11/2 Around the World

SHABIR IBN YOUSUF

Trehgam (Kupwara), Feb 11: Protest demonstrations were held in the native village Shaheed Maqbool Bhat on his death anniversary since Saturday morning as hundreds of people took to streets and demanded that his mortal remains should be returned to Valley. A complete shutdown was observed in this frontier district of north Kashmir.
Chanting pro-freedom slogans the protestors who even included children and women termed Shaheed Maqbool Bhat as a “great man who taught us the lesson of freedom”.
Maqbool was hanged to death on this day in 1984 in Tihar jail and his mortal remains were buried in the jail premises.
The protestors were holding placards with text: “Long Live Maqbool. He was the freedom fighter hanged for demanding birthright. Gandhi was also demanding the same, why he was not hanged?”
Despite heavy reinforcement of police and CRPF in the area, a local addressed the protestors. “What did India achieve by eliminating great Maqbool, could India kill the sentiments of Azadi? Could they control the revolt?,” he asked.
Later the protestors carried out a procession to Maqbool’s residence and expressed solidarity with his mother.
Maqbool’s mother while speaking on the occasion said “I am proud of Maqbool, by offering blood he gave a new life to movement. He stood by the cause of freedom.”
Reports of protests were also received from other areas of Kupwara district.