The fight for freedom continues

In spite of all conceivable electoral foul-play and the arrest of every prominent and credible Muslim leader in the Kashmir Valley, the National Conference (NC) managed to win 42 out of 90 seats in the IIOJK state legislature. The voice of Kashmiri Muslims resonated across the Valley and beyond with a heavy turnout of almost 70 per cent in the regional polls. Along with their allies, the NC was able to secure a simple majority in the house and immediately passed a resolution which called for negotiations demanding the reinstating of Article 370 and a reversion to the pre-2019 special status for IIOJK. The Kashmiri people have not forgotten the atrocities they faced at the hands of the state machinery after August 5, 2019, when the BJP government stripped them of their lawful rights through a presidential order. Recent political developments have re-ignited Kashmiri passion for liberty and freedom and the power of the polls has once again blunted the monster of autocratic rule. The fight for the liberation of Kashmir will continue.

Farrukh Shahab

Lahore