In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, terming the Oct 10, 1965 as “Black Day” in history of the territory, the Awami Action Committee (AAC) said, the day marks the arrest of the party founder Shaheed-e- Millat, Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq along with dozens leaders and hundreds of activists of AAC for representing people’s sentiments and aspirations and raising voices for truth and justice.
The AAC in a statement issued in Srinagar said that Shaheed-e-Millat was arrested and jailed for almost three years without any trial.
He was kept in solitary confinement and at interrogation centre in Kud, Jammu, and also subjected to severe torture and harassment for his political beliefs and support to the right of self-determination for the people of J&K, it added
The AAC annually observes October 10 as “Prisoners Day”, and the day will be remembered as such.
However no function will be organised due to the continued illegal house detention of Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the ensuing Covid pandemic.
It paid rich tributes to the Shaheed-e-Millat and all his comrades and workers for their determination and perseverance towards their mission and recalled its founding president’s contribution, invaluable services and commitment of taking forward the people’s cause of realising their political aspirations and peace in the subcontinent.
The rulers of the time imprisoned the Shaheed-e-Millat but could not weaken the determination and morale of the martyred leader, the AAC said, adding that after his release from prison till he achieved martyrdom, Mirwaiz Farooq (RA) continued to effectively represent the people’s aspirations by sticking to his rightful position.
Following the martyrdom of the Shaheed-e-Millat, despite repeated government pressures and continued incarceration of the present Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the Awami Action Committee not only stands firm on its principled and fundamental stance with more determination but is also committed to fulfill the mission of its martyred leader, the statement said.
Even today, scores of political leaders including Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam, Aasiya Andrabi and others besides hundreds of activists and youth continue to languish in J&K and outside jails for many years.
The Awami Action Committee pays tribute to their courage and commitment and demands their immediate and unconditional release.—KMS
