Srinagar, The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) commemorated the third anniversary of the martyrdom of senior Hurriyat leader Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, who died in Indian custody on May 5, 2021. The tribute was marked by public expressions of reverence and calls for a strike across the region.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the tribute to Sehrai was articulated by prominent APHC leaders, including Ghulam Muhammad Khan Sopori and Advocate Arshad Iqbal, who highlighted Sehrai’s lifelong challenge to what they describe as India’s illegal occupation and political injustices in Jammu and Kashmir. Described as a symbol of resistance and an embodiment of sacrifice, Sehrai’s contributions to the Kashmiri freedom struggle were lauded by leaders and activists throughout the valley.
The commemoration included the display of posters in Srinagar and other parts of the valley by various Hurriyat organizations, which also announced a strike for May 5th to express solidarity with the late leader and other Kashmiri martyrs. These posters, also widely shared on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp, called on the United Nations to intervene for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute and urged local unity towards this cause.
The posters further criticized the Indian government and its local administration in Jammu and Kashmir, blaming them for Sehrai’s death in custody and accusing them of targeting Kashmiri leaders who advocate for freedom. The APHC stated that the best way to honor Sehrai’s memory is to continue his mission and adhere to his teachings.