In the backdrop of combat with terrorists in the Handwara region of J&K and massive shelling along the LoC, Pakistan issued orders on conducting elections in the disputed Gilgit – Baltistan region that falls in the PoK. India protested elections carried out in 2009 and 2015 in the region and this time it has asked Pakistan to vacate the forcefully occupied regions.
Crux of the Matter
Notoriously Slithering In Indian Territory Pakistan Supreme Court allowed Pakistan Federal government to conduct general elections in the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region. GB falls in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) region. In 2009, Pakistan passed an order to hold assembly elections in the GB region to turn the territory into Pak’s province. In 2015, elections were held in the region once again. India has sent demarches over years and lodged protests over the issue.
‘Get Out!’ says India India issued a demarche to Pakistan and accused it of making “material changes” in a disputed region. India also said that Pakistan can neither hide the forceful accession of parts of J&K, nor the human rights violations, persecution of religious minorities, and denial of freedom. Pakistan responded by referring to the abrogation of Article 370 as “illegal and in violation of the UNSC resolutions”.
The Government of Pakistan or its judiciary has no locus standi on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it. India completely rejects such actions and continued attempts to bring material changes in Pakistan occupied areas of the Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Instead, Pakistan should immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation. India in the demarche
Understanding Terms
Meanwhile in J&K On 2nd May 2020, some terrorists held hostage in the Handwara region of J&K. It was followed by a close-range fight between Indian soldiers and the terrorists, in which 5 Indian soldiers martyred, and 2 terrorists were killed. One of the terrorists was Lashkar-e-Taiba’s top leader Haider. On 5th May, 2020, terrorists opened fire on CRPF men near Handwara. 3 CRPF personnel lost their lives. There have been reports of massive shelling along the LoC since the lockdown began in India.
Curiopedia
Gilgit-Baltistan is home to five of the “eight-thousanders” (14 peaks worldwide which cross 8,000 meters mark) and more than fifty peaks above 7,000 meters (23,000 ft). Three of the world’s longest glaciers outside the polar regions are found in Gilgit-Baltistan. The main tourism activities are trekking and mountaineering.
Shikara is a 2020 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film produced and directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The film is based on the love story of a Kashmiri Hindu couple at the peak of insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir during the 1990s and the subsequent exodus of Kashmiri Hindus. This film was criticized and even boycotted by some people for focusing on the “romantic love story” rather than the forced exodus of Kashmiri Hindus.
Under Article 370, Jammu & Kashmir was permitted to have its own flag, which was red in color with three equidistant white vertical stripes and a white plough. The flag of Jammu and Kashmir which was hoisted along with the tricolor was removed from the Civil Secretariat three weeks after the Centre revoked Article 370 provisions which granted special status to the state.
Flag of Jammu & Kashmir under provisions of Article 370, which has now been abrogated.
Curated Coverage
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