Srinagar: Angered by the killing of three civilians by government forces Wednesday during an encounter and subsequent protests in Kulgam, the joint resistance leadership or JRL asked the people to ready themselves for an uprising.
Addressing a joint press conference where JRL leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani, under house arrest, spoke via phone in presence of JKLF chief Yasin Malik the three called for a shutdown and protests for Thursday against the latest civilian killings.
“Tomorrow (Thursday), entire Kashmir will observe a complete shutdown. After (Zuhr) afternoon prayers, people in their respective areas should stage a protest against the killings in South Kashmir. In the evening, a complete black-out should be observed to protest these killings,” Malik told reporters.
Addressing reporters over a phone line, Syed Ali Geelani said New Delhi had given its forces in Kashmir unbridled powers under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to kill people.
“It is in fact a license to kill civilians. Forces don’t only kill the civilians but also blind them by using lethal pellet guns,” Geelani said, adding it was not possible to remain silent on the killings of teenagers.
“We want to convey to Delhi that no matter how tough they will go on implementing its repressive policies, we will not surrender.”
Mirwaiz said repression has pushed Kashmiri youth to the wall and frequent “bloodbath” was routine.
“What is the option with us other than to come out on roads,” the octogenarian leader said. “We appeal people of all walks of life, traders, lawyers, doctors, to be mentally ready for mass uprising to press for the final solution of Kashmir,” the Mirwaiz said.
“They started operation all out but that’s actually operation wipe out aimed at killing every Kashmiri.”
After the press conference, the JKLF chief, along with dozens of JRL activists took out a protest march from Abi-Guzar to main road of Residency Road where they were detained by police. Malik was later lodged at the central jail in Srinagar.