‘Children continue to be victims of state terrorism in IOK

Srinagar, March 15, 2014 (PPI-OT): Kashmiri leader, Shamim Shawl, has said that children continue to be the victims of Indian state terrorism in occupied Kashmir. Shamim Shawl speaking at the 25th session of the United Nation Council of Human Rights on Agenda Item 3 in Geneva said, when a war or conflict erupts, women and children are soft targets. She said that it was not something new.

“It has been and continues to be in all those places where conflict rages. Sexual violence against women and children is part and parcel of war, whether we wish to believe so or not. We love our children and we do not really know how to carry on with their future dreams,” she said.

Shamim Shawl said, a nation free of foreign occupation provides a peaceful environment which is important for renovation of health and education. “This dream is a hope for all of us but we are unable to achieve it in the presence of over 700,000 Indian troops,” she added.

She said that the children of Kashmir continued to be victims of violence and conflict affecting the plight of Kashmiri mothers and sisters. “It has been more than 65 years of dispute and this issue is still pending for settlement,” she stated.

Shamim Shawl said that evidence gathered by human rights activists showed that grave child rights violations were taking place in occupied Kashmir. “Army had killed 12th class student in Markundal (Bandipora), on June 30, 2013. In another incident Indian troops of 13 Rashtriya Rifles shot dead two civilians including an 18-year-old-boy of 12th standard, Irfan Ahmad Ganaie, son of Ghulam Nabi of Markundal, Sumbal, and wounded three others in Sonawari area of Bandipora district,” she maintained.

16-year-old Shamim Ahmed, son of Abdul Wahid Lone, of Noutaas, Thathri was found dead by his family around 10:30 pm when he failed to return home after offering ‘taraveeh’ prayers at the nearby mosque. He was bleeding from mouth and ear when his family spotted him lying dead close to his house.

“A class 10 student had gone for prayers. When he didn’t turn up till late, his family started worrying and searching him. They found his body close to his house. There was apparently no injury mark on his body, but his mouth and ears were bleeding” Shamas Din, a local resident, told media. “Suddenly, some VDC members started indiscriminate firing. It was not clear why they did so,” Din added.

Shamim Shawl said that the Kashmiri women were looking towards UN Human Rights Council to protect their young generation from the wrath of Indian forces so that peace could also be established in the region.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms Zerrougui said, “Documenting violations against children is essential to protect them and, ultimately, to end impunity.”

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Phone: 92-51-4435548, 4435549
Fax: 92-51-4861736