In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Hurriyat leaders and organizations have eulogized the sacrifices of prominent Kashmiri leaders, Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone, and the martyrs of Hawal on their martyrdom anniversaries, today.
Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at his residence in Srinagar on this day in 1990. On the same day, seventy mourners were killed when Indian troops resorted to indiscriminate firing on his funeral procession in Hawal area of the city. Twelve years later on this day in 2002, Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone was assassinated by unknown attackers when he was returning after addressing a gathering at the Martyrs’ Graveyard in Srinagar.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference senior leader, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi, in a statement issued in Srinagar said that Shaheed Mirwaiz was a great preacher and religious scholar, whose services in the educational and social upliftment of the Kashmiri people will always be recalled with respect.
He said Shaheed Abdul Ghani Lone was a heedful and fearless leader who sacrificed his life for his belief in a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute. He said Khawaja Lone’s contribution in the formation of APHC is unforgettable.
Agha Hassan Al-Moosvi maintained that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will always remember these selfless leaders and will follow the path they showed.
The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, headed by incarcerated Shabbir Ahmad Shah, in a statement in Srinagar said the Kashmiri people are indebted to the sacrifices of Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq, Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone and other Kashmiri martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of freedom from Indian illegal occupation. It said the world cannot turn away its eyes from the Kashmir dispute and the Kashmiris’ legitimate struggle for right to self-determination for long but will have to resolve this lingering dispute according to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The DFP also took serious notice of the shocking onslaught against political activists, rights defenders, and members of civil society. “Indian government has been using its kangaroo courts to punish and penalize the resistance leaders for their political beliefs,” it said.
The DFP condemned the unilateral trial against the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik and framing of charges under draconian law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), against Shabbir Ahmad Shah and other APHC leaders. It is unfortunate that the Narendra Modi-led fascist Indian government is using its judicial apparatus to silence the legitimate political voices of Kashmir who have been pleading for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute through diplomacy and dialogue, it deplored.
The Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee, headed by incarcerated Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a video statement paying tribute to Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooq said the religious, social and educational services of the martyred leader will always be remembered. It said that till his martyrdom, he led the oppressed Kashmiris with sincerity and fearlessly.
APHC leader, Zamruda Habib, in her statement remembering Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq and Khawaja Ghani Lone said that both the leaders played an important role in the political landscape of Kashmir. She stated that the Kashmir freedom struggle was nourished by the martyrs with their blood and India cannot defeat it by oppressive measures. She that the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs had centre-staged the Kashmir dispute at the international level. Zamruda Habib also expressed serious concern over the unfair trial of illegally detained JKLF Chief, Muhammad Yasin Malik, and other Kashmiri detainees. She urged the Indian authorities to revisit the illegal decision against Yasin Malik and other leaders and release all Kashmiri detainees forthwith.
United Democratic Hurriyat Front in a statement in Srinagar paid eulogizing tributes to Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq, Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone and martyrs of Hawal. While highlighting the supreme sacrifices of both the leaders said that they played a significant role in the Kashmiris’ ongoing liberation struggle.
The UDHF said the history stands witness to the fact that the nations, which stood steadfast and committed to their cause have achieved their cherished goal of nationhood after defeating oppressors. It reiterated the Kashmiris’ pledge to take the ongoing struggle to its logical end. The UDHF also hailed the steadfastness and resilience of the Kashmiri people, especially the youth who continue to sacrifice their lives for the noble cause of freedom from the Indian illegal occupation.
APHC leader, Mir Shahid Saleem, in a statement in Jammu, said that Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq and Khawaja Ghani Lone would always inspire the people of Kashmir to take their peaceful political struggle to its logical conclusion. He said these two great visionaries of Kashmir too were killed only because they wanted a peaceful and permanent resolution of the Kashmir dispute as per the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The Chairman of Pasban-e-Hurriyat, Uzair Ahmad Ghazali, in a statement issued in Muzaffarabad said the services and sacrifices of Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone in the ongoing freedom movement will always be remembered. He maintained the people of IIOJK are determined to accomplish the mission of their great martyrs at all costs. “For the last 74 years, Indian state terrorism has failed to subdue the Kashmiris’ resolve for freedom. The Kashmiri people will not allow the holy blood and sacrifices of their martyrs to go waste,” he added.
APHC-AJK leaders including Qazi Imran, Khalid Shabbir and Abdul Majeed Lone, in their statements said Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone are the heroes of Kashmiris. They said India is victimizing the Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders for challenging its illegal occupation of their homeland.—KMS
