MUZAFFARABAD: Rallies and demonstrations were held in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Friday against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s controversial remarks about AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan.

A large procession was taken out in Muzaffarabad under the aegis of various organisations. The protesters marched from the press club to Afzal Guru Chowk.

Holding banners inscribed with pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, they criticised Mr Modi, India-held Kashmir leader Mehbooba Mufti, the Indian army chief and occupation forces, besides torching their effigies and flag.

Condemning the ill-advised statements of Mr Modi, leaders of the protesters said India should be declared a terrorist state, particularly when it’s prime minister himself confessed to “being involved in fanning and orchestrating terrorism in Balochistan and other parts of Pakistan”.

Brushing aside the Indian premier’s claim that people from AJK and GB had thanked him, they said the Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control treated India as their enemy because of its brutal policies.

“How can Kashmiris thank India when their sons and daughters are being slaughtered by troops under the directives of Mr Modi,” said Uzair Ahmed Ghazali, an organiser.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2016