New Delhi, Aug 7: For the first time in the past 60-years Kashmiris in New Delhi on Saturday raised pro-freedom slogans and staged a massive pro-freedom demonstration.
 Hundreds of Kashmiris including students, professionals and businessmen assembled at Jantar Mantar this evening and staged a sit-in against the unabated killings across the alley since June 11.
 Protesters raised the most popular slogan in the Valley “Hum Kya Chathe Azadi (We want freedom),” in the heart of New Delhi. 
 Protesters carried placards reading “stop crimes against humanity,” they also kept blood drenched school bags to make the denizens of Delhi aware about the school children being killed by trigger happy policemen and troopers.
 The India civil society members also joined the sit-in to express solidarity with the Kashmiris and pledged to support their demand for right to self-determination.
 Members of Dal Khalsa, Democratic Students Union, All India students Association, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), Peoples Union for Civil Liberties, Peoples Union For Democratic Rights, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights and Resistance Media also participated in the sit-in.
Jammu civil society expresses solidarity with Kashmiris 
 To protest civilian killings in Kashmir and use of repressive measures by the police and paramilitary forces, members of Jammu civil society took out a peace march in winter capital on Saturday evening.  They lit candles in memory of the victims who died across the Kashmir Valley during the past 2-months.  
 Members of civil society, under the banner of Citizens Forum for Democratic Rights, including journalists, students and senior citizens took part in the march.
 The participants carrying candles and placards demanded judicial probe into the killings and action against the erring policemen and troopers. “Peace should be given a chance and government should take steps to ensure that innocent people are not killed. Its unfortunate that ruthless force is being used against the innocent and unarmed youth”, said a student Amit Sharma.
  “Government should act responsibly and take confidence building measures to remove sense of alienation among the people. There is need to take measures to solve the Kashmir issue,” said Prof  Zahoor-ud-Din.
 A local journalist Akshay said killings of civilians in Kashmir was against the usual conduct as police resort to excessive force rather than taking alternative measures to deal with the situation.
 “The way protesters have been dealt with gives the impression that forces were given a free hand to kill protesters, whatever happens is wrong and there is need to take measures to calm down anger among the youth”, said a senior citizen.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 7 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 7 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST