Kashmiris at both sides of Line of Control (LoC) and across the globe observed Indian Independence Day as black day on Thursday to convey to the international community that since India continues to deny them, at gun point, their inalienable right to self-determination, the world should immediately move to take stringent action against increased aggressive Indian posture in the region and planned genocide of Kashmiris in Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir State.
Protest rallies and demonstrations were held throughout Azad Jammu and Kashmir to condemn India for constantly denying Kashmiris birth right to self determination besides to apprise the external world of the India's ongoing worst reign of state terrorism making people of occupied state besiege for past eleven days at gun point of her 900,000 military and para-military troops.
People including representatives of political, social and religious organizations, lawyers, traders, civil servants, Kashmiri refugees, journalists, students and all walks of life participated in the black day’s processions and rallies.
Participants of the protest rallies wore black-bands around their arms as a sign of hatred against India. Black flags were also hoisted at houses, shops and other public spots to condemn Indian nefarious designs against people of Occupied Kashmir.
In AJK’s capital city the main protest rally was held jointly under the auspices of all segments of the civil society including social, political, religious and the public representatives organizations from Central Press Club. The participants of the rally holding banners and placards inscribed with pro-freedom and anti India messages strongly protested against recent provocative acts by Indian government and raised vociferous slogans like “India Leave our Kashmir”, “Kashmir banyey ga Pakistan”.
Speaking on the occasion, speakers including Hurriyat leaders Uzair Ahmed Ghazali, Mushtaq ul Islam, PPP’s Shoukat Javed, Secretary General Jammat-e-Islami AJK Qazi Shahid Mehmood Advocate, Traders’ leader Muhammad Razzaq Khan, Muslim Conference leader Syed Yasir Naqvi and others appealed international community including the major powers to take immediate notice of such hostile and aggressive designs of India in the region.
Speakers called upon United Nations and the world community to ensure their practical role for getting Kashmir dispute resolved through peaceful means without further loss of time to protect South Asia from any destruction.