Kashmiris observe Black Day

BIRMINGHAM:

British Kashmiris, Pakistanis and supporters of the Kashmiris right of self-determination marked 27 October as Kashmir Black Day with protests, seminars and conferences across the United Kingdom.

President of Tehreek-e-Kashmir TeK UK Fahim Kiyani led a protest outside the Indian Consulate here and chaired a conference in Nottingham. Protesters chanted slogans against India's occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. Syed Tufail Hussain Shah, patron-in-chief of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, chaired a separate conference in Glasgow.

Tehreek-e-Kashmir leaders from Italy, Norway, UK and other European countries also attended a conference hosted by Tehreek-e-Kashmir Denmark.

The events marked 79 years since Indian troops entered Jammu and Kashmir on 27 October 1947. Speakers condemned India's continued occupation and militarisation of the territory. They stated that more than 100,000 Kashmiris have been killed since 1989, while the total number killed over the past 79 years has reached approximately half a million. Thousands have also been detained under laws including the Public Safety Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. They criticised the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, saying it shields occupying forces from accountability.

Participants raised concerns about Kashmiri prisoners held in jails across India, restrictions on family visits and legal assistance, and what they called fabricated charges against Hurriyat leaders.