Spontaneous reaction a clear message to GoI: Joint Hurriyat

Srinagar, Aug 27: Joint Hurriyat Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik Monday reiterated the two day protest strike call for August 30 and 31 as the Supreme Court of India hears a series of petitions seeking roll back of hereditary state subject law of J&K. The leadership said that the moment Indian news channels ran news about a fresh plea submitted in the Supreme Court challenging the state subject law, there was a spontaneous reaction from people who within seconds hit the streets in protest, while shopkeepers immediately downed their shutters and traffic cane to a halt. “It stands as an eye opener for the New Delhi and gives them a clear message that Kashmiris are in no way going to take this assault lying low and are ready to make every sacrifice to safeguard their identity and the disputed status of their state,” Joint Hurriyat said in a statement. The trio said that Article 35-A is a “highly emotive issue for the people, affecting their very existence as a people.” “People of Kashmir will never allow their birth place to become another Palestine where Israel changed the demography by grabbing land and property of hereditary citizens of Palestine and settled outsiders to change the demographic character of the State,” they said. They strongly condemned the use of force on protesting people and students in Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Bandipora, Sopore Tral, and other areas. The leadership termed it as “shameful highhandedness of forces, in which dozens of people were injured with many sustaining grave pellet injuries in forces’ action especially in Pulwama.” Leadership said that protests and sit-ins by various traders’ bodies and other segments of society will continue till August 31 . “In case Supreme Court announces any verdict against the wishes and aspirations of people of J&K, from that very moment mass agitation will start across the State as people will hit the roads in protest and occupy them,” the Joint Hurriyat said. The leadership urged people to maintain discipline while expressing their resentment and follow the programs conveyed by them.