Daily Times

Muzaffarabad: A rally was staged by refugees of Jammu and Kashmir to observe Kashmir Martyrs Day here on Monday.

A large number of people gathered at Burhan Wani chowk holding banners and placards stated Anti India and pro freedom slogans.

22 persons wearing the shrouds besides stated the names of 22 martyrs of 1931 to replicate the incident by reciting Azaan.

Speakers on the event said that Kashmir freedom struggle was started since 1931 when on this day, Muslims started raising their voice. The beacon illuminated and is still continuing for the last 89 years.

They reiterated that its been 9 decades but that incident is still unforgettable, “People of Kashmir didn’t accept Dogra rule and Indian occupation” speakers said.

It was further stated on the event that Kashmir martyrs day is a significant occurrence in the history of subcontinent.

The speakers said that the people of Kashmir are strong against the state oppression of India, fighting for liberation and the future of the state with unarmed hands.

“India has martyred more than 500,000 people seeking independence for the last 71 years. Despite of state brutalities and barbarism, people of Jammu and Kashmir did not give up their demand for freedom and their right to self-determination” they added.

Speakers lamented on role and the criminal silence of the United Nations, the Security Council and international human rights organizations, saying that India divided the state and tried to break its identity and unity under the surveillance of 900,000 troops.

President Pakistan Peoples Party Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Chaudhary Latif Akbar, Vice Chairman Jammu and Kashmir refugees organisation Chaudhary Feroz Din, Uzair Ahmed Ghazali, Mushtaq ul Islam, Abdul Aziz Alvi, Asif Makhdoomi, Sarandaz Mir, Muhammad Sadiq Khan, Raja Mumtaz Khan, Faujdar Butt, Usman Ali Hashim, Saleem Butt, Muhammad Rafiq Abbasi, Ali Muhammad Butt, Raja Zakheer Khan, Ejaz Ahmed Wani, Qari Shehbaz and others also addressed on the occasion.

The Kashmir Martyrs’ Day is observed each 13 July every year on both sides of the Line of Control and all over the world by the Kashmiris to pay homage to 22 Kashmiri people who were killed in 1931 during a revolt against atrocities on 13 July 1931, when people rose against Dogra rule and protested against the prosecution of sympathizer of Kashmir struggle, Abdul Qadeer Khan Ghazi. It was the beginning of modern era Kashmir freedom struggle which has different phases including political struggle as well as Armed struggle and civilian protests.