(London, July 11, 2009) Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front - JKLF has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of veteran Kashmiri leader Shabir Ahmed Shah. He has been illegally incarcerated by Indian authorities since August 2008.
In a statement issued from London, head of JKLF diplomatic committee Prof. Zafar Khan has said that sacrifices rendered by Shabir Ahmed Shah are enormous and he has stood firm to his commitments despite all odds. He said that this illegal imprisonment was not new to him and such kind of tactics by Indian government can not demoralize the Kashmiri people.
Zafar Khan said that JKLF fully supports “Shabbir Shah Release Committee” formed in London. He said JKLF will support all the measures adopted by the committee in order to secure the release of Shabbir Shah from Indian prison. Zafar Khan further said that JKLF will attend in large numbers in the demonstration in London against the arrest of Shabbir Ahmed Shah. He called on the Indian government to release all political prisoners in Kashmir including Shabbir Ahmed Shah and start a meaningful dialogue for the resolution of Kashmir issue.
Zafar Khan also condemned the molestation and subsequent killing of a Kashmiri girl in Trehgam. He welcomed the formation of a “Trehgam Resistance Committee” by the local people headed by Senior Vice Chairman of JKLF, Sheikh Mohammed Afzal.He offered full support to the committee in order to bring the culprits of this heinous crime to justice.
Trehgam, Kupwara (July 10, 2009) Senior Vice Chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front –JKLF- Sheikh Mohammed Afzal has strongly condemned the molestation of a girl by Indian army and her subsequent death in Dolipora, Trehgam.
Amina Masoodi was abducted, molested and killed by the TR160 Battalion of Indian regular Army based in Trehgam. As the word about the incident spread in the area, people took to streets and raised high-pitched anti-India and pro-liberation slogans.
The local people of Trehgam and adjourning villages have made a committee called “Trehgam Resistance Committee” followed by a meeting of notables of the area. The committee is being lead by Senior Vice Chairman of JKLF S M Afzal.
The committee in its first meeting after Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid Trehgam has demanded a through investigation into this heinous crime and have demanded the arrest of soldiers and action against the local government. The committee has also called for the complete strike for 4 days. The committee has welcomed the arrest of one solider involved in this incident after the mass protest by the people in Trehgam.
Addressing the people on Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid Trehgam, Sheikh Mohammed Afzal said that this incident in Trehgam came amid discontent all across Kashmir about the rape, molestation and murder of two Kashmiri women in Shopian, where complete shutdown continued for the 40th day, today. He said this incident occurred after several complaints about TR160 Battalion of Indian regular Army by the local people to district magistrate few weeks before. S M Afzal said that local government of National Conference was also aware of the shameful activities of TR160 Battalion of Indian regular Army.
S M Afzal said that the cases of molestation of Kashmiri women in occupied territory have increased considerably in recent times. He called upon the international community to ensure safety and dignity of people of Kashmir. S M Afzal further said that such oppressive and cruel measures will not dampen the struggle for right to self determination and national dignity by the people.
Month of July holds a special place in the hearts and minds of people of Jammu Kashmir. On 13th July 1931 twenty two unarmed peaceful protesters were gunned down by Maharaja Hari Singh’s police out side Srinagar jail while demanding release of Abdul Qadeer, whose only crime was that he dared to condemn the draconian ruler of Kashmir, the Dogra Maharaja. The present phase of the ongoing freedom struggle in Kashmir was also begun in July 1988.
In this long and protracted struggle for emancipation and freedom, hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris have perished, and been forced to become refugees in their own as well as neighbouring countries since the 1940s.
Particularly over the past 21 years Kashmiri nation has lost over a hundred of thousand men women and children including some of its most illustrious sons of the soil. Among this multitude of sacrifices include the martyrdom of Maqbool Butt, Ashfaq Majeed Wani, Abdul Hameed Sheikh, Abdul Gani Lone, Dr Abdul Ahad Guru, Dr Ashai, Professor Abdul Ahad Wani, Shabbir Siddiqui, Basharat Raza, Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammed Farooq, Hilal Baig, Ejaz Dar, Maqbool Ellahi, Altaf Qureshi, Ghulam Rasool Mir, Hardai Nath Wanchoo, Sheikh Abdul Aziz and many more. Ordinary men and women are subjected to most undignified, degrading and humiliating oppressive methods, including rape and summary executions adopted by over 700,000 military operating in the Indian occupied part of Jammu Kashmir.
A nation which has lost two generations of its youth at the hands of Indian State since 1988 cannot therefore be expected to compromise on the sacred principles of justice, democracy and above all freedom which is yet to be realised through the exercise of its inherent, inalienable and internationally pledged and recognised right to self-determination; which to date unfortunately remains denied to the 15 million inhabitants of the divided Jammu Kashmir state as a whole!
The very ideal and objectives for which Kashmiri people have fought and made tremendous sacrifices, since before, and after the fateful day in July 1931 for national emancipation and deliverance from internal and external tyranny cannot be bartered away for any settlement of Kashmir issue, which is within the present framework of Indian constitution, and one that will continue to maintain the forced division of Jammu Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
Thus we owe it to the memory and sacrifices of the martyrs and future generations of Kashmir to continue the freedom struggle for reunification and unfettered right to self-determination of 15 million inhabitants of their forcibly divided country.
News Agency of Kashmir (6/30/2009 9:47:58 PM ) Press Release/London, June 30 (NAK): Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front –JKLF- has strongly condemned the brutal and unlawful killings of two Kashmiri youth at the hands of India's occupation forces during a peaceful demonstration in Baramulla.
In a statement issued from London, Head of the JKLF Diplomatic Committee Prof. Zafar Khan has said that recent incidents in Kashmir clearly show India’s intolerant behaviour towards Kashmiris genuine aspirations of a political settlement of Kashmir dispute. He said that indiscriminate firing on peaceful demonstrators will not make Kashmiris retract from their demand of free and fair plebiscite in Kashmir. He further said that such oppressive and cruel measures will not dampen the struggle for right to self determination and national dignity by the masses.
Zafar Khan said that the cases of molestation of Kashmiri women in occupied territory have increased considerably in recent times. He called upon the international community to ensure safety and dignity of people of Kashmir, especially in view of the attempted rape of Kashmiri women in Baramulla and subsequent brutal killing of two Kashmiri youth at the hands of India's occupation forces.
Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Luton chapter convention was held on 28/06/2009 at Burry Park Community Center under the supervision of election commissioner Malik Latif, Zonal President Haji Abdul Rauf, Zonal Gen. Sec. Prof. Mohammad Riaz and Head of Diplomatic committee Prof. Zafer Khan. After a democratic and constitutional process, newly elected body of JKLF Luton Chapter is:
President: Haji Kaman Afser
Vice President: Bashir Bazam
Secretary: Syed Tahseen Gilani
Assistant Sec.: Ch. Iftikhar
Press Sec.: Sikander Iqbal
Finance Sec.: Khawaja Latif
Organizer: Naseer Khan
Members of Executive Committee
1- Ch. Kashif
2- Hameed Khan
3- Ch. Pervaz
4- Ishtiaq Butt
5- Ch. Rehman
Newly elected body will chose 3 more members in its first meeting.
Thursday August 13, 2009 will be observed as Kashmiri Peoples Right of Self-determination Day inside Jammu Kashmir State and on international level with great fervor and zeal under the auspices of All Parties Committee for Kashmiri People Right of Self-determination comprising 16 main political parties of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. Public meetings, rallies and seminars will be held in main towns throughout the State and in important capitals of the world as also in the world capital, New York, where speakers will explain the real nature of Kashmir Issue and why it has remained unresolved for over 6 decades. Literature on Kashmir Issue to be published in several languages will be distributed the world-over. This announcement was made by Mr. Amanullah Khan, Convener All Parties Committee for Kashmiri Peoples Right of Self-determination during a press conference here following an important meeting of the Committee which took that decision. Mr. Amanullah Khan was directed to take steps conducive to making the historic event a great success, in consultation with the leadership of the member parties. It may be recalled that the UN Commission on Kashmir (UNCIP) had, through its most detailed resolution adopted on August 13, 1948 and accepted by both India and Pakistan, recognized Kashmiri peoples right to self-determination and provided that the future constitutional and political status of Jammu Kashmir State would be determined by its people through a free and impartial plebiscite to be held under UN auspices after the ceasefire in Kashmir. Fire was ceased in January 1949 but the proposed plebiscite could not be held for many reasons mainly for India backing out of her pledges and subsequently claiming of Kashmir to be her integral part. Kashmiris’ fate has since been hanging in the balance. Three wars between India and Pakistan on the Issue have failed to solve it so has the continuous tension between them. Concept of the right of self-determination has been losing ground due to India’s undue intransigence, Pakistan’s domestic problems and international community’s apathy towards the Issue. It is hoped that efforts of the Committee specially the program of 13th August will revitalize the self-determination concept. The Committee meeting also adopted a number of resolutions. The first resolution said that Kashmir Issue was not, not at all, a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan nor does it concern the proprietorship or permanent disintegration of Jammu Kashmir State. It basically and exclusively concerns portuning about 17 million politically conscious and self-respectful people of Jammu Kashmir State (more in number than the individual populations of as many as 133 UN member countries) to exercise their inherent, internationally recognized (by India, Pakistan and the UN) right to determine their own future in full accordance with their freely expressed will. The second resolution made it clear to all concerned quarters that the people of Jammu Kashmir State in general and those of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan in particular, will not accept any solution of Kashmir Issue not based on the UN resolutions on Kashmir, on the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and on Kashmiri peoples inherent, internationally recognized and pledged right of self-determination. Another resolution said that a peaceful resolution based on Kashmiri peoples right of self-determination was in the best interests, not only of the people of Jammu Kashmir State but of both India and Pakistan as well, as that will ensure a peaceful, progressive and prosperous future for all of them. Yet another resolution said that it was painful that Kashmir issue being on the agenda of the UN Security Council for the last over 61 years, it still remains unresolved which was an ugly black spot on the face of the world body. The resolution called upon the UN Secretary General and the Security Council to take steps conducive to solving Kashmir Issue, peacefully, democratically, equitably and honorably in order to ensure peace and prosperity in the region besides getting rid of the ugly black spot from its face. Another resolution called upon international organizations specially the NAM, Islamic Conference, European Parliament, Amnesty International and other Human Rights organizations to extend full support and practical help to Kashmiris in their struggle for their right of self-determination. Those who attended the meeting included Syed Nishat Kazmi of Jammu Kashmir Peoples Party who presided over it, Mr. Amanullah Khan Convener who conducted it, Bashir Ahmed Indrabi, Secretary General Muslim Conference (A), Agha Salahuddin of Muslim Conference (F), Mr. Ashraf Janjua of Pakistan Peoples Party Azad Kashmir, A. Hameed Butt, Vice Chairman JKLF, Justice Majeed Malik (through representative), President JK Liberation League, Maulana Nazir Farooqui, Vice President JUI Azad Kashmir, Ch. Munir Hussain, President PPP (Shaheed Bhutto) Azad Kashmir and Sattar Al-Qammar of Kashmir Freedom Movement.
Raja Ghulam Mujtaba Office Sec. APC Cell: 0333-5758417
