ISLAMABAD: In Occupied Kashmir, forceful demonstrations were held in Srinagar and other areas on Saturday, to register their protest against the BJP-led Indian government’s attempts to abrogate Article 35-A of the Indian Constitution.
The law guarantees special privileges and rights to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Soon after the culmination of Juma prayers people took to the streets in Srinagar, Badgam, Islamabad, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Bandipora, Baramulla and other areas and held demonstrations and rallies against the Indian plans.
The protesters led by Hurriyet leaders including Mohammad Yasin Malik raised high-pitched pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
Addressing the protesters, Hurriyet leaders said people of Jammu and Kashmir would not let anyone to turn their land into another Palestine where original inhabitants were thrown out by the occupiers.
Indian police subjected the protesters to brute force at different places. Indian Supreme Court will hear the petitions seeking abrogation of Article 35-A on 27th of this month.
The Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik in a statement issued in Srinagar, today, called for a two-day shutdown on August 26 and 27 against the onslaught on the Article 35-A.
The statement said that in case any untoward decision was given by the Supreme Court, a mass agitation would commence and the consequences of which would be direct responsibility of the Indian state for instigating people to it.
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq addressing a gathering at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, today, termed the notices issued to Syed Ali Gilani and Mohammad Yasin Malik by India’s Enforcement Directorate as cheap tactics.
He said that such moves could not intimidate the Hurriyet leadership into submission. On the other hand, All Parties Hurriyet Conference and Tehreek-e-Hurriyet Jammu and Kashmir in their statements denounced the harassment of family members of illegally detained Hurriyet leader, Raja Merajuddin Kalwal, by the sleuths of India’s Enforcement Directorate.
Raja Merajuddin Kalwal has been lodged in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail for the past more than a year.
Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League in a statement in Srinagar condemned the re-arrest of its illegally detained leader, Assadullah Parray, by the Indian police soon after his release from Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu following his release on court orders.
An Indian soldier was killed in an attack during a cordon and search operation at Kachlu Kralgund in Handwara area of Kupwara district on Saturday.