Srinagar: All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for shut down on May 21 to pay tributes to the  Moulvi Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone on their death anniversary on May 21, adding, the delimitation commisions report was yet another step towards implementing the demographic changes in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the statement issued by the Hurriyat, the amalgam urged upon people to visit Eidgah in Srinagar to offer ‘Fateha prayers’ on the death anniversary of former Mirwaiz of Kashmir Moulvi Mohammad Farooq in Srinagar and hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone who was assassinated in 2002 during a rally.

Hurriyat leader, Mirwaiz Farooq’s father, Moulvi Farooq, was assassinated in 1990.

“A collective commemorative rally would have been organised to pay glorious tributes to the beloved leaders and others killed on that day…but that has never been allowed by any rulers in past and looks very unlikely that the present ones will allow it,” Hurriyat statement read.

It stated that the recent report of delimitation commission is an attempt to reduce Muslim representation in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Recent brazen recommendations of the Government delimitation commission is another step towards implementing demographic change by way of reducing Muslim representation in the conflict ridden state and gradually changing its muslim majority character,” Hurriyat statement read.

The amalgam alleged that “extreme force and intimidation by the state authorities have implemented a complete ban on any form of individual or collective expression by people or the leadership”.

“Local media censorship, harassment and intimidation of journalists and writers have got firmer,” it reads.

The statement reads, “Repression on one side and disempowerment and marginalisation of people of J&K on other, continue unabated,”.

Hurriyat leadership also termed the alleged  “22-year Shoaib Ahmed was killed in cold blood’ in Shopian, adding, that the “killing of civilians during operations has again started.”

“Vicious circle of violence related to conflict also continues to claim precious human lives with the likes of Rahul Bhat and policeman Riyaz Ahmed Thokar which is tragic and very painful,” read the statement.

The Hurriyat statement read that the only way forward is to seek peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict in keeping with the wishes of its people, while considering the interests of both India and Pakistan as parties to the conflict.

Paying tributes to the Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone on their death anniversaries, the conglomerate reiterated that their path of seeking peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict is the way out of this , and the way forward.

“It is also the way to peace and prosperity for the region. Hegemonic authority, use of force or intimidation of people, only complicate the conflict further,” read the statement.

The Hurriyat said that the ‘sufferings of the people and the sacrifices rendered by them in quest of the resolution, constantly remind us that the Kashmir issue has to be resolved and the sentiment honoured.’

“Imprisonment and incarceration cannot change that reality. We will continue to pursue that goal and by our dear leaders…to pay tribute to our beloved leaders on their martyrdom anniversary and to the martyrs of Hawal and to all the martyrs of J&K, a complete bandh will be observed on May 21,” read the statement.