JRL protests against Shopian killings
Srinagar: Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) leaders and activists on Wednesday staged a protest against the Shopian killings, saying that the forces in the Valley are celebrating killings in Kashmir.
The protest was called by the JRL comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik.
Geelani and Mirwaiz continued to remain under house detention while Malik lead the protests today at Nowhatta and condemned the civilian killings in Shopian, witnesses said.
Scores of JRL leaders and activists including some women also participated in the protest during which they were holding placards and chanted slogans against the government.
The two profreedom leaders who continued to remain under house detention also addressed the gathering over phone and condemned the civilian killings in Shopian.
Geelani in his address said that entire Kashmir has been turned into a police state as there is no end to innocent killings as ‘state terrorism’ is on display as seen in the recent killings at Shopian where three innocent youth were murdered by the army.
Geelani strongly condemning the innocent killings at Shopian and said Delhi is using its military might to crush the genuine struggle of Kashmiris but people are committed towards their goal and won’t drag their feet from the sacred movement.
In his telephonic address, Mirwaiz said that on one hand, Kashmir has been converted into a police state and military might is on full display, resistance leadership is not even allowed to raise their voice peacefully against the massacres of Kashmiri youth.
Mirwaiz said while as the dance of death has become the hobby of forces deployed in Kashmir, those holding position in the present regime seem to be sitting ducks and most helpless people in the State
Expressing serious concern over the prevailing situation, Mirwaiz said Kashmiri people have been left out on the mercy of forces across Kashmir while as there is an atmosphere of fear and grief.
He said in such a situation every Kashmiri is feeling insecure.
In his address, Malik while condemning the ‘worst form of state terrorism’, said there is no denying to the fact that entire Kashmir has been converted into a killing field by the forces while as each passing day fear of getting killed looms large over every Kashmiri citizen.
He said that in the biting cold, people irrespective of their age are being asked to come out of their houses and to remain standing outside for hours together.
He also said that the property worth lakhs is being vandalised by the forces in the name of search operations.
Malik said that whether the pro-India people remain in power or outside the power, they have acted like mute spectators whenever innocent Kashmiris were butchered by the “brave Indian forces”.
He said there is no doubt in the fact that forces have been given a free hand and a license under AFSPA to kill Kashmiris whenever and wherever they wish to. “The forces in the Valley are celebrating the killings of Kashmiris,’ he said.
Malik said that joint resistance leadership will remain united and continue its efforts till the present movement is taken to its logical conclusion and that history is witness that no genuine movement is crushed by using military might.
Malik announced on behalf of JRL that on February 2, 2018, Joint resistance leadership will march towards Shopian to express their solidarity and sympathy with the families of slain youth. He said that on this day (February 2), congregational Friday prayers will be collectively offered at the Jamia Masjid Shopian after which a protest Sit-in will be held at Shopian Chowk.
He urged the people to reach the venue as well.
KV Correspondent
