Bagh/Kashgal News Special Report
Several serious claims have been made by various local sources, affected families and social activists regarding the situation in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir after June 5. These reports have raised serious concerns about the killings, mass arrests, legal status of detainees, closure of travel documents of overseas Kashmiris and social media activists.
According to sources, since June 5, about 30 people have been killed by bullets during security operations. While the families of many of them are facing difficulties over the issue of handing over the bodies. Statements made by some families and on social media have claimed that the bodies of some of the dead were transferred to unknown locations by Pakistani Rangers and other security agencies through helicopters and the bodies were not provided to the families. In some videos circulating on social media, people can also be seen talking and crying about the missing bodies of their loved ones.
According to sources, thousands of people have been arrested during various operations and house raids at night. Family members and local sources say that information about the detainees is limited and entire families are waiting to know about the legal status, place of detention and health of their loved ones. Even several core members of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee, including Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Raja Amjad Ali Khan, Anjum Zaman and other activists, were arrested in broad daylight and shifted to an unknown location, but none of them have been produced in court till date. On which human rights circles have stressed the need for due process, transparent investigations and provision of legal assistance to the detainees.
Apart from this, according to our reliable sources, Kashmiris living abroad will also face difficulties in the context of these circumstances. The identity cards and passports of more than 30,000 Kashmiris living in various countries including the UK, Europe and the US have been blocked.
Sources say that those affected by these measures include people who have been expressing their opinions on political, social or human rights issues through social media.
According to local sources, the names of people associated with the public movement within Kashmir have also been included in the passport control list. According to our sources, these include people who have been expressing their views on social media in support of the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee, publishing written materials or participating in public gatherings and protest activities.
According to sources, some lists are also circulating on social media which are being claimed to include the names of Kashmiri workers and social media activists living abroad. Some reports are also claiming that such information has been passed on to relevant institutions in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, among others.
Moreover, some social media posts claim that some Kashmiri social media activists based in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf are missing and their families and friends have not been able to get clear information about their current situation.
Following all these reports, human rights groups have demanded that impartial and transparent investigations be conducted into the killings, arrests, detainees, handover of bodies, travel restrictions and information coming out regarding Kashmiri activists abroad and that the facts be made public.
Experts say that in such cases, access to facts, adherence to legal procedures and provision of information to affected families and access to lawyers for political prisoners are of paramount importance.
According to sources, along with security operations, the administration has also expanded the scope of measures against individuals allegedly providing financial or administrative support to the Public Action Committee. There are reports that several business centers, shops and commercial establishments have been sealed in different districts. Official notices, apparently issued by the magistrate’s office, clearly state that the businesses are being sealed immediately on the charge of alleged association with the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee and financial support to the organization. The notices further state that the businesses will remain closed until the investigation against the person concerned is completed, and legal action will be taken if any association or support is proven with the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee. While several businessmen have been directed to appear before the administration and investigative agencies and explain their financial affairs, business transactions and any possible connection with the Public Action Committee.
In addition, the bank accounts and financial transactions of some individuals are also being examined. According to sources, sensitive agencies are investigating the financial records, bank transactions and possible sources of financial support of these individuals. Authorities say that the bank accounts of those allegedly providing financial or administrative support to the Public Action Committee will be closed and mobile SIMs registered in their names will also be blocked, and strict action will be taken against such individuals.
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