India urged to return remains of Maqbool Butt, Afzal Guru

LONDON: The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has called on the UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres to seek return of mortal remains of Maqbool Butt Shaheed and Afzal Guru from India.

During a large demonstration outside the Indian High Commission here, various Kashmiri nationalists groups led by Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) commemorated the 35rd Martyrdom anniversary of iconic Kashmiri leader Maqbool Butt Shaheed. Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party (JNKNAP), National Students Federation and JKLF’s faction led by Maqbool Butt’s son Shaukat Maqbool Butt also took part in the demonstration. Hundreds of protestors called on the Indian government to return mortal remains of legendary martyrs Maqbool Butt and Mohammad Afzal Guru so they could be given a dignified burial they deserve.

The two prominent heroes of Kashmir freedom struggle were executed in the Tihar Jail of New-Delhi on February 11, 1984 and on February 9, 2013 respectively by Indian occupation authorities.

Chairman JKLF Yasin Malik had directed all zonal, divisional and district level JKLF office bearers to participate in large numbers in a protest outside Indian High Commission in London. Shaukat Maqbool Butt said that Kashmiris all over the world pay tribute to Maqbool Butt every year and show solidarity with his cause. “Kashmir is not a religious or territorial dispute. This dispute is about the future of millions of people who want to live a life of dignity and respect.

“Millions of people are calling on India to return the mortal remains of my father in accordance with the principles of law and justice. However, the successive governments of India have rejected this demand and refused to return the mortal remains of the two martyrs to the people.”

Tehseen Gilani said that Kashmiris owe it to the future generations of Kashmir to highlight and spread the vision of Maqbool Butt Shaheed for which he and other thousands of Kashmiris laid their lives.