Srinagar, Feb 11 (KNS): Paying tributes to Shaheed Maqbool Bhat (RA) on his 32nd martyrdom anniversary, Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah on Thursday appealed the pro-freedom leadership to devise a joint strategy vis-à-vis demanding the return of mortal remains of Shaheed Maqbool Bhat (RA) and Shaheed Afzal Guru (RA).
“Though we have been demanding the return of mortal remains of these two martyrs and have time and again appealed the world bodies and human rights organisations, the Government of India continues to be unmoved. So, we feel time has come to devise a joint strategy in this regard,” Shah said in a statement to KNS.
“To demand the return of our martyrs’ mortal remains is part of our greater cause. The resistance camp must formulate a strategy in this regard.”
Shah said he feels honoured to have met Shaheed Maqbool Bhat in 1976.
“Shaheed Maqbool Bhat (RA) was an exemplary patriot who dedicated his life for raising voice for the freedom of his nation. He even sacrificed his life for the nation,” he said.
Condemning the “undue” restrictions imposed by authorities on Shaheed Maqbool Bhat’s (RA) anniversary, Shah said such “oppressive” means cannot break our resolve as “remembering and following the martyrs’ mission is part of our faith”.
On Shah’s directions, a DFP delegation comprising of Er Farooq Ahmad Khan, Peer Inayatullah, Muhammad Yousuf and Ghulam Muhammad Bhat succeeded in reaching Shaheed Maqbool Bhat’s (RA) ancestral village at Trehgam in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district where participated in Dua-e-Majlis (prayer meeting) organised in his favour.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe delegation also met Shaheed Bhat’s mother.
Thanking people for observing complete shutdown, Shah said such days are meant for ‘Youm-e-Tajdeed-e-Ehad’ (Rejuvenation of the Pledge Day), “which is indispensable part of our struggle and vital for infusing a new spirit in the minds and hearts of our new generation”.
Shah also paid tributes to those martyred while protesting against the hanging of Shaheed Afzal Guru (RA), on their 3rd anniversary. “Those martyrs include Mudasir Kamran (Parigam, Pulwama), Hajira Begum, Abdul Rasheed Beigh, Muhammad Yousuf Sofi (Rafiabad, Trehgam), Ubair Mushtaq, Zameer Ahmad, Tariq Ahmad (Batwani, Ganderbal) and Nazira Begum (Czadora, Kulgam).” He also prayed for these martyrs.
Shabir Ahmad Shah also expressed condolence over the demise of nephew of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat general secretary, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai and also the brother-in-law of a journalist, Qayoom Khan.
He expressed condolence with both families and prayed for the heavenly abode of the deceased. (KNS)