As chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted the Gaw Kadal Massacre as ‘dark day’ in recent history of Kashmir, the valley silently observed 24th anniversary of the first massacre after the eruption of militancy. For the day, business establishments around Lal Chowk and civil lines were closed down. Bilal Bahadur offers archival shots and scenes of the day.
Post massacre curfew: an hour of relaxation in old city — Photo: Mehraj DinIrfan Bhat(L) and Rouf Wani(R). 32 bullets were fired from a machine gun on Rouf’s (21) chest. He saved many lives before breathing his last.A soldier stands guard in Bohri Kadal on January 22, 1990 a day after the massacre — Photo: Mehraj DinBoy kisses the stone bearing the mention of the massacre at Gaw Kadal.Portraits of those who fell to the barrage of bullets from CRPF 24 years ago.
24 years after
This road leads to the spot of first major bloodbath in the valley. Otherwise bustling with trade activities, streets of Gaw Kadal wore deserted facade Tuesday.And then, all of the sudden ire rose from Gaw Kadal. Youth staged their protest against the 24-year-old ‘pain’.However, enforcement, was around the corner.All business establishments were closed in the areas of civil lines surrounding Lal Chowk.Kids had a day out. At least fifty civilians were killed by CRPF personnel on Jan 21, 1990 at Gaw Kadal when they fired upon a procession going towards Chota Bazar.Gaw Kadal massacre was the first after the militancy erupted in Jammu and Kashmir against the Indian rule, resulted not only in civilian deaths but it also became the basis for the Pandit migration from Kashmir.JKLF chairman, Yasin Malik addressing people in Gaw Kadal.The Gawkadal massacre occurred a day after Jagmohan took reins of the state as the governor.
