Freedom struggle: Kashmiris stage rally in Birmingham

Participants pay tribute to the sacrifices of the valley’s people

ISLAMABAD: The British Kashmiris men, women and children assembled at Victoria Square in front of Lord Mayor`s office in Birmingham to join the rally organised to pay tribute to all Kashmiri martyrs with special reference to the brutality committed by the autocratic Dogra ruler on July 13 1931.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Kashmiri representative Professor Nazir Ahmad Shawl who is also the South Asia Centre for Peace and Human Rights Chairman paid glowing tributes to the martyrs on the occasion.

He reiterated that the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs would be honoured by completing the noble mission. He emphasised that the echo of the sacrifices was being heard in different fora. “The remarks of UN Secretary General echoing UN high commissioner’s report and calling it the voice of UN is a slap in the brutal face of India,” he said, and went on to declare: “We have to remain firm as our right to self-determination is non-negotiable.”

Anti-War Coalition President Stewart Richards expressed his solidarity and support to the self-determination struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Hurriyat leader and Secretary General of Kashmir Tehreeki Khawateen, Shamim Shawl called July 13 a memorable day and an important milestone in the history of Kashmir. Tehreek-e-Kashmir President Mohammed Ghalib Europe asked the participants to register their protest with the elected members of parliament and councils and keep them informed about the latest human rights situation in the occupied Kashmir.

Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK President Fahim Kiani spoke about the militarisation of the occupied state which is the highest militarized area of the world. Najeeb Afsar, member of the organising committee, concluded the programme by thanking the participants.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2018.