People in Indian-occupied Kashmir Valley observed the Martyrs Day under curfew condition with business completely shut down and army patrolling roads and streets in the capital city of Srinagar. Section 144 was also imposed to ensure that people do not assemble to take out rallies. In what could be termed as the harshest action, the authorities placed top Kashmiri leaders including Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Nayeem Ahmed Khan under house arrest apparently to deprive them of leading protest rallies planned to mark the day. On this day (July 13), 21 Kashmiri freedom fighters were put before the firing squad on the orders of the Hindu ruler of the State. The Martyrs Day was also observed in Pakistan and most of the countries across the world where Kashmiri people live to pay homage to the sacrifices offered by their forefathers. Every year on this occasion Indian forces apply tough measures to avoid people of Kashmir assembling in a large number to protest against illegal occupation of their lands. The images that have gone out from Srinagar on Wednesday must have shown to the world community how human rights violations are taking place in a land of innocent and un-armed Kashmiri people. India can no longer hoodwink the international opinion and continue with its prolonged suppression and deny the people of the Valley their right of self-determination recognised by the United Nations Security Council. Sooner or later, New Delhi will have to budge or it would continue to bleed. In the present day world, it is difficult to maintain illegal occupation of a state against the aspiration of its people. Kashmir conflict is a core issue between India and Pakistan and sooner the leadership of both the countries resolve it, the sooner South Asian region would see peace and harmony. India should shun its stubborn attitude and let the dialogue with Pakistan take its natural course failing which it would continue to bleed. The choice is Indias and it should take the benefit before time runs out.