27 October 2004	Wednesday	12 Ramazan 1425

MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 26: Kashmiris living on both sides of the Line of Control would observe a "black day" on Wednesday to condemn the invasion of Kashmir by Indian troops this day in 1947 on the pretext of accession of the Himalayan region by the then Dogra ruler to New Delhi.

According to official sources, public meetings and rallies would be held in different towns of Azad Kashmir to mark the day.

A big demonstration would be held in Muzaffarabad, which is likely to be led by AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat.

Demonstrators would wear black arm bands and stage a march to the office of the United Nations Military Observers Group to deliver a protest note, sources said.

Meanwhile, the Hizbul Mujahideen has urged Kashmiris to express their wrath and indignation on Wednesday to make it clear to the world that they did not want to live under Indian occupation.

In a statement on the eve of the "black day," the group's supreme commander Syed Salahuddin recalled that October 27 was the day when India had landed its troops in the held territory to usurp the freedom of Kashmiris.

"People of Kashmir never accepted this occupation, and since then they have offered the sacrifice of over 500,000 lives to draw the attention of the whole world towards their cause," he said.

Mr Salahuddin said it was the result of those sacrifices that the world had come to realize the importance of giving that right to the Kashmiris.

He warned that different conspiracies were being hatched to deprive Kashmiris of their right, thwarting which was their prime responsibility.

Mr Salahuddin urged the Kashmiris to maintain unity and solidarity in their ranks and not allow anyone to sell out or betray with the blood of the martyrs.