Shutdown, protests in several areas
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 23: Protests erupted across the length and breadth of Kashmir today as political parties, trade bodies and socio-religious organisations rose up against terrorists who killed 26 people in Pahalgam in Anantnag district.
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Kashmiris poured into the streets across towns and villages to express their grief and condemn the massacre of innocent civilians. They sent out a clear message: Not in our name.
Political parties cutting across ideologies denounced the deadliest terror strike in the Valley since the Pulwama attack in 2019.
The iconic clock tower, popularly known as Ghanta Ghar, became the convergence point for demonstrations. Political parties, including the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party, took out protest marches from their respective offices, which culminated at the historic square at Lal Chowk.
Various trade and civil society groups also held sit-ins at Ghanta Ghar.
Condemning the gruesome killings, several political parties and multiple organisations had called for a complete bandh in the Valley today.
A majority of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were closed in Srinagar and other areas in Kashmir. Public transport was sparse and private schools remained shut.
The day saw peaceful protests at several places across the Valley, with the protesters denouncing the attack and calling for stopping the killing of innocent people.
Common people on the streets called for effective steps to root out terrorism once and for all.
“This should not happen, not in the name of Kashmir and not in the name of Islam. Islamic teachings value human life to the point that taking an innocent life is akin to killing the entire humanity,” Haji Bashir Ahmad Dar, a resident of Srinagar city said.
At a protest in Kulgam, G M Banday, a fruit grower, said the Government should take steps to eradicate the menace of terrorism so that incidents like the Baisaran attack do not recur.
“Steps should be taken to uproot terrorism at the earliest so that such incidents do not happen again. People of Kashmir have always been against terrorism. However, conspiracies are being hatched to malign the Kashmiri community and hit the local economy. Such acts affect the livelihood of locals,” Banday said.
“We are protesting here to send a message to the world that Kashmiris are not with terrorism. We condemn the attack on tourists in Pahalgam,” said Tauseef Ahmad War, a social activist, who was among the protesters in Handwara town of Kupwara district in north Kashmir.
Civil society groups and political parties took out protests in other districts including Baramulla, Kupwara, Anantnag and Ganderbal.
At some places, protests were held against Pakistan.
The PDP protest was led by party president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who marched from the party headquarters to the city’s iconic clock tower, joined by supporters holding placards. Senior party leaders, including Pulwama MLA Waheed ur Rehman Parra and former Minister Asiya Naqash, also participated in the rally.
The placards read: “It is an attack on us.”
Speaking to reporters after reaching the clock tower, Mehbooba said that Kashmiris felt “ashamed” for not being able to protect those who had come to visit the Valley for leisure.
“The attack was not just on tourists-it was an attack on Kashmiriyat. It was an attack on all of us. We will not tolerate this at any cost,” she said.
Later in the evening, the J&K Peoples Conference, led by MLA Handwara Sajad Lone, held a candlelight march condemning the Pahalgam attack.
Speaking to reporters at the march, Sajad praised the people for observing a shutdown in protest against the innocent killings, saying it had sent a clear message to the perpetrators of the attack.
A separate protest rally was held by the ruling National Conference (NC), led by Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani.
The protest was joined by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s two sons, along with other senior leaders and MLAs.
Participants carried placards reading, ‘Violence will never win; united in grief,’ denouncing the Pahalgam terror attack, and raised slogans such as ‘Stop innocent killings.’
Speaking to reporters, the CM’s Advisor reiterated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have never supported terrorism.
“People of J&K, especially those in the Kashmir valley, have never sided with terrorism. We have condemned such acts in the past and will continue to do so,” he said.
J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra termed the attack a “national tragedy”.
“No words to express grief and sorrow, the bloodshed at Pahalgam has left us completely devastated, it is a National tragedy,” he said.
The party also took out a candle light march, condemning Pahalgam attack and expressing solidarity with victims
All trade, travel, industry, transport and educational institutions remained shut, while protests condemning the attack were held throughout the day.
In Pahalgam, protestors raised slogans such as “Stop innocent killings,” urging security forces to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators.
“This attack has bruised our hearts. If the Army needs the youth, we are ready to join them to catch those responsible for this act,” said a local resident, Manzoor Ahmad.
In Ganderbal, people vowed to uphold communal harmony and urged the Government to take effective measures to end the killings of innocents.
“Those who have committed this act are beasts and should be brought to justice without delay. I urge the Home Minister to ensure such incidents do not recur,” said Ghulam Nabi, a protestor.
He added that tourism had been a source of livelihood for many, and that the attack had jeopardized their future. “We will not be at peace until those responsible are identified and punished,” he said.
Another protestor, Wasim Ahmad, also condemned the attack, stating, “It is akin to killing humanity.”
In Pulwama, protestors echoed similar sentiments, calling for an end to the killings and urging the government to uncover the “conspiracy” behind the attack.
“It is a conspiracy to damage our economy and an attack on peace. The truth must come out, and those behind it must be exposed,” said the locals.
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