APHC calls for statewide shutdown on February 9 and 11

The Kashmir Standard

SRINAGAR: Paying rich tributes to Muhammad Maqbool Bhat and Muhammad Afzal Guru, on their martyrdom anniversaries, All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Tuesday called for state-wide shutdown, appealed people to hold special prayers on February 9 and 11. 

While reiterating his demand for the return back of the mortal remains of both the martyrs who were buried in the Tihar Jail premises, Syed Ali Shah Geelani said that although it is purely a human issue but India is very reluctant to this demand thereby violating all the principles of morality and constitution and in this way its claim of “largest democracy in the world” is getting badly exposed.

 In a statement issued to press, Geelani said that Mohammad Maqbool Bhat and Mohammad Afzal Gooru are heroes of the Kashmiri nation and we are proud of them.

“Kashmiri nation is resisting the forced and illegal occupation of India from last 69 years and during this period thousands of our valiant and bold people have sacrificed their precious lives for this cause but the Mohammad Maqbool Bhat and Mohammad Afzal Guroo are two separate cases amoung these who were detained, executed and buried in the same jail and in same month,” said Geelani.

“The best way of paying tributes to the Mohammad Maqbool Bhat and Mohammad Afzal Guroo is that the nation should not forget these brave sons of the soil who had sacrificed their “present” for the future of the nation.” He said.

While appealing for complete shutdown on 9 and 11 February and organizing of special prayers, Geelani said that until the mortal remains of both the martyrs is not returned back to their families, the whole nation will not let down this demand,” he added.

Meanwhile in a statement, APHC stated that both the people of Kashmir and its leadership had scarified their lives and property for the greater cause of Kashmir, which had attracted international attention to the issue and generated an opinion that the resolution of Kashmir was essential for the lasting peace in South Asia.

The conglomerate said it was due to these sacrifices that now international community was using its influence to persuade India and Pakistan leadership to resolve this issue as per the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

“India and Pakistan for arriving at a peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue need to start a political dialogue process and take the people of Kashmir along with in order to reach at a dignified solution to the vexed issue,” said in a statement.

Demanding the return of the mortal remains of both Bhat and Guru, who were buried inside Tihar Jail after hanging them, the amalgam said denying the proper burial of the mortal remains to their families and Kashmiri people by the Indian state amounts to a grave violation of human rights and is against all democratic norms.

Appealing the democracy loving people, civilized nations and rights bodies of the world, the APHC urged them to play their role in getting back the mortal remains of the two Kashmiri to their families and their people.

Meanwhile, condemning the arrest spree of Kashmir youth from Shehar-e-Khas and other areas of Kashmir valley, a spokesman of APHC said these arrests violated the basic human rights of the people and were undemocratic and the state administration was indulging in the brutalizing of the Kashmiri Muslim youths.