On JRL’s call, Malik leads protest against Shopian killings
Srinagar, Jan 31: On the call of Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, a protest march was held at Jamia Masjid Nowhatta Srinagar against the recent cold blooded murder of three youth at Shopian, unabated human rights violations and continuous state repression
As Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq continue to be under house arrest, the protest as per the statement was led by Mohammad Yasin Malik who managed to reach the venue with difficulty. Geelani and Mirwaiz addressed the protestors over phone.
Geelani in his address to the sit-in said that entire Kashmir has been turned into a police state as there is no end to innocent killings as state terrorism is on display as seen in the recent killings at Shopian where three innocent youth were murdered by the army.
Geelani while strongly condemning the innocent killings at Shopian said Delhi is using its military might to crush the genuine struggle of Kashmiris but people are committed towards their goal and wont drag their feet from the sacred movement
In his telephonic address, Mirwaiz said that on one hand, Kashmir has been converted into a police state and military might is on full display, resistance leadership is not even allowed to raise their voice peacefully against the massacres of Kashmiri youth and on the other hand, a tight grip of fear has engulfed Kashmir amid huge presence of forces everywhere.
Mirwaiz said while as the dance of death has become the hobby of forces deployed in Kashmir; those holding position in the present regime seem to be sitting ducks and most helpless people in the State
While expressing serious concern over the prevailing situation said Kashmiri people have been left out on the mercy of forces across Kashmir while as there is an atmosphere of fear and grief.
He said in such a situation every Kashmiri is feeling insecure.
In his address, Malik while condemning the ‘worst form of state terrorism’, said there is no denying to the fact that entire Kashmir has been converted into a killing field by the forces while as each passing day fear of getting killed looms large over every Kashmiri citizen.
He said that in the biting cold, people irrespective of their age are being asked to come out of their houses and to remain standing outside for hours together.
He also said that the property worth lakhs is being vandalised by the forces in the name of search operations.
Malik said that whether the pro-India people remain in power or outside the power, they have acted like mute spectators whenever innocent Kashmiris were butchered by the “brave Indian forces”.
He said there is no doubt in the fact that forces have been given a free hand and a license under AFSPA to kill Kashmiris whenever and wherever they wish to. Malik said that joint resistance leadership will remain united and continue its efforts till the present movement is taken to its logical conclusion and that history is witness that no genuine movement is crushed by using military might.
Malik announced on behalf of JRL that on February 2, 2018, Joint resistance leadership will march towards Shopian to express their solidarity and sympathy with the families of slain youth. He said that on this day (February 2), congregational Friday prayers will be collectively offered at the Jamia Masjid Shopian after which a protest Sit-in will be held at Shopian Chowk.
He urges the people to reach the venue as well
Meanwhile, those who participated in the joint sit include Mushtaq Ahmed Sofi, Mehrajuddin Rabani,Engineer Hilal War, Noor Mohammad Kalwal, Advocate Yasir Dalal, Peer Ghulam Nabi, Zahor Ahmed Bhat, Muhammad Yousuf Nqash, Mukhtar Ahmed Sofi, Abdul Majeed Wani, Ghulam Hassan Mir Jaffar Kashmiri, Ashraf bin Salaam, Bashir Kashmiri, Adil Dar, Yasmin Raja,Farooq Ahmed Saudagar, and others.
The Trade leaders of Shahr-e-Khass who also participated in the protest that include Bashir Ahmed Rather, Javaid Zargar, Nazir Ahmed Shah, Bashir Ahmed Kenu. A large number of youth also participated in the sit in.
Senior Hurriyat leader Mukhar Ahmed Waza who was also supposed to participate in the protest was detained and lodged in police station Sheerbagh, Islamabad. (KNS)