ISLAMABAD – Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across theworld observed Indian Republic Day, today as Black Day to convey to theworld that India has usurped the right to self-determination of theKashmiri people for the past over seven decades, Radio Pakistan hasreported.
The day was marked with complete shutdown in Occupied Kashmir andanti-India rallies and demonstrations in world capitals.
Call for observance of the Black Day and shutdown has been given by theJoint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooqand Muhammad Yasin Malik.
The puppet authorities had put the entire occupied Kashmir especiallySrinagar and Jammu under siege.
Indian troops and police personnel were deployed in strength in every nookand corner of the occupied territory, causing huge inconvenience to thepeople.
The authorities sealed the Jamia Masjid Srinagar and disallowed people fromoffering Juma prayers while mobile internet services across the occupiedterritory were suspended.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of International Forum for Justice and Human RightsMuhammad Ahsan Untoo in a statement in Srinagar demanded that the Indiantroops involved in a deadly massacre in Kupwara in 1994 be brought to book.
The troops had mercilessly killed twenty-seven innocent Kashmiris on 27thJanuary in 1994 for observing shutdown on Indian Republic Day, the 26thJanuary, in the town.
In Islamabad, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmirchapter and the Occupied Kashmir Journalist Association stageddemonstrations to condemn the Indian state terrorism in occupied Kashmir.
Leaders of All Parties Hurriyat Conference Jammu and Kashmir lodged astrong protest in Islamabad today to mark Indian Republic Day as Black Day.
They termed India’s continued denial of Kashmiris’ right toself-determination as contrary to its claim of being a democratic republic.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary General APHC Abdul Hameed Lone urgedthe world community to take notice of grave human rights violations inOccupied Kashmir.
He said India is committing genocide of Kashmiri people in OccupiedKashmir. He said the United Nations should play its due role for resolutionof Kashmir issue.
Expressing his views, APHC leader Sheikh Abdul Mateen said the voice ofKashmiri people for their freedom is just and New Delhi cannot suppress itthrough the use of brutal force.
On his part, APHC leader Abdul Majeed Malik said we reject the illegalIndian occupation in occupied Kashmir, and our struggle will continue tillrealization of right to self determination of the Kashmiri people.
The protestors were holding banners and placards inscribed with anti-Indiaand pro-freedom slogans.