Gandoh, Aug 9: Gandoh area of Bhallessa tehsil in mountainous Doda district and its suburbs observed a shutdown to protest the civilian killings in Kashmir.
The shutdown call was given by Islamic Anjuman Committee Bhallessa in protest against “the excessive use of force against the innocent civilians and unabated killings of youth in the Valley.”
All the shops and other business establishments at Gwari, Bhat Market, Sehai, Bus Stand and Changa remained closed throughout the day in response to the call. However, the normal life remained unaffected in other parts of the tehsil.
“This is for the first time that the area has observed a shutdown in protest against the atrocities against civilians in Kashmir,” an IAC member told Greater Kashmir. He said that the killing of innocent civilians across Kashmir valley “is most condemnable and unfortunate and every person should protest against it.”

AZAD’S KIN LOSES SECURITY
Police has withdrawn the security cover of Ghulam Hussain, brother-in-law of union minister and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad for being part of the meeting, which decided to observe shutdown in Gandoha area over the Kashmir killings.
Hussain, who is president of Bhallessa Action Committee and member of Islamic Anjuman Committee, was having at least two Personal Security Officers (PSOs) allotted to him by the police.
“I was called by SSP Doda, who wanted that the shutdown call be called off”, Bhat told Greater Kashmir. “However, as I resented saying that every person in a democratic set up has a right to protest peacefully, the SSP immediately withdrew my security cover”, he added.
He said that the people of the area have observed the shut down as a mark of protest and to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST