Calls for J&K All Party Meeting Over PoJK Bloodshed; Says 'Voices Cannot Be Silenced Through the Barrel of a Gun'
Aasif Malik
Srinagar, July 29: J&K Awami National Conference Senior Vice President Muzaffar Shah on Wednesday strongly condemned the brutal killings of more than 30 civilians and the injuries sustained by nearly 200 others during the ongoing crackdown in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir, describing the violence as a grave humanitarian tragedy and a shocking assault on fundamental human rights.
Expressing profound anguish over the bloodshed, Shah said the continued use of live ammunition, tear gas and pellet guns against unarmed civilians protesting for their economic, political and social rights represents an unacceptable abuse of state power.
He said the systematic suppression of peaceful voices through force has created an atmosphere of fear and repression that demands immediate attention from the international community.
Calling upon the Government of India to take urgent cognisance of the rapidly deteriorating situation, Shah urged New Delhi to intervene through all appropriate diplomatic and humanitarian channels and unequivocally stand with the people of PoJK.
He said India has a moral responsibility to raise the issue forcefully and ensure that the plight of the people across the Line of Control receives the attention it deserves.
The senior ANC leader also called for an immediate All Party Meeting in Jammu and Kashmir, urging political parties to rise above political differences and collectively deliberate on the unfolding crisis. He said a united political response would send a powerful message of solidarity with the people of PoJK and reaffirm Jammu and Kashmir's commitment to defending human rights and democratic values.
Shah said the killing of more than 30 civilians and the injuries inflicted upon nearly 200 others cannot be viewed as an isolated law and order issue but as a grave violation of the people's fundamental rights. He maintained that every citizen has the right to peacefully express grievances and demand economic justice, political representation and equitable access to local resources without facing violent repression.
Expressing solidarity with the bereaved families and those injured in the crackdown, Shah said the people of PoJK have endured prolonged deprivation and deserve justice, dignity and the freedom to peacefully articulate their aspirations. He asserted that silencing public dissent through violence only deepens public resentment and further undermines the prospects for peace and stability in the region.
Reaffirming the Awami National Conference's commitment to the defence of human rights, Shah urged GoI, the democratic institutions and the international community to closely monitor the situation and ensure that those responsible for the violence are held accountable.
"The brutal killing of more than 30 innocent civilians and the indiscriminate use of force against peaceful protesters is a grim reminder of the suffering being endured by the people of PoJK. The Government of India must intervene without delay and the political leadership of Jammu and Kashmir must come together on a common platform to condemn these atrocities. The voices of the oppressed cannot and must not be silenced through the barrel of a gun," Shah said.
