All Parties Hurriyat Conference has urged Kashmiri people to observe August 5 as Black Day to reaffirm their commitment to the UN recognized right to self-determination.

The call was made through messages from detained Hurriyat leadership including chairman Mussarat Alam But and Shabhir Ahmed Shah imprisoned in Tihar jail of New Dehli.

Hurriyat leadership condemned August 5, 2019, actions of the RSS-backed BJP government which revoked IIOJK's special status.

They labelled this move an attack on Kashmir’s unique identity and highlighted violation of international laws and UN resolutions.

Meanwhile, continuing its crackdown on pro-freedom voices in the held valley, Modi government has seized property of another Kashmiri activist, Syed Kifayat Rizvi in Sharifabad area of Srinagar. 

On the other hand, New York-based Human Rights Watch, in its latest report said five years after Indian government revoked special status of IIOJK on August 5, 2019, severe restrictions on freedom of speech and association persist in the territory.

Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, Meenakshi Ganguly said Kashmiris are unable to exercise their right to free expression due to fear of arrest and prolonged detention.