Srinagar, January 14: Likening Gawkadal Massacre to the Jallianwala Bagh, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (M) senior leader and Jammu and Kashmir People’s Political Party (PPP), Chairman, Engineer Hilal Ahmad War has called for a shutdown in the entire Civil Lines and adjoining areas on January 21, 2019 to mark the anniversary of Gawkadal martyrs.
“The entire Civil Lines area shall observe complete shutdown to commemorate the 29th anniversary of Gawkadal massacre,” said a PPP statement.
War said, “This was the first major massacre in Kashmir since the creation of Kashmir Problem, committed and carried out by occupational forces of India after the inception of politico-armed struggle for the ‘Right to Self-determination’ of the people of Jammu and Kashmir . In this brutal and horrified massacre 52 innocent and unarmed civilians were killed in cold blood, 250 sustained serious bullet injuries inflicted by Indian Occupational Forces on January 21, 1990.
Engineer Hilal said, “This carnage was a well thought out plan of the then Home Ministry of India and it was aimed at paving the way for Kashmiri Pandits’ exodus from Kashmir.” He further reiterated his statement that the conspiracy of Kashmiri Pandits exodus was hatched by the then Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Jagmohan’.
Mr. War urged International Human Rights Organization to set up an International Independent Tribunal to probe the Gawkadal Massacre so that the conspirators and perpetrators of this heinous crime are unmasked and punished under International Law.
“The Gowkadal massacre was a politically motivated project which was followed by a chain of massacres carried out by the Indian forces at many other places like Handwara, Zukura, Bijbehara, Khanyar, Hazratbal, Sopore etc,” he said, “the best way to pay the homage to the martyrs is to keep their Mission Kashmir alive.”
While terming this massacre as the Jallianwala Bagh of Kashmir, War appealed the people of Civil Lines area, particularly tradesmen, to observe a complete shutdown like they have been always doing. Areas like Gowkadal, Maisuma, Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Court Road, Ghoni Khan, Saraibala, Red Cross Road, Abi Guzar, Polo view, Residency Road, Regal Chowk, M.A. Road and Hari Singh High Street will observe a strict shutdown as a mark of respect to the January 21 martyrs.
He also appealed the people of Jammu and Kashmir to follow in letter and spirit the programmes given by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL).
