In Indian-held Kashmir Tuesday, pro-freedom and anti-India graffiti were written on roads, walls and shop shutters across the territory, with the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Gilani, leading the graffiti protest, the Kashmir Media Service reported.
The Hurriyat leadership had jointly asked the people to write such graffiti as part of five-day protest programme against the killing of innocent protestors by Indian forces during peaceful demonstrations after the murder of the freedom fighter, Burhan Wani, in a fake encounter by Indian troops on July 8. Syed Ali Gilani, who continues to remain under house arrest, wrote ‘Go India Go Back’ one of the popular slogans that the ongoing Intifada from 2008 and 2010 mass uprising.
Many other popular slogans were painted on roads and walls. Candlelight protests were also organised in many parts of the Kashmir Valley.
Curfew and severe restrictions on the movement of people continued across the Valley and mobile phone and internet services continued remained suspended, but the shutdown, the protests, and the hurling of stones on Indian armed forces by young men and boys continued unabated.
Many people including women sustained injuries during clashes between protestors and personnel of Indian armed forces in Ganderbal, Kulgam, Islamabad, Shopian, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts.
One among the injured, Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, who suffered a bullet injury in the head, was referred to Soura Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar.
Thousands of people from Pahnoo, Pinjura, Pahlipora, Trenz, Mulu, Chitragam, Turkwanagn, Heff, Sugan, Nadigund, Outerpora and Dangerpora areas marched towards Shopian district headquarters raising anti-India and pro-freedom slogans. Indian forces resorted to firing of teargas shells and pellets to disperse the protesters. Local women also participated in the demonstrations.
A bike rally was organised in Kulgam district which was attended by over 15,000 people. Youth carrying Pakistani flags shouted pro-freedom slogans.
Meanwhile, residents of Natipora area of Srinagar said that the forces’ personnel thrashed several residents throughout the day on Monday. They said that the troops tortured whoever came in their way. A candlelight vigil was organised at Maharaja Bazar of Srinagar to protest the killings of civilians.