Srinagar, Oct 9: Terming the Oct 10, 1965 as “black day” in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, the J&K Awami Action Committee (AAC) said the day marks the arrest of the party founder Shaheed-e- Millat Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq (RA) along with dozens leaders and hundreds of activists of AAC for representing people’s sentiments and aspirations and raising voices for truth and justice.
Shaheed-e-Millat (RA) was arrested and jailed for almost three years without any trial. He was kept in solitary confinement and at interrogation centre in Kud Jammu and also subjected to severe torture and harassment for his political beliefs and support to the right of self-determination for the people of J&K, the AAC said in a statement.
Awami Action Committee annually observes October 10 as “Prisoners Day”, and the day will be remembered as such. However no function will be organised due to the continued illegal house detention of chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the ensuing Covid pandemic.
AAC paid rich tributes to Shaheed-e-Millat (RA) and all his comrades and workers for their determination and perseverance towards their mission. The organisation recalled its founding president’s contribution, invaluable services and commitment of taking forward the people’s cause of realising their political aspirations and peace in the subcontinent.
The rulers of the time imprisoned Shaheed-e-Millat (RA) but could not weaken the determination and morale of the martyred leader, the AAC said, adding that after his release from prison till he achieved martyrdom, Mirwaiz Farooq (RA) continued to effectively represent the people’s aspirations by sticking to his rightful position.
Following the martyrdom of Shaheed-e-Millat (RA), despite repeated government pressures and continued incarceration of the present Chairman Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, the Awami Action Committee not only stands firm on its principled and fundamental stand with more determination but is also committed to fulfill the mission of its martyred leader, the statement said.
Even today, scores of political leaders including Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam, Aasiya Andrabi and others besides hundreds of activists and youth continue to languish in J&K and outside jails for many years. The Awami Action Committee pays tribute to their courage and commitment and demands their immediate and unconditional release.
