More Kashmiris lose properties, jobs amid India’s tightening colonial grip in IIOJK
Srinagar: Continuing its colonial measures in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the New Delhi-appointed administration has seized properties of three more Kashmiris and dismissed two others from government services.
According to Kashmir Media Service, acting directly on the orders of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the police confiscated 9 kanals and 7 marlas of agricultural land, valued at Rs 3.47 crore, belonging to three individuals in Ganderbal district. The seizure was made under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The individuals whose properties were attached are: Firdous Ahmad Wani from Treesa Safapora, Mohammad Ramzan Butt from Batpora Safapora and Mohammad Ayoub Ganie from Pahlipora Safapora.
In a separate move, the Lieutenant Governor-led administration dismissed two Kashmiri employees from government services under Article 311 of the Indian Constitution. Basharat Ahmad Mir, an Assistant Wireless Operator in the Indian police, and Ishtiyak Ahmad Malik, a Senior Assistant in the Public Works Department, were terminated for allegedly engaging in anti-India and pro-freedom activities, a justification frequently used by occupation authorities to target Kashmiris. Basharat hails from Srinagar, while Ishtiyak is from south Kashmir’s Islamabad district.
Since revocation of IIOJK’s special status in August 2019, the BJP-led Indian government has intensified its anti-Kashmiri measures, resulting in the seizure of hundreds of properties, including houses, shops and land, as well as the dismissal of numerous Kashmiri Muslim employees. This strategy is aimed at crippling Kashmiris economically while transferring their properties to non-locals and replacing them with non-local employees. Through these actions, the Modi govt seeks to marginalize Kashmiris and enforce demographic change in IIOJK.
