Security Council's Kashmir Inquiry

Northern Advocate, 16 January 1948, Page 3

Security Council's Kashmir Inquiry

NEW YORK, Thur. (10 a.m.) —The Pakistan Government was actively assisting the invaders of Kashmir, the Minister without portfolio (Gopalswami Ayangar) told the Security Council today, in presenting India’s appeal for United Nations mediation in Kashmir.

The situation in Jammu, Kashmir, he said, was growing graver daily, and the Security Council should take urgent action to end it.

The Indian Government could deal with the invaders by military means, but this might involve the rise of an armed conflict with Pakistan.

. “We would like to exhaust every possible resource for avoiding. war, particularly war with the people of a neighbouring state with whom centuries of common living, culture and tradition incline us—despite recent happenings—to continue and develop ties that bind us,” he said.

' (3) To call on Pakistan to deny the invaders access to and the use of territory for operations against Kashmir and to refuse military and other supplies and all other aid that might tend to prolong the present struggle. When Mr Ayangar finished, the President of the Council (M. Fernand van Langenhove, Belgium) announced that the Pakistan Foreign Minister (Sir Zafrullah Khan) desired to have some time to prepare a reply. Therefore, he proposed that the meeting adjourn until tomorrow. “The issue is not as simple or as straightforward as my friend tried to make out,” said Sir Zafrullah.

From the beginning of India's, independence Pakistan had tried to coerce Kashmir into joining it, but India had exerted no pressure at all.

A series of invasions by tribesmen from the North-West Frontier eventually compelled the Maharajah of Kashmir to appeal for help from the Indian Government and to announce that Kashmir would become part of India.

“The picture is by no means as clear as it appears to him, and it will be necessary to place before the Council the whole background of the Kashmir problem. "I do not blame my friend for touching on features which appear to him to be the principal ones in the picture, but it does not appear to us in the same colours as he painted."

ARMS FROM PAKISTAN Ayangar said: “There is ample proof available that the invaders of Kashmir are not only being allowed transit across Pakistan territory, but also draw much of their equipment, arms, transport, supplies and petrol from Pakistan. “For three months thousands of tribesmen have crossed Pakistan territory and continued to pour into Kashmir.

ADJOURNMENT Faris El Khoury (Syria) said justice and fairness called for acceding to Pakistan’s request for a delay and suggested adjournment until January 19. Mr Ayangar emphasised the need for speedy action and said he hoped the Council would agree to the president’s proposal. After Mr Philip Noel-Baker(Britain) had suggested an adjournment until January 17, the president ruled that the Council would meet again on January 16, and the Council then adjourned.

"We have ample evidence to prove that the raiders include a large number of Pakistan nationals.”

He gave as an example of Pakistan aid the fact that the invaders were equipped with .303 rifles, Bren and Sten guns, two- and three-inch mortars, 3.7 howitzers, anti-tank rifles, mark V mines and walkie-talkie sets.

RAIDERS IN BATTLEDRESS The invaders first appeared without uniforms, but now wore battledress, steel helmets, army greatcoats and boots.

Captured vehicles had Pakistan numberplates. Petrol, which was rationed, had been supplied free to vehicles carrying trioesmen to Kashmir.

Pakistan officers were training raiders, who were allowed .to .use Pakistan territory for bases. After Indian troops were attacked at Jhangar by 6000 invaders armed with automatic weapons and mortars, the Prime Minister (Mr Nehru), on December 22, sent a formal letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan (Mr Jinnah), in which the Indian Government made a final attempt to persuade Mr Jinnah to take steps to deny all assistance to the, raiders. “We received no reply for a week. “We then brought the matter to this council’s notice,” Mr Ayangar said. JINNAH’S LETTER He quoted a letter from Mr Jinnah, dated December 30, replying to a telegram from Mr Nehru, in which Mr Jinnah asserted: “Sikh attacks on Moslems in East Punjab in August greatly inflamed feeling throughout Pakistan, and it was only with difficulty that Pakistan tribesmen were prevented from entering West Punjab to take revenge on Hindus and Sikhs. “Your recent action in sending troops to Kashmir, on the pretext of Kashmir’s accession, made things infinitely worse.”

Mr Ayangar said: ‘The attitude of mind disclosed in Mr Jinnah’s reply was regrettable. “He did not even attempt to disown the raiders or condemn their activities. “Indeed, the reply almost attempts to extenuate and find an excuse for them.” BEQUESTS TO COUNCIL Mr Ayangar said India wished the Security Council: (1) To prevent Pakistan Government personnel from participating in, or assisting, the invasion of Jammu, Kashmir. (2) To call on Pakistan nationals to desist from taking part in fighting.