Washington, July 13: Kashmiris in America paid rich tributes to the martyrs of July 13, 1931 saying the day memorializes killings of over one lakh people in past two decades in Jammu and Kashmir.
 “In recognition of all those who have laid down their lives so that the people of Kashmir may live with their heads held high, Kashmiri Americans join the worldwide Kashmiri community in solemn recognition of July 13th, the ‘Martyrs Day’, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director of Kashmiri American Council and Kashmir Center said in a statement,
 He said the Kashmiris American endorsed the call given by All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) for a peaceful protest march to the Martyrs Graveyard.
 “This somber day commemorates the ultimate sacrifice made by 22 unarmed Kashmiris who were ruthlessly slaughtered by the illegitimate Dogra regime on July 13, 1931. This day is forever scarred in the collective minds of the people of Kashmir as the day when the freedom movement was greeted with bullets. Now, Martyrs Day memorializes all those innocent victims, nearly 100,000, who have been forcibly silenced since 1989 by the Indian military and paramilitary forces,” he said.
 Dr Fai expresses concerned over the alleged human rights violations in the Valley. “Human rights violations in Kashmir are systematic, deliberate, and officially sanctioned. Far from seeking to rectify its atrocious human rights record, India has legalized its state-sponsored terrorism in Kashmir. The studied unconcern by the United Nations has given a sense of total impunity to India. It has also created the impression that the United Nations is invidiously selective about the application of the principles of human rights and democracy,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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