Illegally detained All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Masarrat Aalam Butt has rejected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcements of development projects in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing that Kashmiris are not fighting for development or privileges but for their birthright, the right to self-determination.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a special message from notorious Tihar Jail in New Delhi, which was released in Srinagar, Masarrat Aalam Butt reiterated that the Kashmiris were demanding their legitimate right to self-determination, a promise made by Indian rulers to the international community. He highlighted the numerous United Nations resolutions supporting this right, which India has suppressed using military force.
The APHC chairman criticized Modi’s visit as an attempt to mislead the international community about the dire situation in the occupied territory. He pointed out that the complete strike observed by the Kashmiris during the visit exposed India’s false claims of normalcy. “If the situation in the occupied territory is normal, then why does India need to station around one million of its forces’ personnel here?” he questioned. He noted that occupied Jammu and Kashmir has essentially been turned into a military camp, with one soldier for every five residents.—KMS
