SUKKUR: Schoolchildren observed a ‘Black day’ and held a rally on Saturday in solidarity with the people of Indian-held Kashmir. The illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by India was not acceptable and children called for an immediate settlement of longstanding dispute. The protesters, including teachers, parents and office staff also staged a sit-in outside Y2K School. Carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of Kashmir’s freedom, protestors condemned Indian atrocities against the Kashmiris. They urged the international community to persuade India to withdraw its troops from Kashmir and repeal all black laws enforced there. They said that Kashmiris were struggling for their right of self-determination and half a million Kashmiris had given their lives for this cause. Addressing the rally, Y2K School Principal Shabana Solangi and others condemned Indian brutalities in occupied Kashmir and urged United Nations and the international community to take notice of the human rights violations committed by the Indian forces that had been killing innocent Kashmiris for a long time. The speakers and schoolchildren extended moral and humanitarian support to their Kashmiri brethren. Published in Daily Times, October 29th 2017.