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1.2 Million People Attend Rally in Kashmir to Mourn Dead Protesters

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Aug 16: More than 1.2 million people raising pro-freedom and pro-Pakistan slogans marched towards the residence of slain separatist leader at Pampore, some 12 kms from summer capital to pay homage to him and other protestors killed in firing by troopers.

The mourners in trucks, cars, buses, jeeps, motor-bikes marched towards the residence of slain separatist leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz at Pampore.

Sheikh Aziz is among 32 unarmed protestors shot dead by police and para-military personnel in Kashmir since August 11, when people marched towards Muzaffarabad, the capital of the Pakistan controlled Kashmir (PcK).

People from all walks of life and all parts of Kashmir marched towards the residence of slain separatist leader. The flag and green flags were hoisted in all the vehicles marching towards the residence of the slain separatist leader while people were wearing black armbands.

The slogans like "God is great", "Indian army go back", "We want freedom," "Long Live Pakistan" and "This is our nation and we will decide its fate" rented the air.

The marchers were greeted with pro-freedom and anti-India slogans at almost every place in Kashmir. Even the women in large numbers had come on roads and were also greeting the marchers with pro-Pakistan and pro-freedom slogans.

People had set up stalls at several places to provide drinking water and eatables to the marchers.

"It is a historic day and we want to send the signal to the Indian government that Kashmiris won't take anything less than the right to self determination to determine their fate," said Nisar Ahmad, one of the marchers.

Many marchers carried photographs of the slain separatist leader while the army helicopters hovered overhead. The police, para-military and army personnel manning their pickets did not made any attempt to prevent the marchers from moving towards the residence of slain separatist leader.

According to estimates more than 1.2 million people participated in the march. In early 1990s, such unprecedented marches were witnessed but this is first time in the past 15 years that a sea of people marched towards a particular place.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Sikhs from different parts of Kashmir also joined the march towards Pampore on Saturday. Raising pro-freedom slogans Sikhs joined their Muslim brethren and marched along with them.

It is pertinent to mention here that at least 32 unarmed protestors including the senior separatist leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz have been killed in the firing by the police and para-military personnel on the protestors since August 11.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.