ISLAMABAD: Complete shutdown, marked by forceful anti-India demonstrations, was observed in Indian occupied Kashmir to mark today as Youm-e-Mazahmat.
Call for the shutdown and holding of demonstrations was given by the joint resistance leadership comprising the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Syed Ali Gilani, and Hurriyet leaders, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik. All shops and business establishments remained closed while traffic was off the road, Kashmir Media Service (KMS) reported.
People took to the streets in Srinagar, Badgam, Bandipore, Sopore, Islamabad, Pulwama, Shopian and other areas and shouted pro-freedom, pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans.
The demonstrators were led by Hurriyet leaders including Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi, Zafar Akbar Butt, Qazi Yasir, Shabbir Ahmed Dar and Imtiyaz Reshi.
Indian police resorted to teargas shelling and lathi-charge to disperse the protesters in Sopore and other areas.
Hurriyet leaders, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Bilal Siddiqui, Musaddiq Aadil, Farooq Ahmed Dar and Feroz Ahmed Khan in their addresses to public gatherings and statements paid glowing tributes to the victims of Gawkadal massacre on the eve of their martyrdom anniversary.
They termed the carnage as the worst chapter in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.
