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Complete strike observed in IHK to mark martyrdom day of Maqbool Butt

ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP): A complete strike was observed on Thursday across the Indian Held Kashmir and Azad Kashmir to mark the 15th anniversary of martyrdom of champion of the Kashmiris' right, Muhammad Maqbool Butt. Life in the held state came to a standstill and all business centres, educational institutions, offices and courts remained closed. Roads gave a deserted look due to the suspension of all types of transport. Rallies and processions were taken out from various parts of Srinagar. A procession led by senior APHC leader Yasin Malik was subjected to fierce baton charge and tear gas. Over 30 prominent leaders and workers of freedom movement including Yasin Malik, Javed Ahmed Mir and Shakil Bakhshi were taken into custody and kept in Kothi Bagh police station. Yasin Malik in an interview said, that Indian forces' barbaric activities have failed to break the will of Kashmiri people. The martyrdom day of Maqbool Butt was also observed in Azad Kashmir. The day was observed with a renewed pledge that the mission of the Kashmiri leader will continue till the Kashmiris are granted their legitimate right to self-determination. In Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, processions were taken out jointly by Jammu Kashmir Plebiscite Front, National Liberation Front, Liberation Front, Freedom Movement and Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party. Processionists marched through major city streets chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans besides holding placards, banners and party flags bearing slogans in favour of the liberation of occupied Kashmir from Indian clutches. All the processions later turned into a big rally at Mian Muhammad Road. Addressing the rally, the leaders of different parties said the best way to pay tribute to late Maqbool Butt is to renew pledge on his martyrdom day that his mission for the freedom of occuied Kashmir would be continued till the achievement of the victory. They said that great sacrifice given by the Shaheed Maqbool Butt is a beacon light for the Kashmiri people struggling for the freedom of their motherland from Indian yoke.