By Tasaduq Hussain
Kupwara: Complete shutdown is being observed in Handwara Town in north Kashmir to mark the 29th anniversary of victims of alleged Border Security Forces firing on this day in 1990 in which 21 people were killed.
Joint resistance leadership had called for compete shutdown in the area to pay tributes to the victims.
Scores of locals thronged to the graveyard were the victims are burried and to pay tributes.
Complete shutdown is being observed in Handwara, langate, Qalamabad, Mawer, Villagam, Rajwar and other areas.
All tution centers and other business hubs were closed to mark the 29th death anniversary of the massacre.
Traffic movement was off the raods as well.
“Forces have been deployed in the area to tackle any pro freedom procession,” reports said.
In 1990, a pro freedom procession has assembled in Handwara chowk..
A vehicle of BSF from Waripora Handwara, (No. HVN-7717) appeared near police station Handwara and tried to make its way through the procession, protestors didn’t allow it to pass on.
This infuriated the BSF men who opened fire on the unarmed protestors.
BSF troopers showered the bullets entered into the police station Handwara and ransacked the records and furniture and beat up police men.
The valley was on boil those days, On Jan 21, 22, 23, 24, there were massive protests in entire Kashmir including Handwara town of Kupwara district against the Gawkadal massacre.