The Hindu : National : Thousands join “independence” rally

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Thousands join “independence” rally

Shujaat Bukhari

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Geelani, Mohammad Yaseen Malik, Shabir Shah lead protesters

— Photo: Nissar Ahmad

Show of strength: Chairman of the moderate faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at the rally in Srinagar on Friday.

SRINAGAR: Thousands marched through Srinagar streets on Friday to reach the Eidgah for an “independence” rally called by the Hurriyat Conference-sponsored Coordination Committee.

This is the fifth time since August 11 that such large numbers have taken to the streets seeking “freedom” in Kashmir. People prayed for “Azadi” in the collectively offered Friday prayers.

People reached Eidgah in trucks, buses, jeeps and two-wheelers from every nook and corner of the Valley. Leading them were pro-freedom leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Geelani, Mohammad Yaseen Malik and Shabir Shah.

They joined the prayers, but could not deliver speeches as the public address system failed to work.

People carrying green and black flags and beating drums chanted “We want freedom, Long Live Islam.”

“We will not rest till we achieve freedom, which is our birth right,” said Irfan, a young protester. “India cannot stop us with bullets”

Later, people paid rich tributes to those who lost their lives in the past 20 years. Eidgah also has the biggest Martyr’s graveyard in Kashmir, where most of the people killed during this period are buried.

“We will not sell your blood,” a youngster said pointing towards the cemetery. “But will not rest till Azadi is achieved.”

Today’s rally was different from the previous ones in that there were not many slogans in favour of Pakistan. Sources said that the Coordination Committee had decided to stick to “independence” slogans.

For the fifth time since August 11, Fruit Growers and Traders called for a “Muzaffarabab March” to protest against economic blockade in Jammu.

Earlier, in Pampore, Eidgah and Sonwar thousands attended pro-independence rallies. Authorities have not stopped such rallies after some 30 people were killed in police firing on August 11 and 12.

The Coordination Committee has called for a three-day strike from Saturday. It said people would march to the city centre Lal Chowk on August 25 where leaders would join in a sit-in dharna. Shops, business establishments, schools and offices were closed on Friday.

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