KASHMIR is called heaven on earth but it has been smouldering since 1846, first as a result of the tyrannical Dogra dynasty and later because of ruthless Indian occupation.

The brutal Indian army has left no stone unturned to suppress the legitimate voice of the people in Indian-occupied Kashmir. The violations of human rights, including extrajudicial killings, casualties, enforced disappearances, unmarked graves, and rape, have reached an unprecedented level.

Practices such as vandalising ambulances and hospitals have added fuel to the fire. But the international community and the so-called champions of human rights have turned a deaf ear to this harsh reality.

The ‘intifada’ in Indian-occupied Kashmir is intensifying and the Kashmiri people have endorsed their message to New Delhi that they want nothing but independence.

The world must act now and the international community should mount pressure on New Delhi to engage in talks with Pakistan to decide the fate of Kashmir. The Indian leadership must recognise that this is a nuclear flashpoint that can trigger catastrophe.

Sanity must prevail in Islamabad and New Delhi; they must acknowledge that the salvation of both countries lies in peace and negotiations. The media and intelligentsia in India and Pakistan must convince their governments to extend an olive branch towards each other.

Israr Ahmad Chattha

Gujranwala

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2017