J&K: Independence day marked as Black Day, terror attacks in Budgam and Srinagar

Debjit Mukherjee: Indian Independence day was marked as Black Day as protest rallies and demonstrations were organised in Azad Jammu and Kashmir capital Muzaffarabad and other districts of the liberated valley.

A large number of citizens gathered outside the Central Press Club despite heavy rain to protest. The participants were waving black flags and wore black armbands.

The protesters carried banners inscribed  with slogans against India and its illegal military occupation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Speaking on the occasion, speakers said that India has no moral justification to celebrate Independence Day while usurping the freedom of the Kashmiri people.

They maintained that Kashmiri people have given referendum against India by expressing anger on its Independence Day.

Speakers said that the brutal government of India has usurped the right to freedom of the people in IIOJK. They said that the Kashmiri people have given a referendum against India by completely rejecting the brutal actions of August 5, 2019, and India’s Independence Day on August 15.

“Curfew and military siege in IIOJK is testament that Kashmiri people have nothing to do with India and they demand their right to self determination”, they added.

The speakers demanded the United Nations Security Council to conduct free, fair and impartial plebiscite according to its resolutions before long for a peaceful solution of the Kashmir issue.

The speakers termed the campaign of waving Indian flag at every house under the shadow of guns as a cowardly act and said that Indian flag has no recognition and importance except as a foreign usurping force in IIOJK.

The speakers said that if the Indian government does not abandon the campaign in IIOJK, then the same will be started throughout Azad Kashmir where Indian flag will be under the foot of every Kashmiri citizen.

Chairman Pasban-e-Hurriyat Uzair Ahmad Ghazali, Secretary Kashmir Liberation Cell Ijaz Ahmed Lone, Vice Chairman of International Forum for Justice Mushtaq-ul-Islam, Director Kashmir Cell Raja Muhammad Aslam, Hurriyat Leader Mushtaq Ahmed Butt, Muhammad Latif Abbasi, Bilal Ahmad Farooqui, Dr Muhammad Manzoor, Javed Ahmed Mughal, Asif Mustafai and others were also present on the occasion.

Also, on the occasion of 75th Independence Day, a civilian and a cop were injured in a terrorist attack that took place in Budgam and Srinagar districts. Both attacks were done using grenades.