Kashmiris protest in UK against Modi’s visit to IIOJK

Visit aimed at hoodwinking international community that everything is hunky-dory in occupied valley, says TeK leader

LONDON:

Kashmiris and their allies on Sunday held demonstrations in the United Kingdom against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) since New Delhi imposed a sweeping security clampdown nearly three years ago.

“Kashmiris reject the visit by Modi to IIOJK when innocent, unarmed Kashmiris have been jailed in world’s biggest open-air prison,” the protesters said, raising anti-India and pro-Kashmir freedom slogans outside Indian consulate in Birmingham.

Modi has made his first visit to the Muslim-majority region since Aug 05, 2019 when India revoked the semi-autonomous status of the occupied region and put millions of Kashmiris under military lockdown.

Fahim Kayani, president of Tehreek-e-Kashmir (TeK) UK chapter which organised the demonstrations, said Kashmiris will never be cowed down by Indian actions.

“Visit of Modi, whose hands are soaked in blood of innocents, is aimed at hoodwinking the international community that everything is hunky-dory in IIOJK,” said Kayani.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

PHOTO: EXPRESS

PHOTO: EXPRESS

PHOTO: EXPRESS

PHOTO: EXPRESS

“IIOJK is under illegal control of India due to one million Indian forces deployed in the UN-designated disputed territory and Modi’s visit was held under barrel of gun to ensure graveyard silence among Kashmiris,” he added.

Also read: Strike observed in IIOJK ahead of Modi's visit

The protesters urged the British government to put Indian diplomats deployed in the UK on notice over putting IIOJK under military lockdown.

“It is the responsibility of the British government and the international community to hold India accountable for its crimes against humanity in IIOJK,” Kayani said.

Muhammad Ghalib, president of TeK Europe, said: “The free pass that India has been given by the western world is only exposing hypocrisy of these capitals that boast of upholding human rights.”

Recalling the unprecedented sacrifices made by Kashmiris in IIOJK for right to self-determination, Kayani said: “It is because of these sacrifices the freedom movement against India can never be cowed down.”

Inamul Haq, a Kashmiri activist, said, “Tens of hundreds of Kashmiris have been killed, jailed, maimed and injured but India can’t suppress the idea of freedom from Kashmiris and time has proven it.”

The demonstrators condemned the cold-blooded murder of Shabir Ahmad Mir, a resident of Gund Hassi Bhat area of capital Srinagar, who was chased by Indian forces and drowned into rivulet where he attained martyrdom.