ISLAMABAD, Jan 26: Kashmiris here on Friday observed the Indian Republic Day as black day on a call given by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference. The APHC organised a forceful demonstration outside the Indian High Commission to mark the day. The protesters criticised the increasing Indian oppression in the occupied Kashmir and custodial killings and warned India to desist from such tactics.

Speaking on the occasion, the convener of the APHC, Azad Kashmir chapter, Syed Yusuf Nasim, said India could not quell the freedom struggle by use of force. He said Kashmiris would continue their struggle for their inherent right to self-determination on political, diplomatic and militant fronts.

He said sustained peace in the region would remain elusive till a just solution to the Kashmir dispute. He said relations between Pakistan and India could not be normalised unless the Kashmir issue was resolved.

He stressed the need for trilateral talks involving Pakistan, India and Kashmiris to reach a just settlement to the issue. He made it clear that Kashmiris would not accept any imposed resolution. “The Kashmiris are a basic party to the issue and they must be taken on board,” he remarked.

Mr Nasim urged India to repeal what he called black laws being used as a tool to intimidate Kashmiris demanding their right to self-determination, stop carnage of Kashmiris and release imprisoned leaders and activists of the APHC.

He asked India to positively respond to President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s proposals on demilitarisation, self-governance and meaningful dialogue on Kashmir and said the APHC would support every initiative aimed at breaking status quo on Kashmir.

Professor Ashraf Saraf, Tahir Masood, Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, Syed Rizvi and other APHC leaders urged the international community to persuade India to stop the oppression in the held Kashmir.

Meanwhile, the All Jammu and Kashmir Youth Council – a conglomerate of over 27 youth organisations from Azad Kashmir, also organised a protest rally in front of the United Nations office. The protestors marched from the China Chowk to the Pak-Saudi tower chanting anti-India slogans.