Asif Iqbal Naik
KISHTWAR
The protest over the killings of over three dozen civilians post death of militant commander Burhan Wani spilled out of Kashmir valley and people in large numbers Friday held protests at Bus Stand Kishtwar.
Raising pro-Azaadi and anti-India slogans, the people demanded immediate stopping of the killings of innocent people in Kashmir valley.
As per the details available with Kashmir Life, Majlis-e-Shoora committee Kishtwar headed by Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar Farooq Ahmed Kichloo after postponing the strike call on Monday due to three days Annual Sarthal Devi Yatra called for the Kishtwar shutdown which passed off peacefully today.
The business community of Kishtwar pulled down shutters and the streets of Kishtwar wore deserted look while the transport remained off the roads throughout the day.
The educational institutes including schools and coaching institutes also remained closed on the call given by Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar.
The angry people installed brackets at all entry and exit points and chocked the roads leading to Kishtwar town as major small and minor towns of Kishtwar district observed the shutdown against killing of civilians in Kashmir unrest.
People in large numbers after today’s congregational Friday prayers assembled at Bus Stand Kishtwar where they held strong protest against the killings of civilians in Kashmir and resorted to massive anti-India and pro-freedom slogans and “vowed to continue its fight for seeking independence of Kashmir from India”.
The protesters while raising pro-Burhan slogans stopped some youths from capturing videos of the protest and told them to delete the videos, but due to intervention of Imam Jamia Masjid the situation was brought under control.
While addressing the protesters, Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar Farooq Ahmed Kichloo condemned the killings of innocent Kashmiri protesters and accused the PDP-BJP government of using excessive force against the unarmed protesters in Kashmir and questioned the authorities for using lethal methods to quell protests in Kashmir valley.
“Compared to other parts of country where water and other non-lethal methods are being used against the protesters,” he said, “in J&K forces uses maximum lethal weaponry to tackle the protesters who even were holding protest over water crises or over any other local issues of day to day life.”
He urged upon the international community to take the notice of brutality in Kashmir where more than 3000 people were injured post Burhan Wani killing.
He also made an appeal to the youths to maintain peace and communal harmony and urged upon them to respect the minority community sentiments and protect their lives and property by not resorting to hooliganism under any circumstances.
He also extended thanks to Hindu community for their cooperation.
The shops of Hindu Community falling in Muslim dominated areas preferred to close their shops to help the police and administration in maintaining law and order.
Imam Jamia Masjid later asked the youths and the people to get disbursed off peacefully without resorting to any sloganeering and told them that whatever decision will be taken after meeting of Majlis-e-Shora committee, the same will be brought into their notice at an appropriate time.
No separatist or any hardliner leader was allowed to address the protesters by Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar who appealed for peaceful protest and shutdown and did not want to escalate the tension in the district ahead of annual Machail Yatra which is commencing in next few days involving business interests of both the communities.
Earlier, elaborate security arrangements were put in place by police and the administration to thwart any attempt of separatist leader to hold protest march from adjoining Masjids towards Kishtwar Bus Stand located in the heart of the town.
Police and administration also utilized the help of members of civil society, political parties and social activist for motivating the people to maintain peace, communal harmony and brotherhood in the district that has witnessed large scale communal violence in August 2013.
Meanwhile, protests were also held in Doda town where large number of people under the banner of Sehrat-e-Committee Doda headed by Abdul Qayoom Zargar and held strong protests against the killings of civilian in Kashmir.
Bhaderwah town of Doda also witnessed complete shutdown after Anjuman-e-Islamia Bhaderwah announced shutdown call soon after announcement was made by Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar last night.
