Srinagar Feb 11: Shahmala, mother of Muhammad Maqbool Bhat who was hanged in Tihar jail in 1984, said on Monday she felt like her son was again executed when she heard the news that Afzal Guru was send to gallows in the same prison in New Delhi on February 9.
 “I felt like my son, Maqbool was again hanged. The February 9 was reminiscent of everything that happened on the day he (Maqbool) was hanged. Afzal was like my son,” says Shahmala. Bhat’s death anniversary was observed all across Kashmir today.
 Shahmala says she could unite in grief with Afzal’s family as years before the same grief had shattered her life. “All my tears have dried up and only my heart weeps now.” she says in a voice choked with emotions.
 Shahmala has lost four sons- Habibullah Bhat in 1996, Muhammad Maqbool Bhat in 1984, Ghulam Nabi in 1994 and Manzoor Ahmed in 1995. But, the deaths of her four sons has not dampened her spirit and she believes that all those who have been killed in the last 22 years in Kashmir were part of a sacred mission.
 She proudly says that the foundations of all the sacrifices in the last two decades were laid by her son.
 “My son’s hanging on February 11, 1984 triggered an armed rebellion in Kashmir and now Afzal’s hanging would lead Kashmir towards the final goal (freedom),” she adds.
 She said it is high time for the people of Kashmir to stand against the atrocities allegedly committed by the forces.
  “I can understand the pain with which Afzal’s mother left this world. She died with the hope that one day her son will return. But, I have lost all my hope for justice,” she says on the 29th Death Anniversary of Muhammad Maqbool Bhat who was hanged on February 11, 1984. “I believe that the present storm will culminate with the fulfillment of Maqbool’s dream.”
 Zahoor Ahmed Bhat, her youngest son said Afzal’s hanging has provided an impetuous to the demand for return of mortal remains of Maqbool. “Not just Maqbool’s mortals but we will seek Afzal’s body as well. We won’t separate their companionship which they are sharing at Tihar. Both of them had so many similarities,” he said.
 In Trehgam, people assembled at Maqbool’s residence to mark his death anniversary who was the founder of Jammu and Kashmir’s Liberation Front (JKLF).

Lastupdate on : Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 IST