New Delhi

In an unprecedented move, angry people took to the streets and held candlelight vigils in Srinagar and many towns of Kashmir to protest against the latest targeted killing of Puran Krishan Bhat in village Chowdari Gund, South Kashmir, by terrorists.

The protesters were demanding an end to the “killings of innocents,” “Justice for Tej Krishan Bhat” and an end to terrorism.

This is for the first time that anti-terror protests have been held across so many locations in Kashmir. Puran Krishan Bhat was killed by terrorists inside his orchard located close to the house. A group claiming to be from the terror organization Al Badr claimed it.

In Srinagar, a large number of youths held a candlelight vigil at Ghantaghar of Lal chowk on Sunday evening. The volunteers held placards with the message “Terrorism, not in my name” Akhir kab Tak" (How long will it continue and raised slogans) “Puran Krishan Bhat Amar rahey.”

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, PK Pole with a large number of people and officials gathered at Rainawari Stadium in Old Town and held a silent protest against the Shopian killing.

Protest demonstration in Srinagar(Twitter)

The Srinagar city’s Indra Nagar area saw people coming out and lighting candles on the roadside candles in solidarity with the family of the slain Kashmiri Pandit.

In the southern Kashmir town of Kulgam, people gathered on the streets and held peaceful demonstrations against the killings of Bhat and other innocents. The members of the local Auqaf Committee, Traders Federation, transporters, and the Kulgam Municipal Council joined the protests.

Muneeb Ahmad, President of Kulgam Municipal Council told the media: “We condemn the killing of innocent civilians in the strongest possible terms. There is no room for such acts and these acts are an attack against mankind.

“No religion in the world allows us to kill an innocent citizen and no humanity allows us to do so. The attack on the minority community is an attack on humanity and we must jointly condemn it in the harshest terms,” he said.

He said that Bhat had lived there all 35 years after other Hindus had left the Valley due to the rise in terrorism and yet he was killed “His killing is very unfortunate and it must stop as soon as possible,” an Auqaf member told Rising Kashmir newspaper.

The general public participated in the candlelight march across the town and people raised slogans like “Begunahon ka katal, band karo “and expressed solidarity with the family of the victim.

Demonstration in Srinagar

Similar protests were also held in Shopian, the home district of slain Puran Krishan Bhat, whose mortal remains were consigned to flames in Jammu amidst heart rendering scenes. Hundreds of people joined the demonstration.

In the border town of Kupwara, the protest march was led by Showkat Masood, President Kupwara Traders’ Federation. The procession passed through the main streets of the town and culminated at the office of the District headquarters.

Showkat said, “We aimed to condemn the killing of a Pandit man in Shopian.”

People kept joining the demonstration as it moved through the town’s main road and reached the highway. “Showkat said, “Muslims, Pandits, Sikhs, elected Municipal counselors, members of the Traders federation, and the common people joined the candlelight vigil at the office of the Deputy commissioner.”

ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION IN KASHMIR

“We support our Pandit brothers in this hour of grief. We, citizens of Kupwara, condemn all innocent killings and want to convey a message to the world that such killings won't be tolerated and will be condemned at all fronts.”

The Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Doifode Sagar Dattatray, Vice Chairman, District Development Council, Kupwara, Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir, Chairman Municipal Council Kupwara, Riyaz Ahmad Mir; president Traders Federation Kupwara, Showkat Masoodi, District President BJP, Abdul Rehman, president Bus Stand Kupwara Mohammad Shafi Mir, MC councilors, PRIs and people in large number participated in the rally. 

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Similar protests were held in Bandipora, Sumbal and Gurez, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Anantnag, and Pulwama.