Kashmiri women being oppressed by Indian forces in IIOJK: Safi
Islamabad: All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi has said that the world is observing the International Widows’ Day, today, while Kashmiri women are oppressed by the Indian forces in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Ghulam Muhammad Safi in a statement issued in Islamabad said, “There are over 2,000 half-widows in occupied Jammu and Kashmir whose husbands have been forcibly disappeared by the Indian Army. Nothing can be said about whether they are alive or dead. This situation has made life worse than death for these women.”
He lamented that thousands of women had lost their husbands, brothers and sons because they were martyred or disappeared in custody by Indian troops. The world should not forget the trauma of Kashmiri widows today as it is a day to raise awareness about the plight of half-widows, he added.
Ghulam Muhammad said according to a report, since January 1989, over 23,000 women have been widowed in Indian state terrorism while their husbands were martyred by Indian troops and police personnel.
He said the United Nations Secretary General, Human Rights Council and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation have also urged India to ensure the safety of women and citizens in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and also resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the resolutions of the World Body. A just and immediate solution to the lingering Kashmir dispute is very important for regional and world peace, he maintained.
Meanwhile, Hurriyat leader Abdul Hameed Lone in a statement in Islamabad said the purpose of observing this day is to highlight the problems faced by women whose husbands have been killed by Indian troops in custody or disappeared.
He said more than 22,000 women are widows in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and there is a large number of half-widows whose husbands have gone missing during detention by the Indian Army.
Hurriyat leader Abdul Majeed Mir in his statement said International Widows Day is a reminder to the world to realize the plight of Kashmiri widows and half-widows.
He said International Widows Day is a day to raise awareness about the plight of Kashmiri widows and half widows and the world should not forget the trauma faced by Kashmiri women especially widows and half widows.
