India spotlights atrocities in PoJK, urges international community to hold Pakistan accountable
New Delhi, August 4
India on Tuesday slammed Pakistan for its continued oppression of the civilians in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which has seen the death of at least 90 civilians, urging the international community to hold Pakistan accountable.
The remarks were made by the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a bilateral press briefing here in the national capital on Tuesday.
When asked about calls for a shutdown in Pakistani universities as the anniversary approaches of the abrogation of Article 370, Jaiswal said, "Regarding the question on August 5th, first, let us focus on what's happening in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 90 people have been killed in the brutality by the Pakistani forces and the international community must take and must hold Pakistan accountable for these atrocities."
MEA spokesperson in his remarks slammed the recently conducted so-called elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, urging the global community to pay heed to the atrocities committed by the Pakistani establishment against civilians.
"This so-called local election in PoK is a complete farce. The real happening is that of public protests and wanton killings by Pakistani forces. Such hollow exercises cannot hide reality."
He also doubled down on Pakistan to take strong action against cross-border terrorism while responding to another media query.
The MEA Spokesperson said, "We continue to call upon countries to take strong action against cross-border terrorism and those promoting cross-border terrorism. We call upon Pakistan to take strong action against cross-border terrorism and the terrorist infrastructure that they have on their soil that needs to be dismantled."
Seven years after the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) present contrasting realities, with the Union Territory witnessing greater stability and development, while PoJK continues to witness allegations of unrest, restrictions and public protests.
As Jammu and Kashmir continues to witness expanding infrastructure, improved public services and a relatively peaceful environment following the abrogation of Article 370, residents and political voices in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir continue to raise concerns over governance, development, economic hardship and restrictions on civil liberties, highlighting the contrasting trajectories of the two regions over the past seven years.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is heartbreaking. While we in the West often only hear one side of the story, it's clear that the people in PoJK are suffering. The international community, especially human rights organizations, should investigate these atrocities. Silence is complicity.
The contrast is stark - on one side, Jammu and Kashmir is developing with new infrastructure, better roads, hospitals, education. On the other side, PoJK has nothing but oppression and fear. Pakistan has failed its own people in the name of "Azadi". Time for the UN to act.
Pakistan is master of deception. They talk about human rights but kill their own people in PoK. The elections there are a sham - nothing but rubber stamp for the army. We need to raise awareness internationally, but honestly, will the world listen? That's the real question.
As someone who follows international relations, this is a legitimate humanitarian concern. The so-called elections are clearly not a mandate but an attempt to legitimize occupation. The fact that students in Pakistani universities are being silenced about this is telling. The world must hold Pakistan accountable.
I wish our own government would focus more on this issue globally instead of getting into smaller things diplomatically. This is about humanity first. 90 innocent lives lost, and their families have no justice. We should push this at every international forum possible. 🙏
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.