The situation in Pakistan-administered Kashmir has become extremely tense due to state brutality that has been going on for more than a month. Large-scale systematic reprisals have been launched against political parties and activists to suppress the people’s movement.
Concern is being expressed over the ongoing crackdown and political retaliation against the leadership of the Jammu Kashmir People’s National Party (JKPNP).
According to the details, the Jammu Kashmir People’s National Party (JKPNP) is the first left-wing political party in Jammu and Kashmir to categorically and unambiguously take the stand that Pakistan is the first aggressor and occupier of Jammu and Kashmir. In return for this principled, progressive and freedom-loving politics, the party has been facing continuous state repression, political revenge and systematic targeting since its inception.
The situation today is that the entire current leadership of the party, including the Chairman, Secretary General, central leaders and women leaders, is facing attacks, harassment, arrests, threats and political pressure. These actions are not against just a few individuals but against a political ideology that opposes imperialism, militarism, occupation and all forms of oppression and represents the struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their right to self-determination, democracy, social justice and national liberation.
According to the party manifesto, this is not just a problem of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s National Party but a question of the future of democratic politics, freedom of expression, political pluralism and left-wing politics in Jammu and Kashmir. If a peaceful political party is suppressed solely on the basis of its ideology, it means that the entire democratic process is at stake.
The statement calls on all democratic forces, human rights organizations, progressive political parties, intellectuals, journalists and the international community to take notice of this situation, condemn political vendetta, and raise their voices to protect the democratic rights, freedom of expression and the right to political activity of all peaceful political forces, including the Jammu and Kashmir People’s National Party. Because silence strengthens oppression, while democracy is strengthened by respecting dissent, political freedom and protecting the right of the people to choose.
Local sources say that the state is using extraordinary tactics to suppress rights awareness and individuals and political parties actively participating in the people’s movement in Kashmir.
Bank accounts of leaders and workers involved in the movement have been frozen, while their identity cards (CNICs) and passports, including other travel documents, are being blocked and their movements are being severely restricted.
Government employees active in the people’s movement are being targeted and dismissed from their jobs.
The houses, shops and other private properties of the protest leaders are being taken into government custody.
According to regional reports, the sanctity of the chador and the four walls are being severely violated by the forces during raids in the dark of night and in broad daylight. The forces are entering the houses and subjecting women and children to severe harassment and violence. Along with this, serious allegations have also been made against the raiding teams that they are wiping out cash, gold and other valuables in the houses.
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