Pahalgam Massacre: Valley rises up against terror
On Tuesday, religious organisations, trade bodies, political parties and many other groups called for a shutdown in Kashmir. Responding to the strike calls, all the towns in the Valley on Wednesday observed a shutdown and condemned the brutal attack.
In South Kashmir’s Shopian, locals said such an attack was barbaric and against humanity. “We are supporting the shutdown because such incidents are not acceptable. Which religion allows killing innocent people?” asked Ghulam Mohammad, a local Shopian resident.
He said the business community had given out a message by supporting the strike that such acts are against humanity.
Shops and business establishments also remained shut in Anantnag district. Similar reports came from all districts of the Valley. Apart from shops, schools in the Valley also remained shut on Wednesday.
Today’s shutdown across Kashmir is the first such ‘bandh’ against a terror attack in the Valley during the last few years. Before the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, shutdowns called by separatists groups were common.
Besides, protests erupted in several parts of Kashmir as people from all walks of life – including students, employees and traders – took out rallies.
Protesters were seen carrying placards that read “Stop killing innocents!” and “We stand in solidarity with victims.”
On Wednesday, students at University of Kashmir also held protests against the attack in Pahalgam, saying that they stand with the victims and their families in this hour of grief. “Violence has no place in our society,” they asserted.
At many places, candlelight marches were held across Kashmir in the evening.
Protests were also held in Pahalgam, where a local trader said, “Those associated with the tourism industry came out and held protests against the attack. This sends a strong message that locals are against the attack.”
Meanwhile, the J&K Government said that in connection with the killing of innocent civilians at Pahalgam, two-minute silence was observed by all government employees as a mark of respect to the departed souls.
J & K