Indian Court Sentences Kashmiri Leader to Life in Prison – The Diplomat

An Indian courtroom sentenced a Kashmiri separatist chief to life in jail on Wednesday after declaring him responsible of terrorism and sedition, triggering a conflict between protesters and police and a partial shutdown of companies within the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir.

Mohammed Yasin Malik, 56, led the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Entrance, one of many first armed insurgent teams within the Indian-held space, however later shifted to peaceable means in looking for the top of Indian rule.

Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since British colonialists granted it independence in 1947. Each nations declare the area in its entirety and have fought two wars over its management.

Malik was arrested in 2019 and was convicted final week on fees of committing terrorist acts, illegally elevating funds, belonging to a terrorist group, and prison conspiracy and sedition.

Earlier than Wednesday’s sentencing, dozens of Kashmiris gathered at Malik’s residence in Srinagar, the most important metropolis in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Some marched by means of the streets, chanting “We would like freedom” and “Return India.” Authorities forces fired tear fuel on the marchers, who threw stones. No accidents had been instantly reported. Retailers and companies closed in the principle facilities of Srinagar.

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Prosecutors mentioned the choose rejected their request for a demise sentence.

The federal government banned Malik’s group in 2019, accusing it of funding terrorism and blaming it for the deaths of minority Hindus within the Himalayan area.

Malik protested the fees throughout the trial and mentioned he was a freedom fighter. “The terrorism-related fees leveled in opposition to me are concocted, fabricated and politically motivated,” he mentioned.

“If looking for azadi (freedom) is a criminal offense, then I’m prepared to just accept this crime and its penalties,” he instructed the choose.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Malik’s sentencing, and its Overseas Ministry mentioned it summoned India’s high diplomat in Islamabad.

“In the present day is a black day for Indian democracy & its justice system,” Sharif tweeted. “India can imprison Yasin Malik bodily however it will possibly by no means imprison concept of freedom he symbolizes. Life imprisonment for valiant freedom fighter will present recent impetus to Kashmiris’ proper to self-determination.”

Within the late Nineteen Eighties, Malik joined a gaggle of younger individuals who traveled to Pakistani-controlled Kashmir for arms coaching, looking for independence for all of Kashmir from India and Pakistan.

By 1989, Indian-controlled Kashmir was within the throes of a full-blown revolt, with Malik and his comrades conducting assaults in opposition to the Indian safety institution and pro-India Kashmiri politicians.

India responded with an enormous militarization of Kashmir, saying it was preventing a Pakistan-sponsored proxy battle. It unleashed a brutal counterinsurgency marketing campaign, and troopers got broad impunity and allowed to shoot suspects on sight or detain them indefinitely.

Malik was arrested throughout a raid by Indian troops in 1990 and was launched in 1994. He took over management of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Entrance, shifting away from armed revolt and looking for the top of Indian rule over the territory by means of peaceable political means.

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In 2003, Malik and his associates started gathering signatures of Kashmiris looking for the suitable to self-determination. They traveled for 2 years to a whole lot of villages and cities, gathering over 1.5 million signatures.

He helped lead an anti-India rebellion in 2008 with large-scale protests that marked a shift from armed wrestle to non-violent resistance. He continued to steer giant public gatherings in subsequent years looking for an finish of Indian rule.

Malik held a number of unsuccessful rounds of talks with the Indian authorities, together with with two prime ministers. He’s married to a Pakistani artist, Mushaal Hussein, and so they have a 10-year-old daughter.

Most Muslim Kashmiris assist the insurgent purpose of uniting the territory, both underneath Pakistani rule or as an unbiased nation. Tens of hundreds of civilians, rebels and authorities forces have been killed within the battle since 1989.

The All Events Hurriyat Convention, a coalition of anti-Indian Kashmiri political teams, mentioned Malik was “being punished for his political opinions” and was “convicted in invented instances underneath draconian legal guidelines.”

The group urged the Indian authorities to launch all Kashmiri political prisoners and resolve the Kashmir battle by means of dialogue.

Related Press author Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Pakistan, contributed to this report.