Shah Hilal
QAZIGUND
Thousands of people have assembled in Government High School grounds in South Kashmir’s Qazigund area on Tuesday while many, many more are on their way to the venue.
This is despite the fact that forces had raided the venue in Panzath area this morning. Intense tear gas shelling forced people to flee for safety, however, they showed defiance and resisted the attack.
The local populace of Panzath have made preparations for those who have come to participate in the pro-freedom rally.
Kashmir is witnessing a renewed uprising since July 09, 2016 triggered by the killing of popular militant commander Burhan Wani on July 08, 2016. At least 71 civilians have been killed while over 9000 persons have been injured by forces during mass anti-India protests.
Holding pro-freedom rallies have become a daily affair in South Kashmir and hundreds such have been held. People locally manage these rallies, which extend for whole day, and also serve people food and water.
Forces had raided Panzath village this morning in attempt to thwart the rally from happening. They fired N number of tear gas canisters in the village. It was suffocating as the atmosphere was engulfed in tear gas. One could not breathe smoothly.
By foot, through fields and vegetable farms, the chain of people towards the venue did not break. People from many villages including Nowpora, Mehmoodabad, Dooru, Shankar Pora, Wanpora, Qazigund made it to the venue and Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Islamabad chief Mir Hafizullah addressed it.
