gun and shooting Muslims while chanting religious and political slogans, is that terrorism? Why do we still not refer to him as a terrorist? We went so far as to call him mental! Not terrorist. He killed people, and chanted religious and political slogans but somehow for you and so many others, his wasn't an act of terror. We know terrorism is bad and terrorists are bad guys. But what exactly is terrorism? And who are terrorists? Should people have to topple a bus to be named terrorists? Should the violence happen in Jammu and Kashmir for it to be termed as terrorism? Like Jats in Haryana or Rajasthan can remove railway tracks while demanding reservations but we don't refer to them as terrorists but a Kashmiri pelting a pebble at an Indian army gunman is definitely termed a terrorist. Perhaps where violence takes place has to do with the definition in your head. If so…

Have you heard of Kunan Poshspora where Indian armed forces carried out mass rapes? Have you heard of that girl in the northeast who had gun wounds in her private regions and traces of semen? Oh, wait! We don't refer to men in uniform as terrorists. They have the legal right to kill and maybe rapes are also allowed under AFSPA. I don't know but I have never heard an armyman tried for it. So who is a terrorist then? My head hurts trying to think about the answer. It appears you all have some clarity on the subject. Unlike me, you don't post regularly. Perhaps your lives are important, you all have life and you all are busy. Once in a while something happens and it shakes you so much that you leave out your “I'm not political” rule and post political opinion. Maybe Palestine is too far for you to bother about but Jammu and Kashmir is a piece of land that belongs to you. I'm still trying to think about how your brain works. What motivates it and why.

On a separate note, I'll not force myself to post any such things. Terrorists will do what they do and are known to do, rapists will rape, thieves will steal, robbers will rob and scammers will scam. It's what they do. It's the job of the media to inform us when so and so happens. And it is the job of the government, and administration to first, stop such things from happening and second, if in case they happen then to investigate, catch and punish the perpetrators. I believe ordinary citizens and people in positions of influence must speak out when people in power aka govt do not do their job. For example, Kashmir is the world's most militarised region. What does that mean? It has the highest ratio of citizens to gunmen. Kashmir is also directly ruled by the Modi govt. Modi hasn't conducted elections there since he divided the state into three regions. Only recently a vehicle full of ammunition was rammed into an army base causing huge damage and embarrassment. How did such a vehicle with such large quantities of arms go past multiple army checkposts? Were army men involved with terrorists to aid them in committing such a heinous crime? We didn't bother to ask Modi these questions and he didn't bother to inform us anyway. We don't know what happened. Then recently some fraud from Gujarat claimed he was close to Modi and was visiting all sensitive army regions. In fact, he was taken around by Indian army officials. What kind of security does the Indian army have? What sort of verification procedures. No one asked, and no one answered. Modi demonetised and created havoc with the Indian economy but told us it broke the backbone of terrorism in Kashmir. There was the abrogation of article 370 defended on the same lines. So how's it still happening? Who is letting it happen? Is the Indian army incompetent? Or is Modi not letting them function? Do you want Modi to answer these questions or do you want to forget and wait until it repeats?

Here's a bit of truth. The reason why you post this is because it aligns with your politics. You're political. No one's apolitical. Your endgame is demonising a community. You're not bothered about lives lost. If you did, you would have spoken about Manipur, or about multiple Muslims murdered on Indian streets and video-graphed. A cabinet minister nonetheless went and garlanded convicts of lynching cases. Don't forget. Or when the rapists of Bilkis Bano were released by the Modi govt just before the Gujarat elections. Hindu organisations welcomed them with garlands and honoured them on a stage. Nice photographs. See. You're not bothered about rapes and deaths of people. You don't care who was killed in Jammu and Kashmir. You have a carefully curated politics in your head. You know it's awful. That's why you want to pretend apolitical about other matters where posting about it does not align with your politics. But here, you have to post. You don't want to lose the chance to dehumanise a community. Subtle huh?

I'm not suggesting you should not post. Please do. But also invest some time into thinking why are you bothering to post about it. Are you trying to inform your followers? Why? Is it because the media is not covering it? It actually is. Media didn't cover Manipur, Brijbhushan, Prajwal Devanna etc., but then you kept quiet. So why are you posting? Are you feeling sad? You are against terrorism and you want to tell it to your followers? What kind of followers do you have that think anyone would be in favour of terrorism? Aren't we all against violence, rape, child marriages, slavery etc? Are you trying to say yes? But read again, it doesn't appear like you are against rape and murder, right? That's what perplexes me.

Lastly, "all eyes on.." is copy of "All eyes on Rafah". Do you understand what it implies? With respect to Palestinian atrocities, the aim or charge was that Israel is killing people and administration (in this case everyone from UN, world powers etc have failed to stop the genocide) and because they have failed we need more eyeballs to force their attention onto the ongoing massacre. In case of Jammu and Kashmir then, who are we saying has failed? Who is in charge here? Who was supposed to stop terrorism? Who is supposed to find and charge terrorists? Narendra Modi right? So are you saying the god that you otherwise praise unlimitedly has failed to do his job? Again? If that was the case you would target Modi, ask him what is he doing? What did he do last time that terrorists could strike again? Well well well, you see, you're not asking that.

Anyway, good luck with your non-consequential outrage whose only aim is to foster animosity between two communities which is exactly also what fundamentalists and terrorists want. The same thing Modi tried throughout his election campaign. You all want same same thing. For both to hate each other.

[harpianews]

Nagaland Civil Murders: Agatha Sangma Demands Removal Of AFSPA In Lok Sabha

Nagaland Civil Murders: Agatha Sangma Demands Removal Of AFSPA In Lok Sabha

Bringing Security Forces 14 civilians killed In Nagaland’s Mon district over the weekend, National People’s Party MP Agatha Sangma called for repeal of the “draconian” Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour. “This is not the first time that such an incident has happened where innocent citizens had to bear the brunt of harsh laws like AFSPA. It also reminds us of an…

[jasooskutty]

A Malayalee Hindu’s Confession on Citizenship Bill

The Citizenship Amendment Bill is now law. Many of my colleagues on twitter say they feel sad, scared, angry, disappointed. I feel no such emotion.

And why should I? It doesn’t affect me. I am a Hindu. I don't know why Muslims are upset. They are not losing citizenship or anything.

And these protests in the Northeast! To be honest, where is the Northeast? It seems somewhere back of the beyond. I have never been there. I don’t see the region becoming a job hub in the foreseeable future. If and when I go, it will be as a tourist. I will click a few photos to keep at home, a reminder of a good trip.

To be honest I don’t know how many states are there in the Northeast. That would be an exaggeration, there are Seven Sisters. Is Sikkim one of the sisters or a distant cousin or neither? I don’t know.

I learnt the capitals of the seven states to score marks in GK. That done, I readily forgot them the moment I passed out.    

I mean who cares about the Northeast? If it wasn’t for the blank cheque, err passport, for illegal Hindu immigrants and a babaji ka thullu, isn’t that what Kapil Sharma says, for illegal Muslim immigrants, we wouldn’t be wasting any airtime or ink on the Northeast.

You don’t believe me?

Manipur was blockaded for nearly 5 months - that is almost half the year - a couple of years ago. Did anyone notice it? Did anyone cover the news?

Irom Sharmila, a resident of Manipur, was on a hunger strike for 16 years demanding removal of AFSPA. Hardly anyone noticed. AFSPA is still in force in Manipur. Irom just gave up her fight and got married. Her wedding made more headlines than the fast. BTW, she also lost an election somewhere in between. It would be wrong to say nothing fruitful came out of Irom’s hunger strike. A few people wrote her biographies and she got the title ‘Iron Lady’.

This is how much we Indians care for the Northeast.

I don’t know much about CAB, but what I know is it was in the BJP’s manifesto and the party swept the Northeast. It means the people of the region want the law, right? I may be wrong, but I have already admitted I give a damn about the place.

That is not to say I am a heartless soul. I have deep affection for people and things Northeastern. Just like I relish Hyderabadi biryani and mutton kababs, I like momos and red chutney. They are good touchings for rum. Not to speak of the people. They make for wonderful drinking buddies.

Now you know why I don’t feel sad, scared, angry or disappointed over the citizenship bill.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mastered one trick. Us versus them. And this ‘us’ is always a lot more significant in numbers than the ‘them’.

At some point, the party’s gaze will turn to Kerala. It fits the bill. Small state. Sizeable Muslim population. Just 20 Lok Sabha seats which the party anyway doesn’t win. It could come in the form of a countrywide beef ban for example. Us versus them.

That is when I will feel sad, scared, angry, disappointed.

[unickwork]

Centre Considering Nagaland's Demand to Remove AFSPA, Hopeful of 'Positive' Outcome: CM Rio

Centre Considering Nagaland’s Demand to Remove AFSPA, Hopeful of ‘Positive’ Outcome: CM Rio

The Centre is considering Nagaland’s demand of removal of AFSPA from the state, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said on Wednesday, expressing hope for a “positive decision”. Addressing the Republic Day function at the Civil Secretariat here, Rio said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the killing of 14 civilians by security forces in Mon has made good progress. “We are taking every…

[shivahadi]

#Nagaland residents once again demanded the repealing of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) following the shocking killing of 13 civilians in Mon district on Saturday. The news of the death has essentially put an end to the festive mood of the Hornbill Festival. On Sunday, Kisama heritage village, which would have otherwise been brimming with joyous hosts and tourists, looked anything but festive. The venue was full of posters that read “Remove bloodthirsty Indian Armed Forces from Nagaland”, “We condemn the killing of innocent civilians by security forces” and ” we demand justice” in response to the gruesome murder. Speaking with EastMojo, Yaam Wangsha from the Konyak Naga tribe called the killings an absolute disgrace “by the Indian Army against civilians who were just daily breadwinners.” “How can such a big military organisation fail to differentiate between militants and innocent men? Why are we allowing the foreigners to encroach our land and kill our people for their amusement and blame the failed system which never existed?” asked Wangsha. Report via @east.mojo #afspa #nagaland #indianarmy #murder #civilians #visionforcitizens #citizensconnected (at India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXIgg37MecZ-IYq9Rcy348TvXEJuAJThz7ldPY0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[kimskashmir]

Nagaland: Locals call Mon civilian killings a ‘disgrace’, demand end of AFSPA

The venue was full of posters that read “Remove bloodthirsty Indian Armed Forces from Nagaland”, “We condemn the killing of innocent civilians by security forces” and ”we demand justice” in response to the gruesome murder. 

KOHIMA — Nagaland residents once again demanded the repealing of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) following the shocking killing of 13 civilians in Mon district on Saturday. The news of the death has essentially put an end to the festive mood of the Hornbill Festival. On Sunday, Kisama heritage village, which would have otherwise been brimming with joyous hosts and tourists, looked…

[u4u-voice]

NC claim to form government on its own is hollow: J&K BJP

JAMMU: An analysis of the assembly constituency wise polling pattern of just concluded parliamentary elections establishes beyond doubt that the National Conference claim that it will form next government in the state on its own is hollow stated Brig Anil Gupta, State Spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party in a press statement released by the party. NC has won in 30 assembly constituencies, all in Kashmir, mostly due to low voter turnout. Margin of victory is also very narrow in many constituencies. It has clean swept the Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency by winning in all 15 assembly constituencies. The party has zero representation from both Jammu & Ladakh regions. NC surrendered without contest in Jammu & Ladakh because it failed to find suitable candidates. Its ploy of a Mahagathbandhan to defeat the BJP in these regions failed miserably going by the huge margin of victory in favour of BJP in the three parliamentary seats allotted to Congress in the garb of unity of self-proclaimed secular parties, asserted Brig Gupta. “With lead in just 30 assembly constituencies, how it plans to form the government on its own needs an explanation from both the provincial and state Presidents of NC. The confidence exuded by these leaders is good to raise the sagging morale of its cadre but woefully inadequate to form next state government on its own”, said Brig Gupta. How can they claim massive victory from all three regions when their party did not participate in local bodies, panchayat and parliamentary elections in two of the three regions, questioned Brig Gupta? Incidentally BJP’s vote share of 46.4% in these elections is more than the combined vote share of NC, Congress and PDP together. Congress has a vote share of 28.5%, followed by NC- 7.9% and PDP- 3.3%, asserted Brig Gupta. Brig Gupta once again reminded Dr Abdullah and NC leadership that it does not have the mandate of the people of Jammu & Ladakh to make tall claims about Articles 35A and 370 because people of these two regions want immediate removal of these articles as is evident from the mandate given in favour of their removal. Dr Abdullah also needs to clarify as to how he proposes to restore peace in the state when his party wants to repeal Public Safety Act, remove AFSPA, demands withdrawal of Indian Army, wants ban on Jamaat-e-Islami (JeM) to be lifted and Operation All Out to be called off, asked Brig Gupta? Can peace be restored without eliminating the terror and the over ground terror network, Dr Abdullah needs to clarify? Read the full article

[harpianews]

Historic, big step for peace: Northeast CMs

Historic, big step for peace: Northeast CMs

The Central Government’s decision to remove the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from several districts in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur is “historic” and a “big step” for peace in the region, according to chief ministers across the Northeast, where its repeal has been a long-standing demand. The development marked the beginning of “a new chapter in Assam’s future”, said Chief Minister…

[global-news-station]

SRINAGAR: Occupied Jammu and Kashmir has reported two deaths due to the ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus, ARY News reported.

A 60-year-old man hailing from Tangmarg area of Baramulla district died early this morning.

Read More: PM Imran Khan says Kashmir is unfinished agenda of partition

A doctor said the man was referred from SMHS hospital and had tested positive only yesterday.

Kashmiri media sources have claimed that 33 people have so far tested positive for novel coronavirus in the illegaly occupied land.

Indian government has increased restriction in the forcefully annexed piece of land making lives of the residents doubly difficult.

Doctors and paramedics in the landlocked region have confessed to the negligible healthcare resources available to them and demanded the world community to take note of the ongoing and persistent human rights violation.

Read More: SAPM Awan urges unity against coronavirus, demands world to take note of Kashmiri plight

Pakistan has expressed deep concern over continued restrictions in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, despite so many confirmed cases and two deaths due to COVID-19.

The Pakistani Foreign Office in a statement said, thousands of Kashmiri youth, members of civil society, journalists and Kashmiri leaders remain incarcerated in Indian prisons, many of them at undisclosed locations and away from their families.

The Indian forces continue to operate in the occupied territory with complete impunity under draconian laws such as Public Safety Act (PSA) and Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA).

“The senior Hurriyat leadership is under detention at homes or in different prisons. Hurriyat leaders Yasin Malik, Asiya Andrabi and others are languishing in Indian jails under fake charges without a free or fair trial.

Read More: International world should be ashamed at negligence on Kashmir: Governor Punjab

Yasin Malik, already suffering from deteriorating health, has threatened an indefinite hunger strike to protest against a false charge sheet by the Indian government in a 30-year old case.”

“Since the Indian illegal actions of 5 August 2019, all educational institutions in IoJ&K have almost remained closed. The students are unable to continue virtual education due to continued restrictions on 4G Internet services. While the world is fighting the worst global health emergency, over 900,000 Indian military and para-military occupation troops continue adding to the suffering of innocent Kashmiris.”

The international community, cognizant of the worst human rights violations and the atrocities being perpetrated by India in IoJ&K, must urgently demand from India the lifting of communication restrictions and allowing unfettered access to medical and other essential supplies, the statement added.

“The Indian government must also be urged to immediately allow release of all political prisoners from Indian jails, end incarceration of Kashmiri leaders including the senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leadership, restore full Internet facility in the entire occupied region, remove PSA and other draconian laws, and withdraw occupation forces from the IOJ&K.”

Read More: Pakistan urges easing of Kashmir restrictions, release of political prisoners

The dire human rights and humanitarian situation in IOJ&K, exacerbated by India’s illegal and unilateral actions since 5 August 2019, has been amply exposed by the international human rights organizations and international media.

The Indian government cannot continue to suppress the legitimate aspirations of the people of IOJ&K without facing international opprobrium and censure, the Foreign Office said.

Read More: Pakistan urges India to lift blockade in Occupied Kashmir amid coronavirus outbreak

“For its part, Pakistan will continue supporting its Kashmiri brethren in their rightful struggle against Indian oppression till the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council Resolutions,” the statement added. KMS

The post Two die in occupied Jammu-Kashmir due to novel coronavirus appeared first on ARY NEWS.

https://ift.tt/3cNhnPp

[yogenderranawat]

via Bravehearts : Indian Defense forces

[wionews]

Time has not come for any rethink on AFSPA: Army chief

Time has not come for any rethink on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) or making some of its provisions milder, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said, asserting that the Army has been taking adequate precautions in protecting human rights while operating in disturbed areas like Jammu and Kashmir.

General Rawat's remarks assume significance as they come against the backdrop of reports that several rounds of high-level discussions have taken place between the defence and home ministries on the "need to remove or dilute at least some provisions" of AFSPA.

The act gives the security forces special rights and immunity in carrying out various operations in disturbed areas. There has been a long-standing demand from various quarters in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast to withdraw it.

"I do not think time has come to even rethink on AFSPA at the moment," General Rawat told PTI in a recent interview when asked about reports that government was re-examining the demand for a milder version of AFSPA in these states.

The Army chief said though AFSPA has certain strong provisions, the Army is concerned about collateral damages and ensuring that its operations under the law do not inconvenience the local people.

"We have never been strong in applying the force the way it could be applied (under AFSPA). We are very concerned about human rights. We are absolutely concerned about collateral damage. So do not get too much concerned because we are taking adequate measures and precautions," he said.

Gen Rawat said the Army has rules of engagements for various operations at every level to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to the people while it is operating under AFSPA.

"The AFSPA is an enabling provision which allows the Army in particular to operate in such difficult areas and let me assure you that the Army has got quite a good human rights record," he said.

Asked whether the time has come to adopt a combined approach involving all three services to deal with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in J-K, the Army Chief did not give a direct reply but added that the armed forces have "options available" to conduct various kinds of operations.

"Yes, we have options available to conduct various kind of operations but these cannot be divulged because of the nature of the operations we have to conduct will only alert the other side," he said.

Gen Rawat added that "when you do operational planning, these are best left to the armed forces in the manner in which they have to conduct their operations. And the manner in which the operations are conducted and the way they are planned and the way they are executed are never put in open domain."

To question on whether there was room for synergy among external and internal intelligence gathering to effectively contain cross border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the armed forces and all other agencies have been operating in unison.

"At this juncture, the kind of cooperation we are having among the intelligence agencies is of a very high order. Today all the intelligence agencies and the security forces are operating in unison. There is an excellent synergy among all of us and I do not think we can take it to the next higher level from what is happening at the moment. I think this is the best way and right way," the Army chief said.

Since the beginning of last year, the Army pursued an aggressive anti-terror policy in J-K and, at the same time, forcefully responded to all ceasefire violations by the Pakistani troops along the Line of Control with a tit-for-tat approach.

The LoC remained volatile last year. According to official figures, 860 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops were reported in 2017 as against 221 the year before. 

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[thenorthlines]

Mass support to aggressive military actions in Kashmir valley: Pew survey

The survey, conducted between February 21 and March 10, sought the views of 2,464 people across the country, in both urban and rural areas. New Delhi: At a time when many sections in the society are demanding removal of AFSPA in some areas of Jammu and Kashmir, more than 60 percent respondents of a survey believe that the Centre should use more military force in the state, American fact-tank Pew…

[sharebismail28]

Iron Lady...

Iron Lady…

She conducted 16 years hunger strike demanding the withdrawal of #AFSPA for the people of Manipur and because of those people She faced a humiliating defeat in the Elections.Last year, Irom said with tears in her eyes. I want to stay alive. I want to live. I want to love . I want to marry,but before I can do that, I want the Armed Forces Special Powers Act removed from Manipur. She has written an…

[harpianews]

Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Kiren Rijiju to introduce bill to amend Judges' Wages Act; Opposition demands removal of AFSPA in Nagaland

Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: Kiren Rijiju to introduce bill to amend Judges’ Wages Act; Opposition demands removal of AFSPA in Nagaland

Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaking on the Nagaland incident in Lok Sabha during the ongoing winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday, December 6, 2021. (LSTV/PTI photo) Amit Shah said on Nagaland firing – a case of mistaken identity Expressing regret over the incident in Nagaland, in which civilians were killed by security personnel, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday informed…

[u4u-voice]

Mehbooba, Omar welcome Cong's poll promise to amend AFSPA

SRINAGAR: National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Muftis Tuesday hailed the Congress party's poll promise to amend the AFSPA if voted to power in the general elections. Omar Abdullah welcomed the Congress' promise saying it is "better later than never". "If the Congress has mentioned this in their manifesto, I welcome it. It is better late than never. If they had done this before 2014 (polls), we would have worked to lift the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act from certain parts of the state," said Omar Abdullah. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said some friends from the Congress conspired against him when he wanted to lift the AFSPA from some parts of the state. "It is a very good thing. I wish they had done this when I was the chief minister of the state," he said. "That time when I demanded the removal of AFSPA, some Congress friends had conspired against it. I do not want to name them because it won't look good. There were some senior leaders from Kashmir who conspired against my efforts. I got support only from (former Union Minister P) Chidambaram, Omar said. Peoples Democratic Party president Mufti too welcomed the Congress' promise, saying the party has shown "great courage". The Congress has shown great courage by endorsing issues the PDP incorporated in its agenda of alliance with the BJP," tweeted Mehbooba Mufti. "The Revocation of AFSPA, not fiddling with the JK constitutional provisions & holding unconditional dialogue. The roadmap PDP envisages is the only solution for a peaceful J&K, Mehbooba wrote on Twitter. Read the full article