Anniversary of Sheikh Aziz in Kashmir on August 11

The third martyrdom anniversary of prominent APHC leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, will be observed on Thursday with the reaffirmation of Kashmiris’ resolve that the mission of martyrs will be accomplished despite Indian state terrorism.

According to Kashmir Media Service, it was on 11th August, 2008, that Sheikh Aziz was shot dead by Indian troops while he was leading a procession from Srinagar to the Line of Control against the economic blockade of the Valley by Hindu extremists of Jammu. The day will be marked by a seminar in Srinagar organised by the APHC and various other functions in both parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Geelani, in a statement issued in Srinagar paying rich tributes to the martyred leader said that the people of Kashmir would not let the sacrifices of their martyrs go waste. Hurriyet leaders, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Farooq Ahmed Dar and Javed Ahmed Mir in their statements also eulogised the services of the martyred leader for the Kashmir cause.

Indian troops, in their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred one more Kashmiri youth at Zachaldara in Handwara. A youth killed by the troops in Surankote area of Poonch and dubbed as a mujahid turned out to be a mentally challenged civilian identified as Ashok Kumar. Two Indian troopers and their informer were injured in a clash with Mujahideen at Dar Mohallah in Kupwara.

People took to the streets and staged forceful demonstrations in Maisuma area of Srinagar against the arrest of youth by Indian police. Eyewitnesses said that the police personnel swung into action and cane-charged the protesters. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani, strongly denounced the arrest of youth.

Normal life in the Kashmir Valley remained disrupted today due to a strike called by Kashmir Economic Alliance, an amalgam of traders' bodies against the anti-people policies of the puppet administration.

In Islamabad, the APHC-AJK in a meeting chaired by its Convenor, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, expressed serious concern over gross human rights violations by Indian police and troops in Kashmir.

Sheikh Aziz’s 3rd death anniversary today

The third death anniversary of the late Hurriyat Conference leader and patron of Peoples League Sheikh Abdul Aziz would be observed tomorrow. Hurriyat Conference (M) has announced number of programme to observe his anniversary. However, Sheikh Yaqoob, younger brother of Sheikh Aziz has given separate Pampore chalo call.

Despite possible restrictions by state administrations, the Hurriyat Conference (M) has decided to organise a collective Fateha Khwani at the martyrs’ graveyard at 9 AM. The faction has appealed pro freedom leaders and common people to attend his function in large number.

The faction has also decided to organise a seminar titled “Violence, Killings, Arrests, Responsible Who?” to commemorate the third death anniversary of Sheikh Abdul Aziz. at Rajbagh party headquarters.
All the executive members of the Hurriyat (M) are expected to participate in the seminar to pay tributes to their colleague and late Hurriyat leader. The people from other walks of life are also invited in the seminar. The leaders of other separatist parties are expected to participate in the programme.

However, Pampore chalo call has been given by the Sheikh Yaqoob, younger brother of Sheikh Aziz. Hurriyat Conference (M) has not given such call or favours it.

It was on August 11, 2008, that Sheikh Aziz was shot dead allegedly by security forces while he was leading a procession from Srinagar to the Muzzafarabad against the economic blockade to the Valley. After his death, angry people set ablaze the house of the accused police officer allegedly involved in his killing.

Senior Hurriyat leader and chairman of other faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Gilani, paid rich tributes to Sheikh Abdul Aziz on his third death anniversary. He said that the people of Kashmir would not let the sacrifices of their martyrs to go waste. The other Hurriyat leaders, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Farooq Ahmed Dar and Javed Ahmed Mir in their statements also paid tribute to the late leader and said he laid down his life for the Kashmir cause.

SHEIKH AZIZ: TRAUMATIZED BUT POISED By Azam Inqilabi

Sheikh Abdul Aziz, born in 1952 A.D at Pampore Kashmir, after proper schooling, joined the resistance movement in 1972. He was arrested in 1973 for his pro-freedom stand and stance. The freedom zealot, after feeling humiliated, made up his mind to take up the gauntlit and continue to tread the thorny path of resistance with conviction, resolve and volition characteristics of an uncompromising resilient revolutionary. As a senior stalwart of Peoples League, with proclivity and disposition to subjectivity in self-assertion and objectivity in strategic manoeuvre and march, joined the armed resistance movement in 1990 when vitriolic and energetic young revolutionaries like Ashfaq Majeed Wani and others, who were in twenties then, created a situation where almost all the senior stalwarts of political resistance movement felt convinced that armed resistance had indispensably become paramount as an effective alternative course of resistance against the Indian forces of occupation. Thus Al-Jehad was the militant outfit which Sheikh Aziz spearheaded with determination of a genuine mujahid. After receiving proper training in Pakistan he returned to Kashmir valley to lead the armed resistance forces in his own style.
Sheikh Aziz was arrested in 1992 and after his release in 2000 A.D he got a chance to visit Pakistan as senior political resistance leader, where he literally kissed the soil of Pakistan after alighting from the aeroplane in Lahore. On his return to Kashmir valley he was again put behind the bars for his intractability as resistance leader.
In 2008, Kashmiris launched a vehement and vigorous anti-India movement when rumours were rife that India had decided to ensure that South Kashmir be swarmed with a million Sadhus (who would become the custodians of Amaranth Cave). By way of political backlash and whiplash the fanatic Hindus of Jammu felt instigated and fulminated in a such way that they literally imposed trade embargo on Kashmir to strangulate it economically. Kashmiri trucks were looted and burnt; and truck drivers were assaulted. In such a situation sensitive Sheikh Aziz felt traumatized and he became serious in his revolutionary thinking to break the deadlock and show the path of salvation. On Aug. 6, 2008 all the leaders of APHC headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq assembled in Hurriyat head office Rajbagh to discuss the situation created by trade blockade of the Jammu chauvinists. Sheikh Aziz Saheb liked to sit beside me on the left flank of the Chairman (Mirwaiz Umar Farooq) to exchange pleasantries with me. He was all ears when I, in my historic address as a member of Hurriyat shoora (the general council as it was called then), emphasized that Deewar-e Berlin Tood Do
Apna Kashmir Jood Do should be adopted as policy slogan to break the blockade and pave the way for reunification of two parts of Kashmir. At 4 P.M Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Saheb addressed a press conference and, while dwelling on the economic-blockade issue in a discursive tone and accent, said, “well, if the people of two and half districts of Jammu want to carve out a”Dogra-desh” for themselves we have no objection.” objection.” Umar Farooq, by way of a part of future programme introduced the slogans:

Control Line Tod Do Apna Kashmir Jood Do
Naka Bandi Tood Do Apna Kashmir Jood Do
On Aug. 11, 2008 Kashmir Witnessed a historical and momentous spectacle of unity of resistance forces when, by way of abreaction and catharsis, freedom sentiments got exuded and elicited in the form of highly emotionalized and resolute procession of revolutionaries of Sopore spearheaded by the stalwarts like Sheikh Ab. Aziz, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Saif-ullah etc. The valiant and chivalrous processionists while facing and overcoming the obstacles created by the Indian authorities, succeeded in reaching chahla Uri (the Kashmir Karbala as I call it). Where they displayed their freedom sentiments in a peaceful democratic style. Indian forces including the notorious Kashmir SOG, in a fit of arrogance and intoxication opened fire killing a dozen freedom zealots and injuring about hundred of them.
Sheikh Aziz Saheb, who was on the forefront like his colleagues Shabbir Shah and Saif-ullah and others, got injured seriously. Wounded leader was immediately removed to Srinagar hospital where he breathed his last and became a martyr. On Aug. 12, 2008 over a lakh people assembled at Eidgah Srinagar for Nimaz-e-jinaza. All the resistance leaders, barring ailing humble self, including senior leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Moulvi Abbas Ansari, Fazal Haq Qureshi were present and paid tribute to the slain leader.
Sheikh Aziz was martyred on Monday- Aug. 11, 2009 (Shai’ ban 9, 1429 A.H-the day when prophet Muhammad (PBHU) prioritized eternal rest.)
The exasperated emotional youth, while the obsequies were being completed, roused patriotic feelings and emotions of the mourning multitude through pathetic epicedium. On Aug. 12, 2008 the agitating youth restored to violent paroxysmal activities and in the melee 22 freedom zealots got martyred and hundreds of them were wounded in the valley. Thousands of furiously agitated youth called at the residence of Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The two leaders felt emboldened and therefore mustered up courage to accompany the exacerbated and anguished youth in their march towards Eidgah to defy the curfew and literally demolish and obliterate the bunkers of Indian forces. Nayeem Ahmad Khan and Shabbir Ahmad Shah were released from captivity a day after.
The co-ordination committee representing S.A Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq suggested using of one flag only with the emblem Allah-o-Akbar. On Aug. 16, 2008 about three lakh people marched to Pampore to express solidarity with the bereaved family of sheikh Aziz.
In the morning of Aug. 16, 2008 I, along with my Mahaz activists including Meer Iqbal, boarded a vehicle on the top of which the green flag with the monogram Allah-o-Akbar. remained fluttering; we condoled with the family members of martyr Sheikh Aziz at their residence. Then after we attended the condolence congregation of mourning people at Eidgah Pampore. On the platform I sat beside Fazal-ul-Haq Qureshi, Mohd. Hassan (Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami), Moulvi Abbas Ansari, Late Prof. Sheikh Gh. Muhammad. Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Shabbir Ahmad Shah and others addressed the grand audience. In the stampede the improvised platform collapsed; elderly leaders felt strangled and suffocated. Meer Rasheed, a robust student of mine, retrieved me from the situation.
Progeny will remember martyr Sheikh Aziz with love and respect.
The metaphysical scars of the scourge here make the people writhe, squirm, wince, groan and grumble every now and then. Shopian is still restive and seething with anger .

Sheikh Abdul Aziz (1952-2008) by Murtaza Shibli

One of the prominent Hurriyat Conference leaders, 55 year old Sheikh Abdul Aziz was killed by the bullets of Indian paramilitary forces on 11th August 2008 while leading a peaceful public demonstration against the ‘economic blockade’ of the Kashmiri Muslims being enforced by militant Indian Hindu groups allegedly with the tacit support of the Indian government. He was born in 1952 in Namblabal, Pampore close to the capital city Srinagar but in Pulwama district. Soon after passing his 10th grade from a local school, Aziz joined his father’s agriculture business including growing high yield saffron, for which his hometown is famous throughout the Kashmir valley.

As a teenager, Aziz watched moe-e-muqqadus movement when millions of Kashmiris came out on streets against the mysterious theft of highly revered holy relic of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) from the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar. The agitation soon transformed into pro-freedom public outpouring with millions of Kashmiris demanding freedom from India.

Although the relic was later recovered without ever revealing any culprits, it is generally believed that the then Indian Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, himself a Kashmiri Pandit was behind the conspiracy using it as a pretext to unseat the local Kashmiri Prime Minister.

Moe-e-Muqqadas movement renewed decades old Kashmiri demands for freedom, giving inspiration to a new generation of Kashmiris including Aziz. In 1972 he joined pro-freedom political group Young Men’s League that called for the Kashmiri right to self-determination according to the UN Resolutions. He was soon targeted by the police and his first arrest came at the age of 20 when he was booked under the infamous and draconian National Security Act. At that time, he was the Block Secretary of the organisation. In 1973 the Young Man’s League merged into other pro-freedom groups forming the Jammu and Kashmir People’s League to which Aziz remained associated with till his death. In 1986 he became the general secretary of the People’s League, the responsibility he carried on till 1990, when amid massive public resentment against the Indian rule; he ditched his political avatar and joined the militant resistance movement. He became the chief commander of Al-Jihad, a formidable militant group in early 1990s that was supported by his parent organisation, Jammu and Kashmir People’s League.

Due to his involvement with the pro-freedom struggle, the arrests and prison sentences became a permanent fixture of Sheikh Aziz’s political life - he spent more than 15 years in prison under various charges including sedition, seeking to separate Jammu and Kashmir from the Indian control and waging a militant struggle etc. His longest spell of incarceration came on 21st May 1993 when he was arrested as the chief commander of now defunct Al-Jehad and lasted till 27th September 2000. Following his release after nearly nine years of gruelling prison life, Aziz re-joined political struggle but was again arrested on 1st August 2001 for nearly three years and released in February 2004 at the peak of India-Pakistan peace process. After his release, he supported the peace process and called for peaceful solution of the Kashmir issue. He later visited Pakistan to encourage the ongoing India-Pakistan peace process and supported the end of hostilities. However, a year later, he was again arrested on 5th February 2005 and released only last November. After his release this time, Aziz joined the ‘moderate’ faction of the Hurriyat Conference, a conglomerate of the pro-freedom Kashmiri groups and once again reiterated his demand for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir problem. However, as the current crisis that was triggered by the illegal transfer of Kashmiri land to a semi-government Hindu body - Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) unfolded, Aziz along with other Kashmiri leaders took a strong stand, keeping in view the strong public sentiment against it, who see the land transfer as a covert Indian plan to seek demographic changes in the Muslim majority Jammu and Kashmir. Only days ago, Aziz was instrumental in bringing the two factions of the Hurriyat Conference together, forging a common Kashmiri response to the SASB controversy and therefore was seen unfavourably by both the local pro-Indian administration and the Indian state.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz is the second chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s League to have been killed by the paramilitary forces. Earlier, Abdul Hamid Wani popularly known as S Hamid was killed in a staged encounter on April 19, 1998 at Ahmad Nagar on the outskirts of Srinagar. With his brutal death, Aziz will emerge as new ‘martyr’ of Kashmiri cause in league with Maqbool Bhat and may cause a serious blow to the current India-Pakistan peace process, further narrowing down chances of any rapprochement between the beleaguered Kashmiri nation and the increasingly militant Indian state. [Submitted by Jammu Kashmir people's League]

Tribute to Sheikh Aziz by Farooq Rehmani

The Chairman Jammu KashmirPeople’s Freedom League Muhammad Farooq Rehmani has paid glowing tributes to Sheikh Abdul Aziz and other innocentKashmiris who were martyred by state-sponsored terrorists on 11 August,2008 on the Srinagar –Baramulla road, when Sheikh Aziz was leading a historical procession along with other Hurriyat leaders and supporters to protest against the trade and essential goods blockade by Jammu Hindu fanatics and terrorists on the Jammu-Srinagar High way to Srinagar. Muhammmad Farooq Rehmani said it was a deep conspiracy as the demand for its impartial judicial probe was hushed up like many tragedies of the past two decades in Kashmir. He said the sacrifices of the innocent martyrs of Jammu andKashmir would not go waste in the way of the great struggle for freedom, and the right of self -determination. He said the international community should not behave as a mute spectator to killings, gang- rapes, fake encounters and custodial brutalities, but act now to save the region’s inhabitants from the military barbarity of India.

Separatists remember Sheikh Abdul Aziz

3rd DeathAanniversary of Shaheed-e-Azeemat, Sheikh Abdul Aziz

On the eve of third death anniversary of Sheikh Abdul Aziz, tributes came pouring from separatist camp for slain leader. Aziz died in 2008 during a protest march to LoC. In a statement issued here Dr Ghulam Nabi Ganie of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat paid glowing tributes to the people killed during the land row. “64 youth sacrificed their lives during the agitation including the pro-freedom leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz,’ he said. He said that Aziz was a great leader who not only took part in the political activities with regard to Freedom of Kashmir but played an important role during the armed struggle as well. He also paid rich tributes to Ghulam Jeelani on his anniversary. “He (Jeelani) was associated with armed struggle and on 5th August 1997 was picked up by the troopers and his body was thrown on road on 11 august 1997 in Pulwama,” he said. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front vice chairman Bashir Ahmad Bhat also paid glowing tributes to the martyrs and Shiekh Abdul Aziz on his second anniversary. “The nation will never forget the sacrifices given by its people and its leaders” he said. He also castigated Omar Abdullah saying that he runs his government on the behest of government forces. Chairman Salvation Movement, Zaffar Akbar Bhat in a statement said that the Kashmiris would always remember his services and sacrifices and reiterated the pledge to take the martyrs’ mission to its logical end.

Eidgah rally, Pampore march foiled

KONS: Police on Thursday detained senior Hurriyat Conference (M) leaders, Shabir Ahmad Shah and Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, while putting other pro-freedom leaders including the Chairmen of both Hurriyat factions under house arrest to foil the proposed rallies at Eidgah cemetery and march to Pampore town on the third death anniversary of Sheikh Abdul Aziz.

Reports said that police arrested Democratic Freedom Party president, Shabir Ahmad Shah, when he along with dozens of his supporters attempted to march to the Martyrs
graveyard at Eidgah this morning to offer prayers at the grave of Sheikh Aziz killed allegedly by government forces during Muzaffarabad march in 2008. Shah was bundled into a police van and taken to the Sadder police station.
Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir People’s league chairman, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, was arrested by police ahead of the party’s proposed rally to Pampore, the native town of the slain leader.
Meanwhile, chairmen of both Hurriyat factions, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, and several leaders of his conglomerate, including Nayeem Ahmad Khan, were placed under house arrest by the authorities. However, later in the day, Mirwaiz was allowed to attend a seminar at the party headquarters at Rajbagh.
“Mirwaiz Sahab was not allowed to move out of his house early morning. CRPF men and police were deployed in strength around his Nigeen house to prevent him from visiting the Martyrs graveyard at Eidgah,” an amalgam spokesman said, adding he was later allowed to attend the seminar.
The spokesman condemned the curbs on the amalgam leaders and the siege of Martyrs graveyard, where collective prayers had been planned.
Hurriyat Conference (G) spokesman, Ayaz Akbar said the conglomerate’s chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani remained under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence for the 16th consecutive day.
“We condemn the curbs on the movement of the octogenarian leader. Even in the holy month of Ramadhan, he is not allowed to offer Taraweeh (late night prayers) and Friday congregational prayers. This is interference in religious matters,” Akbar said.
“The government’s frustration has crossed all limits. They should lift the curbs on Geelani Sahab as per the court orders,” he added.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman said that “some miscreants attempted to disrupt peace and resorted to stone pelting on police and forces deployments at Drangbal, Pampore, this morning.”
“Police exercised restraint while dealing with the situation,” the spokesman said, adding the miscreants were chased away. No one was hurt in the incident.

JKPL remembers Aziz on his 3rd death anniversary

Acting Chairman Jammu Kashmir Peoples League, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza has paid tributes Sheikh Abdul Aziz on his third death anniversary. Waza reiterated that the slain leader was “imprisoned scores of times for the sole crime of speaking the truth; never compromising his principles and calling for justice.” “His efforts will remain forever a milestone in the history of the freedom struggle of Kashmir,” he maintained. Waza said that the people of Kashmir would never forget the selfless contribution and the tireless efforts of Aziz, “who has scarified his life for the cause of nation.” Mukhtar Waza said, “PL will organize Dua-e Majlis for Sheikh Aziz at District level also that 11th August is the historic day for all Kashmiris and we will remember Sheikh Abdul Aziz on this day.”

KILLINGS, TALKS CAN’T GO TOGETHER: MIRWAIZ

‘Delhi Boasts Of Dialogue, Acts Militarily In Kashmir’

Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Thursday stated that killings by government forces and dialogue process on Kashmir cannot go on simultaneously.
Addressing a seminar titled “Violence, killings and arrests – who is responsible?” at the Hurriyat headquarter here on the third death anniversary of Shaheed-e-azeemat, Shiekh Abdul Aziz, Mirwaiz said that human rights violations committed in Kashmir were contrary to the spirit of ongoing dialogue process between India and Pakistan.
“On one hand Kashmiris are being killed from Surankote to Sopore, but on other they claim that we are engaged in the dialogue process. This process wouldn’t bear any fruit till ground situation changes here,” he said.
Coming down heavily on New Delhi and State Government, Mirwaiz said they have surpassed all previous records of human rights violations committed anywhere.
“They are pursuing Nazi policy here to crush the movement, but their draconian tactics wouldn’t deter us from taking the freedom struggle to its logical conclusion,” he said, adding that sacrifices and arrests are part of the movement.
“Did Indians give up their cause when British perpetrated atrocities on them? Then how they think we will give up when we have rendered more sacrifices than Indians during past 64 years of our struggle?” Mirwaiz asked.
Asking New Delhi to revisit its Kashmir policy, Mirwaiz said, “They talk of dialogue process for resolving Kashmir issue, but act militarily here.”
Holding Centre and mainstream parties responsible for perpetrating human rights violations, Mirwaiz said their promises of inquiries and investigation into these abuses over past two decades have proven hoax.
“What happened to the inquiries instituted in killings and other cases? What happened to the investigations into the killings of youth during 2008, 2009 and 2010? These are just time consuming exercises and nothing else,” he said.
Mirwaiz also called for inclusion of Kashmiris in dialogue process.
“The parleys between both the countries cannot prove fruitful till the involvement of primary stakeholders in it and if they are sincere then they should prioritize Kashmir issue over all other outstanding disputes,” he said.
Stressing on unity, Mirwaiz said they would continue efforts for bringing pro-freedom groups together like the past. “Those who are outside the fold should come back to strengthen the conglomerate,” he said.
Mirwaiz also said that Hurriyat leadership is not behind the people in rendering sacrifices during the ongoing movement. “This is not a forum of exploiters or opportunists,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, acting chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, said Kashmiris shouldn’t ‘expect any sort of justice from New Delhi and its stooges here.’
“The inquiries and probes are just eyewash and time consuming exercises,” he said, stressing on unity among the pro-freedom groups.
Asserting that arrests and killings are part and parcel of every freedom movement, senior Hurriyat (M) leader Aga Syed Hassan said that Kashmiri issue is resonating across the world due to sacrifices rendered by the people here in the past six decades. “The blood of martyrs has brought Kashmir issue onto the centre stage,” he said.
Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (R) chairman Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate called for joint efforts among the pro-freedom groups for taking the mission of martyrs to the logical conclusion. “I appeal everybody to get united for the sake of orphans and widows, otherwise Allah will never forgive us,” he said.
Among others, Farooq Ahmed Dar (Peoples League), Bashir Ahmad Tota (Peoples League) and Muhammad Yosuf Naqash (Islamic Political Party) also spoke on the occasion.
Senior Hurriyat (M) leaders Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat and Bilal Gani Lone were also present on the occasion.

Hurriyat leaders pledge to work for unity

ON SHEIKH AZIZ’S ANNIVERSARY

While stressing the need for complete unity among the pro-freedom leadership for realisation of the common goal, the Hurriyat leaders on Thursday said that forging a broad-base consensus on the issue of Kashmir was must to steer the ongoing movement to its logical conclusion.
The Hurriyat leaders made these assertions during a prayer-function organised in connection with the third martyrdom anniversary of veteran leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz. Held at the amalgam’s office, the function was attended by the leaders of both the Hurriyat factions including Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, Ghulam Muhammad Safi, PL chairman Sheikh Yaqoob, members of the Kashmiri community and several others.
Paying tributes to the slain leader, speakers on the occasion said that Sheikh Aziz was a man of principle who devoted his entire life for the noble cause. “Simplicity, selflessness and honesty was the hallmark of his personality”, they said adding that for his peerless contribution and supreme sacrifices he would be remembered for a long time in the annals of Kashmir.
Terming unity as the best way to honour sacrifices of thousands of Kashmiri martyrs, the APHC leaders Mehmood Ahmed Saghar and Ghulam Muhammad Safi underlined the fact that it was high time that the pro-freedom leadership should realize their responsibilities and devise a coherent and comprehensive mechanism in view of the changes sweeping across the region.

Pampore observes shutdown

Govt prevents separatists from assembling at Eidgah

Pampore township observed a complete shutdown on Thursday to commemorate the third death anniversary of Peoples League Chairman Shiekh Abdul Aziz.
Reports said that all the shops, business establishments and schools remained closed in the Saffron town, while there was partial movement of traffic on the roads.
Shiekh Abdul Aziz who hailed from Pampore was killed on August 11, 2008, at Tchal Uri when he was leading a procession towards Pakistan Administered Kashmir to protest against the economic blockade of Valley by rightwing activists in Jammu.
Reports said that scores of people took to the streets at Pampore this morning and tried to take out a protest march. Police and CRPF men resorted to baton charge to disperse the protesters, who retaliated with stones triggering clashes.
Meanwhile, all separatists including chairmen of both the factions of Hurriyat Conference were placed under house arrest.
Spokesman of Hurriyat (G) Ayaz Akbar said Syed Ali Shah Geelani continued to remain under house detention.
Meanwhile, Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and several other leaders of theconglomerate were put under house detention to prevent them from assembling at Eidgah.
The amalgam had planned to offer Fateha-Khawani at Eidgah. However, Mirwaiz was released after 11:00 am.
Peoples League Chairman Mukhtar Ahmad Waza was also detained from a house in Wazirbagh area of the city this morning and lodged at police station Rajbagh. Another separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah was detained outside his Rawalpora residence and lodged at police station Sadder.
Other leaders Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Shahid-ul-Islam and Zaffar Akbar Bhat were also placed under house detention.
Besides it, large contingent of police and CRPF were deployed around Eidgah to foil the Hurriyat (M)’s program.

JKLF (R) prays tributes to Sheikh Abdul Aziz

The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (R) chief patron and executive director Kashmir Centre, Brussels, Barrister Abdul Majid Tramboo has paid glowing tributes to Sheikh Abdul Aziz on his martyrdom anniversary observed on Thursday, describing him sincere and brave leader.
“Instead of sitting in drawing rooms, Sheikh Abdul Aziz participated practically in freedom struggle and achieved martyrdom,” said Tramboo, according to Front statement.
Meanwhile, Tramboo said, “The killing of an innocent person in a fake encounter in Surankote Poonch has exposed the New Delhi and armed forces of their claims of democracy, tolerance and discipline.” He alleged that the government, police and other agencies had always tried to play political jugglery by announcing enquiry in such cases.
Tramboo has once again appealed to the European Union and international human rights organizations to take serious note of the alleged atrocities being perpetrated on people in Kashmir.

JKPL to observe Sheikh Aziz’s anniversary on August 11

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League (JKPL) has said that the third martyrdom anniversary of its former Chairman, and APHC leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz will be observed across the territory on August 11 to pay homage him.

APHC leader and the JKPL Acting Chairman, Mukhtar Ahmed Waza, in a statement issued in Srinagar said that the martyrdom of Sheikh Aziz and other 70 people who were ruthlessly killed during uprising in 2008 had infused new vigour and passion among the people of Kashmir.

Waza pointed out that the martyred leader was imprisoned scores of times for the sole crime of speaking the truth, never compromising on his principles and calling for justice. “His efforts will remain forever a milestone in the history of the freedom struggle of Kashmir,” he maintained.

The APHC leader said that the JKPL would organize different functions on the day to highlight the services of the martyred leader for the liberation movement. “August 11 is a historic day for all the Kashmiris and we will remember Sheikh Abdul Aziz on this day. His mission will be taken to its logical conclusion,” he added.

Waza said that the Kashmiri martyrs had centre-staged the Kashmir dispute at the global level and their sacrifices would not be allowed to go waste.

March to Pampore on Aug 11: JKPL

Jammu and Kashmir People’s League Chairman, Sheikh Yaqoob on Tuesday urged the people to march towards Pampore on August 11 to commemorate the martyrdom of Sheikh Abdul Aziz.
In a statement, Yaqoob, who is younger brother of slain leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz, said the march was to remind the world community about the sacrifices of Kashmiris.
“It’s incumbent upon the leaders of Hurriyat Conference and pro-freedom parties to call upon people of Jammu and Kashmir to march towards Pampore. The day would mark the third martyrdom anniversary of Aziz,” he added.