Protests held in Kashmir against Pahalgam terror attack
Srinagar, Apr 23: Protests were held in several parts of Kashmir against the Pahalgam terror attack in which 25 tourists and a local were killed.
KUPWARA DISTRICT
While commercial activities remained shut and traffic movement was suspended across most parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday in protest against the Pahalgam tragedy, the border district of Kupwara also witnessed a significant impact. People gathered at various locations across Kupwara on Wednesday morning, demanding exemplary action against those involved in the tragic incident.
In a powerful demonstration of unity and grief, residents of Handwara staged a peaceful protest to condemn the terror attack. The protest was joined by Civil Society Members, Trade Associations, Transport Unions, the Imam Welfare Association, and local lumberdars.
Participants wore black cloths on their heads and arms as a mark of mourning and solidarity with the victims. The procession remained peaceful and dignified throughout, with demonstrators calling for justice and enhanced safety measures for civilians and tourists across the Kashmir Valley.
The protest march was led by social activists Towseef War and Sheikh Jamsheed, Acting President of the Traders Federation Handwara Sofi Aijaz, Advocate Mir Imran, former General Secretary of the Traders Federation Sheikh Shehzad, and columnist and entrepreneur Tariq Ahmad Banday. The Bar Association Handwara and various other community stakeholders also participated in the protest.
Speakers urged authorities to take strict action against those responsible for the attack and to ensure lasting peace and protection for all citizens in the region. Meanwhile Traders Federation Kupwara, Bar Association Kupwara led by it's President Advocate Ahrar Dar also held protest in Kupwara main town against the innocent killings in Pahalgam. ( Tarique Raheem)
PULWAMA & SHOPIAN DISTRICTS
Since Wednesday morning, south Kashmir’s Pulwama and Shopian districts witnessed a number of protests, with trade bodies, political parties, civil society groups, and the administration denouncing the Pahalgam terror attack.
In Pulwama district , traders, members of civil society, Bar Association and civil administration took to streets and held a protest demonstration against the terror attack. The streets of the town reverberated with the slogans like “ we want peace” and “ stop innocent killings’ for quite some time. Mudasir Ahmad Dar, a prominent social activist said that it was the most heinous attack in the history of Kashmir.
“It is an attack on the entire humanity. I want to tell those trying to disrupt peace here to spare us,” Dar added. He said that people of Kashmir are peace lovers and always wanted to live in peace. Deploring the attack, Musadiq Riyaz Bhat, another social activist said that he could not find words strong enough to condemn the attack. “ Such attacks defame Kashmir and Kahmiriyat”, said Bhat.
Earlier, BJP workers took a protest rally in the town to deplore the attack. Scores of BJP workers chanted slogans, demanding that the preparators should be brought to book.
In the neighbouring Shopian district, traders, lawyers, employees and political leaders hit the streets to protest against the attack. Magray Mansoor, a civil society member, said that the people of Kashmir had always stood for communal amity and peaceful coexistence, even in the face of adversity and attempts to sow discord among communities. He said that they condemned the attack in no uncertain terms.
“Tourists are our guests and we welcome them with open arms”, Magray said. BJP and PDP activists also gathered at Gole Chowk and held demonstrations against the terror attack. The workers raised slogans, condemning the killing of unarmed civilians and demanded strict punishment for those involved in the heinous crime. ( Gulzar Bhat)
BARAMULLA DISTRICT
An outrage swept through north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Wednesday against the barbaric terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam.
The area observed a complete shutdown and grieved residents staged multiple protests against the inhuman act. Shutters remained down and roads wore a deserted look as locals responded to the shutdown call given by religious and trade bodies. Shops, business establishments, and educational institutions remained closed, while traffic movement was minimal throughout the district. Shutdown was also observed in Sopore, Uri, Tangmarg, Wagoora, Kreeri, Pattan, Rafiabad and other parts of the district.
The day was marked by widespread condemnation of the attack, with protests erupting in various parts of Baramulla.
Carrying placards and chanting slogans such as “Stop killing innocent people,” people from different walks of life came out in solidarity with the victims. In a symbolic move, lawyers from the Baramulla district court staged a peaceful protest march from the court premises to the main market, strongly denouncing the killing of innocent civilians. “Terror has no place in our society. This attack is a blot on humanity,” said one of the protesting lawyers.
The members of the Traders Federation Baramulla, Civil Society, and the Transporters Union joined held a massive protest demonstration. They marched through the town streets, condemning the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, with many visibly emotional. President of the Traders Federation Baramulla, Tariq Ahmad Mughloo, said, “We have gone through decades of pain and bloodshed. We understand what the bereaved families must be feeling. Our hearts go out to them.”
While appealing for an end to violence in the Valley, he said , “Enough blood has been spilled on Kashmir’s soil. We don’t want to see more death and destruction.” The protest march culminated peacefully outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Baramulla, where people from all communities gathered to express their anguish and solidarity. The authorities of GMC Baramulla observed a five-minute to condemn the recent Pahalgam attack and honor the victims.
The observance was led by the Principal, Prof Dr Majid Jahangir, and Medical Superintendent, Dr Parvaiz Masoodi. (Altaf Baba)
BANDIPORA DISTRICT
A spontaneous shutdown was observed across Bandipora district in north Kashmir on Tuesday to mourn the killing of tourists in Pahalgam. All divisions of Bandipora district, including Gurez and Sonawari, also came to a standstill, with several protest marches held to condemn the incident.
Locals described the tragedy as a devastating blow to the region’s collective spirit and fragile economy. Ghulam Hassan Wani, 65 a resident of the area, said the incident had left the entire valley grieving. "Today, the whole of Kashmir is so sad. It is a collective mourning for us," Wani told Greater Kashmir.
"We were seeing some hope. But this incident has shattered us. No matter how much we condemn it, it is not enough. This is a tragedy against humanity," Wani said, adding, "This should have never happened."
Shamshad Ahamad, president of the local traders’ association, called it a 'black day' for Kashmir and said the community besides other factions had unitedly decided to completely shut down in protest against the killings. "This is not just the murder of our guests, this is the murder of our heart and our soul," Shamshad said.
"Our economy was already struggling, our traders were poor, but things were slowly improving. Now, we are back to square one — where we stood five or seven years ago. We condemn this in the strongest possible terms and demand justice," he said. The locals also held large protest marches and candlelight vigils, one such march was observed from mini secretariat to Bandipora stadium in the evening denouncing the attack.
Civil society groups, Traders hold protests , candle light march in Kangan, Ganderbal against Pahalgam attack ( Owais Farooqi)
GANDERBAL DISTRICT
Civil society groups as well as traders community in various areas of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district held protests on Wednesday against the innocent killings in the recent attack at Pahalgam area of south Kashmir.
A complete shutdown was observes across Ganderbal district with all the shops and private educational institutions remained closed while the traffic was off the roads. Markets in major towns including Kangan, Lar, Tulmulla, Beehama, Gund , Safapora as well as tourist destination Sonamarg wore a deserted look. Scores of traders in Sonamarg, Kangan , Ganderbal and other markets hold protest demonstrations and denounced the innocent killings in Pahalgam attack.
Shutting down their shops and businesses for several hours, the traders marched through the town, raising slogans against the perpetrators and demanding justice for the victims.
Similarly, civil society tehsil Gund and traders union Gund, held candlelight protest to protest the killings. Civil society Gund along with members of Traders union held a candlelight march and denounced the killings and sought an end to the innocent killings.( Irfan Raina)
SOPORE
Sopore town on Wednesday also observe complete shutdown and witnesses protests following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam . All shops, other business establishments and private educational institutions remained shut today in Sub-division Sopore in solidarity with innocent victims of the attack.
A massive joint protest of all stakeholders of this north Kashmir town, which includes members of civil society, traders federation, fruit traders, industrial estate, private school association, and street vendors association were carried across the town, with condemning the innocent killings.
"This is not just a terror attack - it's the murder of Kashmiriyat, said protesters, adding that "killing our guests is unforgivable. We want the killers be brought to justice and the peace of our land restored."
In a joint statement, all stakeholders expressed deep anguish over the incident, urging the government to take swift and decisive action against those responsible. “The perpetrators of such barbarity are enemies of humanity. They must be brought to justice and face the severest punishment,”they said.
Similarly, Bar association Sopore expressed its deep anguish and strong condemnation over the tragic attack on innocent tourists that occurred yesterday at Pahalgam. "We extend our heartfelt condolences and unwavering support to the victims and their bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured ones. The legal fraternity stands united in grief and stand firm against any form of violence that threatens peace and security of our country," said the Bar Association. ( Ghulam Muhammad)
