Kashmiris observing Indian Republic Day as Black Day

SRINAGAR (KMS) – Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across the world are observing the Indian Republic Day, the 26th January, as Black Day, on Wednesday, to remind the world that India’s continued denial of right to self-determination to the Kashmiri people is contrary to its claim of being a democratic republic.

According to Kashmir Media Service, call for the observance of the Black Day has been given by the illegally detained All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Masarrat Aalam Butt, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Shabbir Ahmad Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and supported by other Hurriyat leaders.

The day is being marked by a civil curfew by the people in Indian illegally occupied Jammu while the occupation authorities have suspended internet services in all areas of territory. Kashmiris and their sympathizers are holding anti-India demonstrations and rallies in world capitals to draw the attention of the international community towards the Indian state terrorism in IIOJK.

Meanwhile, the occupation authorities have turned the entire Kashmir valley and parts of Jammu region into a military garrison by imposing curfew-like restrictions and deploying Indian troops and police personnel in strength in the name of so-called security measures. Srinagar and Jammu cities have been turned into fortresses. The troops have been deployed in large numbers around the main venues of the January 26 functions, especially a cricket Stadium at Sonawar in Srinagar and Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu, the main venues of the Indian Republic Day official functions. The roads leading towards the stadiums have been sealed with barbed wire and barricades. Sharp-shooters have been deployed on high rise buildings while the forces’ personnel are also using drones and CCTV surveillance to keep a watch on the movement of people.

Strict measures have also been taken in other towns of IIOJK in the name of security arrangements. New bunkers and barricades have been set up in various parts of the territory to prevent people from holding anti-India demonstrations. Indian forces’ personnel were also seen carrying out surprise checking of the vehicles across the occupied territory.