KL Report
SRINAGAR
Various religious, separatists, traders groups and bar association have called for shutdown against the killing of protestors by BSF men in Ramban in Jammu region on Thursday.
The parts of Srinagar observed a spontaneous shutdown protesting the killings. Shopkeepers brought down their shutters in Kashmir’s city centre Lal chowk and traffic went thin after the news of the killings became viral.
Senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani while condemning the heinous act of BSF said, “BSF men desecrated the Holy Quran and beat a local Moulvi Sahab in a mosque compelling people not to participate in the late night Prayers,” Hurriyat (G) spokesman, Ayaz Akbar told Kashmir Life, adding that the chairman Syed Ali Geelani has appealed people of Jammu and Kashmir to observe complete shutdown for three days from Friday and hold protests against the incident.
Chairman of his faction, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also called for a shutdown tomorrow on Friday. Mirwaiz, who is also head priest of the valley also called for protest demonstrations after Friday prayers.
Loudspeakers in Jamia Masjid – Srinagar’s biggest mosque – urged people to observe shutdown.
Muhammad Yasin Malik , JKLF Chairman took out a protest march in Lal Chowk Thursday, but was arrested by police following which situation went out of control and massive protests took place.
Youth shouted pro-freedom and anti- India slogans and engaged police and para military forces in ding dong battles. JKLF chief called upon people to observe shutdown on Friday.
Police resorted to tear gas shelling and baton charge. Malik while condemning the sacrilege and the killings called for a complete shutdown on Friday, “It is one of the biggest crimes committed by terrorist forces of India in Kashmir.”
He also asked people to converge at Lalchowk (the main city centre in Srinagar) for a protest rally on Friday.
Meanwhile, Kashmir Bar Association while condemning the Ramban killings took out a protest rally from the premises of Lower court Srinagar.
Shouting anti-India and azaadi slogans, the lawyers’ body demanded action against the killers and called for complete shut down for three days from tomorrow. The lawyers’ rally culminated at Ganta Ghar in city centre.
Chairman Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Shabir Ahmad Shah while strongly condemning the opening of fire on protestors, who were protesting against the desecration of the Holy Qur’an by BSF personnel, has called for complete shutdown on Friday.
According to a DFP spokesman, “Shabir Shah made it clear that more India will inflict its brutalities on Kashmiris the more passionate about freedom Kashmiris will become,” adding, “the basic reason of hurting religious sentiments and endangering of their life and dignity is their slavery because there is no reverence of the life, dignity and emotions of slave nations.”
Chairman Jammu and Kashmir National Front, Nayeem Khan while condemning the killing of civilians in Ramban, also called for a complete shutdown on Friday.
The valley’s top business body, KCC&I, while condemning the massacre of innocent Muslims in Ramban, demanded a time-bound-probe in the carnage.
In an emergency meeting, the trade body said the massacre is the gravest of crimes which is intolerable. The KCC&I calls upon the entire trade fraternity of Kashmir to be united in this hour of grief and extend full support to the victimized Muslim community of the area.
Independent Legislator and MLA Langate, Er Rashid tried to take out a protest rally Thursday against the killings, but was stopped and arrested by police and later detained at Kothi Bagh police Station.
Locals in Gool area in district Ramban alleged that security personnel stormed into a Madrassah late Wednesday night where they beat up the cleric and tore pages of the Holy Quran. This sparked off protest demonstrations at a number of places in the area. There has been no official word about the incident or the casualties from the government so far.
Rajeev Krishna, IG, BSF said that BSF worked with maximum restrained but there were casualties. A BSF man has also been injured.
The state chief minister Omar Abdullah has maintained hush over the issue so far.
we condemn it. what prob will do. where are the results of earlier probs. CM has himself expressed helplessness on many occasions for nil results of the probs. This is simply to dilute the issue becuz unless AFSAPA goes and security forces are made accountable, no results are expected. Such incidents will continue so long as security forces rule the state and the government watches as mute spectator.