Handwara: A complete shutdown is being observed on Thursday in Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on the 1990 massacre anniversary.
At least 26 people were killed by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Handwara on 25 January 1990 when the protesters from adjacent areas of the frontier town were assembling to protest against the Gawkadal massacre where 52 unarmed civilians were shot dead four days earlier.
However, 28 years down the line, locals and survivors rue that the accused in the Handwara, Gawkadal and others massacres were never brought to book. On Thursday, all private establishments were shut in the area.
Scores of locals visited martyr’s graveyard in the morning to pay homage to the massacre victims. Some people also joined the programme ‘Remembering the Martyrs’ organised by Awami Itihad Party (AIP) led by independent MLA Er Rasheed.
