Javid Zargar
Handwara, Jan 24 (KNS): At least 26 people were killed by the paramilitary BSF men in this frontier town on Jan 25, 1990 when the protesters from adjacent areas of the Handwara town were assembling to protest against the Gaw Kadal massacre where 52 unarmed civilians were shot dead.
This could be the 28th anniversary of Handwara massacre but the memories of the horrific tragedy are still fresh for the eye-witnesses and the families of those killed on this day in 1993, allegedly by the men in uniform.
Wali Muhammad of Handwara, an eye-witness said that on Jan 24, an organized protest programme was devised and all the people were asked to assemble at Handwara chowk and take part in protest demonstration. He said that on Jan 25, thousands of people from Ramhal, Rajwar, Kandi, Puhroo, Qaziabad, Langate, Mawar and adjoining areas started pouring in at Handwara Chowk.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
He however said that a BSF party came out from their camp situated at Waripora Handwara, in a vehicle bearing registration number HYN7717 and used abusive language with the protesters following which the youth attacked the vehicle.
“This infuriated the BSF men who opened fire on the unarmed protestors,” he said, adding that he saw at least 17 dead bodies lying on the road in no seconds. “The situation turned ugly within no minutes. 26 people were killed in a jiffy,” he said.
Notably, an FIR vide NO- 10/1990 stands registered at Police station Handwara under sections 307, 151, 53, 427, 336, 449, 448, 436, 435–A.
However, the locals said that no one has been punished so far. (KNS)