Normal life was hit in Handwara town of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district following a general strike against the cold-blooded massacre of 21 civilians allegedly by the Border Security Forces (BSF) personnel on 25 January 1990.The markets remained closed and transport was off the roads. The government offices and banks also remained shut in the town.Congregational Fateah Khawani was held at Shaheed Mazaar, Handwara. People paid rich tributes to the martyrs and said that their sacrifices will always be remembered. Legislator from Langate constituency Engineer Rasheed held a march from Environmental Hall that culminated at Shaheed Mazar where he along with his activists offered prayers in favour of victims of the massacre.
At least 21 persons were killed and 40 others injured when BSF personnel allegedly resorted to indiscriminate firing near State Bank of India, Handwara on same day 25 years ago. Abdul Rahman who lost his son in the blood bath told CNS that that the peaceful protesters from Rajwar, Ramhall, Langate, Qaziabad, Chogul and other surrounding areas were protesting against the ghastly Gow Kadal massacre were indiscriminately, fired upon without any provocation by BSF resulting in the death of 21 innocent people,” he said adding that it was one of the most gruesome carnage in the history of Kashmir after Gow Kadal, Bijbhera and the Down Town butchery at Molvi Muhammad Farooq’s Funeral.“Despite clinching evidence of the involvement of BSF personnel in the killing of civilians, justice continues to elude us,” he added. (CNS)