MUZAFFARABAD (Muhammad Aslam Mir) - Kashmir Black Day was observed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on October 27 to protest the arrival of Indian troops in occupied Jammu and Kashmir on October 27, 1947, and the subsequent Indian occupation.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference organised a protest gathering and an anti-India rally attended by AJK Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani, political leaders, Hurriyat Conference representatives, refugees, students and people from various walks of life.
The rally began at Burhan Wani Chowk and concluded outside the office of the United Nations Military Observer Mission, where a memorandum was presented to UN representatives calling for a just resolution of the Kashmir dispute and the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people.
Addressing the gathering, AJK Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani, Minister for Energy and Water Resources Raja Saqib Majeed, former All Parties Hurriyat Conference convener Mahmood Sagar, Secretary General Advocate Pervez Ahmed and other speakers paid tribute to those who had lost their lives in the Kashmir freedom movement.
The speakers said the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people would not go in vain and vowed to continue their struggle for freedom.
They described October 27, 1947, as a dark day in Kashmir's history, saying Indian troops entered Jammu and Kashmir on that date, laying the foundation for the occupation. They said Kashmiris observe the day every year as Black Day and renew their commitment to achieving self-determination.
The speakers maintained that the Kashmiri people's aspirations for freedom had not diminished despite Indian actions and alleged human rights abuses. They said Kashmiris had made immense sacrifices during the movement and continued to express solidarity with Pakistan.
They added that the people of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir would continue supporting the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The speakers called for unity beyond political differences to advance efforts for resolving the Kashmir dispute. They urged the United Nations to ensure implementation of its resolutions on Kashmir and play an effective role in securing the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination.
They also accused India of attempting to alter the demographic composition of occupied Jammu and Kashmir and violating human rights, vowing that the Kashmiri people would continue their struggle.
The speakers expressed hope that the sacrifices of Kashmiris would ultimately lead to a resolution of the dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
A large number of refugees from occupied Jammu and Kashmir, students, government employees and people from different walks of life attended the event and expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination.