Restrictions Being Eased In Kashmir, Allegations Of Pakistan False And Concocted: India At UNHRC

Restrictions imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after removal of the state's special status are being eased and allegations of Pakistan are completely false and concocted, India said in a retort to Islamabad at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Switzerland's Geneva.

Reading out India's statement on Kashmir at UNHRC, Secretary (East) MEA, Vijay Thakur Singh said: "My Government is taking affirmative action by adopting progressive policies to promote socio-economic equality & justice."

Referring to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's address on Kashmir, the Secretary (East) MEA said that the world is aware that the "running commentary" with "false allegations" came from the "epicentre" of global terrorism.

"A delegation has given a running commentary with offensive rhetoric of false allegations & concocted charges against my country. World is aware that this narrative comes from epicentre of global terrorism, where ring leaders were sheltered for years," Singh said.

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Earlier in the day, Pakistan had demanded an international investigation by the UN Human Rights Council into the situation in Kashmir and urged the world rights body not to remain "indifferent" after India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status.

Addressing the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, leading the Pakistani delegation, said the top UN rights body should not be embarrassed on the world stage by its inaction over the issue. 

"Today, I have knocked on the doors of the Human Rights Council, the repository of the world's conscience on human rights, to seek justice and respect for the people of Kashmir," he said.

Qureshi asked the Council to urge India to immediately stop the use of pellet guns, lift the curfew, reverse the clampdown and communications blackout, restore fundamental freedoms and liberties, release political prisoners and fulfil obligations under the UN Security Council Resolutions and various human rights instruments, as required by international law.

HIGHLIGHTS

• India's response came after Pakistan demanded an international probe in Kashmir
• India informed the UNHRC that restrictions were being eased in Kashmir
• Kashmir is in lockdown since the removal of Article 370 on August 5