Killing of 112 boys spread 'azadi' fire in Kashmir, says report

Top politicians and civil society members of the country feel the death of 112 boys in action by security forces during the recent unrest stoked the azadi fire in Kashmir.

Delhi-based think-tank Centre for Policy Analysis (CPA), which led a 10-member team of parliamentarians and civil society members on a three-day fact-finding mission to the Valley early this month has come up with a damning report.

The team comprising parliamentarian Ram Vilas Paswan, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and journalist Seema Mustafa, among others, met the family of Tufail Matoo, the first victim of the unrest, Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti and others from December 3.

“The situation in Kashmir has worsened dramatically and the death of 112 boys at the hands of security forces and the mass arrests of young people that are still continuing have virtually helped seal the alienation, giving the slogan for azadi popular and widespread support,” the report says.

It punctures the Center’s ‘Mission Kashmir’, saying the three-member committee of interlocutors does not have the support of the people.

The only silver lining for the government is that there is anger against Pakistan, it says.

“The current movement is spontaneous, with strong anger against Pakistan making that state irrelevant in the Valley,” the report says, recommending revocation of Disturbed Areas Act, phased withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Srinagar and other urban centres, review of all cases of detention under Public Safety Act and release of political prisoners not facing serious criminal charges.