British Kashmiris vow to continue support for ‘oppressed people of IOK’

Kashmir Solidarity Day observed in various parts of United Kingdom

BIRMINGHAM: Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed in various parts of the United Kingdom (UK) with a pledge that British Kashmiris along with Pakistanis will continue to support the right to self-determination for the oppressed people of Indian Occupied Kashmir.

Addressing a conference, organised by the Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK in the Pakistan Community Centre Harrington Street Derby, Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM) Chairman Altaf Ahmad Bhat said that the people of UK expressed solidarity with the besieged Kashmiris while making human chains, arranging seminars and Kashmir solidarity conferences that highlighted India as an occupant and a state committing war crimes against the innocent people of Occupied Kashmir — who are striving for their basic rights.

Underscoring the vast impact of such conferences in the UK, Bhat said that the support of people around the world serve as a beam of hope for Kashmiris who suffer New Delhi’s brutal clampdown for over six months.

“The world listens, accepts and respects voice of the people from the UK demanding justice for the subdued people of Occupied Kashmir,” he added.

TeK UK President Raja Fahim Kayani said that the people in the UK want to know about the lockdown and communication blackout in the occupied region since August 5. “We must organise more seminars across the UK to brief our MPs and councillors seeking their attention on the Kashmir conflict."

In pictures: People take to streets across Pakistan to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day

He went on to say that it is our duty to reach our elected representatives across the UK in order to share the ongoing sufferings endured by the disputed valley.

TeK Europe President Muhammad Ghalib and others also paid rich tributes to the people of IOK and their endless struggle to freedom, saying that Kashmir is still on the agenda of United Nations Organisation (UNO) and the UK and other western powers should step forward to settle the conflict for the sake of peace and prosperity in the region.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

Showcasing solidarity with the Himalayan region, a human chain was made in another event at Startford Road Spark Hill, in which hundreds of Pakistanis and British Kashmiris — carrying play cards — lined up on the road, shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.

“The human chain in Stratford Road Sparkhillan is an ample proof that people of the UK are with IOK brethren in their struggle to freedom,” speakers from TeK UK and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said.

Praising such anti-India protests organised in the UK, the speakers further reiterated that these demonstrations are not only a tribute to the freedom-loving Kashmiris but also are a  proof that the quest of IOK is genuine and political as per UN resolutions on Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.