Srinagar: Joint Resistance Leadership Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik Saturday said that the paranoia and panic that has gripped the state on the martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Burhan Wani is an acknowledgment that even his memory that lives in each Kashmiris heart as a symbol of resistance and courage, is a threat to the mighty Indian state despite its huge military control.
In a statement issued to KNS, the leadership said that curfews and restrictions across the valley, blanket ban and gags on communication channels and networks suspension of rail links closing of highways deployment of additional forces at every nook and corner of the valley that is already a military garrison, arbitrary arrests and detentions raids on homes and harassment to people all measures to prevent people from paying homage to the martyr and his associates completely exposes the fear of the oppressor in the face of people’s revolt and resistance to its forcible control.
“It also shows that however mighty and resourceful a state may be, it can only suppress a people struggling for freedom and justice physically, but can never crush their spirit and aspirations, of which it is actually afraid,” they said.
Joint resistance leadership said that today while we pay homage to Burhan and his associates we also remember the great sacrifices of 125 civilians children and old men and women murdered in cold blood by the Indian forces last year, the thousands blinded and maimed by bullets and pellets rained upon them, the tens of thousands arrested and jailed tortured and abused , those hundreds of people whose livelihood and properties were destroyed and damaged .
Resistance leadership said that a people are being collectively punished by a mighty regime that has declared Kashmir a “war zone “where all human rights of its citizens cease to exist ,for daring to demand their fundamental political right .So people are being taught a lesson in subservience through use of brute force.
The leadership said that try as they may this approach of the state is flawed and will never succeed in pushing people away from striving for the fulfillment of their political aspirations. People’s commitment has stood the test of time. If people could not get dissuaded from it in the past seventy years and the fourth generation of Kashmiri has got associated with it more forcefully and emotionally, why will repression work now?
Those in power in New Delhi may in their arrogance consider themselves invincible but they need to remember that every pride hath a fall and truth and justice finally prevail.
The way to peace is not through might but through doing what is right and that is to stop repression and give people the right to decide their destiny through the democratic right to self determination.
The leadership thanked how people of Chinab Valley including Baderwah, Kishtwar and Banihal for observing a strike on Burhan’s anniversary and to show solidarity with the people of Kashmir in our Joint struggle against occupation. (KNS)