MUZAFFARABAD, Mar 08 (NNI): Anti-India demonstrations and other programs were held in Muzaffarabad and other areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, today.
A protest demonstration was staged in Muzaffarabad under the aegis of Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir to draw the attention of international community towards the deteriorating situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). A large number of people, mostly women, gathered at Burhan Wani Chowk and staged a sit-in protest.
Holding banners and placards, they chanted slogans against India and in favour of Kashmir’s freedom from Indian illegal occupation. The women and girls participating in the sit-in were raising slogans, “Stop the persecution of Kashmiri women” and “India – leave Jammu and Kashmir”.
Speakers on the occasion, said despite the claims of protection, restoration and success of women’s rights to the world, hundreds of thousands of Kashmiri women are still facing the worst oppression in history.
“Millions of Kashmiri women are forced to live in the shadow of terror and brutality,” they said. They added that India is violating all human and feminine rights of Kashmiri women by military force under the guise of so-called democracy.
The speakers said human rights organizations should play their role for the release of Aasiya Andrabi, Naheeda Nasreen, Fehmeeda Sofi and other women lodged in the jails of India and IIOJK. They also said that the United Nations should take action against Indian troops involved in rape of Kashmiri women in Kunanposhpora, Shopian double rape and murder and other such incidents.
The anti-India sit-in was led by Pasban-e Hurriyat women wing officials Mehnaz Qureshi, Riffat Farooq, Umm-e-Sara, Iqra Usman, Warda Manzoor along with Chairman Uzair Ahmad Ghazali, Vice Chairman Usman Ali Hashim, Shaukat Javed Mir and others.
Meanwhile, a program was organized in Muzaffarabad by Tehreek Shabab-ul-Muslimeen Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Wing to express solidarity with the oppressed women of IIOJK. The program was presided over by the patron of the Muhajireen Youth Union, Sardar Ishtiaq Liaqat Awan, while the special guest was the MD Kashmir Education, Raja Gulzarin Azad.
It was led by Chairman Tehreek Shabab-ul-Muslimin Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Wing, Riaz Ahmed Awan. In addition to women, Faizullah Durrani, Zubair Khan Durrani, Shahid Iqbal, Arshad Awan, Imtiaz Awan and a large number of young people participated.
Addressing the ceremony, the speakers paid rich tribute to the sacrifices made by Kashmiri women in the Kashmir freedom movement. They appealed to the UN to fulfill its promises made to the Kashmiris. NNI
