Demonstrations organized by the Jammu and Kashmir People's National Party (JKPNP) and/or Jammu and Kashmir People's National Students Organization (JKPNSO) in Azad Kashmir; 13 July 1997 and 5 January 2000 in Pullandari [Palandari]; 5 February 1999 in Bagh [PAK35692.E]

No reports of a district, town or area called Pullandari in Azad Kashmir could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

Bagh and Palandari are two of the seven districts comprising Azad Kashmir (Dawn 4 Jan. 2000; Daily Excelsior 20 Jan. 1999). Palandari, with only one constituency and one police station, was reportedly created only for political reasons (Dawn 4 Jan. 2000). Both districts are located near the Line of Control and reportedly serve as entry points for militants moving from Pakistan-controlled Kashmir into Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu, in India-controlled Kashmir (Daily Excelsior 20 Jan. 1999). There is also a town of Bagh (Pakistan TV 5 Feb. 1999; Dawn 27 Feb. 2000).

On 5 February 1999 Pakistan TV reported that rallies, marches, symposia, discussions and other events were taking place in Islamabad, and all the provincial capitals and major cities of Pakistan "as an expression of solidarity with the people of [India] held Kashmir...". Rallies and protest marches also took place in major towns and cities throughout Azad Kashmir, including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Rawala Kot, Mirpur, Bhimbar and Bagh (ibid.). Speakers at the rallies reportedly highlighted the importance of the Kashmir problem, stated that Kashmiris would continue their struggle until they had attained their right to self-determination, and called on the UN to implement its resolutions on Kashmir (ibid.). The report provides no specific information on the demonstration in Bagh, nor whether there was any involvement by the Jammu and Kashmir People's National Party (JKPNP) or Jammu and Kashmir People's National Students Organization (JKPNSO) (ibid.).

No reports of demonstrations in Palandari could be 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.

References


Daily Excelsior [Jammu]. 20 January 1999. "6 Companies of Ultras Ready to Sneak Militants Positioned at Bagh, Palandari Camps." http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/ 99jan20/news.htm [Accessed 19 Oct. 2000]

Dawn [Karachi]. 27 February 2000. "Kashmiris Protest Massacre." http://www.dawn.com/2000/02/27/top3.htm [Accessed 19 Oct. 2000]

_____. 4 January 2000. Tariq Naqash. "Downsizing of 'Ministries'." http://www.dawn.com/2000/01/04/fea.htm [Accessed 19 Oct. 2000]

Pakistan TV [Islamabad, in English]. 5 February 1999. "Pakistan TV Reports Kashmir Solidarity Day Rallies." (BBC Summary 8 Feb. 1999/NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted


IRB databases.

LEXIS-NEXIS.

World News Connection (WNC).

Internet sites including:

Initiative on Conflict Resolution and Ethnicity (INCORE).

Jammu-Kashmir.com

KashmirNet.

Pakistan Link.

Pakistan Web Directory.