The Chairman of World Forum for Peace and Justice Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai has said that the people of Kashmir have been observing October 27 as the day of grief, sorrow and above all a day of occupation because it was on this day in 1947 that India sent its army to occupy the land of Kashmir without the consent of its people and in defiance of international norms.
Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai addressing an event in Washington, DC said the people of Kashmir are constantly reminded of the fact that it was in 1948 that the United Nations adopted resolutions that clearly state that the people of Kashmir have the right to determine their own future through a free and impartial vote..
He appealed to the world powers that for comprehensive and lasting peace in South Asia; and a politically secure and democratic future, the right to self-determination of the people of Kashmir be recognized and respected. He added that there must be an early, just and durable resolution to the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the international agreements and the wishes and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Dr Imtiaz Khan, Professor at George Washington University Medical Center said, October 27 reminds Kashmiris of one of the darkest days in the history of the sub-continent when the Indian army landed in Kashmir and forcibly occupied the territory. He said the Indian government has repeatedly flouted the UN resolutions and thumped at the nose of the international community.
He said since the last 35 years Indian forces have inflicted atrocities on peace-loving people of Kashmir that have led to killings of more than 100,000 people. Thousands of women have been gang raped and mass graves have been discovered, he deplored.
Dr. Khan said the nuclear clouds are hanging over the region and the nonchalant attitude of the world bodies will have disastrous consequences. Without any further delay world powers should put pressure on India to pave the way for negotiations among all three stakeholders that will result in the exercise of the right of self-determination as promised by the United Nations, he maintained.—KMS
