Demonstrations held in AJK

NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, Aug 15: Kashmiris living on this side of the line of control today observed India’s I-Day as black day to protest its continued denial of right to self-determination to the people of J&K and unabated rights violations perpetrated by armed forces in the valley.
Public gatherings, rallies and demonstrations were held in different parts of AJK including Mirpur, Kotli, Rawalakot, and Bhimber, whereas factions of All Parties Hurriyat Conference organized a seminar and a demonstration at Muzaffarabad separately.
APHC-M and Kashmir Liberation Cell jointly organized a seminar at press club Muzaffarabad, which was attended by Taqdees Gilani, Chairperson Hope, AJK legislator Murtaza Gilani, Chudhary Majeed, the president of PPP AJK and other Hurriyat representatives including Sheikh Yaqoob, Muzaffar Shah, Manzoor-ul-Haq Altaf Wani, Mir Tahir Masood, Raja Khadim Hussain, Abdul Hameed and others.
Addressing the gathering, they maintained that India had been denying Kashmiris’ the right to self-determination. They also flayed the unabated rights violations in Kashmir and urged the world community to impress upon India to stop the bloodshed.
Meanwhile, the APHC-G staged a demonstration at Domail Muzaffarabad. Besides Hurriyat leaders, the rally was attended by the people from different walks of life. The rally, in which Hizb activists also participated, marched from Qaid-e-Azam Bridge and culminated peacefully at UNMOGIP office.
The protesters denounced HR violations in Kashmir and urged the world community to play its role to mitigate the sufferings of Kashmiris.
Addressing the gathering speakers said on one hand India was portraying itself as the biggest democracy of the world and on the other it had violated the basic principles of democracy by usurping the democratic rights of the 13 million people of Kashmir.
Referring to the ongoing peaceful struggle in Kashmir, they said it was high time that the UN should play its role to seek an amicable settlement of Kashmir dispute.
They expressed solidarity with those whose nears and dears were killed recently.
Latter a memorandum addressed to UN secretary general was presented to UNMOGIP officials. The memorandum while highlighting the plight of Kashmiri people, appealed to the highest body to take cognizance of ‘state-terrorism’ in the valley.