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Kashmir: A Legacy Of British Colonialism

By Zafar Iqbal

Since decolonization of sub continent, Kashmir has always been a central part of the string of

most dangerous disputes of the world. Much has been reported by the media and academiaabout the human rights situation in Kashmir, but recent Amnesty International call for urgent

action to probe existence of unmarked graves of disappeared persons in this region echoed

Kashmir discourse to the corridors of power in the Westminster.

After suffering from over half century long turmoil, people of Kashmir expect that the West

would pay similar attention to Kashmir conflict as it gives to contemporary resistance in the

Arab world. Although, Indian rising economy, vast market of 1.21 billion people and robust

trade and strategic partnership between India and UK; are few crucial factors which induce

the later to turning a blind eye to human rights situation in Kashmir. But such alienation

triggers the concerns of Muslim majority people of Kashmir who believe that the West has

double standards over issues related to Muslim world.

Two major contestants of Kashmir conflict, Pakistan and India have been blaming each other

for abuse of human rights in their respective controlled regions, however, ground realties

prevailing in all three units of disputed State unquestionably held responsible both parties for

exacerbating the human suffering in the region where poverty, unemployment, exploitation of

natural resources, gross human rights violations are on the rise.

India and Pakistan have failed to address the grievances of local people suffered from some

development projects aimed to extract and exploit natural resources from Kashmiri lands tobenefit Indian and Pakistani populations. Campaigners complaint that besides abusing global

environmental standards, rights of indigenous people are being brutally violated by Pakistani

and Indian governments in some mega developmental projects being carried out in different

regions in Kashmir,e.g. Diamer-Bhasha Dam (Gilgit Baltistan), Neelum Jhelum Hydropower

Project and Mangla Upraising Power project( Pakistan Administrated Kashmir) and

Kishanganga Project( Indian administered Kashmir).

Hundreds of unidentified gravesbelieved to contain victims of alleged Indian state torture -

have been found in Indian Kashmir where over 100 people are killed in recent uprising which

remained distant from militancy. Amnesty International charges India for detaining of up to

20,000 people without trial under Public Safety Act (PSA) which gives powers officials to

detain citizens without trial for up to two years. Additionally, ban on international and

cellular calls and SMS service prevails to curb free speech.

On other side of region which lies under Pakistani control, over half a million population in

border region in picturesque Neelum Valley lives without any basic communication system

due to monopoly of a telephone firm- run by Pakistani army. Such baloney sanctions are

fuelling anti-Pakistan and India sentiments among locals. People are also furious over

Pakistani regime for mishandling 300m international aid donated for the rebuilding of quake

ridden region of Kashmir.

In Pakistani part of Kashmir dozens of political activists have been barred to join June 26,

2011 local elections under Article 7(2) of the Constituent which also suffocates free speech

and fundamental human right of access to public jobs for those Kashmiris who dont believeon the ideology of the State's accession to Pakistan. Pakistans Ministry of Kashmir Affairs

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is publicly alleged for rigorous electoral rigging, misuse of power and promotion of political

corruption.

Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan Kashmir, has no powers in media licensing as

Islamabad controls all press regulations. Local rules for registration for charitable trusts and

non-governmental organisations (NGOs) also restrict campaigning for human rights issues.

In Pakistani Gilgit Baltistan political activists are frequently arrested over expressing

resentment showed against the constitutional reforms, which annexed the region with

Pakistan.

Pakistans policy on war on terror is questionable when it comes tackling Islamic insurgents

in Kashmir. Pakistan-based devout Islamists like Jamaat ud-dawah (JuD) are freely

operational in Pakistani Kashmir. The JuD which is believed to be a strategic asset of

Pakistan for waging proxy war in Kashmir can endanger temporary peace agreement between

India and Pakistan.

Four Indian and Pakistani troopers have been killed in this month when militants, most likely

from the Jud, tried to cross the Line of Control (LoC). But, three powerful anti -militants

processions held in two weeks after the reorganisation of militants in Pakistani Kashmir,

indicate public mood has changed for militants who are losing public support, which they

gained after starting militancy against India in 1989.

Similarly, a profound support from local traders has been expressed for Intra-Kashmir, an

initiative started as part of Indo-Pak Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). Sadly, lack of

bank and communication facilities; presence of barter trade system and excessive use of

bureaucratic procedures make these peace initiatives meaningless. Also, undue security

checks imposed on traders and travellers increase the woes of divided families. Simple and

user friendly travel and business arrangements must be developed to strengthen human and

business interaction.

No doubt todays Kashmir conflict is part of British imperialistic legacies, spread from

Kashmir to Sri Lanka in South Asia and other inflammatory disputes like Kurdistan and

Palestine in Middle East; and Somalia, Cyprus, Yemen and Sudan, etc. In the recent past

British Prime Minister David Cameron, referring the Kashmir conflict, has already admittedthat Britain caused many of the world's problems. Now it is time for British leadership to

correct their historical mistakes by protecting human rights and democracy in Kashmir.

(The writer is an expert on regional security issues and Executive Director of Press for

Peace, a Pakistan Administered Jammu & Kashmir based human rights organisation. He

could be reached at zafar@pressforpeace.org.uk)