Shutterdown strike in occupied Kashmir against Indian atrocities

SRINAGAR (Web Desk) – Complete shutterdown strike is being observed in occupied Kashmir on Wednesday against the bloodbath unleashed by Indian forces in Pulwama and other parts of the territory.

The resistance leadership in a joint statement issued in Srinagar also appealed to the people to offer funeral prayers in absentia for three youth killed by the troops at Hakhripora in Pulwama, yesterday.

The leadership comprising Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik said that the shutdown was also against the continued raids, torture and arrest of youth, and the frequent crackdown and search operations by the troops in villages of south Kashmir in which common people were targeted.

They urged India to shun its rigidness and stubborn approach towards the Kashmir dispute and understand that without its resolution, peace in South Asia was impossible.

The yesterday’s killing had sparked protests and shutdown across the Kashmir Valley. The puppet administration in an attempt to prevent anti-India protests against the killings had ordered an immediate suspension of Internet services and closure of all schools and colleges in the valley.

The protests first erupted in Pulwama district where residents clashed with the troops in Harkipora area. The troops had killed two youth after destroying a building with chemical weapon and another youth during firing on the people protesting against the killing in the area.

Shutdown was observed in many districts, while public transport remained suspended in many parts of the territory.

Students also held protests at colleges in several districts, including at Srinagar’s Amar Singh College, Sri Pratab College, Islamia College and University of Kashmir. Outside Amar Singh College, the police fired teargas shells to disperse the protesters. As protests appeared to escalate, the divisional administration ordered an immediate closure of schools and colleges in the Valley.