Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across the world are observing Indian Republic Day today (Monday) as Black Day to remind the world that India`s continued denial of Kashmiris` right to self-determination is contrary to its claim of being a democratic republic. Call for the observance of the Black Day has been given by the veteran Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani, the All Parties Hurriyet Conference, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, senior Hurriyet leader, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, the High Court Bar Association and other pro-liberation leaders and organisations. The day is being marked with a complete strike in occupied Kashmir and anti-India demonstrations and rallies in world capitals. The authorities have deployed a large number of Indian troops and police personnel in Srinagar and other towns ahead of Indian Republic Day. Random crackdowns are being carried out and commuters are subjected to vigorous screening. All roads leading to the Bakhshi Stadium, the main venue of official function in Srinagar, have been barricaded. Syed Ali Gilani, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Farooq Ahmed Dar, Farida Bahenji and the APHC spokesman in their statements said that India had no justification to celebrate its Republic Day in Kashmir as it had illegally occupied the territory. Shabbir Ahmed Shah and Javaid Ahmed Mir in their statements urged the US President, Barack Obama, to impress upon the Indian leaders during his forthcoming visit to New Delhi to take steps towards settling the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the Kashmiris` aspirations. The Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement in a statement in Srinagar strongly denounced the continued house arrest of the party Chairman, Zafar Akbar Butt, and harassment of Kashmiri people by the Indian forces` personnel in the name of so-called security.
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