APHC-AJK pays tribute to martyrs of Chauta Bazaar tragedy
Islamabad: A grand prayer session was organized in Islamabad under the auspices of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter to pay tribute to the martyrs of Chauta Bazaar tragedy.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the session was presided over by APHC-AJK Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi and was attended by Hurriyat leadership, political and social figures, workers and people from different walks of life.
The participants paid tribute to the great sacrifices of all the martyrs of the Kashmir freedom movement, including the Chauta Bazaar martyrs, and offered special prayers for their elevation.
On this occasion, Ghulam Muhammad Safi said the Chauta Bazar tragedy is one of the most tragic and heartbreaking events in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. He said on June 11, 1991, at least 32 people, including women and children, were martyred and dozens were injured in the indiscriminate firing by Indian paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force personnel in the Chota Bazaar area of Srinagar.
The martyrs included shopkeepers, labourers, passersby, youth, elderly and ordinary citizens who were busy with their daily routines. He said that this incident was not only a horrific example of state terrorism against the Kashmiri people but also a blatant violation of international human rights laws, Geneva Conventions and basic human values.
He regretted that despite the passage of more than three decades since the tragedy, neither action has been taken against the responsible officials nor justice has been provided to the affected families.
Ghulam Muhammad Safi said that the martyrs of Chauta Bazaar gave new strength to the struggle for freedom, justice and right to self-determination by sacrificing their lives. Their sacrifices are a valuable asset of the Kashmiri nation, he added.
He said the blood of the martyrs will never go waste and the Kashmiri people will never forget the sacrifices of their great sons.
He called upon the world community, the United Nations and international human rights organizations to take immediate notice of the continuous human rights violations, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, illegal detention of political prisoners, confiscation of properties and restrictions on civil liberties in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The APHC-AJK Convener said Pakistan is the permanent diplomatic, political and moral supporter of the Kashmiri people and has continued to highlight the Kashmir dispute and support the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris at every international forum. He said the Kashmir dispute is the key to lasting peace and stability in South Asia and without its just and lasting solution, the dream of peace in the region cannot be realized.
Deep sorrow and grief were also expressed at the prayer meeting over the helicopter crash that took place in Muzaffarabad.
Hurriyat leaders paid tribute to the martyred soldiers of the Pakistan Army in this tragic accident and said these brave sons who sacrificed their lives in the defence of the homeland, national security and while performing their duties are the pride of the entire nation.
He said the sacrifices of the armed forces of Pakistan are unforgettable and the nation will always look at the great services of its martyrs with respect and appreciation.
At the end of the ceremony, special prayers were offered for all the martyrs of the Kashmir freedom movement, including the martyrs of Chota Bazar, the martyrs of the Muzaffarabad helicopter crash, the prisoners of the Hurriyat movement, and the Muslim Ummah.
