Kashmir: Ocuppied, Partitioned and Disputed

Kashmir: Ocuppied, Partitioned and Disputed

More than a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, Kashmir is a land of people who fight for their independence and self-determination. Unfortunately, news about foreign occupation forces in Iraq and Palestine have attracted the attention of the whole media, and then very few is known about the Question of Kashmir, not only in Brazil but in all the world.

Despite of a population with more than 90% of Muslims in Kashmir Valley, the territory was governed by a Hindu Maharajah in 1947, who decided, without peopleās approval, to join India instead of Pakistan, by the time the subcontinent was partitioned and they became independent from England. This was the beginning of its recent occupation. The appearance of army groups struggling for Kashmirās independence occurred just after the frauds and massive arrests during the Indian elections of 1987 and 1989. Since then, more than 600,000 soldiers occupies the region; 90,000 persons were killed; 10,000 remain disappeared; and more than 1,500 were arrested.

But, finally, it seems that, due to international pressures, political actions in Pakistan, and changes in the Indian government, things are pointing to the beginning of a serious negotiation meeting. For the first time, since 2001, Indian and Pakistan will be sitting together in a panel-discussion. In the same way, for the first time, since 70's, Kashmiri leaders will be invited to discuss the question with India, separately. Maybe it is the opportunity for Kashmir to be again the marvelous valley among the Himalayan mountains, which has inspired artists and religious people for more than 4,500 years.

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Photographers and Journalists:
Vinicius Souza (mediaquatro.sites.uol.com.br/vinicius.html e vgpsouza@uol.com.br)
e
Maria Eugênia Sá (mariaeugeniasa.sites.uol.com.br e mge_sa@yahoo.com.br )

Contacts: (55 11) 5093-2855 or 9631-0666