Srinagar, Oct 16: Protests were held across Kashmir Valley on Sunday against the killing of a civilian from a minority community by terrorists in Chowdari Gund area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Saturday.
Various civil society groups, locals and officials of various districts held candle marches across various parts of the valley.
A civilian named Puran Krishan Bhat from a minority community was killed by terrorists, who later claimed to be the part of a banned terrorist organization Al Bader, just outside his house
The innocent killing was widely condemned by people from all quarters of life and valley wide protests were held at various places.
In Srinagar, various Civil Society groups lodged protest at Lal Chowk against the killing.
A peaceful candle march was held which was attended by scores of people to express their solidarity with the family of the deceased.
Similar protests were held in other parts of the City including Indra Nagar, where people in the evening came out on roads to hold a candlelight vigil against the killing and demanded strict action against the culprits.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, PK Pole along with a large number of people gathered at Rainawari Stadium in Old Town to participate in the silent protest against the Shopian killing.
Kulgam protests
Widespread protests were held in southern Kashmir Kulgam district.
A large number of people gathered on the streets of Kulgam to hold peaceful demonstrations and candlelight marches against the innocent civilian killing.
Protestors included members from local Auqaf Committee, Traders Federation, transporters and members of the Kulgam Municipal Council and general public.
Muneeb Ahmad, President of the Municipal Council said that we condemn the killing of innocent civilians in the strongest possible terms. “There is no room for such acts and these acts are an attack against mankind.
“No religion in the world allows us to kill an innocent citizen and no humanity allows us to do so. The attack on the minority community is an attack on humanity and we must jointly condemn it in the harshest terms,” he said.
We appeal to the LG government to ensure appropriate security and do everything possible to protect our civilians, he added.
He said that the minority community member who was killed yesterday in Shopian had been here for 35 years and was part of all the ups and downs that Kashmir has seen.
“His killing is very unfortunate and it must stop as soon as possible,” an Auqaf member said.
General public participated in the candle light march across the town where they shouted slogans against the civilian killing and showed solidarity with the family of the victim.
Shopian protests
Peaceful demonstration and candlelight march was also held in Shopian district against the killing of Puran Krishan Bhat, a resident of the district.
The demonstration was held in main town Shopian which saw participation of hundreds of people of the district.
General public who participated in the long candle light march across the town shouted slogans against the innocent civilian killing and expressed solidarity with the family of the victim.
Kupwara protests
Similar kind of peace rally cum candle march was held at Kupwara town in the evening today to condemn the innocent killings and to sensitize the people about the benefits of peace.
The rally started from Fountain Point Derzipora Kupwara, went through bye pass road and culminated at DC Office Kupwara.
The Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Doifode Sagar Dattatray, Vice Chairman, District Development Council, Kupwara, Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir, Chairman Municipal Council Kupwara, Riyaz Ahmad Mir; president Traders Federation Kupwara, Showkat Masoodi, District President BJP, Abdul Rehman, president Bus Stand Kupwara Mohammad Shafi Mir , MC councilors, PRIs and people in large number participated in the rally.
On the occasion, it was informed that the aim of holding this peace rally cum candle march was to condemn the innocent killing and to express sympathy and solidarity with the victim family of Shopian minority community.
Slogans like “stop innocent killing” and “stop terrorism in Kashmir” were written on banners from elected PRIs and senior citizens of Kupwara district.
Bandipora protests
Peaceful demonstrations in form of candle light marches were held across Bandipora district against Shopian civilian killing.
The demonstrations were held in all three major towns of Bandipora, Sumbal and Gurez.
Number of persons including civil society members, traders associations and others participated in the evening marches.
The participants raised slogans against the civilian killing and expressed solidarity with the family of the victim.
People in Sumbal Bandipora took out a protest march holding placards and candles in their hands, condemning the killing of civilians by terrorists and demanding an end to violence.
“We condemn the killing of innocents in Kashmir. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family. We want the government to investigate the crime and ensure such incidents are not repeated in the future,” said Sajad Ahmad, a protestor.
Similar, peaceful protests and candlelight protests were reported from different places in Kashmir including Baramulla, Ganderbal, Anantnag, and Pulwama.
On Saturday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the terrorist killing of a Kashmiri Pandit in the Shopian district and assured that the perpetrators will be severely punished.
“Attack on Puran Krishan Bhat by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. I assure the people that the perpetrators and those aiding and abetting terrorists will be severely punished,” he said in a tweet.
