The Kashmirian

...When you have worn a 'pheran' ...When weddings last a week ...When you are used to seeing stray cows on the streets

...When your hands are always stained with RUS

...When you drink tea that is pink and has salt instead of sugar

...When you have squished 20 people into a four seater car or a Maruti

...When you have to PICK a team to support in cricket

...When you have stayed or wanted to stay in a house boat

...When you all you hear your dad talk about is Indian politics

...When you go to the mosque in the winters to sit at the hamaam

...When you have kept waz natheen in the polythene bag

...When your Mother says “tala hamsaiyan wich power tsa gamut” during power cuts

...When your grandmother says “Aaz Kachim Eid Tsa” many weeks after Eid.

...When you sit to scare the dog away

...When you wait for hours at the Barber’s Shop

...When you have said "it's complicated" when someone asked you where you were from

...When you have bought "Tanokh Phutij" for the Kashmiri Workers

...When you have been asked by your Grandfather to empty and fill the water in the Jajeer (Hukkah)

...When you have seen a Pandit wearing a Kan Weaj (A Type of Earring)

...When you always say Kashmir is the Paradise on earth to your foreigner friend.

Quiad-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah attended the annual session of the Muslim Conference in the Jamia Masjid, Srinagar held on the Saturday 17^th June, 1944. The president of this historical session was Chaudhary Ghulam Abbas Khan. It is said that roads leading to Jamia Masjid were filled with people. It is estimated that hundreds and thousands of Kashmiri Muslims came to hear the Voice of Quiad-e-Azam reverberate through the walls of the Jamia Masjid.

The Quaid rose to speak from the Jamia at 10 in the night. The audience jubilated and excited to see Quiad speak. Caps and were turbans flying in air. It is learnt that Sheikh Abdullah, Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad and Maulana Saeed were watching the proceedings from the third floor of a Party loyalist in the Vicinity; it took 15 minutes for Jinnah to begin his speech amidst the huge sloganeering and cheering. Below is the English translation of the eloquent speech in Urdu:-

“Mr. President, brothers in Islam. I have no words to thank you for the honour accorded to me. I see that about one lakh (100,000) are present in this meeting and among them are people from all sections, young and old, traders, labourers and even women. Gentlemen, the condition of Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir has deteriorated so much that tears come in my eyes. From every angle, theirs is a sad plight.

But when I look at this public meeting, I feel happy and confident that Muslims have now awakened and are united under the flag of the Muslim conference. You have been trying since 1931 and it is because of these efforts that Muslims of all classes and schools of thought are present her today. Don’t think that, it by itself is enough; you have to work hard. You know that I have been staying here since a month and during this period; men of every school of thought came to me. Whoever wished to see me, I met him readily and had discussions with him. From them, I have also heard of your problems, oppression and hardships. I have also found that amongst those who met me 99% supported MC. Mr President I have come to this conclusion after meeting the people here and now it is your duty to care of them and train them properly.

Of course, some Muslims who came to see me were of the view that Muslims should join the NC. They gave certain arguments in support of their view which I heard and considered. You know that I have not come here for the purpose of strengthen someone and weakening someone else. I have also said that your problems are different from the problems of British India but just as you have treated me as a Mussalman. It is my duty as a Muslim to advise you correctly as to which course would be proper and ensure your success.

So far as the NC is concerned, I do not know how it can succeed in its aim. Consequently, I asked their supporters as to how much time has elapsed since it were brought into being and as to whether Hindus, Sikhs and others had joined it. I told them that if in a long period of six years, Hindus and Sikhs have as a whole kept aloof from The NC, who else remains there except Muslims! I was then told that even if Hindus and Sikhs are not there, the doors should remain open for them. I told them that if after remaining open for six years, it has served no purpose, what was the necessity of keeping it open again? In my view it was a mistake, the result of which would be that Muslims would be divided into two camps which would bring about tension between them.

I did my best to make them understand the logic of the argument but I was told that we want to tell the world that there was no communalism in the state and behind the curtain of nationalism we will pursue the programme of the MC and that they were supporters of Pakistan. I say that the I.N.C had adopted the same method in British India. It claimed to represent all Indians and did a lot of false propaganda all over the world. This however, is not a fact as Congress was in reality a Hindu Organisation. He result was that slowly the few Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and the Untouchables who had joined it separated themselves. Whenever the question of the rights of these backward minorities came before the congress, the Hindu majority rejected it for forty years, Congress continued with its deceptive policies. Do you also want to practise this deception? When congress deception could not succeed, how can yours? Therefore, I will advise you in the light of these facts that the conditions prevalent in the State are not different from obtaining those in British India. Therefore you will also face difficulties by adopting this course of action and will never be able to secure the confidence of Hindus and Sikhs. I would go even to the extent of saying that if in this State you adopt the policy and deception practised by the congress, it is you who will suffer in the long run…Please do not think that we bear any enmity towards Hindus and Sikhs or that we do not respect their religion, culture or philosophy. We only want Justice. We tell every nation to organise itself separately so that all of us would join our heads together to arrive at some honourable solution. There is no other way which can lead us to our ultimate goal. I, therefore, advise you that you should declare very clearly and openly that you are Muslims and that you represent all. We are always ready for an honourable agreement while maintaning our separate entity.

Gentlemen, some weeks ago, a Hindu conference was held here. The speech by Kanwar Chand, Kiran Sharda showed clearly that Hindus and Sikhs do not, as claimed demand responsible government. If they really want such a Government, it would be a matter of happiness and I would advise an agreement with them you may set up such government. You must remember that you will have to work very hard to achieve that and you will have to undergo sacrifices. Responsible government is not a cake which the Maharaja will present to you so that you may eat it. You must first organise your nation; you have to improve the educational, economic and social condition of Muslims. The condition obtaining now is that a poor labourer after working for a full month is not able to earn more than rupees 12, or six annas a day. You have to first attend to these things. Almighty has given you everything. Kashmir, which is known as a paradise, the gem in the ring as the world is, and an unparalled country, what such a country does not possess? But what you have you done? Oh Muslims! Awake, stand up and work hard and bring life to this dead nation. Improve your condition in every sphere of life. There is only one way to do it and that is unity, solidarity, a single flag, a single platform and an ideal. If you are able to achieve them, you must succeed.

Mr. President, there is everything in your hands. As soon as you discover yourself, I am sure the Maharaja will gladly grant you responsible government. Times are changing fast. The earth is squeezing. It is only an effort that is needed on your part. If you do that, other nations will treat you with respect. The position of British India is different and that of the state is also different. Even then I assure you that despite the Muslim League policy of non-interventional the affairs of Indian States, the services and support of myself and the Muslim league at your service. In British India our goal is Pakistan which we shall achieve. We are thankful for the support extended in the matter. Although we are determined to achieve our goal by sheer dint of our strength, still I assure you that the Moral sympathies of the entire Muslims World are with us. Egypt, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey and the Muslims of the Arab Nations Support the creation Pakistan.

Mr. President, we also pray that God may give you success in the achievement of your goal. You also kindly pray for our success. I am sure that you are treading on the right path. The destination is before you all that is needed is unity, a common platform and a common flag; also needed is an honest and sincere spirit of service. I have no doubt that you will succeed.”

The speech of this great leader is visionary. It is not only historical but relevant even today. The People and the leaders of Kashmir should and must use this priceless advice of the Quiad-e-Azam.

On 10th of May 1944 Muhammad Ali Jinnah left for Srinagar accompanied by Chaudhary Ghulam Abbas Khan, Mirwaiz Yousuf Shah (Muslim Conference), Mirza Afzal Beg and Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad (National Conference). The grandeur of the reception and the thickness of the crowds began slowly and gradually increasing at the fleet of the cars carrying the great leader slowly wended its way towards Srinagar. At Khanabal, he made a brief halt for lunch. Mirwaiz Yousuf Sahab and Bakshi Ghulam Ahmad-inveterate foes since 1931, sat together, for the first time, in the over-powering presence of the Quaid. It was a miracle, the depth and unimaginability of which only Kashmiris can appreciate. Beyond Qazigund, the throngs multiplied and the pageantry of colour and beauty was a spectacle to be cherished by generations of those who had the glory of participation and the pride to say: I SAW HIM. Bare footed and tattered-clothed, the great majority of the welcoming had trekked on foot, many a hill just to catch a glimpse of the Man. Clad in newly-washed clothes as on Enid, the pheran and the red qasbah wearing Kashmiri women, in their thousands had come out on the roads and singing songs of welcome in the Kashmiri Folk. (Koshur Wanvun). While the frail but charismatic figure of the leader passed through the rows, thousands of men and women were unable to control their hearts when the very sight of the Quaid stirred up deep and shackled emotions resulting in tears trickling down their eyes. Many actually wept under the sheer weight of joy. Mounds of flowers were showered. The rush of people was such that it took eleven hours to cover a distance of 80 miles which usually took 2 hours. Many Kashmiris even touched the car as a good omen (Tobruk) On reaching Srinagar in the even he described the reception as ROYAL WELCOME (Jinnah chose his words extremely careful). The only time he had ever said such of public rallies he was a guest of! The Aligarh Old Boys Association (Which Comprised of the Alumni of Aligarh University from Kashmir) held a reception in Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s honour at the Amar Singh Club, Srinagar. It was attended by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Mirza Afzal Beg, Khwaja Ghulam Muhammad Sadiq, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Karra, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Hamdani, Yousuf Buchh, Pandit Madhusudhan Kak, Shiv Narain Fotedar, Pandit A.N Raina, Pandit G.A Lal and J.N Chakku, all of the Aligarh Passouts. There was an Exchange of Q&A between the Quaid and Mr. Hamdani (the Questions must have been already worked out by National Conference Leaders which was a norm due to the Iron Discipline of the party). The Conversation: (1) Mr. Hamdani: Sir, would the overwhelming Hindu majority in the subcontinent allow the establishment of Pakistan? Quaid-e-Azam: If Mr. De Valera could succeed in separating Ireland, why can’t ten crore Muslims succeed in carving out a Country of their own? Mr. Hamdani: Sir, If Pakistan comes into being, would it not be economically backward? Quaid-e-Azam: (dismissing the apprehension with an emphatic NO) Nevertheless, it is better to live in a hut in Pakistan with a sense of security than to live in a bungalow in India under the Shadow of Insecurity. Hamdani: (emphasising the Muslim-majority character of the Jammu and Kashmir State which meant their power in any democratic set up, Hamdani Asks) Sir in so far as the National Conference and the Muslim Conference are concerned, which of them can better serve the interests of the State Muslims. Quiad-e-Azam: (Grins and gives a little smile) apparently the National Conference but can you tell how many Hindus and Sikhs are there in the National Conference? There was no answer but someone from amongst the audience shouted: “Pandit Kashyap Bandu”: someone else added,”Sardar Budh Singh”. There was spontaneous laughter as the embarrassment of Nationalists couldn’t be concealed: Quaid-e-Azam: (commenting) Had the Hindus and Sikhs made a common cause with you and joined the National Conference, The Maharaja could not resist your demand for responsible Government even for 7 days” In Other function held at the Same Amar Singh Club held in honour of the Quaid-e-Azam and arranged by Khwaja Ghulam Ahmed Jeweller, leaders of all the minorities were also present. After tea, Quaid-e-Azam while leaving passed from near the Pundit guests. Pandit Shiv Narain Fotedar, (who later became a member of Indian Parliament, said tauntingly “I am the leader of the minorities but I am not the Jinnah of Kashmir". Without pausing for a second, forth came the retort: “I wish you good luck.” (reference (1): Yousuf Saraf "Kashmiris Fight For Freedom)

Muhammad Ali Jinnah had arrived in Kashmir during the summer of 1936 (he had made a few visits before) . He must have been happy seeing the change of the political system and the power of Kashmiris movement for Freedom from the Tyranny of the Dogras. As 1931 had been a turning point in the Self belief and Self Determination of the oppressed and subjugated Kashmiris.

There is this legendary case which is still fresh in the old folk of Kashmiris. Many elderly persons talk on the parapets of Kashmir about how Jinnah with his charm and charisma single handedly changed the verdict without even studying the case. The Case was of Hanifa Begum versus the State.

One Mirza Ali, Sub Inspector, and his wife Hanifa Begum were booked under Section 494 Penal Code. He was accused of marrying an already married woman. Jinnah was hesitant to take up the case because he was on holidays but the accused (Mirza Ali) persuaded the Quaid by narrating his contribution to the Freedom Struggle and him being a Staunch Loyalist of Muslim League. It is said that Mirza Ali was instrumental in destroying the vital Sanghram Bridge in order to obstruct the movement of Dogra Soldiers. Quaid Agreed to take up the case but refused to take any Fee. Quaid told him to give him the Case-Papers one day advance of the date fixed for prosecution. As Quaid wanted to spend his holidays and Mirza Ali was puzzled and dumbfounded. It is obvious that Quaid-e-Azam had solved the case the moment he heard the facts about it.

Hanifa’s First Husband had been killed in a police firing in 1931. She had them been married to one Abdul Kabir and subsequently to Mirza Ali. Kabir had filed a complaint after a lapse of three tears. As Islam provides a waiting period of Four Months and ten days or 130 days for a widow to remarry this is known as “Iddat”. Kabir’s defense had plead that the complainant’s marriage had taken place during Iddat and was therefore invalid had been rejected by the sub courts. The trial court had acquitted Mirza Ali for want of knowledge but Convicted Hanifa Begum. It appeared on facts that it was a lost case for Hanifa. But there was huge excitement amongst the people especially in the legal circles as to why Jinnah a Great Barrister taken up such a hopeless and lost case, that too without charging a penny.

The Court was flooded with people from every section. Students skipped classes, Government Employees took up leave, and Shop keepers closed their shops just to know how Jinnah would create a Miracle. Quaid-e-Azam came without any books, a very unusual sight in those days. Hearts sunk and pulse shot up to find him without any case-law. His address was brief and specific. He surprised everyone when he by conceding for the purpose of argument that the relevant date advanced by the prosecution was correct. People were shocked and their heart beats were pumping hard. The court had a gloomy silence. They exchanged bewildered looks, but what he said next made everyone awestruck. The Audience gave a huge roar when Jinnah argued that the period of four months and ten days can be counted in months, only when death occurs on the IST of the lunar month but otherwise it had to be counted as 130 days. By the latter calculation the marriage of the lady with the complainant (Abdul Kabir) was within "Iddat" and hence not a valid one.

What actually happened in the court during arguments is not known but is remembered as a legend that after the Quaid-e-Azam said that counting of months applied only when death takes place on the appearance of the crescent moon and in all the other cases, it was to be 130 days, the Chief Justice asked:

“Mr. Jinnah is there any authority?”

Jinnah: “My lord, I am the authority”,

Jinnah won the case and the rest is History!

© The Kashmirian.

Kashmir...I love you! I remembered you Tears couldn't help holding but pour out the pain that i have been living with all my life Words have failed me once again... I don't even know how am I supposed to feel? Should I be sad? For the land where 60 years ago my dad was born Is now in the hands of Indians? Should I be angry? For some people are celebrating one of history's biggest crime Of invading a land of other people and claim it their own? Should I be hopeful? that even after 64 years Kashmiris are still standing,fighting, and never loosing faith in their freedom.. Even if they live in the other parts of the world When asked "Where from are You?" They say "We are From Kashmir,Not India" Should I be a Heartbroken? Even after 60 years the land is still occupied and brutalised with a million soldiers Holding guns at my sisters,mothers and my people? Should i be a Pessimist? that India’s occupation is being called "legitimate" and "Integral Part?" and that the leaders of the world are congratulating it for its independence and its riches that all the Muslims and the sane have done nothing to aid their brothers and sisters? Should I be sorry? for all the million obvious reasons for living my life normally as always for forgetting and moving on? Should I be ashamed? because not only the land is not free but us here and there? Longing to meet by the gates of Jhelum Longing to be together,Free Kashmir... I don't know which of these feelings should prevail but I can't help but say I love you... I love you Land of the Saints and the resilient.

No one can take away from me My identity, For it is mine. Kashmiri am I. I am the river that flows ...Through my land. I am the mountain Noble and magnificent Rising up out of chaos and destruction. I greet the morning sun That shines down on my fertile valleys I am the red rose and yellow tulips That grow upon my bloodstained hills I am the battle cry of freedom That echoes through my corridors And every fiber of my being. Kashmiri am I. I am the proud owner of apple orchards and cherry blossoms and honey bees,wild and free. I am the David child wielding a single stone Against the Indian Goliath. I am not afraid, For truth is with me and God is on my side. My brethren are the bulbuls,hoopoes and kingfishers That fly unhindered above my rivers I am a Kashmiri,Therefore, I am. No one can take my identity Away from me, Not tanks or guns or bombs Meant to desecrate me and kill me, My country lives in me. I am the cry of liberty, No matter what they take from me, They can't take away my identity Or my dignity. Kashmiri Am I.

The history of rebellion in Kashmir is not new and dates back to sixteenth century when the last indigenous ruler was overthrown in Kashmir. Haroon Mirani traces the unmentioned and forgotten chapters of Kashmir history through 493 years of foreign rule. On the night of November 19, 1586, Yaqub Shah Chek, the last independent king of Kashmir after being defeated by the Mughals, mounted the first guerrilla attack on Mughal army. It was highly successful raid in which dozens of Mughal army men were chopped to death, entire treasury was looted and magnificent palace of Yusuf Shah, wherefrom Mughals ruled Kashmir, was burnt. After returning to his hideout along with his elated army, Yaqub Shah Chek told his official army turned ragtag guerrillas, “Independence is just a day away, as we will soon finish off the Mughals from Kashmir.” Unfortunately that tomorrow never came and 421 years have passed since that fateful attack, which started the culmination of armed struggle against foreign rule in Kashmir and is still continuing. Mughals were succeeded by Afghans, Sikhs, Dogras and the current situation, but the fight never ceased. In one form or the other Kashmir has been on the war front for the last 421 years. Kashmir fate was sealed on October 16, 1586, when Mughal army invaded the independent country of Kashmir. Kashmir's last independent ruler Yaqub Shah Chak couldn't hold back the onslaught of Mughals under the command of Qasim Khan. However, it was not because of Kashmiris being cowards, as they had thwarted many attempts of warriors like Mahmud of Ghaznavi, but due to the cunning internal conflicts, which still makes this battle go on indecisively. Those who couldn't bear their motherland under foreign rule took up arms as at that there was no scope of political solution. Mughals came down heavily against these insurgents. Yaqub Shah Chek was arrested and finished off in exile, just like his father Yusuf Shah Chek. Not to be cowed down by the arrests, the insurgency moved on to the next line of leadership, which included Malik Hassan, Mohammed Naji, Yusuf Khan and Abdul Khan. These were eliminated too but this armed struggle still continues and has evolved into the world’s longest freedom struggle. To quell the rebellion of this nation and diminish their fighting spirit, Mughals denied the entry of any Kashmiri into the army and encouraged the use of long Cloak and Kangri (firepot). They further divided the Kashmiris into seven groups, to propagate their divide and rule policy. The same policy was later continued by Afghans and Sikhs. Afghans banned wearing of arms by Kashmiris. Dogra ruler Ghulab Singh stopped a game like mimic warfare played with the help of slings and stones as he thought it encouraged fighting spirit in the Kashmiris. Mughals ruled Kashmir for 167 long years, with the help of 35 governors under rulers ranging from Akbar through Aurangzeb up to Ahmad Shah. These governors used to come, loot, plunder and go. There was no end to tyranny and any whimper of rebellion was crushed mercilessly. Numerous souls laid their life in the process for the sake of independence. Guru Teg Bahadur, the 9th Sikh guru was so moved upon hearing the plight of these people that he too jumped into the arena. His protest unnerved the then ruler Aurangzeb who got the holy man beheaded on November 27, 1675 AD. Thus one of the greatest luminaries of its time entered the long list of martyrs of Kashmir. Mughals used to call Kashmir as Baag I Khasa, (Garden of Elites), where they used to come for recreation and enjoyment. They built 700 gardens for this purpose, alongside continuous repression of Kashmiris. Nevertheless, this monstrous Mughal rule came to an end in 1753 AD. People would have never wished the end of this rule if they had foreseen what was in store for them. Their simultaneous capture by Afghans proved to be a worst nightmare-coming-true. It was like jumping from frying pan into fire. Afghans crossed all boundaries of civilisation - killing, rape, plunder, loot, eyes gouging out, ears, noses been cut off, whipping was the order of the day. As goes the saying not even a damsel was safe in her house during this brutal Aghan rule. Amir Khan, one of the governors, even plundered 700 Mughal Gardens. During this era too, the rebellion raised its head. One Sukh Jiwan tried to give respite to their brethren but he was defeated by Afghan governor Nur-u-Din Khan. Nothing not even a simple stare in their eyes was tolerated by these Afghans. If Mughals invented Phiran (long cloak), then these Afghans made it mandatory for having two pockets on either side. It was for Afghan soldiers to mount on their shoulders and keep their feet in these pockets for ease particularly during crossing rivers. Afghan governor Khorram Khan (1770-1777) during his second term quelled a rebellion raised by Kashmiris. Haji Karim Dad Khan (1776-1783) destroyed whole Kant family for intriguing against him with Raja Ranjit Dev, the ruler of Jammu. If Mughals indulged in suppression, Afghans employed violent suppression. Kashmiris were so much crushed and subjugated that Afghans needed only 3000 soldiers to control these meek souls, instead of minimum requirement of 20,000. Mass migration of people particularly Kashmiri Pandits also took place in this era. The Afghan behavior was beautifully summarised in a Persian couplet which read as "Sar buridan pesh in sangin dilan qul chidan ast" (These stone hearted people thought no more of cutting of heads than of plucking a flower). The Afghans were defeated by the forces of the Ranjit Singh in 1819, thus came to an end 67 darkest years of Kashmir's history, which left Kashmiris with only skin on their bones. But the Sikh didn't prove any better. Jamia Masjid was closed down, congregations were banned, severe restrictions were hurled on religious movement. At that time if a Sikh killed a non-sikh a compensation of Rupees four was given, but if the victim was a Muslim then Rupees two was enough. Killing as usual was rampant. It is believed that crows were brought during this period in the valley by Deewan Kirpa Ram (1827-1831), who thought them to be necessary for the performance of funeral rights of Kashmiris. He was fed up of seeing funerals all around without any crow hovering above. In this era too the flame of independence was not diminished. In 1843 Sikhs had to suffer causality to the tune of hundreds in their fight with daring Bomha leader Sher Ahmad at Shilbal. On February 10, 1846 the English defeated the Sikhs at Sobroan. As a reward for being neutral a treaty was signed between them and a Dogra leader Gulab Singh, and the present day J&K was sold to him for 75 lac Nanak Shahi rupees. During this period 1845-1846 Sheikh Imamudin was the governor of Kashmir. Seeing this entire topsy-turvy situation, he –assisted by his foresighted wife – started to dream independence and raised the banner of rebellion. He twice defeated the forces sent to capture Kashmir by Gulab Singh, under Mathra Das and Lakhpat Rai. Gulab Singh panicked and begged for help to Sir Henry Lawrence, who sent the required assistance and helped snatch Kashmir from Imamudin. Gulab Singh entered Srinagar on November 9, 1846 to start a puppet rule of Dogras with their threads attached to British. He was later succeeded by Ranbir Singh (1857-85), Pratap Singh (1885-1925) and Hari Singh (1926-47). As there was no accountability, people continued living under miserable conditions. The rulers got new punishments invented, the most dreaded one being Begar (transport of materials to distant areas through precarious mountainous roads, without pay). The taxes were always skyrocketing with each passing regime. Robert Thorp wrote numerous articles on the plight of Kashmiris under Gulab Singh but he too was finished off in sync with rest of similar counterparts. In 1857 for the first time Kashmiris didn’t celebrate Eid ul Azha, as it was the year when Gulab Singh had died and there was a total ban on killing of any animal. Another dreaded punishment used in Dogra era to thwart any possible uprising was that of fleecing a Kashmiri thought to be against administration. Prostitution was also legalised during this time. But the rebellion never ceased to exist. In one way or other it raised its head. The prominent among this was Shawl Bauf Agitation, in which 28 Shawl weavers were martyred at Zaldagar on April 29, 1865. Another 21 persons were brutally killed during Central Jail uprising on July 13, 1931. Thereafter a civil disobedience movement started which culminated in open armed rebellion, about the end of January 1932 in Mirpur, Rajouri and Bhimber of Jammu Province. Agitations, demonstrations followed. Ahrar party in Punjab started sending Jathas (groups of people on a mission) to relieve the oppressed Kashmiris. Thousands came forward for arrests. Inquilab - Lahore based paper carried stories of oppression. Gauhar Rehman led the agitation in Mirpur Tehsil. Other areas like Kotli, Bhimber, Rajouri and Poonch also started giving shock waves. Bakerwals were denounced as criminal tribes for their rebellious acts. Disturbance, police firing and deaths started a periodic cycle. The situation continued until the partition of the subcontinent in 1947. When Maharaja was left to himself for the first time he couldn't decide what to do and the result was the first Indo-Pak war, which ended in the disintegration of the state into Indian administered Kashmir and Pakistan administered Kashmir. The Indian Prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru promised a plebiscite to decide the future of Jammu and Kashmir which people are still awaiting for being fulfilled. In the contemporary history when non-violent measures gained ground, Kashmiris too dreamt of resolution with their active political participation right from 1947. But here also they were politically tortured, maimed and killed. Such has been the fate of Kashmir that Mahatama Gandhi, who is considered to be the doyen of non violence, is said to have justified war on Kashmir. "Beautiful Kashmir was worth fighting for" said Mahatma Gandhi on December 25, 1947. (Religion in four dimensions by Walker Kaufmann, 1976, p. 248). As the success eluded Kashmiris on all political fronts, and failure started to mount on them beyond imagination, there was a regeneration of armed struggle in 1989. The people had hoped that the Indian rule might be a better one, as their Numero Uno leader Sheikh Abdullah had said so. But all went wrong. In addition of the all wrongdoings, India couldn't even protect the integrity of Kashmir and got them deprived of its 38,000 square km Aksai Chin area in 1961 during Sino-Indian war, in which India was thrashed beyond humiliation. The cycle of tyranny, rebellion and bloodshed continues and the current phase is simply the continuation of four centuries of black past. Some of the worst war crimes were committed here. Kashmir as is known became one beautiful prison where nobody ever comes out of the range of Army sniper. Of course there has been a difference in the size of death, which has come down from three feet sword to three inch bullet. During the last 18 years the death has visited Kashmir in every form and every shape. Some people were killed en masse in processions, some liquidated singly. Children were killed in schools, some shot playing cricket. Others were exterminated trying to puff a cigarette for having some fun outside marriage parties. Who could ever forget women the ever sacrificing, the ever suppressed lot. The more you write about the victims of Kunan Poshpora and Dardpora and many more unreported ones, the more pained one is. During the last 19 years, people of Kashmir have gone through the situation that can be easily said to be a cruel summary of all the methods of suppression of last 421 years under different occupiers. In all these five different kingships people suffered, resulting in rebellions and mass migrations. This is also one of the most important factors why India has unofficially banned teaching Kashmir history in schools. When people call it 18 or a 60-year-old problem or say just 80,000 persons had laid their life for it, they are making a gross injustice to millions of those who sacrificed their life for the just cause during the more than four centuries of foreign rule. It seems that India has not learnt lesson from Kashmir’s history. Kashmir has remained independent for thousands of years and the Kashmiris will continue to yearn for the day when they can breathe an air of freedom even if it means fighting for another thousand years. The recent poll by CNN-IBN is an eye opener, which showed 87 per cent Kashmiris still want independence. The Jews (who claim Jerusalem in full) had to wait and fight for two thousand years before they got hold of the holy land. Some historians with concrete evidence say that Kashmiris are the lost twelve tribes of Jews, so fighting for two thousand years is no big deal for them. In fact the current period of 493 years struggle is just the beginning. These defiant people still hope for that tomorrow of Yaqub Shah Chek as for them time, life, money and other such essentials are no constraint in its pursuit. No doubt world has moved on and almost half of world population actively opposes their independence and the rest, tacitly supports that opposition. It is very rarely that one can find a nation still surviving and longing for freedom for 493 years. (Sufee M.FK)

After the Dogras became masters of Kashmir subsequent to the notorious Treaty of Amritsar, Kashmiri Muslims were living a life of abject poverty, ignorance disease and above all oppression. Considering Kashmir as his purchased property, the Maharaja levied tax on everything save air and water. Even the office of the grave digger was taxed. The Muslims had to pay taxes even for the maintenance of temples (Mandri) and for the support of the Hindu priests (Ashgal). These taxes were only to be paid by the Muslims while as the Hindus were exempted from paying these taxes. Further the Muslims were subjected to inhuman forced labour (Begaar) resulting in untold miseries both to the individual and to his family. In most of the cases the person forced to undertake ‘Begaar’ could not endure the harsh weather and the hardships and so died unknown unwept and unsung in a far off place. The condition of the Muslim peasants was even worse. They not only had to feed the revenue officials but also had to provide for the needs of their relatives and friends. To extract land revenue from the poor peasants, the use of nettle (locally called soi) in summer and of plunging the defaulting tax payer into cold water in winter were the most notorious methods of torture (E.F.Knight). The condition of the shawl weavers and other artisans was no better. Crippled by excessive and exorbitant taxes, they were forced to flee their home and hearth. As a result of such horrendous state of affairs, the people of the valley were experiencing a misery at its worst. At the start of year 1929, all the sections of the Kashmiri society were seething with discontent. Sir Albon Banerjee, the Prime Minister of Kashmir till he resigned in 1929 because of the policies of the Maharaja portrayed the state of affairs on 15th March 1929, thus, “Jammu and Kashmir State is labouring under many disadvantages, with a large Muslim population absolutely illiterate, labouring under poverty and very low economic conditions of living in the villages, and practically governed like dumb driven cattle. There is no touch between the government and the people, no suitable opportunity for representing grievances. The administration has at present little or no sympathy with the people’s wants and grievances”. As the breeze of Western education started blowing across the valley, muslims though much later than the Kashmiri pandits started pursuing education. Dogras discouraged education among muslims partly out of political consideration and partly out the religious bias they possessed against all sections of the Muslims community. Meanwhile a batch of young men fired with the spark of freedom and enthused with nationalistic emotions returned to the valley in 1931, after receiving higher education in Aligarh and other Indian Universities. The Kashmiri Pundits who not only constituted the bureaucracy but also formed the dormant majority of the landed aristocracy made it difficult for these educated Muslims to get menial jobs not to talk of prestigious ones. Though the Muslims constituted 80% of the total population of the state, yet their share in government services was simply nominal. Even as late as 1931 one finds the share of Muslims in the state services not more than 15%.Though some lucky few succeeded in securing some petty positions for themselves but not without much difficulty. Late Sheikh Abdullah was one among them and despite being an MSc chemistry from Aligarh Muslim University was appointed as a junior teacher in Srinagar high school for Rs 60 per month, though many of the contemporary gazetted officers were mere matriculates and unbelievably one Rajput head of the department was so illiterate as to imprint his thumb impression on official documents. The stage was therefore all set for these educated but unemployed young men to play their part and act as beacon lights to the hapless Kashmiri nation. Kh Ghulam Ahmad Ashai along with Maulvi Abdullah Vakil, Kh Saddin Shawl and Maulvi Ateequllah began to organize these educated young men and opened a “Reading Room” in downtown Srinagar. parently the Reading Room was a place to read newspapers, magazines and books but in fact, it acted as a rendezvous wherein these educated men held deliberations upon the contemporary socio-political and economic issues confronting the Kashmiri Muslims. Lengthy discussions were held among the members of the party as to how they should get their grievances redressed and ameliorate the wretched conditions in which the Muslim masses were living. The “Reading Room” also managed to obtain statistics regarding Muslims in Government service and got them published in the newspapers of Lahore. Later these figures were also submitted to the “Glancy Commission”. They also submitted a memorandum to the Regency Council headed by Mr Wakefield. The “Reading Room” played a very pivotal role in Kashmir’s struggle for freedom. It not only educated the masses about their political rights but activated and brought them into active politics and political action. All the memoranda and petitions submitted by the “Reading Room” and later by Muslim conference were mostly drafted by Ashai Sahib. That was the backdrop in which the tragedy occurred. In 1931 certain deplorable incidents agitated the masses and compelled them take out processions and hold demonstrations against the Maharaja and his lackeys. What happened is history, but here we must know the landscape of the valley at the time it did. Firstly, the religious sentiments of the Muslims were hurt when in Jammu the Holy Quran was desecrated by a Dogra police officer and in another case a Maulvi while giving a sermon on Idd day was unreasonably stopped from giving the sermon. This created strong resentment among the Muslim masses and the Muslim leaders came out openly and delivered fiery speeches against the government. While co-operating with the Young Men’s Muslim Association of Jammu, the Reading Room Party distributed the posters exhorting the Muslims to take out processions and to observe hartals (Dr. M.Y.Ganai-Kashmiris Struggle for Independence). The disquiet among all the sections of the Kashmiri people was growing and had indeed reached the highest level. To elect the representatives of the Kashmiri Muslims who were expected to submit the grievances and demands of the community to the Maharaja at the suggestion of G.E.C Wakefield, Political Minister, a public meeting was called in the Khanqah-i- Maula on 21st June 1931. The Muslims of Srinagar nominated seven prominent workers as their spokesmen. They were Mirwaiz Yousuf Shah, Khawaja Ghulam Ahmad Ashai, Khawaja Saad-ud-din Shawl, Mirwaiz Ahmedullah Hamdani, Aga Sayyid Hussain Shah Jalali, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Munshi Shahab-ud-Din. It was at the end of this meeting that Abdul Qadeer, a young and brave pathan while delivering a highly charged lecture beckoned the masses to raze down the establishments of their oppressors. This lecture of Abdul Qadeer as was proved later gave a new direction to freedom struggle of Kashmir. Abdul Qadeer was arrested by the police next day on the charges of sedition and rebellion and ordered to be tried in the central jail on 13th July, 1931. Before the trial started a large but peaceful crowd gathered outside the prison wall to watch the proceedings of the trial. The masses were forced to agitate when few of their leaders were arrested without any reason. The Dogra soldiers who were looking for an opportunity to teach the Muslim subjects a lesson opened unprovoked and indiscriminate fire on the peaceful onlookers killing 21 innocent and unarmed civilians that too without any warning. Many poor persons and innocent children were mercilessly killed and wounded. The local officers on spot did not even bother about giving any medical aid or showing any sympathy towards those wounded or killed in the incident. As the news of this massacre spread, gloom fell the whole valley. That was the day which laid the foundations of the struggle we are still going through Courtesy(Suhaib Mattoo)

"Shalimar the Clown" is set for the most part in Kashmir, and you did a lot of research for this book and on Kashmir in particular. Now, while it has been possible for you to go back and visit India on many occasions, you were not able to return to Kashmir? You mean visiting Al-Qaeda training camps? (laughs) No, I didn't do that. But I know a lot of people who have specialised in that subject over the years and who have been in that very strange borderline area, between Afghanistan and Pakistan, between Indian Kashmir and Pakistani Kashmir, so I had lots of people to give me guidance, information and tell me where to go to find yet more information. Yet the physical landscape of the place I know very well. I've been to Kashmir a lot in my life, on the Indian and on the Pakistani side. Like many Muslim families, my family was divided. One part of the family went to Pakistan, another part stayed in India. So like many Muslim families we were cut down in the middle. But that meant that during my childhood and as an adult I often visited Pakistan, because I had family all over the place. So I do know it. What I needed to do was to find out the things I didn't know, because I had not been in the terrorist training camps, although I know where they are on the map. And I know that they do exist, which the ISI [Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence] tends to deny. I know who funds them and I know what groups are there. One of the major problems now in Kashmir on the Pakistani side is that many of the people in these camps are not Kashmiris. Some of them are Afghans, some of them are Arabs, some of them are Chechens, and it makes the problem much worse because these are people only committed to the jihad, they're not committed to the subject of Kashmir at all! I just thought that when I'm going to take on that subject, general knowledge will not do. I have to get as much knowledge as I can get and then allow imagination to take over. So I would strongly suggest not to read the book purely as journalism. But in general, in the spirit I would say it is a truthful portrait of what's going on there. The passages in which you describe the violence in Kashmir are among the most vivid and powerful in the book, and there seems to be a strong sense of anger underneath the surface of the narration. Yes! And the violence really is documentary, many of the cases referred to in the book about attacks on this village and that village and what happened there, etc. concerning attacks by both the Indian army and from jihadists. It is an attempt to say this really happened. The particular attack on the fictional village of Pachigam [Boonyi's and Shalimar's village], that, obviously, is dramatized and fictionalised. But many such things really have happened. The phrase of "crackdown" that the Indian army uses really is a euphemism of mass destruction. And rape. And brutalisation. That happens all the time. It's still happening now. And so, yes, I am angry about it! The decision to treat all Kashmiris as if they're potential terrorists is what has unleashed this, the kind of "holocaust" against the Kashmiri people. And we know ourselves, from most recent events in Europe, how important it is to resists treating all Muslims as if they're terrorists, but the Indian army has taken the decision to do the opposite of that, to actually decide that everybody is a potential combatant to treat them in that way. And the level of brutality is quite spectacular. And, frankly, without that the jihadists would have had very little response from the Kashmiri people who were not really traditionally interested in radical Islam. So now they're caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, and that's the tragedy of the place. In "Shalimar the Clown" you came up with the character of "The Iron Mullah"… Yes, I'm very fond of it. He is the only directly allegorical character in the book. And really what I was trying to do was say exactly that the attraction of the jihad in Kashmir arose out of the activities of the Indian army. One of the most obvious facts about Kashmir is the gigantic amount of military equipment that's there everywhere: tanks, trucks, howitzers, bazookas, huge arms depots, endless arms convoys which go up these little mountain roads for six hours at a time from one end of the convoy to the other - and God help you if you're stuck behind it (laughs), because there's no way to pass it. And a lot of the equipment, when it screws up, is thrown away, and there are all these dumps, and just the idea that all of the scrap metal coming to life and becoming the enemy of the tanks is a straight-forward allegory to say that one thing rises out of another. In this novel, which I think is not really allegorical, the Iron Mullah is an allegorical figure, and then I just started liking him, enjoying his horribleness. The two horrible people there in the Kashmir story are the Indian army general and the Iron Mullah, who are really two opposite sides of the same coin. Courtesy : Levis Gropp

A Hundred thousand annihilated in Kashmir in the most cruel manner An imperialist genocide by the fascist armies 700,000 troops occupying the land Thousands widowed,raped and orphaned Where's the humanity? How would you feel your freedom being Hijacked By the people who holocausted thousands of Muslims and buried under a ground where the State holds Parade Promised of your Freedom and betrayed in the back & occupied Called a terrorist if demanded the same How would you feel? How would you feel when kicked out of our home Disappeared,tortured and maimed Dubbed as a Militant and killed in a Fake. How would you feel hundreds getting killed In-front of your eyes while demanding their rights While the guns pump 40 inside you? How would you feel Your Mother getting raped by many Killed in a cold blood and Called it Drowning How would you feel Your Sister getting molested You are helpless with gun at your aim How would feel being a prisoner in your own land and your screams for freedom suffocated The young teens hold a stone Pumped with bullets and called Killed in Self Defense Why do the People dictate the terms who never were paraded for their identity they live in the Cozy of their homes Why do people debate who's wrong and who's right when the people are getting massacred Stones against bullets Rises Kashmir's Intifada In cities,towns and villages Condemning oppression,injustice & abuse of power

Oh brother i was waiting for you Waiting for you to comeback Why didn't you come? Oh brother i remember you you were little i used to carry you Never thought i will carry you in a Coffin Oh brother i remember you You loved white clothes Never thought you will wear it for the last time Oh brother i remember you You Loved to Run Fast Never thought you would finish like this Oh brother i remember you Playing Hide & Seek Never thought you will hide forever Oh brother i remember you your fingers holding my finger when we walked Never thought you will touch it for the last time Oh brother i remember Giving hugs with a warm smile Never thought i would hug you with tears Oh brother why did you leave me You were too young to leave How am i going to tell Mother that she won't see you ever How am i going to tell Father that he won't walk with you ever How am i going to tell myself that you won't be with me anymore... Never Thought a Life without you...

Guns shelved voluntarily, what Normalcy is this? Million troops patrolling the streets, What tourism is this?

Arrested for protesting By The Country where Gandhi Lived, Hit by a baton and smoke A Young Boy takes up a Stone, He knows that he may be killed, By the gun of the man eater, What's a Life surviving under Oppression? It’s Better to die for a cause For the Freedom and For your people As he is hit by a canister in his head He sees a white light from the sky, But what holds his soul back, O Martyr "I am thinking about my Mother, She Must be waiting for me" As he falls into sleep, His Mother comes into his dream O Son, How do you feel? "Ma, It’s so free here" O Son, Why did You Leave Me? Had kept the tea and Chochwor for you to eat? "Ma the essence of the freedom doesn't keep me hungry" O Son! I am so Proud Of you, but i want to be with you, "Oh Mother, the day my land would be free, you will see me and feel me in every breath, Oh Son Did you See Your Brothers? "Oh Ma they are angels,my brothers here" Oh Son! you have died for a cause But the Pain of Losing you is still there I smell and hug your little clothes Whenever the pain of losing you Stirs up the deepest emotions I see you in my dreams Remembering how you bloomed And my tears have dried up But the pain is still there I have lost you to the wind I will not mourn anymore For you was Innocent And you became a war-cry!

Recently A Doctor from A Village Called Sogam shot to fame by topping the competitive Civil Services exam, A Service which produces bureaucrats every year (Mostly Corrupt Ones). Almost everyone is involved in the progress of country (to the World's Most Corrupt Nations List). Kashmiris were elated that someone had topped the exam after decades. This guy had done a commendable job, topped amongst thousands....But Can We Really Be Proud Of Him? Kashmir has produced so many of this breed (keeping aside the positions in the exam), a very long list indeed. But has something really good happened? No, Never.. It never has happened. These "Elite Officers are now and then involved in numerous scams and scandals. Some of which come to surface and fade away in our memories..Yahaan toh Sab Chalta hai.. Shouldn't we think that he may bring change into the system, as he is believed to be an "RTI activist"?. Oh c'mon in this part of the world even a "Chief" is a bird with no wings.. A Puppet Show is his Govenment..What Can a Bureaucrat do?. Here information is the biggest secret of these powerful people. The Information Commissioners are gagged and facts are manipulated, after a public outcry. RTI?? what a joke on Kashmiris? It actually means something else, another power to these bullies..It should actually be called RIGHT TO INJUSTICE. Young blood comes into these power system promising so much (which actually are sacred lies). But when they taste the wine of power, they are turned into hungry wolves who can kill for more power,lust and money..They have so much impunity that they can be called immortals.Nobody dare touch them when they are on the chair, Not Even GOD..There religion is only lust,they seldom think of something for the people( wasn't the exam called Civil something?). We thought maybe the picture that the "Chief" portrayed, we may witness something that never had happened in our Nation (and really it never happened). He was just a bubble of hope of the despair which exploded even before it could even do something good. Even labeled as the "Obama of Kashmir"( he can have it, as this name defines a person who can only talk..a Hypocrite, an Artist of words). The big problem with our nation is when something gets fame, we all want our children to jump on that bandwagon. Now parents here are inducing IASISM amongst us. Why don't they want us to be like Dr Ali Jans, Farooq Kathwaris, Omar Trumboos,Fayaz Shawls, Jalees Andrabis etc or do something that KASHMIR could really be proud of??? Why are we running after something that Kashmir as a nation can never Benefit from? We need Specialist Doctors, Innovative Engineers, Phenomenal Entrepreneurs, Excellent Economists, Inspirational Preachers, Firebrand Activists, Daring Journalists, Evocative Writers and more. To be a bureaucrat should be the last thing on a Kashmiris Mind if he really thinks that he wants his Motherland proud. Bureaucracy is for those who are bullies and want to laze their life by sitting in a chair, ask for "CHAI", and take home their Earnings (Bribes.Ooops Gifts i meant). We need people who can stand up for what they have been born to do. BE A PROUD SON OF KASHMIR not A PARASITE who sooner or later feds on the blood of their own. REMEMBER KASHMIR IS ONLY BECAUSE OF US..NEVER LET YOUR MOTHERLAND DOWN..MAKE HER PROUD...

Testimonies of Young and old women of Kunan Pushpora Kashmir Gang rape victims It was one dreaded night when the village of Kunan Pushpora was attacked by a unit from the Indian army camped about ten miles from the village. All the men of the village were rounded up and locked away in a room of an empty house. The soldiers carried bootles of alcohol in their hands and were drinking, swearing and shouting.They had been in the village before, looking for militants. They turned the lights off and used torches to enter all the homes. When the carnage was over, around 60 women were found lying in their homes either unconsious or weeping in anguish and pain. They had been raped. The victims were old women as well as very young femal children who will now be facing problems for the rest of their lives, if they live this foray by the Indian army. Here we present the testimonies of some of the women who dared to come forward. I am Ziatun daughter of Abdul Rahim Dar. It was past midnight. My father was not in the house. I recall more than five soldiers entered my house and kicked open all doors. They turned towards me and pounced on my body like hounds and tore all my clothes. The lights went out and after that it was a never ending nightmare. I am unmarried and my future life looks very bleak. I will never recover from the trauma. Indian army look for militants. They knew I was innocent. My name is Nisara. My father Gulam Mohomad was dragged away by violent military men. We are two sisters in the house at the time. We were screaming for help and struggling at the same time from the brutal attacks from the alcohol smelling soldiers. The room was dark and the army men were shining torch lights. Both of us were raped in the room and we have no idea how many of these animals were coming and going in the house. We are both unmarried. My name is Atiqa Begam. I have four children. It was a bleak, cold night and we were all in bed and sleeping. We were woken up by a group of Indian soldiers who burst in smashing all door and utensils. My screaming children were thrown out through the window outside. They ransacked the house and came for me all with very harsh blows. I was half unconscious. They molested me in turns . I cannot recall how many people were in the house. I am an elderly woman. My name is Lassi Begam I have three grown up children. The eldest is a policeman. My daughter Saja is deaf and dumb This night of onslaught by Indian army all my doors were smashed. I showed them the police uniform of my son. They took no notice and in the most degraded manner assaulted me and my handicapped daughter. I have never known anything like this in my sixty years of life. I kept shouting, 'Where is our GOVERNMENT ? My name is Raja Begam. My husband answered the knock on the door . He did not return and next minute a gang of military men burst open into the bedroom, waving guns and bottles. We were frightened and screamed. All my children were muzzled with hand on their mouth and my clothes were pulled and torn. I was thrown on the ground with my head hitting the floor. I was gang raped by all the men in the room. I heard in my state of faint senses laughter and loud noises from the men. I have not recovered. I am Munira. My father is Juma Shiekh. I have 2 daughters. This night was like a terrible nightmare --BROKE DOWN I am Halima Begam. My husband Gulam Rasul was away. I heard this commotion in the village very late in the night. The dreaded noise came very near my house and all my doors were smashed. They were speaking to me in loud voice . I am not educated , I could not decipher what they said or wanted. Next thing I know they pounced upon me like vultures and molested me. I thought I had died. I and my husband are devastated . I am Rahimi Begam. I was alone in the house. I was petrified when they burst into my small house. I pleaded with them I am a poor woman , please do not harm me. I am innocent. They drank from their bottles and beat me up .. I was on the floor and before long I now realised they were attacking me sexually. I was wanting to die. I pleaded in my language I cried . That had no effect. I had , I reckon a hundred people in my house , on top of me, smothering me and molesting me. I was left in a coma. I am Jana Begam the widow of Lassa Dar. I have two sons. I was sleeping in my room with my daughter-in-law. we were woken up with loud noises from outside. Suddenly the door was kicked open. We were faced with a lot of Indian, violent, drunk soldiers. They waved bottles at us and threatened with their guns. We did not know what to say. They pounced upon us, threw us on the ground and assaulted both of us. This was the most degrading experience of my life. I wanted to die. Why? I asked have these people come to attack us? I was told they were looking for militants. We are innocent people , poor and live a sheltered life in this remote part of the world. I am still in shock and I never will recover. I am Shahmal. I am a mother of four and on this night I was alone in the house. We were all sleeping when the onslaught from the military woke us up. We all cried frightened. They tore my clothes off me and in the presence of my children, threw me on the floor and molested me. I am Jamila. I and my husband with three children were sleeping. It must have been midnight, they took my husband away and raped me in front of my children. We have been attacked four times so far. You come taking statements from us. What is the use? I am Zaina Begam wife of Jabbar Dar. My husband was grabbed, beaten up and carried away. They came back, ransacked the house, made noises ad drank from bottles. They hit me hard. I was unconscious. There was a big commotion in the village. We thought it was the end for all of us. The Police arrived the next day and took statements. Nothing has been done. We are suffering. My name is Zarifa Begam. My husband was away and my 5 children were sleeping. It was about 3 in the morning when two Indian soldiers broke open my bedroom door. I was gagged, beaten up and raped. My screams woke my children and they came in to help me. They were pushed into another room with guns and kicks and bolted. I have my whole body hurting from cuts. Sara Begam wife of Abdul Ahad deposed. It was midnight. I answered a knock on my door. Three men confronted me and shouted 'Hands up' in Hindi. I protested that I was alone and there were no militants in my house. They grabbed my hair, pulled it hard, ripped my clothes. What have I done? 'We have orders from our officers to do this.' They were violent, they were drunk and they were animals. The night was an ordeal. My name is Bakhti Begam. My husband is a tailor in the village. It was dead of night. They kicked the door open. They dragged the men from the house and molested us. We were very frightened and tried to struggle, but they beat us up very hard and threw us on the floor. We cannot relate details. My name is Zooni Begam. My husband Gulam Mohomad Dar was taken away by a group of Indian army in the middle of the night. We had cordon & search by army before, but they never found any guns or militants here. This time they came at night with a surprise and very angry looking. They grabbed hold of my clothes ripped them in pieces and the whole gang set themselves upon me. I suffocated. I could not breath. The aftermath was as if an earthquake had struck us. I have not recouped from the ordeal and never will . Men in the village were rounded up beaten and locked in a house , while the rampage of their homes and molestation of their homes went on. " Why do you treat us like this?" They asked. "We have orders to rape your women and destroy the village" The whole village was littered with empty bottles of alcohol. They behaved like animals. There were officers with them, because they had stripes on their uniforms. This young school-girl was also the victim of this hineous crime. I am the brother of the Numberdar the headman of the village. My name is Abdul Ahad Shiekh. The army unit is based about ten kilometres from Kunan Pushpora. This was the sixth time they attacked the village. In the past they have been getting everyone out on the road , line them up and search them, men women and children. Then they search the homes , even the animal sties and grain stores for weapons and militants . They never found anything. They have now destroyed the whole village. I am in the state police force. I was on duty when my officer informed me that I have leave to go home, because there has been trouble in my family. I came here and found that my own sister has been raped by the army . People are still coming to terms after a month of the event . On the morning after the carnage there were about sixty women laid helpless crying, fainted, and in distress. Victims old and young will suffer devastating consequences Source: Majid A. Siraj