Srinagar,21 March: Various trade bodies on Thursday protested against the killing of civilian Rizwan Pandith of Awantipora on Tuesday. Carrying playards and raising slogans against the custodial death by NIA and SOG and continuing policy of oppression unleashed by forces in the Valley, traders held a joint protest at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid.
They demanded that the killing spree in the Valley should be stopped. “Killing of innocent civilian who was a private school principal is a deep-rooted conspiracy and a planned genocide of people of Kashmir. Terming this Killing highly unfortunate, “we urge the Indian civil society and international bodies such as Amnesty International to come forward and play its role. If this attitude of the Central government continues there will be serious consequences,” said Sajad Gul, spokesman of the trade bodies.
Rizwan Pandith, who was arrested by the police had died in police custody at CARGO camp in Srinagar on Tuesday. How can they kill any innocent without any justification ? “Civilians continue to get killed and get maimed at the will of trigger happy forces as it is the worst form of human rights abuses and violations in Kashmir”, Gul said. He said because of the unbridled powers given to the forces and the lack of accountability, every day innocent civilians are brutally killed, which is condemnable in all forms.
Pertinent to mention JRL had appealed all segments of society including traders, lawyers, bar association, civil society, and others from different walks of life to peacefully protest against the custodial killing and assaults on Kashmiris.
KEA, KTMF, KCCI, KTMF(R), FCIK Beopar Mandal S R Gunj and other trader bodies participated in the joint protest programme.
