SRINAGAR: In the annals of Kashmir’s tumultuous history, the 30th martyrdom anniversary of the Bijbehara massacre stands as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by the people of the region.
It was on October 22, 1993, that the town of Bijbehara, situated in the Islamabad district, bore witness to a tragic episode. More than 50 innocent Kashmiris lost their lives in this massacre, victims of a violent clash that erupted when Indian Border Security Force personnel opened fire on peaceful demonstrators. These demonstrators had gathered to protest against the Indian military siege imposed on Srinagar’s revered Hazratbal shrine.
The leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) in Kashmir, including notable figures such as Ghulam Muhammad Khan Sopori, Syed Bashir Andrabi, Khawaja Firdous, Abdul Ahad Parra, Saleem Zargar, Yasmeen Raja, Zamrooda Habib, Farida Behanji, Maulana Musaib Nadvi, Javaid Ahmed Mir, Fayaz Hussain Jafari, and Syed Sibte Shabbir Qummi, have come together to honor the memory of these martyrs and reflect on the significance of their sacrifices.
In their statements, they voiced a resolute conviction that the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs, like those who perished in Bijbehara, will ultimately yield positive results. They remain steadfast in their belief that the day is not far when the Kashmiri people will achieve their long-awaited freedom and political justice, rights that have been withheld since 1947 by the Indian government.
A significant part of their call for justice revolves around the role of the United Nations and other international human rights organizations. The APHC leaders urge these entities to take concrete steps to prevent India from altering the demographic composition of Jammu and Kashmir. The insinuation is that Indian authorities, through a systematic campaign, are targeting innocent Kashmiris, not only to suppress dissent but also to manipulate the demographic balance in the region. This, they deplore, is part of a broader conspiracy to alter the demographic character of Jammu and Kashmir, where the Muslim majority would be transformed into a minority.
Parallelly, in Islamabad, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir chapter, represented by Convener Mahmood Ahmad Saghar, Sheikh Abdul Mateen, and Imtiaz Wani, issued a joint statement. They echoed the sentiment that the sacrifices of these Kashmiri martyrs, who have thrust the Kashmir dispute onto the international stage, must not be in vain. The mission they embarked on will be pursued relentlessly, regardless of the challenges.
Their call resonates with a plea to the global community to acknowledge the state terrorism perpetuated by India in the occupied territory. They call for international intervention and emphasize the imperative of a peaceful resolution to the longstanding Kashmir dispute, in strict adherence to UN resolutions. In essence, their message is a plea for justice and a peaceful, equitable future for the people of Kashmir.
