Shutdown in Kishtwar, Doda, Thathri over Kashmir killings;Doda rocks with pro-freedom slogans

STATE TIMES NEWS
BHADARWAH: Unrest is fast brewing among the people of Chenab Valley over Kashmir killings and continuous use of pellet guns on unarmed civilians, as peaceful Bandhs are now turning into volatile outburst with pro freedom slogans.
Doda , Kishtwar and Thathri towns observed a shutdown today in protest against the killings and continuous siege of Kashmiri people for the last 26 days.
The shutdown call was given by Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar , Markazi Seerat Committee Doda and Masjid Committee Thathri.
The shops and other business establishments of majority community remained closed at Kishtwar, Doda and Thathri, however government offices remained opened and traffic plied on the roads normally except Kishtwar.
At Doda a massive protest really was held in which hundreds of people participated. The rally which started from Bharat road Doda culminated near DDC office after passing through all the major markets. Protesters were razing anti government and pro Azad slogans. They were demanding that use of pellet guns against innocent civilians should immediately stop and security personnels who killed and wounded innocent Kashmiris should be booked.
Senior National Conference Leader and President Markazi Seerat Community Doda, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy demanded that both State and Union Government should leave their arrogance aside and start tripartite talk without any further delay.
” Kashmir is not a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, unless Kashmiri people are taken on board, there is no fun of holding any talks. If government is really serious to resolve Kashmir issue then they should immediately start tripartite talks involving Hurriyat Conference,” said senior National Conference leader and former Home Minister Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy.
” Whenever there is a turmoil in Kashmir, only then both India and Pakistan awake from deep slumber and start talking about Kashmir problems. But till now nothing concrete has been done and they only believe in adhocism and patchwork, which is more harmful for all, India, Pakistan and Kashmir,” Suharwardy added.
Suharwardy opined that Kashmir problem should be recognised as an issue, and all the stake holders should leave their arrogance and age-old rustic rhetoric and should engage themselves in a dialogue, without any preconditions.
“Some say, Kashmir is our crown, for some Kashmir is life-line and for some keep on insisting, that Kashmir is an integral part of India, but nobody is bothered about the plight of Kashmiri people. There is continuous bloodshed, blood is oozing from every part of Kashmir and Kashmiris. This is high time to leave arrogance aside and recognise Kashmir problem as an issue,” Suharwardy demanded.
In Kishtwar, shutdown was observed against the use of brutal force on innocent civilians which resulted into the death of 54 civilians and wounding over 5,000 people.
Business establishments of particular community in Kishtwar District including schools remained closed while there was thick attendance in government offices.
The shutdown call for Kishtwar 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. However Kishtwar will also observe shutdown on Friday.
The traffic movement also remained disrupted as protesters block the road at several places.
Meanwhile Chatroo, Padyarna, Dadpath, Bonjwah, Sarthal and its adjoining areas also witnessed shutdown in support of Kashmir.
According to reports, Banihal area of Ramban District observed shutdown fir the second consecutive day today in solidarity with Kashmiri people.
Meanwhile, extra columns of police and paramilitary force were deployed in Kishtwar, Doda and Thathri towns, but no untoward incident was reported from anywhere.