‘Kashmiri lives matter’ echoes in twin cities

Several rallies, programmes held to observe Youm-e-Istehsal

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD:

People from all walks of lives poured into the streets of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Wednesday to rally against the atrocities committed by security forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and to mark one year to the day the disputed territory’s special status was revoked.

The day started with the blaring of a siren at exactly 10am after which a minute-long silence was observed in public and private offices against Indian atrocities in the disputed Himalayan valley.

Despite concerns over the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), many marched shoulder-to-shoulder, raising chants against Indian oppression and in favour of self-determination for the Kashmiris.

Several demonstrations and programmes were held in both cities to observe Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir on Wednesday where people expressed solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren.

In Islamabad, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) chapter walked from the State Life Building to D-Chowk to condemn India’s actions to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and issuing of domicile certificates to Indian Hindus.

Led by senior APHC-AJK leader Farooq Rahmani, the Hurriyat leaders said that India’s move of August 5, 2019, was a clear violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and that India was trying to turn the majority Muslim population of the occupied territory into a minority.

However, they stated that the people of Kashmir will thwart New Delhi’s nefarious designs.

They also urged Islamabad to intensify its efforts to highlight India’s illegal actions in the occupied territory.

In Rawalpindi, the Commissioner’s Office organised a rally and a seminar to observe the day. However, neither the Rawalpindi Commissioner Muhammad Mehmood nor any senior police official participated in it.

Separately, a rally was organised by the district administration which was led by MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafique while MPA Farrukh Agha and Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anwarul Haq joined as well.

They marched from DC Hall to the DC Office after passing through Airport Road. District officials, students, boy scouts, girl guides, teachers, social workers, representatives of trade organizations, and people hailing from different walks of life participated in it

They chanted slogans against Indian atrocities in IIOJK and expressed solidarity with the oppressed population. Students held placards, demanding that the international community help stop barbarism in the occupied valley.

In Jhelum, which borders AJK, the district administration took out a rally from the DC Office to the Y-Cross Chowk to mark the day. Local MNAs and members of the civil society, traders and students attended the rally.

Meanwhile, the Jamat-e-Islami (JI) observed a black day on August 5, organising rallies and seminars.

In a rally at D-Chowk, JI Ameer Sirajul Haq demanded that the government summon a single-agenda meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) on the Kashmir issue.

He added that it was not the time to observe a minute’s silence but to loudly shout to the world about Indian atrocities in the IIOJK.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2020.