Sania Zehra, IIOJK’s ‘Bee Queen,’ documents abuse by Indian forces during CASO
Srinagar:Sania Zehra, a Kashmiri woman known as the “Bee Queen of Kashmir” for her thriving beekeeping business, has said that she was harassed and verbally abused by Indian forces during a recent incident in Islamabad district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the incident occurred during a cordon and search operation (CASO) launched by Indian forces near one of Zehra’s bee farms in the district, where she and her team were subjected to verbal abuse and intimidation. She took to social media to document the harrowing encounter live, which quickly sparked outrage online.
In the video, Zehra narrated the harassment as it took place. The footage, which was widely shared across social media platforms, drew attention to the growing concerns over the treatment of civilians, particularly women, under occupation.
Zehra’s experience is far from an isolated one. It reflects a disturbing pattern of abuse and harassment faced by civilians, particularly women, in IIOJK. Over the years, numerous human rights organizations and international media have reported allegations of widespread violence, torture, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse by Indian forces against the local population, especially women.
A recent report by Kashmir Media Service said that Kashmiri women remain the worst victims of Indian state terrorism. The report further said that Kashmiri women faced harassment, abuse and sexual violence at the hands of Indian forces for the last over seven decades, particularly since 1989. These incidents are often reported to occur during military cordon and search operations.
The live broadcast by Sania Zehra has become a focal point for a larger conversation about the human rights abuses in Kashmir. The video has sparked an outpouring of solidarity from people across social media, with users condemning the actions of the Indian forces and expressing their support for Zehra. Calls for accountability, justice, and an end to such abuses have echoed across various platforms.
The incident has further highlighted the ongoing human rights violations in IIOJK, underscoring the vulnerability of civilians, especially women, to abuse under the heavy hand of occupation.
Sania Zehra’s harrowing experience underscores the urgent need to address the pervasive climate of fear and repression in IIOJK.
