Qaisar Mansoor
The month of January is remembered as the month of massacres in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. It started with the Sopore massacre on 6th Jan and ended with Kupwara Massacre on 27 January. On 27th January 1994, 27 civilians mostly traders of Kupwara town were shot dead, 38 injured and some left handicapped for life by Indian occupied forces for observing 26 January as Black Day.
“The survivors of the Kupwara massacre recalled the horrific scene saying that the event continued to haunt them.”
The survivors said that “A patrol party of Punjab regiment of Indian Army had warned the shopkeepers on the eve of January 26 of dire consequences if they observe strike and didn’t celebrate the Republic Day. On 24 January 1994 some Army men and policemen entered into a verbal duel near old bridge Kupwara and soldiers threatened police of dire consequences after Jan 26 passes off peacefully. “
“Next day on Jan 25 some Army personnel called out worshippers from Jamia Masjid Kupwara and thrashed them including Imam of the Masjid. On Jan 26 as usual people of Kupwara observed a complete shutdown. The next day early in the morning we met the then district magistrate Kupwara Yaseen Shah at his residential quarter and brought the excesses and thrashing of Imam into his notice who assured us that matter will be taken up with the concerned army higher-ups.”
“We returned after meeting the DC. As we were about to reach the old bridge a single firing shot was heard which was followed by a rain of bullets. All were seen running for safety, the firing lasted at least an hour. I hid in one of the shops. After a lull, I came out of the shop and there were horrific scenes of bloodbath all around, said one of the survivors”
“Among the 27 people killed by the Army, mostly were traders, some government employees and a policeman. As many as 38 persons were injured, some left handicapped for life.”
The survivors lamented that no action has been taken against the guilty so far.
A case has been registered under FIR No: 19/94 under sections 302, 307 dated 27-01-1994, which stands registered in the police station Kupwara.
Indian troops in their unabated acts of state terrorism, martyred 95,948 innocent Kashmiris including 7,225 in custody, widowed 22,940, orphaned 107, 857 and molested 11,246 women since January 1989. UK based law firm, “Stoke White” has filed an application along with dossier against Indian Army Chief and Home Minister Amit Shah vis-à-vis Indian war crimes in IIOJK with British Police.
Pakistan has cataloged a series of crimes committed by India against civilians in occupied Kashmir and urged UN Security Council to take cognizance of the “compelling evidence” on those atrocities and to hold accountable those responsible for them. Moreover, UN should step up its efforts and urgently resolve Kashmir dispute in order to halt Indian atrocities in IIOJK and prevent a threat to regional and global peace and security.
