MANSEHRA: The Jamaat-i-Islami Mansehra chapter women’s wing has asked the government to change its Kashmir policy in light of the killing of innocent Kashmiris, including women and children, in the occupied valley by the Indian forces.

“The Indian aggression and growing rape cases in the India-held Kashmir has compelled us to come to the forefront and demand the government change its Kashmir policy,” JI women wing district chief Dr Perveen Saif told a news conference here on Monday. The party’s women members in Mansehra’s district, tehsils and village and neighbourhood councils were also present on the occasion.

“Women have been the worst victims of Indian atrocities in the occupied Kashmir. They are raped, while their husbands and children are killed in front of them,” said Dr Perveen.

The JI leader demanded the immediate revitalisation of parliament’s Kashmir committee to ensure end to Indian atrocities against Kashmiris.

District council member Aftab Shabbir said the aggression of Indian forces had reached its peak after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzafar Wani.

Says Kashmiris being subjected to atrocities by Indian forces

“Women are also being fired at by the Indian Army to suppress the ongoing independence movement of Kashmiris,” she said. She said Indian forces frequently desecrated mosques and Holy Quran.

“Kashmiris are being killed by Indian forces an the Indian agent sitting in England, Altaf Hussain, is hatching conspiracies against Pakistan. We demand the government book for high treason before being dealt with strictly,” she said.

The councillor lauded the crackdown on the MQM and said the Altaf Hussain-led party should be banned to operate in the country and that those disgracing the country should be sent to the gallows.

JI woman activist Waqarun Nisa urged the government to come up with a stronger diplomacy against India to highlight the atrocities of Indian forces against Kashmiris, especially women and children. District councillor Javeria Asad also flayed Indian forces for using pellet guns against peaceful protesters in the occupied Kashmir.

Agitation threatened

The JI has threatened to hold demonstrations across Mansehra district over delay in the start of fumigation drive against dengue.

“I’d tabled a resolution seeking the immediate launch of fumigation campaign in the district five months ago but the authorities disregarded it and thus, leading to high incidence of the mosquito-borne disease,” JI district councillor Ihtesham Ali told reporters here on Monday.

He said March was the best time to take preventive measures against dengue but the health department missed that opportunity and didn’t begin fumigation drive. The councillor said the local government should ensure early action on the resolutions tabled and passed by the district council.

He also complained of the growing dog bite cases in urban areas of the district and demanded early corrective measures.

Mr. Ihtesham said the anti-rabies vaccine was in short supply at hospitals and rural health centres of Mansehra.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2016