The state in Kashmir has shown its true colors by increasing repression on comrades arrested yesterday when they were protesting for the basic demands of the peoples of Kashmir.

The comrades arrested by the police were subjected to severe torture and were accused of serious crimes that they had never committed. In reality, they are being punished for raising the voice of the impoverished people of Kashmir who were devastated by a massive earthquake on 8^th October 2005.

The police has falsely accused the arrested comrades of attempting to kill and injure others. Also allegations are made on disturbing the state procedures. All these allegations are false as the comrades were carrying out a peaceful rally to remind the state of its promises it had made after the earthquake.

The state in its nervousness attacked the peaceful protesters and baton-charged them.

Now the arrested comrades are not allowed to meet anyone and no copy of the FIR (First Information Report) filed is being given to anyone.

Amjad Shahswar, one of the injured comrades

The comrades in the rally recorded the police brutality and state repression through their mobile cameras but the police snatched their mobiles and baton-charged them as well so that no evidence of their brutality remains.

Now the arrested comrades have been shifted to jail and they may have to face the long and tedious procedure of facing a mock trial by the court, which is a puppet of the state. The state may put allegations of terrorism on our comrades in order to give them harsh punishments.

Members of the JKNSF and PTUDC organised a mass rally for the release of the comrades in Rawlakot today. The rally was massive and people from all walks of life joined these protesters. They took a round of main roads of the city and again had to face state repression when the police reverted to baton-charge them.

Now the comrades in jail are in total custody of the state and their physical condition is not being told to anybody. We appeal to workers of the world to come forward and support the comrades in Kashmir who are facing brutal state repression.