Kashmiris observe black day

Today, Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across the world will observe Black Day on the Indian Republic Day to invite the attention of international community towards the continued long unlawful and forcible Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and depriving them of their internationally-acknowledged right of self-determination by India for the last 72 years. In this regard, a call has been given by the Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik for a complete strike in occupied Kashmir. Kashmiri diaspora have planned anti-India demonstrations and rallies in world capitals. Random crackdowns are being carried out and commuters are subjected to vigorous screening in IHK. Police have erected barricades in Baramulla and on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway frisking every passerby and vehicle before being allowed to move ahead with a view to create hurdles in protest demonstrations.
Kashmiris observe the Indian Republic day as black day every year to
mark strong indignation against the continued long Indian subjugation of the occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and to apprise the world of the continued brutalities and custodial killing of the innocent Kashmiris and the unabated massive violations of human rights by the Indian occupying forces in the held state. Besides, the observance of the day is aimed at to apprise the world community of the continued hostile attitude of India denying Kashmiris their legitimate right to self determination. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, protest rallies and demonstrations against continued illegal and unlawful Indian occupation of a major part of Jammu & Kashmir, will be the hall mark of the black day in all ten districts of the liberated territory. Major rally to observe the Indian Republic Day will be held in Muzaffarabad.
Complete Shutdown is also being observed in Handwara area of Kupwara district to mark the anniversary of January 1990 massacre, perpetrated by Indian army and paramilitary forces. Dozens of Kashmiris were killed when the troops opened fire on protesters on the 25th January in 1990 in Handwara. The carnage took place soon after Jagmohan Malhotra had taken charge as governor of the occupied territory. The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Gilani in a statement in Srinagar criticized the puppet administration for its callous approach towards the rape and murder of a minor girl, Aasifa, in Kathua district. In Washington, the World Kashmir Awareness Forum Secretary General, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai in a statement expressed gratitude to the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, for encouraging Pakistan and India to address the Kashmir dispute politically. He said the Kashmiris expect that the UN Secretary General will mediate between the parties concerned.
Indian hatred and animosity against the Kashmiri Muslims is deep-seated and its reflections can clearly be seen through Indian repressive tactics including torture, extra-judicial killings, rape and fake encounters by Indian Security Forces in IOK that continue unabated. The aim is to deter Kashmiris from demanding their right of self-determination. The repression, oppression and atrocities committed by Indian forces have turned Kashmir into a hell that would stretch Dante’s imagination reflected in his famous poem Divine Comedy. However, these acts could not break the will of Kashmiris. The heroic struggle waged by the people of Kashmir is unparalleled in the history; they are committed to continue their struggle till their objective is achieved. It has to be said that no solution can be found without participation and consensus of the people of Kashmir, as despite brutalities of the Indian police and military, Kashmiris refuse to bend.