Asif Iqbal Naik
KISHTWAR
Chenab Valley on Monday observed complete shutdown against killing of militant commander Burhan Wani and killing of over two dozen civilians in Kashmir by forces.
The unrest was triggered on last Friday evening when Wani was killed by forces in Kokernag area of Islamabad.
Majority towns of Chenab valley comprising Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts observed complete shutdown in protest to show its solidarity with its Kashmiri counterparts.
Vulnerable Bhaderwah town of Doda district also witnessed a complete shutdown and authorities have put extra security in place to check and communal violence in the sub-division where both the communities are in equal number.
Internet services in whole region were snapped as preventive measure while authorities failed to reach out on any consensus with regard to lifting of internet blockade from peaceful areas of Jammu Division.
As per the details available with Kashmir Life, Kishtwar observed a complete shutdown on the joint call given by Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar Farooq Ahmed Kichloo; Imam Bunastan Masjid Kishtwar Manzoor Ahmed Ganie, and separatist leader Abdul Qayoom Mattoo.
All the markets in Kishtwar district including Bus Stand Kishtwar, Old Bus Stand Kishtwar, Shaheedi Road Kishtwar, Amar Market, Gudhali Chowk, Sangrabata , Malipath , Semna Colony, Jamia Masjid Market, Chatroo, Drabshala, Padyarna Link road Kishtwar and other majority areas of the district wore deserted look.
Some people led by Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar Farooq Ahmed Kichloo also held a protest march in solidarity with familes of those killed in fresh spate of violence unleashed in Kashmir.
The protest march passed through various areas of the town including some Hindu dominated areas where elaborated security arrangements had been put in place by the police and administration.
Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Ghulam Nabi Balwan, SSP Kishtwar Sandeep Kumar Wazir and Dy SP HQ Kishtwar Touseef Rishu also accompanied the procession and issued on spot instructions with regard to maintaining peace and communal harmony and check any provocation.
While addressing the gathering, Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar extended its gratitude to non-Muslim community for extending their support and observing shutdown today.
He also urged the people to hold peaceful protests and maintain peace and communal harmony. No provocative slogans were raised during the protest march.
Some females from adjoining Sangrabata area of Kishtwar also held a protest against civilian killings but were stopped from moving towards Kishtwar town by heavy security deployment present in the area.
No report of any untoward incident was received from any area of Kishtwar district when last reports came in.
Meanwhile, a group of youths led by social activist from Doda Baber Hussain today held a protest outside Jamia Masjid Doda and raised pro-freedom, pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans. The protest continued till drafting of this news item. Heavy security was deployed in Doda town after today’s protest. Reports of peaceful protest had also been received from major and minor towns of Chenab valley.
The majority of the private and public transport remained off the roads.
Police in Kishtwar District also cleared several vehicles of pilgrims stuck at Sarthal Devi temple Kishtwar and Yatra vehicles on way to pilgrimage of Hud Matta Dachhan, beside also cleared few vehicles of pilgrims returning from Chittu Matta Yatra in Padder Kishtwar.
