Srinagar: Kashmir region observed a strike on the call of resistance leadership which was called in continuity of the protest calendar being issued since July 8 when forces killed popular Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Muzzafar Wani, in an encounter in Bemdoora area of Islamabad district.
In view of Friday, authorities since early morning had deployed additional contingents of forces in sensitive areas of Srinagar including in Old City. However, there was no restriction on the movement of people.
Additional forces men were also deployed in Civil Lines areas including in Maisuma, Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk and adjoining areas. Almost all the shops, petrol pumps, commercial units and were closed. But transport was unaffected. Reports of partial shutdown were received from other parts of the Valley as well
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in Tral sub-division of South Kashmirs Pulwama district on Friday to mark the second death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Abid Khan while as Kupwara district too remained shut to remember victims of 27 January 1994 massacre.
Reports and witnesses said that shops and other business establishments remained closed in Tral town while public transport was off the roads.
Meanwhile, minor clashes erupted between youth and government forces after Friday prayers near Hamdania market.
Abid Khan, alias Hamza of Handoora Tral was killed along with his associate, Sheeraz Ahmed Dar of village Avurygund in an encounter with forces on January 27, 2015.
A complete shutdown was observed in Kupwara district against the cold-blooded massacre of 27 civilians including three policemen allegedly by the soldiers of 31 Indian Medium Regiment on 27 January 1994.
All the shops and business establishments remained closed and transport was off the roads. The government offices and banks also noticed thin attendance in the town.
With regard to the said massacre, Chairman International Forum for Justice Muhammad Ahsan Untoo said that they have already filed a petition in State Human Rights Commission but till date no action has been initiated against the culprits.
It was on 27 January 1994 when the troopers of 31 Medium Regiment allegedly gunned down 27 civilians in Kupwara district for observing shutdown on the eve of Indias Republic Day.
Justice continues to elude the families of victims even after the expiry of 23 long years.
The First Information Report vide number 19/1994 under section 302, 307 lodged in Police Station Kupwara reads, in a criminal assault, the soldiers of 31 Medium Regiment who were on road opening party duty led by field officer S. Bakshi gunned down scores of people in indiscriminate firing in Kupwara market and its vicinity without any provocation. (With inputs from GNS)
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