United Nations (UN) Secretary General António Guterres on Tuesday stated that a thorough investigation needs to be conducted pertaining to the recent killing of Kashmir youth by Indian troops, reported Kashmir Media Service.
Responding to a question during the daily briefing, the UN chief’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, “Civilians have to be protected wherever they are, whether it is in Gaza, whether it is in Jammu and Kashmir, whether it is in Yemen; it is a basic principle. Any loss of civilian life needs to be investigated wherever they occur.”.
Stephane Dujarric further said that the secretary general is very concerned about the situation in Jammu & Kashmir.
“He reminds that member states are responsible under the international humanitarian law to protect civilians,” he added. “The secretary general reiterates his call on member states to find ways to address disputes in a peaceful manner.” Yesterday, the Indian security forces intervened in the Polo View area when demonstrators were trying to move towards the UN office.
The death toll following the protest rose to 19 after two injured youth succumbed to their injuries earlier today.
Meanwhile, the shutdown called by Joint Resistant Leadership to mourn the killing of people by Indian forces entered its third day.
Indian authorities deployed troops and police personnel to prevent people from staging protests against the killings apart from placing resistance leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai and Muhammad Yasin Malik under house arrest.
Separately, the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) condemned the killings committed by the Indian army in Indian-Held Kashmir apart from stressing to solve this crisis with the help of the international community, it was reported.
OIC Secretary General Dr Yousaf said, “OIC condemns Indian army’s brutality in IHK. India has martyred twenty Kashmiris.”
“India should allow OIC to visit IOK,” he added.
Dr Yousaf offered his condolences to the family of the martyrs and stated, “The international community will work towards solving the Kashmir crisis.”
He further added that this problem should be solved according to the will of Kashmiris and United Nations’ resolution.
Published in Daily Times, April 4th 2018.
