Kashmiris rally to call for independence
Wed Aug 31, 2011
Thousands of people in the Indian-administered Kashmir have once again taken to streets to press for their unmet demand of independence from Indian rule, Press TV reported.
The protest rallies were held in the summer capital of Srinagar on Wednesday after prayers on the Eid al-Fitr which marks the last day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Police used tear gas and fired warning shots to disperse the protesters who were chanting pro-independence slogans. Demonstrators later threw stones at police forces.
The head cleric and the top pro-independence leader of Kashmir Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said establishing enduring peace in south Asia depends on the resolution of Kashmir issue.
“India and Pakistan must take the wishes and aspirations of people of Kashmir into consideration to resolve the issue of Kashmir; then only long-lasting peace can be expected in south Asia and we pledge to continue our peaceful struggle,” Farooq said.
The head cleric added that no Eid will be celebrated in the Indian-administered Kashmir until the issue is resolved and the perpetrators of crimes stand justice.
Hundreds of people in Kashmir staged a sit-in on Tuesday in protest against the disappearance of their loves one over the past two decades of unrest in the valley.
Nearly 50,000 people have been killed in Kashmir over the past twenty years while between 8,000 and 10,000 others have gone missing during the same period, according to the local reports.
