LETTER OF SOLIDARITY

By: - Anuradha Bhasin Jamwal, Executive editor, Kashmir Times

 

Several innocent civilians have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir in the ongoing conflict, sandwiched between the guns of militants and the security forces.
Despite India and Pakistan reiterating their commitments to resolve the Kashmir dispute and announcing several confidence-building measures to make conditions conducive for dialogue, the pace of work is rather slow, almost negligible. It has made little or no difference to the lives of the people who are still at the receiving end of militant attacks or state sponsored terrorism. The custodial killings, enforced disappearances and torture against civilians including cases of molesting and raping women continue unabated.
The atmosphere of fear and violence has a telling affect on the psyche of the people. In this distressing scenario, the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Societies has taken an appreciable stand – to honour the martyrs and to emphasise the need for civil society to engage itself with a peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute according to wishes of the people. It is a known fact that it is not easy for voices of sanity to prevail and survive the test of a conflict. Yet, a strong civil society can help a great deal in giving direction to a peace initiative. The JKCCS has shown the courage and it is hoped this movement grows stronger and more meaningful.

I regret not having been able to attend the Solidarity Day programme. But I along with my colleagues at The Kashmir Times and Dainik Kashmir Times express our solidarity with your struggle for peace with justice, dignity and democracy. Both as champions of human rights issue and as people of this state we affirm our faith in a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute with the participation of its people.

Jammu, 20-4-2005