India yesterday slammed Pakistan for its observance of “Kashmir’s Accession to Pakistan Day,” saying it exposes Pakistan’s “longing for the territory of Jammu and Kashmir” and demanded that Pakistan vacate its “illegal occupation” of the territory it rules.
In a strong statement, the Ministry of External Affairs also demanded that Pakistan “stop misleading the international community and Kashmiris through meaningless exercises like such as the ‘so-called elections’.”
The statement by MEA spokesman Vikas Swarup comes in response to Islamabad observing “Kashmir’s Accession to Pakistan Day” on July 19 and ‘Black Day’ on July 20 across Pakistan. Pakistan also held elections in Pakistan-ruled Azad Kashmir on July 21.
“The observance of ‘Kashmir’s Accession to Pakistan Day’ exposes Pakistan’s longing for the territory of Jammu and Kashmir. India demands that Pakistan must fulfil the obligation to vacate its illegal occupation of Kashmir,” said the official statement.
“It must also stop misleading the international community and Kashmiris through meaningless exercises such as the so-called elections today” in Azad Kashmir, it added.
India asked Pakistan “to stop inciting and supporting violence and terrorism in any part of our country and refrain from its deplorable meddling in our internal affairs in any manner.”
“We have seen reports about rallies, events and statements related to Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan” and Azad Kashmir over the last two days, the statement said.
“We have also noted that the events were led by UN-designated terrorists, who had in the past protested the elimination of dreaded terrorists, including Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Akhtar Mansour in Pakistan.”
“India strongly condemns the encouragement and support which such terrorists and their activities receive from Pakistan’s state. We once again ask Pakistan to stop inciting and supporting violence and terrorism in any part of our country and refrain from its deplorable meddling in our internal affairs in any manner,” it added.
India also demanded that Pakistan ensure full safety and security of the officials at the High Commission of India in Islamabad and their families.
Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh blamed Pakistan for the unrest in Kashmir and also said Islamabad is “sponsoring” terrorism in India.
“There can be no denying the fact that our neighbour (Pakistan) is singularly responsible for the present deterioration of the situation in the state,” Singh said in the Lok Sabha.
The terrorism that India is witnessing today is “Pakistan-sponsored,” the minister said.
Singh said Kashmir was an integral part of the country and Pakistan was keeping an evil eye on it.
“Kashmir is India’s crown (mukut). It is heaven and the neighbouring country is keeping an evil eye on it. I am hopeful that the pride of Kashmir will be restored,” he said.
Meanwhile, police said the curfew will “remain strictly in place throughout the day till further orders.”
The fresh order by the police came as separatists asked Kashmiris to open their shops and stock essentials after they temporarily relaxed the shutdown from 2pm yesterday. The shutdown relaxation sparked rumours that the government would also ease its curfew restrictions.
The curfew is continuing for the 13 day following violent protests which started on July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in a gunfight with security forces.
At least 45 people have died in clashes between protesting mobs and security forces since July 8.
A policeman stands guard during a curfew in Srinagar yesterday.
