NEW DEHLI: In a strong statement, Masarrat Aalam Butt, Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), has paid heartfelt tributes to the Bijbehara martyrs on the anniversary of their tragic sacrifice.
As we commemorate the fateful events of October 22, 1993, which witnessed the loss of more than 50 innocent lives in the Bijbehara area of Islamabad district, Masarrat Aalam Butt, despite being unjustly detained in New Delhi’s infamous Tihar jail, has underlined the unwavering determination of the Kashmiri people to continue their struggle until the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.
The tragic incident in Bijbehara unfolded when Indian Border Security Force personnel opened fire on peaceful demonstrators who were protesting against the military siege of Srinagar’s Hazratbal shrine. The day remains etched in the collective memory of the Kashmiri people as a stark reminder of the violence and oppression they have endured.
From his confinement in Tihar jail, Masarrat Aalam Butt issued a heartfelt call to the people of India illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, urging them to forge greater unity among their ranks. He emphasized the importance of continuing the struggle to secure their United Nations-recognized right to self-determination. Furthermore, he condemned the grave human rights violations being committed by Indian troops in the region and the iron-fisted policies adopted by the Modi regime, which have only added to the suffering of Kashmiris.
In his tribute to the martyrs of Bijbehara, Masarrat Aalam Butt reiterated his longstanding demand for an impartial inquiry into the tragic events of that day and all other similar massacres and killings perpetrated by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir. He emphasized that innocent lives would continue to be lost, and the region would remain in a state of uncertainty until those responsible for heinous crimes against the Kashmiri people were brought to justice. Moreover, he emphasized the need for a resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations resolutions.
Masarrat Aalam Butt further highlighted the historical backdrop of the Kashmir conflict, dating back to the Indian invasion of Kashmir in 1947. He characterized this event as one of the most dreadful incidents in India’s colonial history, which has cast a long shadow of instability and perpetual violence over the region. He called upon the people to observe October 27 as a Black Day to mark the beginning of the Indian occupation of Kashmir.
In his closing remarks, Masarrat Aalam Butt made a fervent appeal to the United Nations to take notice of the ongoing state terrorism in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He urged the international community to initiate measures aimed at resolving the Kashmir dispute in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. It is a heartfelt cry for justice, recognition, and peace in a region that has suffered for far too long.
Masarrat Aalam Butt’s unwavering commitment to the Kashmiri cause, despite his unjust detention, serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and determination of the Kashmiri people in their quest for self-determination and a future free from oppression and violence.
