The pellet-ridden body of a teenager was found in Srinagar on Friday after fresh clashes broke out between protestors and security forces in Kashmir's Harwan district, reported PTI. A police officer said Momin Altaf Ganai was among 40 injured in the violence. With this, the toll in the ongoing crisis in the Valley has gone up to 81. A curfew has reportedly been imposed in the area.
Meanwhile, Shaukat Ali, exiled chairperson of the United Kashmir People's National Party, on Saturday told ANI that Kashmir will never be a part of Pakistan. He accused Pakistan of trying to spread communalism in the Valley. “No democratic/secular/nationalist Kashmiri would agree to Pakistan's slogan," said Ali.
He critcised Pakistan’s policies and asked the world to “boycott Pakistan until it makes space for secular people, or changes its policies." He raised questions about the alleged human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. “With what face Pakistan talks about human rights violations? Pakistan has always supported militancy in Kashmir since its inception," said the chairperson of United Kashmir People's National Party.
The UKPNP is an outfit that claims to stand for the "national liberation of Jammu and Kashmir". It is against the formation of a religious state and supports democracy and secularism.
The crisis in Kashmir, and deteriorating ties with Pakistan
The ongoing crisis in the state began after Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani was killed on July 8. Thousands of people have been affected by violence and the shutdown of normal life in the state for more than two months. The situation has also led to a deterioration in ties between India and Pakistan as India alleges Islamabad's influence in the issue, and Pakistan has called for plebiscites in the region.
India has also brought up alleged human rights abuses in the disputed Balochistan area of Pakistan. Most recently, both countries exchanged barbs over the situation in Kashmir and the Baloch region at the United Nations Human Rights Council. On Friday, Islamabad brought up the “unceasing oppression” in Kashmir at the UN, after which Delhi said Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is administered by a “deep state”, IANS reported.
India has also repeatedly asked Pakistan to take action against terrorists working out of the neighbouring country. The External Affairs Ministry last week asked Pakistan to expedite the Mumbai 2008 terror attack trials. Pakistan has said it will look into the cases.
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