SRINAGAR/MUZZAFFARABAD: Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LOC) and across the world observed India’s 66th Republic Day on Monday as Black Day.
The aim of the protest was to convey to the global community that India was not a true democratic country as it had denied the people of Kashmir their inalienable right to self-determination.
On the occasion complete shutter down strike was observed in IOK on Indian republic day. Protest demonstrations, rallies and sit-ins were staged on both sides of the line of control.
The day was marked with a complete strike in occupied Kashmir, call for which had been given by almost all pro-freedom leaders and organizations. All markets and streets gave a deserted look as people preferred to remain indoors.
Armed Indian troops and police personnel manned every nook and corner of all major cities and towns to prevent anti-India demonstrations.
Stringent security measures had been put in place around Bakhshi Stadium, the main venue of the official function in Srinagar, while sharp shooters had been positioned at high-rise buildings around the venue. Movement of people was monitored through closed circuit television cameras.
Hurriyet leaders, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Democratic Political Movement in their statements and Masarrat Aalam Butt in a message from jail thanked people for observing the India’s Republic Day as black day.
The APHC-AJK chapter organized a sit-in protest outside the UN Office in Islamabad. It was led by the Convenor, Syed Yousuf Naseem.
Leaders from various political parties of Azad Kashmir also attended the protest. Speakers on the occasion said that India could not suppress the Kashmiris’ genuine struggle for freedom through arrest, harassment and other brutal tactics. A memorandum addressed to the UN General Secretary, Ban Ki-moon was also submitted to the UN office.
A joint declaration adopted at a seminar in Islamabad organized by the AJK chapter of Syed Ali Geelani’s forum and Hurriyet Conference Jammu and Kashmir said that Kashmiris were awaiting a plebiscite under the United Nations to decide their future by themselves.
The declaration pointed out that the settlement of non-Kashmiris in the disputed territory was a move to hinder the just solution of the Kashmir dispute. AJK President, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan presided over the seminar.
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