Continued skirmishes along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir have put the United Nations Military Observer have evoked massive ridicule with people urging the group to play `saviour’.
Accusing the UN apparatus of failure to prevent ceasefire violations along the treacherous Line of Control that divides Kashmir, the border dwellers have urged the global body to wake up and rid them of their sufferings.
Pertinently, ceasefire violations have claimed scores of precious lives during the past two years in particular and continued shelling has triggered migration from the affected areas. Women and even children have been killed in border skirmishes.
Konga Khatana, from a remote village along the Loc said the UNMOG was created to monitor ceasefire along the LoC. According to him, the UNMOG is a peace keeping force and must play the `saviour’.
“It has done nothing to prevent border shelling. People continue to die on both sides as LoC flares up very often,” a border dweller from Samba district.
Pertinent to mention, India filed a complaint in the United Nations on January 1, 1948 under Chapter VI of the UN Charter.
“Under this chapter, military observers are not appointed. However, it so happens at times that a court while granting relief gives much more than what is actually sought. This also happened in Kashmir case. While passing resolutions seeking an impartial plebiscite, the Security Council appointed military observers. This is where Nehru received a shock. He had never anticipated appointment of military observers by the world body,” senior columnist and academic,” Dr Sheikh Showkat Husain said.
In 1972 after signing the Simla Agreement, New Delhi asked the UNO to withdraw its military observer from Jammu Kashmir. But the UNO refused. The former Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee was asked about it. He said: “It does not cause any harm to India.”
The UNMOG office at Sonawar was a hot spot in early 1990s. massive processions from various parts of the city would culminate there after submitting memoranda.