33-688: Jagmohan (Governor) Mohammed Ahmed Zaki (Srinagar Corps commander) J. N. Saxena (DGP, J&K Police) Joginder Singh (IG, CRPF) Ashfaq Majeed Wani (JKLF commander) Muhammad Ahsan Dar (Hizbul commander) The Gawkadal massacre was named after the Gawkadal bridge in Srinagar , Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir , where, on 21 January 1990, the Indian paramilitary troops of the Central Reserve Police Force opened fire on
66-473: A Human Rights Watch stated in a report from May, 1991, "In the weeks that followed [the Gawkadal massacre] as security forces fired on crowds of marchers and as militants intensified their attacks against the police and those suspected of aiding them, Kashmir’s civil war began in earnest." MJ Akbar , editor of the Asian Age newspaper, said of the massacre, "January 19 became the catalyst which propelled into
99-581: A group of Kashmiri protesters in what has been described by some authors as "the worst massacre in Kashmiri history". Around100 people were killed, some from being shot and others from drowning. The massacre happened two days after the Government of India appointed Jagmohan as the Governor for a second time in a bid to control the mass protests by Kashmiris. January 1990 was a major turning point for
132-469: A mass upsurge. Young men from hundreds of homes crossed over into Pakistan administered Kashmir to receive arms and training in insurrection Pakistan came out in open support of secession, and for the first time, did not need to involve its regular troops in the confrontation. In Srinagar, each mosque became a citadel of fervor." No known action was ever taken against the CRPF forces officials responsible for
165-756: A success and Jagmohan's capable administration received credit. Later Delhi hosted the Non-Aligned Summit , which was also a success. During his tenure as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (1984–89), the 1986 Kashmir Riots had taken place, curfew was imposed, media was banned and state force was used relentlessly. Pakistan's prime minister Benazir Bhutto in a series of speeches notoriously threatened to make him "Bhagmohan" ( Bhag meaning "run", implying he would flee out of fear), and that "Ham us ko jag jag mo mo han han bana denge" (transl. "We will make him JagJag Mo Mo Han Han" , implying he would be cut/torn to pieces by militants). In Jammu and Kashmir, Jagmohan
198-867: Is bounded by sub-ranges of the Western Himalayas : the Great Himalayas bound it in the northeast and separate it from the Tibetan Plateau , whereas the Pir Panjal Range in the Lesser Himalayas bounds it on the west and the south, and separates it from the Punjab Plain . The valley has an average elevation of 1,850 metres (6,070 ft) above sea-level, but the surrounding Pir Panjal range has an average elevation of 10,000 feet (3,000 m). The Jhelum River
231-481: Is credited with bringing order to one of the most revered shrines of Hindus, called Mata Vaishno Devi . He created a board that continues to provide administration for the shrine. Infrastructure was developed and that continues to facilitate pilgrims. In 1990, when militancy re-exploded in Kashmir, Jagmohan was re-appointed its governor by Prime Minister V. P. Singh 's led Janta Dal government. The locals see him as
264-448: Is generally high and the nights are cool. Precipitation occurs throughout the year and no month is particularly dry. The hottest month is July (mean minimum temperature 16 °C, mean maximum temperature 32 °C) and the coldest are December–January (mean minimum temperature −15 °C, mean maximum temperature 0 °C). The Kashmir Valley enjoys a moderate climate but weather conditions are unpredictable. The record high temperature
297-578: Is the main river of the Valley. It originates at Verinag ; its most important tributaries are the Lidder and Sind rivers. Unlike other areas of Kashmir region, the Kashmir Valley is densely populated owing to the availability of a large expanse of fertile flat land. The Kashmir Valley has a moderate climate, which is largely defined by its geographic location, with the towering Karakoram Range in
330-597: The Bharatiya Janata Party . Singh appointed a Kashmiri politician Mufti Muhammad Sayeed as the Home Minister. A week later, on 8 December 1989, the JKLF kidnapped his daughter Rubaiya Sayeed , demanding the release of jailed JKLF militants in return for her release. The government's capitulation to this demand strengthened the image of JKLF and gave a fillip to its azadi (freedom) movement, while at
363-720: The Kashmir insurgency as well as the Indian government's handling of it. By this time, the Kashmir insurgency was one-and-a-half year old, having been launched by the Pakistan-based Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in July 1988 under Pakistani sponsorship, a year after the rigging of 1987 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election by India which saw NC leader Farooq Abdullah win but "lose his credibility". However, pro-Independence JKLF
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#1732780613023396-654: The 1990s, Jagmohan had served as a nominated MP in the Rajya Sabha in 1990–96, and won three Lok Sabha elections from New Delhi in 1996, 1998 and 1999. In 2004, he lost to Ajay Maken of the Indian National Congress by 12,784 votes. In 2019, Jagmohan participated in BJP's Outreach Campaign to increase awareness about the advantages of revoking Article 370 & 35A. On the basis of his service record and recommendations made by top civil servants, he
429-586: The Emergency (1975–77), Sanjay Gandhi entrusted Jagmohan with the "beautification" of Delhi, a task that involved large-scale demolition of slums . Jagmohan was very effective with the task. Already a Padma Shri since 1971, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1977. In 1982, as Delhi hosted the Asian Games , Jagmohan was serving his second term as Lieutenant Governor of the city. The games were
462-473: The Lok Sabha in 1996 for the 11th Lok Sabha , where he defeated Bollywood star Rajesh Khanna by 58,000 votes. In 1998 and 1999, Jagmohan won the seat again defeating R K Dhawan of the Indian National Congress twice. When the BJP's Atal Bihari Vajpayee became Prime Minister in 1998, Jagmohan served in his cabinet in a variety of portfolios, including communications, urban development and tourism. During
495-472: The architect of Gawkadal Massacre in which more than 60 civilians were killed by Indian paramilitary forces although he was not involved in it. He fell out of favour of the Union government, and joined the BJP few years later in around 1994. However, allegations persist that he was involved in extra-legal crackdowns in Kashmir engineered by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed . Jagmohan contested the seat for New Delhi in
528-403: The city and massive processions were initiated by the evening. A curfew was imposed by night fall. On the evening of 21 January, a large group of protesters shouting pro-independence slogans, reached Srinagar 's wooden Gawkadal Bridge. According to the J & K police, on approaching the wooden bridge a large crowd of demonstrators started pelting stones, after which the security forces fired on
561-405: The crowd, leading to the death of several protestors. The police record mentions that "on January 21, a big crowd raising anti-India slogans was heading towards Lal Chowk and the security forces tried to stop the crowd near Gawkadal. Instead of dispersing, the unruly crowd started pelting stones at government buildings and security force personnel." Indian authorities put the official death toll for
594-503: The decision to carry out the raid. According to Manoj Joshi , the search was ordered by the police chiefs. The night of 19 January also saw the initiation of a mass revolt in the Kashmir Valley . Various reports indicate that Kashmiri Muslims were out on the streets shouting anti-India, pro-Pakistan and Islamic slogans. Mosques crackled with loud speakers, issuing slogans and playing pre-recorded messages. India Today described
627-530: The massacre initially at 21–28, however, later raised it to 50 after counting the bodies. International human rights organisations and scholars estimate that at least 50, and likely over 100 protesters were killed—some by gunshot wounds, other by drowning after they jumped into the river in fear. In the aftermath of the massacre, more demonstrations followed, and in January 1990, Indian paramilitary forces are believed to have killed around 300 protesters in total. As
660-413: The massacre, or against the officers present at Gawkadal that night. No government investigation was ever ordered into the incident. Fifteen years later, the police case was closed and those involved in the massacre were declared untraceable. No challan has been produced against any person in court. Jagmohan Jagmohan Malhotra (25 September 1927 – 3 May 2021), known by the mononym Jagmohan ,
693-594: The mood in the Valley as one of open defiance: "mobs challenged the gun, defying policemen to fire at them". They chanted slogans for "Indian dogs go back" and " Azadi ka matlab kya, La Ilahi lilillah [illallah] " ("What is freedom, Allah is the only god"). As word of the raids spread on 20 January 1990, crowds gathered outside the Divisional Commissioner's office in Srinagar to protest the 'atrocities', and were tear-gassed. Organisers fanned out through
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#1732780613023726-423: The north, Pir Panjal Range in the south and west, and Zanskar Range in the east. It can be generally described as cool in the spring and autumn, mild in the summer and cold in the winter. As a large valley with significant differences in geo-location among various districts, the weather is often cooler in the hilly areas compared to the flat lower parts. Summer is usually mild and fairly dry, but relative humidity
759-633: The northeast by the Greater Himalayan range. It is approximately 135 km (84 mi) long and 32 km (20 mi) wide, and drained by the Jhelum River . It forms the bulk of the Kashmir Division of Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmir Valley lies between latitude 33° and 35°N , and longitude 73° and 76°E . The valley is 100 km (62 mi) wide and covers 15,520.3 km (5,992.4 sq mi) in area. It
792-619: The same time undercutting the authority of the state government led by Farooq Abdullah . Following these events, the Indian government decided to replace the Governor K. V. Krishna Rao . Under the pressure of the Bharatiya Janata Party , the V. P. Singh government in Delhi, chose Jagmohan to succeed him. Jagmohan had served a previous term as the Governor in the State, during which the Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah
825-475: The state land resources. For a series of innovations of this genre, good management skills, and for "his meritorious services to the country" he was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1977. In 2016, Padma Vibhushan was awarded to him. As Implementation Commissioner, and later as vice-chairman, Delhi Development Authority , Jagmohan executed various Parliament approved schemes of Clearance-cum-Resettlement-cum-Redevelopment, which critics called demolition drives. Jagmohan
858-484: Was an Indian civil servant and politician. After working with the Indian National Congress , he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1995. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and Goa, as the 5th Governor of Jammu and Kashmir , and for three terms as Member of Parliament for New Delhi. In the cabinet, he served as Union Minister for Urban Development and Tourism . Jagmohan Malhotra
891-647: Was born in a Punjabi Hindu Khatri family to Amir Chand and Dropadi Devi on 25 September 1927 in Hafizabad , British India . He got married in 1957 to Uma, who came to be known as Uma Jagmohan. Jagmohan admired Georges-Eugene Haussmann . Jagmohan first gained notoriety during his stint as vice-chairman of the Delhi Development Authority in the mid-1970s. During this time he grew close to Sanjay Gandhi , who functioned as an informal advisor to his mother, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi . During
924-498: Was dismissed. Abdullah had held it against Jagmohan, and resigned from Chief Ministership when he heard the news. The state went under Governor's rule . On the night 19 January 1990 (or the early morning of 20 January), Indian security forces conducted extensive house-to-house searches in Srinagar , in an effort to find illegal weapons and root out any hidden militants. Three hundred people were arrested, most of whom were later released. Both Jagmohan and Abdullah deny any involvement in
957-709: Was elected to the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian Parliament) thrice from New Delhi. Kashmir Valley The Kashmir Valley , also known as the Vale of Kashmir , is an intermontane valley in northern Jammu and Kashmir , a region in Indian-administered Kashmir . The valley is surrounded by ranges of the Himalayas , bounded on the southwest by the Pir Panjal Range and on
990-599: Was honoured, on 26 January 1971, with the award of Padma Shri by the President of India , "for formulation and implementation of the Delhi Master Plan and for playing a pioneering role in planning and implementation of projects in Delhi". With a meager revolving fund of just Rs. Five crore, Jagmohan launched large number of land acquisition and development schemes, showcasing how development effort could be financed by creating facilities – thus increasing value of
1023-602: Was not in Pakistan's interest. By October 1989, its secret service ISI , working with the Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Kashmir , brought together some of the key Islamist insurgent groups working in Kashmir under the banner of Hizbul Mujahideen . In a key meeting in Kathmandu on 14 January 1990, Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir was persuaded to take control of Hizbul Mujahideen. Henceforth, the Kashmir insurgency
1990 Gawkadal massacre - Misplaced Pages Continue
1056-568: Was one of the founders of the Samkalp Foundation which provides civil services examination coaching to poor and marginal students along with accommodation and other facilities. He wrote " My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir ". Jagmohan Malhotra died in Delhi on 3 May 2021, at the age of 93. During the 1990s, Jagmohan had served as nominated MP in the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of the Indian Parliament) from 1990 to 1996. Later, he
1089-452: Was to run along an Islamist paradigm. An often-heard slogan was " Azadi ka matlab kya, La Ilahi lilillah [illallah] " ("What is the meaning of freedom? There is no god but god(ALLAH)). Concurrent to these developments, the Indian central government was going through a crisis. Rajiv Gandhi lost the general election held in 1989, and a minority government led by opposition Janata Dal under V. P. Singh took power, with external support from
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