Greater Kashmir:
ZULFIKAR MAJID
Srinagar, Aug 12: Amid tears, sobs and defiance, tens of thousands of people participated in the Nimaz-e-Jinazah (funeral prayers) of Hurriyat Conference leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, and another person killed in Rainawari, at Martyr’s Graveyard Eidgah here on Tuesday where leaders announced that Kashmiris would cross the LoC in coming days.
Aziz and four others were killed in Chahal, Uri, on Monday when police and paramilitary CRPF troopers opened fire on a large procession, on a day when fruit growers had called for a march to Muzaffarabad to export their rotting produce.
Defying curfew, people chanted pro-freedom, pro-Islam and anti-India slogans. They marched from all parts of Srinagar and nearby areas towards Eidgah. Imam of Central Jamia Masjid, Molvi Syed Naqashbandi, led the Nimaz-e-Jinazah of Aziz. He was later laid to rest with lakhs demanding freedom from India.
Earlier, hundreds of people assembled outside the Hyderpora residence of Syed Ali Geelani and took him along. Policemen deployed outside Geelani’s residence to prevent him from coming out couldn’t stop the people. The veteran pro-freedom leader reached Eidgah with tens of thousands of people.
Another huge procession broke the three-tier security cordon in place to keep Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest. Mirwaiz led a procession from Nageen towards Jamia Masjid and Eidgah.
Muhammad Yaseen Malik also reached Eidgah with thousands of people.
Another procession was led by Aga Syed Hassan from Budgam district headquarters.
At different places in Shahr-e-Khas people had arranged beverages and other food stuff for the protesters.
Before funeral prayers, Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik addressed the people and appealed them to remain united and calm in this hour of tragedy.
“Observe August 15 as Black Day and also observe complete blackout from 8 pm to 9 pm on that day. There would be three day mourning from today. Leadership would devise a strategy during these days and come up with future course of action on August 15,” the leaders announced.
Mirwaiz alleged that Sheikh Aziz’s killing was “target” killing. “Sheikh Aziz Sahib was murdered by the Indian troops as it was a target firing. This government has made a plan to eliminate pro-freedom leadership.”
He appealed the people and pro-freedom organizations to follow the programs of Coordination Committee only. Mirwaiz warned the government that people of Kashmir would cross the LoC in coming days. “We would once again march towards LoC. Hindu fanatics like VHP, Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena and BJP can’t keep us at ransom for ever,” he said.
Mirwaiz said that whereabouts of senior Hurriyat leader Shabir Ahmad Shah were unknown. “Shah Sahib who was with protesters at Chahal yesterday is missing. We don’t have any information regarding him.”
Appealing the people to continue with peaceful struggle, Geelani said, “Don’t give oppressor any chance to use brute force. Our peaceful, organized and controlled struggle would continue till we would achieve freedom from the clutches of India.”
He also appealed the people to protect the non-Muslim brethren at any cost. “Even if fanatic Hindus are targeting Muslims in Jammu and elsewhere, we should safeguard our non-Muslim brethren, as Islam teaches us,” he said.
Yasin Malik in his speech also appealed people to remain calm. “Don’t give troopers any chance to shower bullets on you.”
The leaders appealed the people to stay away from August 15 functions. “Don’t send your children to official functions,” they appealed.
Funeral prayers in absentia
Across the Valley, lakhs of people who could not reach Srinagar due to curfew, offered funeral prayers in absentia for Sheikh Abdul Aziz.
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