On February 04, 2025 over 500 people were detained overnight across Kashmir without any proof or warrant but on mere "suspicion". This action came after the announcement of ay “Security Review” meeting led by the Home Minister Amit Shah specifically on the situation in Kashmir, the same Amit Shah who is continuously given to chest thumping proclamations of normalcy and development in J&K.
J&K continues to be one of the world’s most militarized zones, and despite all proclamations of 'normalcy', we hear news of further deployment of troops in the region. Post the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, there has been an unprecedented crackdown on the democratic rights of the people of Kashmir, with activists jailed without trial, press freedom curbed and journalists imprisoned and censored, all in the name of 'national security'. Until recently there was no elected representation for the people of J&K in the state’s own assembly. Despite the massive militarization which is often used as an excuse for the rampant violation of human rights, the BJP ruled central government is unable to prevent terrorist attacks in the region.
The BJP finds itself in a paradox where on one hand it has left no stage or platform where it has not proclaimed its success in integrating Jammu & Kashmir and solving the issue once and for all and on the other hand, far from demilitarization of the region, it has failed to prevent repeated terror attacks in the region.
Middle of the night operations by the SOG leading to illegal large scale arrest of civilians is nothing new to the people of Kashmir. And every arrest is justified, as it has been justified this time by police officials, as necessary for reasons of national security and to curb terrorist activities in Kashmir. We ask the J&K Police and the central government how the mass arrest of common civilians on the basis of mere suspicion ensures security in Kashmir and the country? And, if the arrested 500 individuals are indeed a threat to Kashmir's security, then this exposes a serious lapse on the part of J&K Police and armed security forces in ensuring safety to the people. It exposes all lies of development and peace in the valley post the abrogation of Article 370. Lies which were crafted for explicit political gains of the BJP and implemented through the brute force of military boots at the cost of civil liberties and the democratic rights of the people of J&K.
We reiterate once again that to the political problem of J&K there can be no military solution. The democratic aspirations of the people of Kashmir must be taken into account, and only then can there be a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue.
End human rights violations and millitarisation in Kashmir!
- Statement issued by AISA
