Srinagar: Stating that they were working on “transition from weekly protest calendars to long-term programs and initiatives”, the resistance leadership Wednesday relaxed its protest program announcing shutdown on Fridays and Saturdays only, till December 31.
The resistance leaders – Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik – in a joint statement said: “The last six-month public uprising has taken our freedom struggle forward and opened up the possibilities and scope of our struggle, and we have moved closer to our goal.”
“Now it’s time to consolidate our gains and build upon them in order to move ahead further. In this regard the leadership feels that a long-term sustainable strategy based on proactive initiatives, programs and sustainable modes of protest with maximum public participation in their creation and implementation and minimum costs for the people, is the way forward,” they said.
Elaborating, the resistance leaders said: “With these objectives in mind, the leadership is working on a plan for transition from weekly protest calendars to a long-term plan of programs and initiatives.”
“Despite curbs, efforts are on to reach out to all sections of society including students, traders, transporters, teachers, lawyers, artists, writers, artisans and others to discuss the idea with them, seek their suggestions and their assurance of participation and support to the long term plan.”
“Since most of the leadership has been caged and all kinds of hurdles have been put in place to thwart and sabotage our every move by force, the announcement of the transition plan may take some more time. In the meantime, a weekly protest calendar for the next couple of weeks is issued,” it said.
The leadership while commending people for their “steadfastness and readiness to act,” said, “What we always need to keep in mind is that our collective efforts and sacrifices as a nation are for a long-term outcome and not for some short term gains.”
“So we have to prepare ourselves and be ready for a long struggle and make struggle and resistance a part of our life,” they added.
The resistance leaders announced the protest program from December 16 to December 31.
Fridays: On Fridays, the resistance leaders have called for ‘Freedom Congregation.’ “Post Friday prayer, hold Freedom Congregations across Jammu & Kashmir at the places identified and agreed upon locally and mutually; Resistance/Masjid Committees/Youth Volunteers of Villages/Localities coordinate & ensure the arrangements,” they said. “On this day, there will be no relaxation.”
Saturdays: On Saturdays, the resistance leaders have called for ‘Tehsil Headquarters Azadi March.’ “From 7 a.m, join Azadi march towards respective Tehsil Headquarters. March on two wheelers (Motorcycles & Bicycles) and march by foot; If and wherever stopped, assemble, occupy and protest at that place till 4 p.m; Resistance/Masjid Committees/Youth Volunteers of these areas coordinate and ensure the arrangements,” they said. “On this day there will be no relaxation.”
Full relaxation days: The resistance leaders have called for full day relaxations on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays till December 31, 2016.
“On Sundays, people are requested to use exclusively public transport for the support of transport community; As a social and community responsibility, encourage your family and friends as well for the same,” they said.
On Mondays, the resistance leaders have called for sit-in protest from 2:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m by pro-freedom organizations at Tehsil Headquarters along with placards and banners highlighting the “atrocities” in the present uprising.
On Tuesdays, the resistance leaders have urged women to observe Women’s Day.
“On this day, assemble & occupy local chowks and centres from Zuhr to Asr in the vicinity of your mohallas, villages and localities; Protest with Flags, Placards and Banners with Freedom messages and slogans,” they said.
On Wednesdays, they urged lawyers to stage sit-in protest from 2:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m in court premises.
On Thursdays, they have urged people to use exclusively public transport for the support of transport community. ”As a social and community responsibility, encourage your family and friends as well for the same,” they said.
The resistance leaders urged people to observe shutdown across Jammu & Kashmir on all days except for the relaxation mentioned in the program.
“Relaxation period is for all including public and private transport as well as factories, educational institutions and other industrial unit holders. Public and private vehicular movement not to be stopped after 10 p.m to 8 a.m on all nights. Lockdown all the routes entering your Mohallas, Villages and localities by every means during night to protect people in general and youth in particular from the raids and arrests by Indian forces and J&K Police. Play Islamic and AzadiTaranas from Maghrib to Isha on all days,” the resistance leaders said.