Asif Iqbal Naik
KISHTWAR
In order show its solidarity with the people of Kashmir region in view of civilian killings since the death of popular Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in Kokernag area of South Kashmir on July 8, 2016, people of Kishtwar district on Thursday observed complete shutdown condemning the use of brutal force on innocent civilians which resulted into the death of at least 54 civilians and wounding over 5000 people.
As per the details available with Kashmir Life, the shutdown call was given last night by Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar Farooq Ahmed Kichloo after the decision was taken by the Majlis-e-Shoora comprising of various Imams of the Masjids and the religious bodies.
All the business establishments in Kishtwar district including schools remains closed while there was thick attendance in government offices.
The traffic movement is also completely off from the roads as the angry people were sitting on roads raising pro-freedom slogans, besides singing songs in “support of the on-going mass movement” in J&K.
Majority of the towns in the district like Chatroo, Drabshala, Padyarna, Dadpath, Bhunjwah, Sarthal and adjoining Thatri town of Doda district also witnessed complete shutdown in support of Kashmir uprising.
Bus stand Kishtwar, Old Bus Stand Kishtwar, Malik Market, Sarkoot, Sangrabata, Malipath, link road, Poochal, Bandrina, Hullar, Pohie, Asrariya Road, Bunastan, Guriyan, Tund and all other areas of Kishtwar town and its adjoining areas witnessed a deserted look due to the strike.
While addressing the gathering at Bus Stand Kishtwar, Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar Farooq Ahmed Kichloo while condemning the killings of the innocent people in Kashmir said, “the government forces were using lethal weapons against the innocent civilians and killing them in a planned manner and termed the killings of Kashmiris as a genocide and ethnic cleansing of a particular community.”
“Thousands of people were injured in open brutality from forces among which hundreds of people turned blind while hundreds of them becomes disabled with lifelong injuries,” he said and called for an end to use of lethal weapons like pellet guns on the unarmed protesters.
He said that people of whole Chenab valley including Kishtwar district are “with the on-going Kashmir movement”. “The people will continue its support to on-going freedom struggle in Jammu and Kashmir.”
He urged people to remain united and asked them “to fight and raise their voices against the oppression and continues occupation in Jammu and Kashmir”.
“The freedom movement should be on the track to attain it (freedom) under the banner of the Sharia Law (Islamic law),” he said and added, “only Islamic law could ensure the safety and security of every person including the minority communities.”
Ruing the silence of international community silence over the killings of innocent people in Kashmir, he termed it as “a shameful act” while asking the international organizations to play its role in “bringing an end to miseries and sufferings of the people of Jammu and Kashmir who are being killed since years together as a result of which over 1 Lakh people have lost their lives”.
Meanwhile, the angry people also condemned the influence of Hindu right wing RSS on PDP-BJP government and accused Chief Minister of working under RSS influence and questioned her silence.
“Instead of speaking and apologizing on the killings of innocent people and use of pellet guns, CM is giving sermons to clergy and started teaching them the basic of religion,” said a protestor.
They said that they will continue its “support to the Kashmir cause despite all odds”.
The peaceful protest continued at many places when last report came in.
The forces were deployed at several places to “check violence and other law and order problem”.
Thursday’s shutdown is the 3rd incident during the current uprising in Kashmir valley post militant commander Burhan killing.
