Cutting across party lines and regional divides, widespread condemnation and protests poured out in J&K on Tuesday against the attack on Amarnath pilgrims. “It’s an attack on the soul and spirit of Kashmir. Islam teaches us to protect and safeguard the lives of our guests. The attack is an assault on our religion and our identity as Kashmiris,” said National Conference president and Member of Parliament Dr. Farooq Abdullah.
Socio-religious group Jamaat-e-Islami termed the attack as a “cowardly act.” “This beastly incident needs an impartial probe by some international agency to bring forth the truth. Some unknown elements have vicious designs to defame Kashmiri Muslims,” said a Jamaat spokesman.
Separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, in a joint statement said, “This incident goes against the very grain of Kashmiri ethos”.
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Valley-based traders’ bodies, including Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, joined the condemnation. “It’s noted with concern that such incidents have generally been taking place on specific occasions, which tend to send a wrong signal throughout the country about the situation in Kashmir,” said KCCI spokesman, as the traders demanded “a time-bound probe by a Supreme Court judge”.
Traders and rights groups also held street protests in Srinagar. A rights group, J&K Coalition of Civil Society, also held a sit-in in Srinagar. “We want to show unambiguously and emphatically our solidarity to the victims. We demand a credible investigation into this incident and other crimes committed in J&K,” said JKCCS coordinator Khurram Pervez.
Meanwhile, a shutdown was observed in Jammu, the Pir Panchal valley and the Chenab Valley. A shutdown call was issued by Panthers Party, National Conference, Congress, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal, Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Jammu High Court Bar Association.
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