Pakistani activists observe "black day" for Kashmir as India celebrates independence

Record ID: 1427214

  • Title: Pakistani activists observe "black day" for Kashmir as India celebrates independence
  • Date: 15th August 2019
  • Summary: MUZAFFARABAD, AZAD, KASHMIR, PAKISTAN (AUGUST 15, 2019) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS HOLDING BLACK BALLOONS AND BLACK FLAGS STANDING/INDIAN FLAG SPREAD ON GROUND PROTESTER FROM ANTI-INDIAN KASHMIRI MILITANT GROUP HIZBUL MUJAHIDEEN, STANDING/PROTESTERS WAVING BLACK FLAGS HIZBUL MUJAHIDEEN LOGO ON BACK OF T-SHIRT READING (Urdu) "FRONTLINE CONTINGENT OF THE KASHMIR JIHAD, HIZBUL MUJAHIDEEN, SKY HIGH MORALE" PROTESTERS WITH BLACK FLAGS WALKING ON INDIAN FLAG PROTESTERS STANDING ON INDIAN FLAG PROTESTERS WRITING COMMENTS ON INDIAN FLAG PROTESTER'S HANDWRITING (English) "GO INDIA, GO BACK" VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS WRITING COMMENTS ON INDIAN FLAG PROTESTERS CHANTING (Urdu): "KASHMIR IS OURS" PROTESTERS CHANTING (English): "GO INDIA, GO BACK" VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CHANTING (Urdu): "WHAT DO WE WANT? WE WANT FREEDOM" (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) CHAIRMAN OF PASBAN-E-HURRIYAT, AN ORGANISATION OF KASHMIRI MIGRANTS, UZAIR AHMED GHAZALI, SAYING: "This morning when Indian jets are flying in the sky, we are releasing black balloons and black flags in the air, as we begin to observe this day as 'black day'. People are writing 'freedom' on the Indian flag. They are writing slogans against Indian atrocities (in Kashmir). By releasing black balloons and black flags, we want to tell India to immediately end its occupation of Kashmir."
  • Embargoed: 29th August 2019 10:29
  • Keywords: Pakistan Black Day protests Kashmir India independence
  • Location: MUZAFFARABAD, AZAD, KASHMIR, PAKISTAN
  • City: MUZAFFARABAD, AZAD, KASHMIR, PAKISTAN
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001ASBWAIV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Activists in Pakistan on Thursday (August 15) observed what they referred to as "black day" to coincide with India's Independence Day celebrations, in protest against New Delhi's decision to revoke special status from Indian-administered Kashmir.
    India's decision this month, along with a communications blackout and curbs on the movement of those in Indian-administered Kashmir, further damaged its already tense relationship with Pakistan, which cut trade and transport links and expelled India's envoy in retaliation.
    Pakistani Kashmir saw rallies and protests across the region on Thursday. Shops and businesses remained shut and traffic thin.
    Activists in the city of Muzaffaraba released black balloons and black flags into the air before marching and chanting through city streets.
    "Our mothers and sisters are living as if they are in prison as India has turned Kashmir into a jail. If India does not turn back, people will be compelled to pick up guns and India will run away, God willing. India has tyrannized the people (of Kashmir). We want the United Nations to take notice of the situation and compel India to leave Kashmir," said Mohammad Ashraf, a member of anti-Indian Kashmiri militant group Hizbul Mujahideen.
    Pakistan celebrated its own Independence Day on Wednesday (August 14) as Kashmir Solidarity Day to reaffirm its support to the Kashmiris being subjected to atrocities at the hands of the occupying Indian forces.
    (Production: Waheed Kiyani, Shahabuddin Shahab)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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