ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Kashmiris on this side of the Line of Control Sunday observed the Self-determination Day, urging the United Nations to take cognizance of the massacre of their brethren in the Indian-occupied Kashmir and force India to come to the negotiating table to solve this core issue.

In Islamabad, a protest demonstration was jointly organized by All Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference and Jammu Kashmir Youth Alliance. The demonstrators marched from China Chowk, Jinnah Avenue, to the United Nations offices. They were carrying different banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of right of self-determination of Kashmiri people.

Addressing the demonstrators, President All Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan called upon the world community to play its effective role for the solution of Kashmir issue.

Another demonstration was held in front of the United Nations Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) under the aegis of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC). Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, President PPP AJK, while speaking on the occasion said Kashmiris were fighting for their internationally recognized right of self-determination and they will continue their fight to finish.

Yousuf Naseem, Convener All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) said the brutal use of force by Indian forces could not stop the liberation movement and it would continue till last drop of blood.

Sardar Aijaz Afzal, Amir Jamaat-i-Islami AJK, said India as a result of increasing international support for Kashmir movement was facing frustration. He said the freedom movement will be crowned with success very soon.

Other Kashmiri leaders, who addressed the rally were former AJK president Mohammad Hayat Khan, Ghulam Nabi Nashervi, Raja Mohammad Mujahid, MLA, Prof Ashraf Saraf, Altaf Qadri, Inayatullah Rajourvi, Prof Nazir Shawl, Majid Malik and Mumtaz Naqvi.

They addressed two memoranda to the Secretary General United Nations Kofi Annan, demanding that the world body should shun the double standard and play its role for the solution of Kashmir issue. The memoranda said the UN had held plebiscite in East Timor and passed resolutions on Iraq and Afghanistan, while resolutions on Kashmir were pending from more than half a century.

In the memorandum, the Kashmiri leaders reminded the world body that Kashmir was not a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, but a question of the right of self-determination of 13 million people of Kashmir recognized by the UN in its resolution of January 5, 1949.

The United Nations should come forward to stop the continuing genocide of Kashmiris and help resolve Kashmir issue through dialogue between the three parties to the dispute, the memorandum added.