People across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) observed India's 73rd Republic Day as 'Black Day', condemning rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Wednesday.
Various organisations took to the streets in the capital city to denounce the rising rights violations in the occupied valley.
The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League (JKPL) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Cell (JKLC) took out separate anti-India rallies in Manikpain and near the Burhan Wani chowk.
Besides men, a good number of women joined the rallies, raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
Addressing one of the rallies, AJK's local government minister Khawaja Farooq Ahmad said India has no right to celebrate Republic Day when its forces are killing innocent people in IIOJK just for demanding the right to self-determination granted by the United Nations.
PHOTO: EXPRESS
"A country that blinded children by pellet guns, made scores half-widows and incarcerated thousands of political activists have no moral right to deliver sermons on democracy," Farooq added.
He also said that the people of AJK will continue to raise voices against the rising human rights violations being committed by the Indian military and other occupational forces in IIOJK.
Ahmad stressed it was time for the world community to implement the resolutions of the United Nations on Kashmir to bring peace and tranquility in South Asia.
Also read: Pakistan reaffirms solidarity with Kashmiris on 'Black Day'
He added that the permanent peace of South Asia was closely linked with the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, so it needs the world's attention.
The activist urged the global community to pressurise Indian government to free all political prisoners in the held region and resume dialogue with Pakistan and the All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) to find an amicable solution to the vexed dispute.
The rallies were also organised in Mirpur, Bhimber, and Sehnsa and other areas, wherein the speakers vowed to continue supporting the Kashmiri brethren in the occupied territory. Hundreds of protesters chanted "go India, go back", "we want freedom" and other slogans, demanding freedom for IIIIOJK.
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