More British MPs join chorus in condemning IOK clampdown

UK lawmakers also extend support for Kashmiris' right of self-determination

LONDON: Two more British lawmakers have raised their voice against New Delhi's brutal restrictions including a 77-day long curfew in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The British members of parliament (MPs) also extended their full support for the Kashmiris right of self-determination while addressing a conference staged to highlight the Kashmir issue on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, MP Matt Rodda said that it is unfortunate that people of Kashmir are under continuous curfew for the last 77 days. He vowed to continue becoming the voice of the Kashmiris.

"In this era of technology, mobile phones and internet are the need of the hour. I was shocked to learn that nine million people in IOK have no access to internet for the last two and a half months ever since the Indian government abrogated special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5," MP Rodda added.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

MP Dr Phillips Lee, while addressing the conference, said that the world needs to listen to Kashmiris who demand their right of self-determination. He also urged the United Nations to implement its resolutions to settle the issue once and for all.

British parliamentarians in uproar over brutal clampdown in occupied Kashmir

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan, also present on the occasion, thanked the British lawmakers for supporting the Kashmir cause. He also made an appeal to the world community to come forward and ensure peace in South Asia.

President Khan also reaffirmed that India is hoodwinking the world on IOK situation.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

"If there is nothing wrong in IOK then why schools and colleges are shut [there]. This is the biggest lie of the century spoken by India that the occupied valley is normal," he added.

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Abdur Rashid Turabi underscored that India has taken the entire Kashmiri leadership into custody, which goes on to show the extent of New Delhi's writ in the disputed area.

“Kashmiris are fighting as per the UNSC resolutions, therefore, the world community must take notice of the human rights abuses and come forward with a will to find a permanent solution of the Kashmir dispute," Turabi added.

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Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM) chairman and senior Hurriyat leader Altaf Ahmad Bhat also highlighted the sufferings of Kashmiris, saying, only fruit and handicrafts industries suffered a loss of $2 billion alone, while over half a million people lost their jobs after the August 5 move.

"World must know how India propagates lies that Article 370 was abrogated for the socio-economic development of IOK... the fact is that Kashmiris have rejected this decision by shutting their businesses and have preferred to remain inside their homes," he said.

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"This sends an open message to the world that sham Indian democracy has snatched their statehood. Kashmiris are fighting for a complete freedom from the Indian rule," Bhat added.

Tehreek-e-Kashmir (TeK) President Raja Fahim Kayani expressed concerns that voices of Kashmiris are now echoing in every city and village of the United Kingdom (UK).

Urge India to end IOK clampdown: AJK president to international community

"The Modi-led government is committing war crimes against humanity in IOK and UK must take notice of inhuman acts of Indian military establishment, which is behind the sufferings of innocent Kashmiris.

"The Indian army continously violates ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC) and routinely targets civilians on the AJK side," said Kayani.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

Others who spoke about the struggle of Kashmiris on the occasion include Mohiudin Dar, Raja Shakeel, Mian Saleem, Tahir Maher, Abdul Loyes and Chaudhry Manzoor Hussain.