Geo World

Sikhs protest during Manmohan’s speech

NEW YORK: Hundreds of Kashmiris and Sikhs on Saturday staged separate demonstrations in front of the United Nations building as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed the 66th session of the UN General assembly. Both groups called on the international community to raise its voice aginst human rights abuses by Indian security forces in Kashmir and Punjab.A third group of about a dozen supporters of Indian Congress Party stood silently with placards of support for Sonia Gandhi and her son, Rahul, as well as Manmohan Singh. The Kashmiri group most voiferous. Carrying placards and raising slogans, they called on the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to implement its resolutions that provide for the exercise of right of self-determination by the Kashmiri people. They also called for an end to the atrocities being committed by Indian occupation forces in Kashmir. "Implement Security Council Resolutions on Kashmir," was one of the many placards carried by the protestors. Others included "UN Wake Up, Wake Up", "No Justice,No Peace," and "Indian Occupation Forces: "Out, Out", and "We Want Right Of Self-Determination." Kashmiris belonging to all political parties were present. Among those who addressed the gathering were Sardar Sawar Khan, Captain (Rtd) Shaheen Butt and Hafiz Sabir. They urged the UN to implement its own resolutions and to bring an end to the repression of Kashmiri people. The Sikhs, most of whom were wearing yellow turbans were most conspicuous.They said India practiced sham democracy that gave no rights to the minorities and carried out a repressive policy.