By: Nasim Jijazi
Srinagar, 19 Jully: In a A symbolic march by Kashmirs to
march towards north (Muzaffarabad) when they are harmed in the south (Hindu
Jammu) has caused more lives for Kashmiris. It is indeed a shame for human
civilization that India
continues to be engaged in genocide of Kashmiris. As part of Indian strategy to
kill Kashmiris in a sustained manner under different guises, some more Kashmiri
Muslims were murdered by India
in the background of the Hindus fascist fight for Sri Amarnath illegal land
deal. After direct fire on Muzaffarabad marchers, at least eight persons,
including a most senior Hurriyat freedom fighting leader of Jammu and Kashmir,
Shaikh Abdul Aziz, were killed as they were marching towards the Line of
Control in Baramulla district leader and a boy were killed by Indian security
forces in Srinagar district on August 15 a couple of days ahead of Indian
independence day.
Following the killing of six
protestors including most senior Sheikh Abdul Aziz, the authorities imposed
curfew in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir. However, the freedom fighters have reiterated
their resolve to continue their mach, come what may. Economic terrorism
unleashed by Hindus in Jammu region by blocking the movement of goods between
Jammu and Kashmir have caused serious economic problems and this economic
terrorism is resented by Kashmirs who have suffered badly and decided to mach
to Muzaffarabad to show their anger. Economic terrorism is been used by USA and the Western powers against third world
nations, now especially Iran,
to cripple their economies. India
has thought out similar strategy to make Kashmiris to bend completely and bow
down to Indian military dictates. Economic blockade is a crude manifestation of
the decades_ old policy of making Kashmir
economy fatally dependent on others. Notwithstanding arrests by police in
different parts of Kashmir,
Kashmiris in fifteen hundred
thousands marched towards North Kashmir to
participate in the _Muzaffarabad March_ to protest against the economic
blockade of the Valley. In North Kashmir, the
march to Muzaffarabad commenced from Sopore Fruit Mandi after people defied
restrictions. Sopore Fruit Mandi was besieged early morning by police and CRPF
men and five trade union leaders were detained and tyres of decorated fruit
laden trucks were deflated by the troopers. After arrest of leaders,
announcements were made through Public Address System (PAS) asking people to
join the _Muzaffarabad March_. Thousands of people again joined march with
women lined up on roadside yelling pro freedom and pro_Pakistan slogans. They
were seen serving water and food packets to the protestors and praying for
their safety. After the protestors reached Baramulla, the processionists
boarded buses, trucks, scooters to move towards Muzaffarabad. Amidst pro−freedom,
pro−Pakistan and anti−India slogans, the protestors, who were led by Huriyat leaders,
Sheikh Abdul Aziz and Shabir Ahmad Shah reached Tachal, Uri, some 20 kms from
Uri. They could not move ahead as the army had dug up trenches to prevent
people and vehicles from moving ahead. When the protestors tried to march
ahead, they were fired on by the troopers, causing injuring to at least 20
persons including Sheikh Abdul Aziz. Aziz received bullet injury in his abdomen
and was rushed to nearby hospital, where from he was referred to SMHS hospital,
where he succumbed. Meanwhile, thousands of people were on streets till late
night at Sangrama, Delina, Sheeri, Hyderbugh, Zumgum, and Pattan. They were
waiting for the sunrise to recommence their _Muzaffarabad March_. There have
been thousands of known and unknown Kashmiri martyrs who have laid down their
sacred lives in their freedom struggle, much more than what the India had lost
dung their independence fight under British rule. Abdul Aziz was a pro−Pakistan
Kashmiri leaders fighting for the cause of gaining sovereignty back from
occupying India.
Muzaffarabad is legally a part of Kashmir, now the capital of Azad Kashmir with
an independent premier administrated by Pakistan
and which would be a part of new Kashmir when
it becomes free from Indian military occupation.
Kashmiris have been at the receiving
end since their nation was annexed by it neighbor India and hardships are nothing new
to them either. Also, now this is not something new to the now fragile economy
of Kashmir that it has been subjected to, over
the last six decades. The backdrop in which the economy of Kashmir traveled
along the time path included a focus on making Kashmir prone to dependency
cult, intentionally pursued by New Delhi;
priority setting as per the whims of policy planners at New Delhi. The horticulture, floriculture and
other commodity sectors have suffered losses that have varied ramifications and
most of the growers cannot possibly sustain these losses. These commodities are
flooding the already saturated and impoverished local market of Kashmir. The acute hardships faced by people in valley by
scarcity of essential commodities, life saving drugs and medicine, even kids_
items, by the economic blockade does call for a new thinking based on self
reliance. Of course, now it looks the popular uprising is not going to end until
the Kashmirs obtain freedom and independence from India. First of economic terrorism
must end followed by state military terrorism. It is noteworthy that in this
regard JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yaseen Malik went on a hunger strike unto death
but fortunately freedom fighting leaders like Geelani persuaded him to end his
long hunger strike. Geelani also reminded him saying, _We differ with the idea
of fast unto death as it is not an Islamic way and that we must pray to the
almighty for the continuity and eternity of the unity we have showed this
time_. Besides, no one will care in India
even if entire Muslim community in Kashmir
goes on hunger strike until death. India
promotes genocide in Kashmir, after all and death of Kashmiris and other
Muslims in any manner is welcome to New
Delhi. But it is time the Governor of Jammu Kashmir NN
Vohra considers recommending to New Delhi to grant independence to Kashmir so
that the Kashmiris don_t have to stave and die like this and let them live with
honor and resources. Any further day in decision−making in favor of Kashmiris
could be disastrous for both Kashmiris and India. The Kashmirs do have the
efficient leadership, resources and the capacity to govern their own nation in a
peaceful manner. (Writer-South Asia)
