RAWALAKOT (Kashmir English): A protest rally was held in Rawalakot, the divisional headquarters of Poonch, on Monday to mark October 27 as Kashmir Black Day and express solidarity with the people of Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The day marks 79 years since Indian troops landed in Srinagar on October 27, 1947.
The rally started from the District Complex and was led by Additional Deputy Commissioner Abdul Qadir.
A large number of civil society representatives, teachers, journalists and members of the public participated in the rally, carrying black flags, banners and placards bearing slogans against India and highlighting alleged human rights violations in Kashmir.
The participants raised slogans against India and reiterated their support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle for freedom and the right to self-determination.
Addressing the rally, speakers urged the international community to take notice of alleged human rights violations in Kashmir and play its role in ensuring the Kashmiri people are granted their right to self-determination.
Demonstration in Muzaffarabad
A main protest demonstration and rally was organised in Muzaffarabad by All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Cell.
The protesters carried black flags and banners and chanted slogans calling for the withdrawal of Indian troops from Indian occupied Kashmir and voiced for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
The meeting was addressed by AJK Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani, Minister for Energy and Water Resources and Chairman of the National Events Committee Saqib Majeed Raja, former APHC convener Mahmood Sagar, Secretary General Advocate Pervez Ahmed, Kashmir Liberation Cell Director Raja Sajjad Latif, National Awareness Wing Director Sardar Sajid Mahmood, Hurriyat leader Mushtaqul Islam and PPP leader Shaukat Javed Mir, among others.
The speakers paid tribute to Kashmiri martyrs and honoured the mothers, sisters, daughters and youth who had sacrificed their lives in the struggle for freedom.
They said the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people would not go in vain and reiterated their support for the right to self-determination.
They said October 27, 1947, marked the beginning of Indian control over Jammu and Kashmir, adding that Kashmiris observe the day annually as Black Day and renew their resolve to continue their struggle.
The speakers maintained that alleged atrocities and other measures had failed to weaken the Kashmiri people’s resolve. They also highlighted Pakistan’s support for the Kashmir cause and called for unity among political and social groups to advance the movement.
