Kashmir flag raising ceremony day

Mayor Billy Sheerin raised the Kashmir flag with Leader of the Council Allen Brett and local community leaders

Hundreds of people supported the annual Kashmir Flag raising ceremony, organised by Rochdale Kashmiri Association at Rochdale Town Hall.

Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed conducted the ceremony, messages of support from both Tony Lloyd MP and Liz McInnes MP were read out, and Mayor Billy Sheerin raised the flag.

Leader of the Council Allen Brett read out the resolution passed by the Mayor and leaders of Greater Manchester Combined Authorities, asking the Indian government to stop violations of human rights in Kashmir.

Local community leaders, members of local and Kashmiri communities also spoke to condemn human rights violations, atrocities and the complete lockdown of Jammu Kashmir now in place for over 80 days.

Javed Akhtar, Chair of the Rochdale Kashmiri Association said: “We urge immediate action by the international community to show solidarity and support to the people of Jammu Kashmir and we ask the UN to resolve the conflict through their resolutions, ensuring the Kashmiri people are fairly consulted and represented. 

"Thank you to everyone for attending the Kashmiri flag raising.”

Councillor Shakil Ahmed said: “The world community must put pressure on India to lift the curfew and allow international organisations free access to people of Jammu and Kashmir.”