Settlement of Kashmir dispute vital for ensuring durable peace in South Asia’: People stage forceful anti-India demonstrations in IOK

SRINAGAR, April 29: In occupied Kashmir, people staged forceful demonstrations, Friday, against the continued detention of Handwara victim girl, subsequent killing of five civilians and imposition of restrictions in the territory.
Call for the protests was given by the All Parties Hurriyet Conference Chairman, Syed Ali Geelani.
People took to the streets in Srinagar, Lolab, Handwara, Sopore, Kupwara, Pulwama, Kulgam, Islamabad and other areas and shouted pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. Pakistani National flag was waved during the protests. Indian police fired teargas shells and pallets to disperse the demonstrators at different places injuring several people. The police also arrested several activists of Tehreek-e-Hurriyet Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, despite heavy deployment of Indian troops and police personnel at Kanthapora in Lolab, thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of a youth who was martyred by Indian troops during a siege and search operation in the area. The authorities had to call off the operation, last night, following massive protests in Kanthapora.
The occupation authorities detained the APHC Chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, the General Secretary, Shabbir Ahmed Shah and other Hurriyet leaders including Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Molvi Bashir Ahmed and Mukhtar Ahmed Waza in their houses and police stations.
Hurriyet leaders, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi, addressing public gatherings in Srinagar and Badgam said that settlement of the Kashmir dispute was vital for ensuring durable peace in South Asia.-KMS