Chinese Government should re-visit its wrong policies in Xingjiang
Officially more than 150 people have been killed in clashes with the Chinese forces while suppressing the protests in Muslim dominated Chinese Xinjiang province. The region has been closed and curfew has been imposed in the major cities including capital Urumqi and Kashgar. It will be quite interesting to mention that this province just lies in our neighbourhood on the side of Leh and Aksia Chin which happened to be part of Kashmir (prior to 1962) falls under this Province. Ethinically this province is inhabited by number of races like Uighurs, Hans, Kazhaks etc. Religiously this is a muslim majority province. Xinjiang Province is thinly populated comprising 1.6% of chinese population and is 1/6th of the total land area of China. The area is rich in Oil and Gas resources. The region has its borders with eight countries and the famous silk route passes through this region via its cultural capital Kashgar. Last but not least the People’s Republic of China conducted its first nuclear test at Lop Nur, Xinjiang, on 16 October 1964.
This area like other areas in the region was under Muslim rule till Eighteenth Century when the area was taken over by the Qing Empire. After that there have been number of uprisings some successful but short lived and others unsuccessful. In 1865, Yaqub Beg, a warlord from the neighbouring Khanate of Kokand, entered Xinjiang via Kashgar, and conquered nearly all of Xinjiang over the next six years and remained in its possesion till 1875 when it was re-conquered by the Qings. Finally during the period of 1944-1949 the region remained independent republic by the name of East Turkestan Republic which came to end when People’s Republic of China merged this region with the rest of Chinese territory (1949). The autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China was established on 1 October 1955, replacing the province.
Right from 1949 there have been intermittant uprising on the part of Muslim (Uighurs) people of Xingjiang which has number of reasons besides cultural ones. First and foremost is that after 1949 there has been large scale manufactured migration of Han Chinese community in the Xingjiang province which has made native people suspicious about the intention of the Chinese Government. It is reported that in some areas of Xinjiang where in 1949 the ratio of Uighur to Han Chinese was 1:9 has now turned into 9:1. At the time of the Communist revolution in 1949, Xinjiang was home to five million people, of which only six percent were Han Chinese. Now, it has a population of 19 million, of which only 42 percent are Uighurs. Beijing has resorted to a policy of ethnic cleansing in Xingjiang. Despite rich mineral wealth of Xinjiang, more than 90% of local Muslims live below the poverty line. China is pouring money into the province, but the investment boom has mostly benefited the Han Chinese population.
In 1990 after few skirmishes about 50 Uighurs were killed. In 1997 Police arrests lead to clashes resulting in 9 deaths of native Muslims. However, there have been number of execution carried on by the Chinese authorities which go unnoticed under the garb of scuttling fight against so called terrorism snatching the basic living rights of Muslims in this Province. After September 2001 WTC attack the things in this province have been calm though Chinese Government has been claiming presence of East Turkistan Islamic Movement which is blamed for calling separation from China. In 2007, 18 Uighur men were killed believed to be members of ETIM.
The present public uprising has erupted due to killing of two Uighur men in an industrial dispute by the Han Chinese. Chinese Government instead of punishing the culprits has killed the protesting unarmed natives. The dissent has been brewing due to Chinese Government’s wrong policies in the region and the current incident gave a vent to it. However, Chinese Government has used a mere brute force to curb purely democratic protests by the Xinjiang Muslims. Uighurs can expect little support from the world powers because of their crime being Muslims. United States which is otherwise on the opposite path so far its polices are related is shoulder to shoulder here with Chinese too to crush Uighur Muslims. East Turkistan Islamic Movement has been declared terrorist movement by the United State like Hamas in Palestine and LeT in Pakistan. United Nations too has declared it a terrorist organization. Other players like Russia, Pakistan and OIC all depend on the Chinese support one way or the other.
Let the good sense prevail upon the world community, United Nations in general and Muslim world (OIC & Arab League) in particular. They should take up the matter with Chinese authorities and pressurize them to stop carrying ethnic cleansing of Xinjiang Muslims by way of protecting their culture and ethnic composition besides giving them due share in the economy. Rather than looking outside for the causes of peaceful protests like Mrs. Kadeer’s Uighur Congress and others Chinese Government should revisit its wrong policies and try to win the hearts of our brethren in Xinjiang.
By Hamid Nilnagi
(haamidi2003@yahoo.co.in)
(hamidnilnagi.blogspot.com)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Action needed in Shopian Case
Action needed in Shopian case
Almost one month has passed after the gruesome episode of Shopian took place. Yet nothing has come out of the much hyped Mr. Jan’s Commission except negligent lower level officers / officials were pin-pointed in the interim report. Mr. Omar Abdullah’s highly praised impartial commission has not yet reported anything about the culprits who were involved in this inhuman and heartrending act. From the first day people have been suspicious about the handling of this case and most of us believe that Government is buying time to just let the issue die of its own. Firstly the state of denial by the Chief Minister even about the happening of the act, then non-lodging of relevant FIR until people did not took it upon themselves and finally distortion and mishandling of truth by the Government Officers like Police and Civil Administration of Shopian, Doctors of Shopian Hospital, Forsenic staff of Medical College and even pre-emption of results by one of most known credible Government Officer, Mr. Masood Samoon, the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir and the Chief Minister put strength to this argument.
State Government on one side is claiming that it will not hide guilty and will punish perpetrators of dastardly committed act but contrary to that what is happening, people are being killed and injured by spraying bullets upon them in Shopian and Baramulla Districts. Imposing unannounced curfews, barging of forces into the houses of the residents and merciless beating of people of all ages and gender has become a routine. These berserk acts of Government show that they are in no mode to address the simple issue of catch holding of criminals but are trying to suppress the heart burning by way of state sponsored terrorism.
Not being satisfied with all these things the only courageous daughter of soil has been victimized by the Government for speaking out truth. Dr. Nighat has been placed under suspension among other negligent Doctors in the Shopian rape and killing of two innocent girls. This once again proves the non-seriousness of the Government to tackle this case. It is not understood why she has been targeted though reportedly she was not among those doctors who conducted autopsy at Shopian Hospital but yes, she being a Gynecologist confirmed the sins committed which Government in most probable terms wished to hide. Speaking of truth in such cases has become a sin. She, being a lady, dared to speak out what none of our natives from civil administration, Police, Doctors and Forensic Staff of Medical College could do.
The action taken against the erring officials is a welcome step but to punish a lady who stood upon the truth and bored all unknown pressures is beyond comprehension of all and sundry. Besides, who were the people who pressured all these people to hide the fact need to be unmasked. It is yet to be seen these hidden hands otherwise it is not possible for a human being to hide such gruesome acts against humanity.
It seems Government is relying upon false hopes and is not gauging the pain under which people are reeling due to this inhuman act. Due to inaction of Government, the people of Shopian under aegis of Majlis has given a programme from this week by way of region wise of strikes and have threatened to go for more agitation if Government does not act.
We demand that Government should come straight, catch hold all those elements who perpetrated this crime, unmask who behind the scene pressurized the Government Officials from coming up with true version, rein the forces from committing atrocities on the people of Kashmir in general and the people from Shopian / Sopore in particular and re-instate Dr. Nighat without any more delay. Remember people cannot be held hostage by making announcement for roads and bridges, we need strong and clear action in the case of honor and dignity. Government should act now otherwise as rightly said by the poet in a different perspective;
Na samjho ge to mit jawo ge Hindustan walo,
Tumhare dastan tak na hogi dastano mein
Hope the man on the helm of affairs will take cue.
By Hamid Nilnagi
Almost one month has passed after the gruesome episode of Shopian took place. Yet nothing has come out of the much hyped Mr. Jan’s Commission except negligent lower level officers / officials were pin-pointed in the interim report. Mr. Omar Abdullah’s highly praised impartial commission has not yet reported anything about the culprits who were involved in this inhuman and heartrending act. From the first day people have been suspicious about the handling of this case and most of us believe that Government is buying time to just let the issue die of its own. Firstly the state of denial by the Chief Minister even about the happening of the act, then non-lodging of relevant FIR until people did not took it upon themselves and finally distortion and mishandling of truth by the Government Officers like Police and Civil Administration of Shopian, Doctors of Shopian Hospital, Forsenic staff of Medical College and even pre-emption of results by one of most known credible Government Officer, Mr. Masood Samoon, the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir and the Chief Minister put strength to this argument.
State Government on one side is claiming that it will not hide guilty and will punish perpetrators of dastardly committed act but contrary to that what is happening, people are being killed and injured by spraying bullets upon them in Shopian and Baramulla Districts. Imposing unannounced curfews, barging of forces into the houses of the residents and merciless beating of people of all ages and gender has become a routine. These berserk acts of Government show that they are in no mode to address the simple issue of catch holding of criminals but are trying to suppress the heart burning by way of state sponsored terrorism.
Not being satisfied with all these things the only courageous daughter of soil has been victimized by the Government for speaking out truth. Dr. Nighat has been placed under suspension among other negligent Doctors in the Shopian rape and killing of two innocent girls. This once again proves the non-seriousness of the Government to tackle this case. It is not understood why she has been targeted though reportedly she was not among those doctors who conducted autopsy at Shopian Hospital but yes, she being a Gynecologist confirmed the sins committed which Government in most probable terms wished to hide. Speaking of truth in such cases has become a sin. She, being a lady, dared to speak out what none of our natives from civil administration, Police, Doctors and Forensic Staff of Medical College could do.
The action taken against the erring officials is a welcome step but to punish a lady who stood upon the truth and bored all unknown pressures is beyond comprehension of all and sundry. Besides, who were the people who pressured all these people to hide the fact need to be unmasked. It is yet to be seen these hidden hands otherwise it is not possible for a human being to hide such gruesome acts against humanity.
It seems Government is relying upon false hopes and is not gauging the pain under which people are reeling due to this inhuman act. Due to inaction of Government, the people of Shopian under aegis of Majlis has given a programme from this week by way of region wise of strikes and have threatened to go for more agitation if Government does not act.
We demand that Government should come straight, catch hold all those elements who perpetrated this crime, unmask who behind the scene pressurized the Government Officials from coming up with true version, rein the forces from committing atrocities on the people of Kashmir in general and the people from Shopian / Sopore in particular and re-instate Dr. Nighat without any more delay. Remember people cannot be held hostage by making announcement for roads and bridges, we need strong and clear action in the case of honor and dignity. Government should act now otherwise as rightly said by the poet in a different perspective;
Na samjho ge to mit jawo ge Hindustan walo,
Tumhare dastan tak na hogi dastano mein
Hope the man on the helm of affairs will take cue.
By Hamid Nilnagi
Let Durrand Line be a line of peace
Let Durrand Line be a line of peace
After full fighting in Swat Valley Pakistan Army has moved into South Waziristan to carry on final assault against Pakistani Taliban head Mr. Baitullah Masood and his men whom they accuse of number of suicide bombings and killings in whole of Pakistan including assassination of late Prime Minister, Mrs. Benazir Bhutto. However, fighting has not been so easy for the Pak Army and allied forces. There seems to be no end in the fighting as there are news reports that the other Pakistani Taliban groups with whom Government had done peace pacts have become wary after Government of Pakistan announced operation against Mehsud Tribes. Mullah Nazir and Mr. Gul Bahadur the other leaders of Pakistani Taliban have announced snapping of peace pacts with the Government and have declared war against Pakistani forces stating reasons that they have snapped ties because American Drones have not stopped attacking the tribal areas. However, analysts believe this is because of internal pact between the different factions of Pakistani Taliban i.e., between Mullah Nazir, Gul Bahadur and Baitullah Mehsud who had vowed that if any of them will be attacked they will reciprocate.
Daily there is news that certain numbers of militants, people and army personnel have been killed in suicide bombings, ambushes or army action. These incidents have now spread across the length and breadth of the country. Starting from tribal areas it has spread to Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi and more recently in Pak Administered Kashmir. Besides it is estimated that approximately 25 million people have been dislocated because of this conflict. Even most sacred of all places, Mosques, have not been spared.
Going on the other side of Durrand line, Taliban is believed to have intensified its operations against American and Karzai’s forces in which besides killing of American and Afghan forces lot of unarmed civilians get killed. On the other side American and Afghan forces have been accused of killing innocent people in the garb of Taliban. American forces have been alleged for disproportionate bombing of civilian targets in which at times scores of people have been killed including people in marriage parties and at funeral sites. As the Afghan elections are coming nearer more violence is expected to take place.
This war is now on for more than eight years and day by day it seems to spread its tentacles rather than getting squeezed. With the coming of Obama administration it was hoped that other than war some olive branch will be used to scrap this unending agony. Mr. Obama’s recent speech at Cairo University in Egypt which was seen as a positive beginning had nothing sound so far it relates to the problem viz-a-viz Taliban in Pakistan & Afghanistan except war rhetoric.
As is evident that no one is seemingly winning this war and people are continuously being killed, injured and dislodged for none of their sins. Parties of this war should understand that life of human beings should be given prime importance overall other things whether it is a life of an unarmed Pakistani / Afghan or armed American/ Afghan / Pakistani people, life is precious and cannot be given back. There should be a re-thought over whole of this war. It is beyond our comprehension why comprehensive peaceful methods are not being adopted to solve this burning problem which is consuming lives like firewood. If people can talk with organizations like LTTE of Sri Lanka, IRA of Ireland, Sudanese Liberation Army of Sudan, Hezbollah in Lebnon, Maoists in Nepal etc what is harm in talking with Taliban. Americans share a major responsibility in this conflict as they are a major power and no peace effort can have firm ground except their support which is clear from recent peace pacts by the Pakistani Government and partial efforts of Afghan Government to get liberal Taliban in, have failed in toto. Let there be a cease-fire across the Durand Line on the part of Government / American forces as a goodwill measure first and talks be held directly with the real stakeholders whether it is Baitullah Mehsud in Pakistan or Mullah Omar in Afghanistan rather than involving middlemen. This on the one side will help in reducing the killing of people on side and on the other hand will help in finding middle ground where the two sides could meet. Nothing is impossible in this world if the intent is sincere and I hope that a day will come when these two nations including Taliban and others alongwith US will flourish.
Let Durrand Line be a line of peace.
Hamid Nilnagi
After full fighting in Swat Valley Pakistan Army has moved into South Waziristan to carry on final assault against Pakistani Taliban head Mr. Baitullah Masood and his men whom they accuse of number of suicide bombings and killings in whole of Pakistan including assassination of late Prime Minister, Mrs. Benazir Bhutto. However, fighting has not been so easy for the Pak Army and allied forces. There seems to be no end in the fighting as there are news reports that the other Pakistani Taliban groups with whom Government had done peace pacts have become wary after Government of Pakistan announced operation against Mehsud Tribes. Mullah Nazir and Mr. Gul Bahadur the other leaders of Pakistani Taliban have announced snapping of peace pacts with the Government and have declared war against Pakistani forces stating reasons that they have snapped ties because American Drones have not stopped attacking the tribal areas. However, analysts believe this is because of internal pact between the different factions of Pakistani Taliban i.e., between Mullah Nazir, Gul Bahadur and Baitullah Mehsud who had vowed that if any of them will be attacked they will reciprocate.
Daily there is news that certain numbers of militants, people and army personnel have been killed in suicide bombings, ambushes or army action. These incidents have now spread across the length and breadth of the country. Starting from tribal areas it has spread to Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi and more recently in Pak Administered Kashmir. Besides it is estimated that approximately 25 million people have been dislocated because of this conflict. Even most sacred of all places, Mosques, have not been spared.
Going on the other side of Durrand line, Taliban is believed to have intensified its operations against American and Karzai’s forces in which besides killing of American and Afghan forces lot of unarmed civilians get killed. On the other side American and Afghan forces have been accused of killing innocent people in the garb of Taliban. American forces have been alleged for disproportionate bombing of civilian targets in which at times scores of people have been killed including people in marriage parties and at funeral sites. As the Afghan elections are coming nearer more violence is expected to take place.
This war is now on for more than eight years and day by day it seems to spread its tentacles rather than getting squeezed. With the coming of Obama administration it was hoped that other than war some olive branch will be used to scrap this unending agony. Mr. Obama’s recent speech at Cairo University in Egypt which was seen as a positive beginning had nothing sound so far it relates to the problem viz-a-viz Taliban in Pakistan & Afghanistan except war rhetoric.
As is evident that no one is seemingly winning this war and people are continuously being killed, injured and dislodged for none of their sins. Parties of this war should understand that life of human beings should be given prime importance overall other things whether it is a life of an unarmed Pakistani / Afghan or armed American/ Afghan / Pakistani people, life is precious and cannot be given back. There should be a re-thought over whole of this war. It is beyond our comprehension why comprehensive peaceful methods are not being adopted to solve this burning problem which is consuming lives like firewood. If people can talk with organizations like LTTE of Sri Lanka, IRA of Ireland, Sudanese Liberation Army of Sudan, Hezbollah in Lebnon, Maoists in Nepal etc what is harm in talking with Taliban. Americans share a major responsibility in this conflict as they are a major power and no peace effort can have firm ground except their support which is clear from recent peace pacts by the Pakistani Government and partial efforts of Afghan Government to get liberal Taliban in, have failed in toto. Let there be a cease-fire across the Durand Line on the part of Government / American forces as a goodwill measure first and talks be held directly with the real stakeholders whether it is Baitullah Mehsud in Pakistan or Mullah Omar in Afghanistan rather than involving middlemen. This on the one side will help in reducing the killing of people on side and on the other hand will help in finding middle ground where the two sides could meet. Nothing is impossible in this world if the intent is sincere and I hope that a day will come when these two nations including Taliban and others alongwith US will flourish.
Let Durrand Line be a line of peace.
Hamid Nilnagi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)