Pakistan: Protest march organized by the National Students Federation (NSF) which was held on 11 February 1990 from Muzaffarabad to Chakothi by supporters of an independent Kashmir and resulted in attacks on the marchers by government authorities
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 13 August 2001 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | PAK37413.E |
| Reference | 4 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Pakistan: Protest march organized by the National Students Federation (NSF) which was held on 11 February 1990 from Muzaffarabad to Chakothi by supporters of an independent Kashmir and resulted in attacks on the marchers by government authorities , 13 August 2001, PAK37413.E , available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be8b10.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A 12 February 1990 article published by the Japan Economic Newswire reported that a rally had been held the day before by "thousands of members of the National Students Federation" near the Indian-Pakistani Kashmir border to mark the anniversary of the death of a Kashmiri separatist. Following the rally, many of the students made their way by vehicle to Chanar and then by foot to Chakothi where some of the protesters, despite attempts by the Pakistani military to stop them, stormed the military cease-fire line separating Indian and Pakistani Kashmir (Ibid., The Times 12 Feb. 1990; The Independent 13 Feb. 1990). Indian troops at the checkpoint fired upon the students, resulting in three to eight deaths (Japan Economic Newswire 12 Feb. 1990; The Independent 13 Feb. 1990). The students, who were protesting against "Indian efforts to suppress a Muslim rebellion in Kashmir," reportedly carried through with the protest despite knowing they would be shot at (The Independent 13 Feb. 1990). The Independent reported that Indian and Pakistani soldiers exchanged gunfire continuously for 15 minutes, then off and on for several hours (13 Feb. 1990).
No reports of the protesters being attacked by Pakistani government authorities were found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Reference
The Independent [London]. 13 February 1990. Malcolm Davidson. "Injured Pakistanis Vow to Struggle On." (NEXIS)
Japan Economic Newswire. 12 February 1990. "Asian News: Indian Guards Kill Six Students at Kashmir Border."
The Times. 12 February 1990. Christopher Thomas. "Six Killed as Indian Troops Open Fire on Kashmir Protesters." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB databases
LEXIS/NEXIS
World News Connection
Internet sites, including:
Amnesty International
Dawn
Dawn Wire Services
Frontier Post
Human Rights Watch
The News International