Roy demands withdrawal of army from India held-Kashmir
Pakistan Times Kashmir Desk

NEW DELHI (India): Demanding immediate withdrawal of Army from India held-Kashmir, known Indian author and book Prize winner Arundhati Roy said that ordinary Kashmiris were being tormented and brutalised by security forces in the name of freedom and peace.

Criticising the media, she said it failed to highlight the plight of ordinary Kashmiris, exposed to brutalities perpetrated upon them by the Indian security forces, according to a news report carried by daily ‘The Hindu.

“Indian media is suffering from schizophrenia as its reports portray zero reflection about the reality in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian media is busy painting a rosy picture of normalcy, which is absolutely false,” she said speaking at a meeting on “Enforced Disappearances in Jammu and Kashmir”.

Stating that for every 15 Kashmiris, the Government has deployed at least one Army personnel, the author said: “We as Indians have no right to talk about whatever is happening in Palestine and Iraq unless we discuss and highlight the atrocities being committed in the Valley.

The issue is not just related to the freedom of Kashmiris, it is a matter of concern for all Indians. What farcical peace are we talking about?”

“In the global arena, India is revered for its democracy and Gandhian values, which is nothing but a lie. Indian occupation in Jammu and Kashmir has surpassed the excesses of Pinochet in Chile.

“Everyday, ordinary Kashmiris are being subjected to humiliation, and we say peace is returning to the Valley. During my recent visit to the State, I found numerous cases of repression, but the Government is not ready to accept it”, Arundhati added.

The meeting, where academicians, social activists, human rights volunteers and students, including Kamal Mitra Chenoy, Tapan Bose, Bashir Ahmed, Uma Chakraborty, Sahba Hussain and Gautam Naulakha, were also present, also passed a resolution asking the Central Government to immediately form a “Commission on Disappearance” to find the missing persons.

It also demanded withdrawal of special powers from the Army and paramilitary forces and appealed to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to call a separate convention on disappeared people.●