Jammu, Jun 13 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta on Saturday condemned the alleged atrocities on civilians in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and accused the neighbouring country of suppressing dissent through force and committing serious human rights violations.
Talking to PTI Videos, Gupta, who is on a personal visit to Jammu, said reports of civilians being killed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) reflected a disturbing pattern of repression by the Pakistani establishment.
More than 20 people were reportedly killed and many others injured in police action in PoK following protests against a recent ban on the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which was agitating for subsidised electricity and flour, and restoration of political and economic rights for the locals.
“The voice of the people in PoK is being suppressed, and attempts are being made to crush people’s movements with force. Such actions cannot continue indefinitely, and the world must pay attention to the human rights situation there,” Gupta said.
He also alleged that Pakistan’s rulers had historically neglected regions outside Punjab, including Balochistan, Sindh and PoK, resulting in widespread discontent among the local populations.
Gupta said people in PoK were increasingly comparing their conditions with the development and economic progress taking place in Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India.
Reiterating India’s long-standing position, Gupta asserted that PoK is an integral part of India, and said the growing unrest in the region reflected dissatisfaction with Pakistan’s governance and economic policies.
“From India’s side, we want to reiterate that PoK is an integral part of India. In the 1990s, a resolution was passed (by Indian Parliament) in this regard,” he said.
Pakistan’s future appears uncertain, and “I feel if human rights violations continue in this manner, its existence on the world map could face serious challenges”, the governor said.
Referring to Bangladesh, Gupta said a part of Pakistan had already broken away, and even today the situation remains similar.
The governor also flagged Pakistan’s economic condition, claiming that rising prices and governance failures had made life difficult for the ordinary citizens while benefiting only a select few in power.
“Pakistan’s condition today is a result of its own mistakes. To hide its failures, it resorts to such actions. Look at the economic situation there – petrol and diesel cost over Rs 400 per litre. Almost everything is heavily taxed.
“When people compare their situation with India, they realise how corrupt rulers have looted the country. The rulers have prospered, but the common man’s life has become extremely difficult in Pakistan,” he said.
Asked if this is the right time for India to reclaim PoK, Gupta said, “If Pakistan makes any such misadventure, anything can happen. We have already seen how Bangladesh separated from Pakistan.” On a different note, the governor said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12 years in office have brought stability and peace in the country.
“Whether it is Kashmir or the Northeast, a new era of development has been ushered. Across India, be it economic policy, coal policy, foreign policy or the overall economic framework, we are moving ahead when compared to the rest of the world,” Gupta said.
“This progress is the result of the prime minister’s hard work. India has earned respect globally, and today the country’s stature is recognised across the world. We wish Prime Minister Modi a long, healthy and successful life,” he added.
Asked about the preparations to deal with monsoon fury in Himachal Pradesh, he said disasters have become a major challenge today.
“The issue is being discussed extensively, and the government is actively preparing itself. Efforts are being made to ensure that incidents like those witnessed since 2023 do not recur. Universities and other institutions are also working on this issue,” he said.
“Whenever there is any indication of a potential disaster, people are informed in advance. Our NGOs are also prepared and ready to respond to such situations,” Gupta added, PTI SBL TAS TAS ARI ARI
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