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ICJ campaigns against

human right violations

in Indian held Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: The joint delegation of the representatives of Kashmir from both sides of the cease-fire line is campaigning in the Commission on Human Rights to make government delegations and representatives of human rights organizations aware of massive human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir being committed by the Indian occupation forces. The delegation is also meeting highest ranking officials in Geneva dealing with human rights and humanitarian law, says a message received here on Sunday.

Today, the delegation, led by Mumtaz Ahmad Wani, Secretary-General Kashmir Bar Association, and Sardar Atique Ahmad Khan, member AJK Legislative Assembly, called on the Secretary General of the International Commission of jurists, Adama Dieng, and the President of the international Committee of the Red Cross, Cornelio Sommaruga.

The Kashmiri delegation told the ICJ secretary general about the draconian laws which had been used by India for the last seven years to suppress the people of Jammu and Kashmir and to crush their will for the realisation of the right to self-determination. Under the disturbed areas act the Indian occupation forces were engaged in killing of innocent Kashmiris and blasting their houses in pursuance of a policy of systematic repression. The secretary general was told about the custodial murder of Jalil Andrabi by the Indian Rashtirya Rifles.

The ICJ secretary general assured the Kashmiri delegation that his organisation would put pressure on the government of India to allow ICJ to visit Kashmir on the spot verification of human rights violations in Kashmir, particularly those committed against lawyers and jurists.

NO KASHMIRI

CONTESTING POLLS

ISLAMABAD: In sharp contrast to India where electioneering is in full swing, the same atmosphere is conspicuous by its absence in Indian Held Kashmir which is to return six MPs to the Indian Lok Sabah.

It may be recalled that no Kashmiri political party has fielded any candidate for the six seats although Congress I and some independent candidates are contesting the elections.

According to the BBC two independent candidates from Srinagar and Anantnag Fayyaz Rahat and Ghulam Nabi Shah, told journalists on Saturday that they apprehended that the elections would be rigged.

Ghulam Nabi Shah told BBC correspondent that he was apprehending open use of guns by the pro-India extremists during the election campaign.

He said that these extremists had also gone to the office of Returning Officer who later asked them to leave his office.

Shah feared the voters would be compelled to cast their votes for particular candidates at gun-point. The other candidate Fayyaz Rahat, while expressing concern over rigging by the Congress, said that the Congress, candidates had

disappeared after submitting their nomination papers.

Meanwhile, Congress I has also threatened to withdraw from the polls in the Occupied Kashmir. According to Hindustan Times, the general secretary of the state congress Taj Mohyudin has said: "if the Kashmiri and their supporters are not disarmed, we may be forced to withdraw from the contest".-APP