UNITED NATIONS, NY: A big demonstration was held in front of this world body on February 5 to protest the “ruthless massacre by Indian Army and Para military troops and the continuous suppressive rule coupled with persistent curfew restrictions which has turned the occupied Kashmir territory into a veritable prisoner camp.
About 400 people, including a number of Sikhs, participated in the demonstration which was organized by a body called “Kashmir 313”. They shouted slogans condemning the Indian oppression of the Kashmiris and Indian denial to implement UN resolution 242 which called for a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir so that the people could exercise their right to self-determination without any fear of reprisal.
‘Speaking to WSN Shaheen Khalid Butt, President of Kashmir 313 said, “Kashmiris and Sikhs have ‘one common cause, we are united in our fight for freedom, common language and common heritage.”
Dr. Gurmeet Singh Aulakh of the Council of Khalistan in his address at the demonstration said, “The world must recognize the real issue in Kashmir and Punjab, the God-given right of people to be free and choose their own destiny. The Kashmiris and Khalistan are bound by this common goal.” He referred to his meeting with Azad Kashmir president Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, “Both of us pledged mutual support for our nation’s independence struggles.”
Earlier, a resolution, unanimously passed by 250 representatives of 35 Sikh organizations from United Kingdom, Canada and United States, adopted at the Panthic Conference held at Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill here on January 27 expressed solidarity with the Kashmiris. It said that the conference “extends full support to the Kashmir National Liberation Front for its struggle to achieve freedom for the Kashmiris and urge the Sikh police and military personnel serving in Indian police and army to consider the Kashmir’s as your brothers and sisters and refuse to participate in the massacre of innocent Kashmiri men and women.”
Article extracted from this publication >> February 9, 1990
