A member of the Indian delegation at the UN, Sir Benegal Rama Rau, told the Security Council on March 1, 1951: “The people of Kashmir are not mere chattels to be disposed of according to a rigid formula; their future must be decided on their own interest and in accordance with their own desires.”

1990: Massacres at Tengpora, Zakoora
Soldiers opened fire at a bus near Tengpora in the Batmaloo quarter of Srinagar at around 5 in the evening, killing 29 persons. The victims included five women.
Earlier in the day, troops had opened fire at peaceful protesters near Zakoora on the fringes of the city. Eleven persons died on the spot. Many more succumbed to their injuries in the SKIMS, taking the toll to 26. Eyewitnesses said that protesters had had no argument with the army. According to them, the firing was totally unprovoked.
The carnages were carried out at a time when people would take out pro-freedom processions on a daily basis. But with these killings, the marches ended.

2003: 43 Detainees Released
Forty-three detainees were released on March 1, 2003 following talks between a delegation of the Hurriyat Conference led by Maulana Abbas Ansari and the then Deputy Prime Minister of India, LK Advani, at New Delhi in January.
The two sides had concluded that a “step-by-step approach should lead to resolution of all outstanding issues in J&K.” The APHC also committed to the “enlargement of the dialogue process to cover all regions of J&K and concerns of all communities,” and the Government committed to “safeguard the security of all people and prevent violation of their rights.”

KR Desk