Posted Sat, 09/04/2010 – 00:22
Gilani asks people to celebrate Eid with austerity

Srinagar, September 03 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani has announced another 10-day protest calendar in connection with the ongoing Quit Kashmir Movement, urging people to observe the Eid-ul-Fitr with utmost austerity in view of the killings of over 65 youth during the past three months by Indian police and troops. The calendar includes shutdowns, sit-ins and a march towards United Nations Observers’ Office at Sonawar in Srinagar.

The veteran Hurriyet leader in a media interview in Srinagar elaborating on his call for celebrating Eid with austerity said that since June 11, the world had seen how 65 teenagers and youth across the Valley had been killed with impunity by troopers and policemen for quelling the just movement for right to self-determination. “Even innocent teenagers playing carom were sprayed with bullets. Over 1500 youth and many pro-freedom leaders protesting over the killings have been kept behind the bars. Children and women continue to face inhuman treatment. Every house in Kashmir is in a state of mourning. Kashmiris are facing the worst form of oppression. In these circumstances, how can we celebrate Eid with fanfare? We have to show that we are an oppressed nation. Celebrations and sorrows can’t go together,” he said.

Syed Ali Gilani said that the ongoing movement had reached an important phase and people must continue to extend support to the cause. “I salute the courage and resilience of Kashmiris who have been rendering unflinching sacrifices for the ongoing agitation. Even if India uses all its military might, we will not let the blood of martyrs go waste,” he said.

A statement issued by the forum patronised by Syed Ali Gilani said that as per the protest calendar there would be no strike on Sunday, September 5, on the eve of Shab-e-Qadr. It called for complete shutdown on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. “On these three days, people should stage protests and offer prayers on roads from Fajr to Asar. Wednesday will be observed as Prisoners’ Day and special prayers would be held for release of Kashmiris languishing in various jails. On this day, people should express solidarity with the families of the detainees,” the statement said.

The forum said that there would be relaxation for three days in the strike from September 9 to September 11, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. “However as a mark of respect to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the ongoing movement during the past over two months, the Eid should be celebrated with austerity. After Eid prayers people should stage peaceful protests,” it said.

The statement said that on September 12, there would be complete shutdown. It called for a complete shutdown and Sonawar Chalo on September 13, where a memorandum would be submitted for the UN Secretary General on the unabated killings in the occupied territory. It also asked people to observe complete shutdown on September 14 and 15, and stage protests on roads after Zuhr and Asar prayers.