Conflict

Students in Pak Administered Kashmir protest against Shopian civilian murders

Muzafarabad: Hundreds of students of the University of Kashmir in Muzaffarabad, the capital city of Pakistan Administered Kashmir, took to the streets and protested against the murder of civilians in Shopian.

The protesting students were holding placards and banners seeking an end to innocent killings. They marched from city campus of the University and it culminated at CMH Chowk. Some pro freedom and human rights organizations including International Forum for Justice also participated in the protest.

The protesting students urged upon the international community to take note of the human rights violations committed by India in Kashmir.

Last week, two civilians were murdered and six others injured after Indian Army opened fire on protesters in Ganowpora hamlet of South Kashmir’s Shopian district on last week. Reports said that army personnel arrived at Ganowpora village to remove a banner. As the army tried to remove the banner, a group of youth pelted stones on them.

The army according to eyewitnesses retaliated with firing. Witnesses added that army fired upon youth directly resulting in injuries to at least 11 persons. The police registered an FIR of Murder, Attempt to Murder and Endangering of Life under the Ranbir Penal Code.

Another youth who was injured in the incident succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday taking the toll to three. Shopian is observing a complete shutdown against the killings from the past seven consecutive days.

The Army on Wednesday however said that they fired in ‘self defence’ after they were provoked to the ‘ultimate’ by a stone throwing crowd.

The BJP, coalition partner of the ruling PDP had demanded that the FIR against the Army should  withdrawn and a new one lodged without naming anyone. However, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that the investigation would be taken to its ‘logical end.’

A BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday threatened Mehbooba Mufti to withdraw the FIR against the army otherwise her government would be toppled.

“What’s this nonsense? Dismiss that government. Tell Mehbooba (Mufti) to withdraw the FIR else her government would be toppled,” Swamy told ANI.

(With inputs from CNS)

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