Srinagar: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has declared the 1947 Jammu massacre as one of the largest mass killings and a significant tragedy in human history.

According to Kashmir Media Service, APHC spokesman Abdul Rashid Minhas, in a statement in Srinagar, commemorated the Jammu martyrs of 1947, stating that the massacre was one of the most significant tragedies in human history. During the first week of November 1947, hundreds of thousands of Kashmiri Muslims were killed by the forces of Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh, the Indian Army, and communal groups such as the RSS and Jansang, as they migrated to Pakistan.

Minhas urged the public to observe November 6 as Martyrs’ Day, renewing the commitment to fulfill the mission of the Kashmiri martyrs. The APHC criticized the RSS-backed Hindutva BJP government’s decision to revoke IIOJK’s special status in August 2019, alleging that it was based on communal lines and has led to the gradual disempowerment of Kashmiris.

The statement accused Modi, Shah, and the RSS chief of employing divide-and-rule tactics, reminiscent of British colonial policies, to create divisions among religious communities. It asserted that the people of the occupied territory have rejected New Delhi’s decision, showing solidarity with IIOJK residents.

The APHC leader called on Kashmiris to honor Jammu Martyrs’ Day across the Line of Control and globally, urging anti-India demonstrations and educational events. He alleged that non-Kashmiri RSS-BJP Hindutva authorities aim to militarize Kashmir, with over one million troops deployed, resulting in widespread violence and abuse.

Minhas expressed concerns over the settlement of non-state Hindu individuals in the territory, claiming they are being prepared to commit acts of violence against Muslims in IIOJK. He also expressed solidarity with those injured in a recent grenade blast in Srinagar, attributing such incidents to Indian forces and agencies intending to undermine the Kashmir freedom struggle and intimidate residents.

The APHC leader urged the people to resist the Hindutva agenda and appealed to the international community to intervene in Kashmir. The APHC also mourned the passing of Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Ahmad Shah, offering prayers for his family.

Farida Behanji, Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement, also commented on the 1947 massacre, labeling it an unforgettable tragedy and criticizing global inaction. The Democratic Freedom Party also extended condolences over Mirwaiz Ahmad Shah’s passing.