Ahead of India’s Independence Day celebrations local militant commanders and separatists have planned to celebrate ‘Pakistan Day’ in the Kashmir valley, according to a report by The Indian Express.
Areas such as Pulwama, Sopore and Anantnag and the Sopore-Doabgah-Rafiabad road are supposed to contain makeshift sites for flag-hoisting functions on 14 August.
Following Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani’s killing on 8 July, the state has seen violent protests and killings, curfew and shutdown, along with the suspension of mobile services. The widespread use of pellet guns in Kashmir, which were introduced into the Jammu and Kashmir Police in 2010 during the Omar Abdullah government, have been employed in more than 600 attacks after just two weeks of Wani’s killing. Doctors in Kashmir staged a silent protest by bandaging their eyes to mimic hundreds of victims who have suffered pellet injures. A horrific example of its use was when a 23-year-old ATM guard’s body was found containing more than 300 pellets.
Meanwhile, the separatist camp in Kashmir has asked people not to send their children to participate in Independence Day events.
“Parents are directed not to send their wards for participation in these (Independence Day) celebrations,” the separatists said in the joint protest programme held on Thursday and the protest will go on till 18 August.
“From 7 am onwards (on 15 August), block all the roads towards and around the place of celebration of Indian Independence Day; district development commissioners are asked not to hoist the Indian Flag in any part of the Jammu and Kashmir,” they added.
Slain Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani’s father Muzaffar Wani, who has fast emerged a leader of Kashmir protests, led a procession in Pampore, Srinagar on 5 August, reported The Times of India. Wani reportedly told protesters that he was willing to offer his daughter for the fight against “Indian occupation”, the report added. Wani later backtracked his statement and denied leading any rally saying that he had only been to the mosque on the other side of the road.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif needled India on the Kashmir matter saying it is an obligation to become “the voice of Kashmiris” and that he “will leave no stone unturned to make the world understand the plight and the legitimate struggle of the people of Kashmir”.
Amid the situation in Kashmir, Union ministers Jitendra Singh and Kiren Rijiju have planned to lead the BJP’s ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Jammu and Kashmir, between 15-22 August.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha earlier this week, Rajnath Singh blamed Pakistan for the unrest in Kashmir and said that the situation was not as dire as what was being described during the debate, and food and fuel is being provided to the people of Kashmir. “What is happening in Kashmir is sponsored by Pakistan,” he said.
The Lok Sabha on 12 August adopted a resolution on the Kashmir situation and expressed serious concern over prolonged curfew, violence and loss of lives there.
Sourced from firstpost.com, Featured image courtesy:www.dawn.com
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