1st death anniversary of Burhan Wani

Syed Salahuddin, chief of United Jehad Council, is not at all deterred by the US State Department’s statement declaring him as Specially Designated Global Terrorist. In a message he said: “Hafta-e-Shuhuda (martyrs’ week) would be observed beginning July 8 on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC). He called for week-long protests to mark the first death anniversary of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, and a complete strike would be observed in the state on July 8 to pay tributes to Burhan Wani for whom public gatherings will also be held.” Burhan Wani’s martyrdom had triggered a powerful people’s uprising in Kashmir, and at least 90 civilians were killed in Indian force’s action to break the uprising.
Jammu and Kashmir government is unnerved by the arrangements for observing 1ste death anniversary of Burhan Wani. Security forces seem to have a tough time ahead as potential face-off with freedom fighters and their supporters, which could lead to another spell of unrest in the Valley. In view of possible flare up, Indian authorities have announced a 10-day-long ‘summer break’ in educational institutions from July 6 although the summer is still away and the temperatures have not soared yet. Apparently, the closure of schools and colleges has more to do with Wani’s death anniversary than anything else, said the local watchers. The authorities are contemplating to impose curfews and restrictions in cities and towns of the Valley including summer capital Srinagar from the night of July 7 or early July 8 and also on July 13th 2017, which is Kashmir Martyrs Day.
The internet and mobile phone services are also likely to be snapped ahead of Wani’s anniversary. Enforcing security clamp down and curfew or curfew-like restrictions besides curbs on the movement of Kashmiri leaders and other key activists is a somewhat time-tested manoeuvre by the J&K authorities aimed at steering clear of face-off in open with Kashmiri leadership and its supporters. Already the law and order situation in the Valley is dismal. Another main worry of the authorities is how to ensure smooth and incident-free passage of Amarnath pilgrims through populated and sensitive areas of the Valley during ‘Hafta-e-Shahadah’ or the week of martyrdom. Normally, pilgrims and other tourists are not touched by protesters but there had been some stone-pelting incidents in the past when the buses and other vehicles carrying them to the base-camps or while they return.
Indian forces once again fired bullets, shotgun pellets and tear gas at protesters, killing 4 persons so far and injuring about 65 others. Last year, the planned killing of freedom fighter Burhan Wani had triggered protest throughout the valley and all parts of Kashmir, and his martyrdom infused a new spirit into the Kashmir freedom movement. The recent martyrdom of his successor, Sabzar Bhat once again sparked fierce protests and agitation against the occupying Indian forces across the IOK. Instead of accepting the reality that freedom struggle is waged by Kashmiris, India accuses Pakistan of stirring Kashmiri uprising, which is a ploy to hoodwink the International Community on Kashmir issue and to hide state-sponsored atrocities on innocent people of IOK. International community must realize the plight of IOK’s people. Kashmir has been under unlawful Indian occupation since October 1947.
Meanwhile, Pakistan government has termed the US State Department’s statement declaring Syed Salahuddin as global terrorist an unjustified act of the Trump administration to please Modi. “Pakistan shall continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for the realisation of the right to self-determination and the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions. The gross and systematic violations of human rights of the Kashmiri people that have been recorded and reported by independent human rights bodies is a reality,” he said. After a long time, the Foreign Office has given its timely reaction, which is indeed appreciable. Having that said, Kashmiris on both sides of LoC and throughout the world would observe first death anniversary of Burhan Wani on 8th July 2017.