STATE TIMES NEWS
BHADARWAH: A complete shutdown was observed in the areas of Distt Doda and Kishtwar on Friday by majority community over civilian killings in Kashmir.
After several days of peaceful shutdowns during the last fortnight, today people came to streets after Friday prayers, at several places and started shouting pro-freedom and anti government slogans.
The shutdown call was given by Masjid Committee Kishtwar, Anjuman Islamia Bhadarwah, Markazi Seerat Committee Doda, Anjuman Islamia Bhalessa and Masjid Committee Thathri.
During the shutdown shops and other business establishments of particular community remained closed at Bhadarwah, Doda, Kishtwar, Thathri and Gandoh, however government offices and Banks functioned as usual. Traffic also plyed on the roads normally.
After Friday prayers massive protest was also held at Bhadarwah and Doda.
At Doda town a rally was taken out from Nehru Chowk Doda, and after passing through various markets, while raising Pro-Freedom and Anti government slogans culminated near old bus stand.
At Bhaderwah people gathered outside of Markazi (Central) Jamia Masjid after Friday prayers and started protesting against Union and State Governments and Security Forces while raising pro Azadi slogans. The protesters also tried to take out a March but were stopped by the elders from doing so.
“It’s our a peaceful protest and our simple demand is that Kashmir issue should be solved according to UN resolutions,” said Anjuman-e-Islamia Bhaderwah President, Pervaiz Ahmed Sheikh.
“The only solution to end turmoil and continuous bloodbath in Kashmir is that the people sitting at the helm of affairs, in both India and Pakistan should initiate Tripartite talks involving all the stake holders including Kashmiris,” he added.
After protesting for an hour, people gathered inside Markazi Jamia Masjid and held a special prayer for the Kashmiris, who got killed and wounded by the security forces.
The people also prayed for the common masses of Kashmir who have been put under seize and are living in most testing circumstances for the last 28 days.
In Kishtwar, people observe shutdown and sat on Dharna at Bus Stand to show their solidarity with the people of Kashmiri who were being targeted with brutal force which resulted into the death of 54 civilians and wounding over 5000 people so far.
Business establishments of particular community in Kishtwar District remained closed.
The shutdown call for Kishtwar was given by Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar Farooq Ahmed Kichloo after yesterday’s protest.
The traffic movement also remained disrupted as protesters block the road at several places.
Meanwhile administration had sounded red alert in entire District Doda and Kishtwar and extra deployment of para military forces and police was made in an around at all the sensitive places.
However the protest and Bandh passed off peacefully in all areas of District Doda and Kishtwar and no untoward incident was reported from any part as the last reports came in.
