Sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs in IIOJ&K eulogised

Rawalpindi: The speakers at a ‘mushaira’ in connection with Burhan Wani’s 5th martyrdom anniversary at Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) expressing solidarity with oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) unanimously declared that the internationally recognised disputed territory of IIOJ&K has witnessed an upsurge in Indian state-sponsored draconian oppressive laws and amendments against the innocent Kashmiri people to further suppress and deprive them of their basic human rights, says a press release.

The participants of the event organised by ‘Halqa e Ilmo Adab’ Pakistan, South Asian Wire and Al Qamar Online in collaboration with Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) made it clear that almost all basic human rights of the Kashmiri people are violated through all possible means and measures from restricting mobility to communications and collective freedom to individual liberty. Dr Arif Farhad moderated the session.

Speaking on the occasion, journalist, Muhammad Haroon Abbas said that more cases of the arrest of political leadership, fake encounters and cordon-and-search operations, target killings, attacking educational institutions, media houses and journalists have been reported in the valley in wake of the abrogation of the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution on August 05, 2019. While condemning the recent custodial killings at Pulwama, Srinagar and other areas of the occupied territory, he said that 8th July has attained historical significance in memory of Burhan Muzaffer Wani who was martyred in custody along with his two associates on this day in 2016.

Dr Arif Farhad said that the ongoing deliberate horrific acts of violence, mental torture, aggression and ruthless brutalities have been directed to crush the spirit and freewill of the inhabitants of the valley.

Dr Farhat Abbas said that the situation has forced the Kashmiris to live and experience the worst nightmare of terror and trauma. “Their legitimate right of freedom has been suppressed through all possible means, and the latest spree of killings in the occupied territory is a step in that direction,” he added.

Naseem-e-Sehar, Anjum Khaleeq, Qayyum Tahir, Dr Khalid Iqbal Yasir, Abdlu Qadir Taban, Khalid Memhood Malik, Nasir Mehmood Nasir, Talat Munir, Akbar Niazi, Dr Mazhar Iqbal, Shaukat Kamal Rana, Zahra Batool, Unbreen Umber and Sardar Fakhar Khan presented their thoughts on Kashmir.