Kashmiris observe India’s Republic Day as black day 

Srinagar: Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and the world over are observing the Indian Republic Day as Black Day on Wednesday, to draw the international community's attention towards unlawful and forcible occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.  

The day aims to apprise the world of the continued brutalities and custodial killing of innocent people and the unabated massive violations of human rights by Indian occupying forces in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).  

To mark the Indian Republic Day as a Black Day, protest rallies and demonstrations will be held in all ten districts.

Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir – India’s Republic Day celebrations have been marked by a security clampdown, and was attended by politicians and top officers of the security apparatus.

The authorities, however, suspended internet services and thousands of soldiers patrolled the streets.

Indian forces have been deployed in massive numbers all across the occupied territory, especially around the venues of tomorrow's functions to prevent anti-India protests. 

The day is meant to remember when the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950. 

Anti-India sentiment runs deep among Kashmir’s mostly Muslim population, and most support the rebels’ cause against Indian rule, despite a decades-long military crackdown to fight dissent.

Rebel groups have been fighting since 1989 for the Indian-administered portion to become independent or merge with Pakistan.