Srinagar, Jan 21: On the 20th anniversary of Gaw Kadal massacre, hundreds of people including the relatives of the martyrs offered special prayers while various separatist groups paid glowing tributes to the martyrs.
 More than 52 persons were massacred by para-military CRPF troopers on January 21, 1990, at Gaw Kadal here during a pro-freedom demonstration.
 A condolence meet was organised by the locals of Gaw Kadal, Maisuma, Basant Bagh and adjoining areas to pay homage to the martyrs.
 Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, while addressing the people at the condolence meet said, “January 21, 1990, has a special place in the 5000 year recorded history of Kashmir. It was on this day that Kashmiris took bullets on their chests to give freedom movement a new direction. They gave their blood to get the Kashmir issue out of cold storage.”
 “In 1988 the basis of freedom movement was laid by Shaheed Ishfaq Majeed Wani and Shaheed Sheikh Abdul Hamid and on January 21, 1990, Gaw Kadal martyrs made it people’s revolution. That day Indian troops repeated Jalian Wala Bagh episode in Gaw Kadal,” he said.
 Malik saluting the valour of people of Gaw Kadal, Basant Bagh, Maisuma and Mandar Bagh, said, “Hundreds of Pandits are living in these localities even today without any fear. I appeal to the Pandit brethren who migrated in 1990 to return to Kashmir as our Prophet (SAW) has taught us to take care of minorities’ rights.”
 JKLF (R) leader Javed Ahmad Mir also paid glowing tributes to Gaw Kadal and Magarmal Bagh martyrs.
 Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement chairman Zaffer Akbar Bhat while paying tributes to Gaw Kadal martyrs, said, “The sacrifices of the martyrs won’t go waste and freedom movement would be taken to its logical conclusion.”
 Muslim League Jammu and Kashmir acting chairman, Feroz Ahmad Khan, also paid rich tributes to the Gaw Kadal martyrs.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST