Malik urges people to follow MMM calendars

To observe 48 hour hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on May 3.

Srinagar: Appealing people to follow the protest calendars ofMutahida Majlise Mashavrat (MMM) to press for the return of mortal remains of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru and Muhammad Maqboo Bhat, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Mohammad Yasin Malik said that the presence of large number of Indian forces in the Valley has compelled people to remain under enforced silence. He said 338 youth were detained from March 9 to March 11, while more than 3000 youth have been arrested and lodged in various jails after Guru’s execution. He reiterated that he would observe 48 hour hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on May 3.

Mailk questioned the motive of the police and security forces for arresting youth and slapping PSA on many of them.
“More than 3000 youth have been detained after March 9 and PSA hasbeen slapped on some of them. DGP justifies arrests of resistance leadership on the ground of law and order; I ask, what was the fault of those youth who were detained”, said Malik while addressing a press conference on Tuesday in a local Hotel.
“I appeal people to follow the calendar of MMM to press for the return of mortal remains. Observe protests on Friday and JKLF will also hold a protest march on that day from Maisuma to Lal Chowk”, said Chairman JKLF.
JKLF Chairman said that though the people of Valley have shunned the path of violence but civilian killings continued to occur, adding, “I urge Government of India to not repeat its actions and poilcies that compelled us to take guns”. He said that presence of large number of troops in Kashmir have turned the valley into a ‘silent graveyard’. He urged GoI to stop killings ‘if it really wants peace to prevail’. He appealed Indian civil society and intellectuals to come forward to press India for paying respect to the rights of people here and not suppress peaceful protests.
Accusing authorities of turning Valley into a hub of corruption, Malik said that corruption has touched its limits in State. “Kashmiris are capable enough to fight for their cause and there is no need for any assistance from any side”, said Malik while replying to a query about expected move of Taliban from Afghanistan to Kashmir.