The Hindu : National : Thousands gather to pay respects to slain leader

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National

Thousands gather to pay respects to slain leader

Shujaat Bukhari

PAMPORE: Tens of thousands of people streamed through the streets of Kashmir on Saturday to reach Pampore town, on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, to pay homage to senior Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz and 21 others killed in the past few days.

They reiterated their resolve to continue the struggle until Kashmiris were granted the “right to self determination.” People arrived in cars, buses, trucks, jeeps and on motorcycles. Raising pro-freedom, pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans, the marchers shouted at the Army, the CRPF and the police wherever they confronted them.

However, the forces did not stop a single protester and instead made way for them. Director-General of Police Kuldip Khoda had said on Friday that if the processions were peaceful no one would be stopped.

All the vehicles were carrying black and green flags atop them, as directed by the Co-ordination Committee set up by the separatist organisations. At several places, the marchers were offered refreshments. Women were also part of the processions which poured into Pampore from north, south and central Kashmir.

“I have not seen such a gathering since the funeral of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1982 when 10 lakh people joined the procession,” said Mohammad Ramzan a villager from Khrew.

Tributes

Leaders of both factions of the Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chairman Yasin Malik led the people in\ paying tributes to the slain leader and the 21 others. The Mirwaiz said that the agitation would continue until their demands to open the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road for trade and civilian movement, withdraw draconian laws and release all prisoners were met.

“No power on earth can stop this revolution,” the Mirwaiz thundered. “People have given their verdict that they won’t tolerate oppression and injustice. It is time New Delhi acted and solved the dispute,” he said.

Mr. Geelani accused New Delhi of not fulfilling its promises during the last 62 years. Kashmir’s relation with Pakistan was ideology-based. Kashmiris had no animosity towards the people of India. He rejected elections, development and privileges as a substitute to “right to self determination”

Life paralysed

Life in Kashmir remained paralysed for the sixth consecutive day in view of the strike call given by the separatists. All shops, business establishments, offices, banks and educational institutions remained closed.

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