ISLAMABAD:Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan has said that India has intensified its atrocities and persecution campaign against the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of Coronavirus pandemic.
In an interview with Radio Pakistan, he said whilst the world is preoccupied with Covid-19, it is imperative that the human rights situation in the occupied territory as well as the key question of the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people must remain on the global agenda and must continue to receive the attention.
He said the UN Security Council should immediately convene an emergency meeting to take notice of the genocide being committed in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The AJK President said virtual diplomacy has been started to keep the world attention towards the lingering dispute. In this regard, contacts have been established through video link with the Kashmiri people and parliamentarians in Britain.
He hailed Radio Pakistan, especially its digital portal for consistently highlighting the Kashmir dispute. On behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he expressed his gratitude to the top administration of Radio Pakistan for raising the voice of oppressed Kashmiri people through its tweets and posts.
Drawing attention towards the situation prevailing in occupied Kashmir, the AJK President recalled that a ruthless lockdown is in place in the occupied territory since 5th August last year. During this period, he said, the people have been subjected to brute force and violence. In addition to the arrest of the political leadership, thousands of children have also been arrested.
He said despite the breakout of coronavirus, the process of atrocities is still continuing in the valley. The Kashmiri people are still cut off from the rest of the world with blockade on communication links including the internet. Sardar Masood Khan said the Coronavirus patients in occupied Kashmir are not being provided with medical facilities. There are no ventilators, personal protection equipment and masks there whilst pharmacies and hospitals in the valley are presenting a look of cemetery.
He said the detained political leadership and the youth have been kept in cramped concentration centers and there is greater threat of spread of the contagion. He pointed out that India is resorting to increased violations on the line of control to divert the attention of the world from its war crimes, crimes against human and genocide in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to the immense sacrifices of Kashmiri people spanning over seven decades, the AJK President said the brave and valiant people of Kashmir have not surrendered regardless of rendering five hundred thousand lives in the struggle for right to self-determination. He said this is an open message to India that the Kashmiri people will never accept defeat that they will continue their fight till the realization of their ultimate goal.
Alluding to the atrocities being committed against Muslims and minorities in India, the AJK President said this exposes the violent extremist doctrine of the RSS inspired BJP government. He pointed out that the Arab world has now also risen over the insulting remarks made by the extremist Hindus against them.
The AJK President also dilated upon the steps taken in coordination with the federal government to contain the spread of Coronavirus in Azad Kashmir. He said the federal government and the National Disaster Management Authority have provided us with ventilators, personal protection equipment and masks including N-95. He said under Ehsaas Program, assistance of three billion rupees had been provided to two hundred and forty-eight thousand people.
Sardar Masood Khan said the AJK government took timely steps to check the spread of the virus. We have set up about sixty Quarantine centers and in each district isolation wards and hospitals have been established. He added.
Newsdesk