Shutdown in India-controlled Kashmir marks Black Day

People in Indian-controlled Kashmir have launched a shutdown to mark the occasion of Black Day, as India celebrates its independence from British rule, Press TV reports.

Kashmiris deserted streets and closed businesses in protest at India’s decades-long administration of the disputed Himalayan region.

Residents have long criticized India for forcibly occupying the territory of Kashmir, which otherwise has been a free princely state.

Meanwhile, India celebrated its 68th Independence Day on Friday, marking a break from British rule in 1947.

“Today you are celebrating [your] Independence Day. You fought for it…. Thousands of people also have died in the Indian freedom struggle. But there is a nation whose freedom…[was] snatched [by you], and you are using the same aggressive military tactics to curb our freedom movement,” said Yaseen Malik, a member of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front.

India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had promised the right of self-determination to people of Kashmir in 1948.

However, Kashmiris have been demanding either independence from the Hindu-majority country or a merger with Muslim-majority Pakistan.

“We have tried our best to further the peace process between India and Pakistan, but importantly we have taken initiatives for the development of this region,” said Omar Abdullah, Kashmir Chief Minister.

Islamabad and New Delhi have fought two wars over Kashmir since their independence from British colonial rule. The arch rivals lay claim over the whole region but control parts of it.

India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control in 2003, and a year later launched talks aimed at brokering regional peace.

The process was, however, suspended after over 160 people lost their lives in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants.