Srinagar, In a significant display of remembrance and protest, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and other pro-freedom organizations in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have called for a complete shutdown on Sunday, February 11, to commemorate the martyrdom anniversaries of Muhammad Afzal Guru and Muhammad Maqbool Butt. The appeal, articulated through posters spread across Srinagar and various parts of the region, aims to pay homage to the two prominent freedom leaders who are revered for their sacrifices for the cause of Kashmiri self-determination.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the posters disseminated by the APHC and associated groups underscore the profound impact of Maqbool Butt and Afzal Guru’s sacrifices, describing them as beacons of light in the struggle against Indian oppression. The messages conveyed through these posters emphasize the ongoing nature of the Kashmiri struggle for freedom and the resolve of the Kashmiri people to continue their fight until their homeland is liberated from Indian control.

In addition to commemorating Butt and Guru, the posters also serve as a call to action, urging Kashmiris to participate in the strike as a demonstration of unity and commitment to their cause. They assert that the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs will not be in vain and highlight the struggle as a just pursuit of freedom.

The posters further argue that the unresolved status of the Kashmir dispute remains a significant obstacle to achieving lasting peace in the South Asian region. They appeal to the United Nations to take active steps towards a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue and call on global human rights organizations to recognize and address the impact of repressive laws imposed by India in the occupied territory.

The appeal for the shutdown commemorates the execution of Muhammad Afzal Guru on February 9, 2013, and Muhammad Maqbool Butt on February 11, 1984, both in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, under charges related to their activities in the Kashmiri freedom movement. Their remains are still interred within the jail premises, a fact that continues to evoke strong emotions and calls for justice among Kashmiris.

The APHC’s call for a shutdown is a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance among the Kashmiri people and serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for self-determination in the face of adversity.