The joint resistance leadership on Thursday called for a complete shutdown on April 2 against the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jammu and Kashmir.
Modi is scheduled to inaugurate Chenani-Nashri tunnel in Jammu region of the state on April 2.
In a joint statement, the leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Yasin Malik and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called for a complete shutdown on the day to “highlight the serious situation in the state”.
“Modi is visiting the state at a time when his forces are shooting unarmed civilians and blinding them with pellets,” they said.
The leaders said that strike is their “only option” to highlight the “serious situation” in the state.
“Thousands are languishing in jails and authorities are denying any space for peaceful political activities”, said resistance leaders in their statement.
“The Kashmir issue is not about governance, economic packages or incentives; neither it is a law & order problem, resistance leaders maintained. It is a political issue related to human society”, they said .
“People are striving for their right to self-determination, however India is not responding and nor they honor the aspirations of suppressed people”, statement said.
“State is reeling under black laws like AFSPA and Indian forces enjoy impunity to kill or blind whosoever comes in their way”, they said.
Blaming authorities for shielding wrongdoers, resistance leaders said that in absence of any accountability, till now no accused was awarded punishment or tried under law.
Leadership while addressing on Narinder Modi, said that all rhetoric about development or constructions of tunnels and roads are futile and won’t succeed to lure us. “We have presented unparalleled sacrifice and nourished the movement with pious blood. We don’t nourish any animosity with Indian prime minister, however it is frightening & painful that instead of taking notice of genocide in state, he is awarding and rewarding assassins”, they sai.
Referring to disappeared persons, leadership said that it is painful that he never took interest to inquire about those disappeared in forces custody, seven thousand unmarked graves and even preferred to turn blind eye towards gruesome events of Kunan Poshpora like episodes.
Resistance leadership expressed their shock that elections are being enacted amidst continuous bloodshed. They said that elections enacted under the shadow of gun has lost its credibility and the sole aim of this drama is to mislead international community. Syed Ali Geelani, Omer Farooq and Mohamad Yasin Malik in their statement reiterated that Kashmir issue can’t be resolved through these elections as the core issue is related to aspirations and sentiments of 15 million people.
“You must understand the fact that today the youth of Kashmir are demanding nothing except, the right to self-determination”, said leaders in their statement.
“India tried its methods, deployed forces and made various efforts to lure people with construction works and development, however of no avail”, said resistance leadership.
“It is better to shun stubborn attitude and acknowledge realities and aspirations, said they and it will also prove positive for people in India and pave way for their overall development”, they said.
