The joint resistance leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik called for Lal Chowk Chalo on Saturday against the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.In an extraordinary meeting, the leaders strongly condemned the “atrocities” committed against people throughout the Kashmir, a statement issued to GNS by JRL said. It added that the proposed visit of Modi is aimed at to hoodwink the opinion of the international community.Blaming Indian forces for turning the whole state into a battlefield, the leadership said that innocent people are detained on frivolous charges while as youth are being pushed to the wall.“Such undemocratic and inhuman situation can’t be tolerated for long. The resistance leadership is denied the political space and genuine voices strangulated. Those detained are subjected to torture and inhuman behaviour,” the statement said.JRL will stage a peaceful protest on May 19, the statement said adding that “forcing silence of a graveyard by using military might and designating it as peace can only be termed as foolishness and if Indian rulers and their abettors really believe in democracy and freedom of speech, they should stop their oppressive tactics and allow JRL to hold this peaceful protest”.“It is their (rulers’) ploy to give the wrong impression of brutal pacification of Kashmir as peace and return of normalcy,” the leadership said.
They said that Lal Chowk Chalo has been called to demonstrate before the whole world what people of Kashmir stand for. “If Indian rulers assume that oppression unleashed by their army and forces has crushed resistance in Kashmir, then they should find some courage to lift ban on political activities of the resistance camp and allow such programs,” they said.“India and its stooges only know to suppress people’s voices under the pretext of so-called democracy and normalcy which is highly condemnable,” it added.The leadership decided to form a six member committee so that a mechanism for public participation in getting ideas and inputs and in decision making and implementation will be created, the statement said.“All segments of people including writers, intellectuals, traders, chambers of commerce, transporters, teachers, lawyers, doctors, and student activists will be made a part of the broad-based mechanism,” JRL said, adding that the leadership will put forth its views and ideas that have been deliberated upon and during discussions with them will take their inputs.“A consensus on the course and implementation will be jointly taken and the public informed. The public has to prepare itself to follow the programs in letter and spirit. The situation is grave, the road is long and tough.But our courage and determination unwavering. Together with unity and steadfastness Insha Allah victory will be ours,” JRL said. (GNS)