Shutdown, protests in Anantnag on Qazi Nisar’s 21st anniversary
On the 21st death anniversary of religious and separatist leader Dr Qazi Nisar Ahmad, a complete shutdown was observed in this South Kashmir town.
Shops, other commercial and educational establishments remained closed throughout the day.Early in the morning people in large numbers thronged to attend a program for Fateh Khawani organized by the UeI at Islamic Research Institute where Dr. Qazi Nisar is laid to rest.
Qazi Yasir, UeI Chairman and Mirwaiz South Kashmir, led a large rally towards Lal Chowk area of the town from Jama Masjid.
Pro-Kashmir and anti-India slogans reverberated in the rally while minor clashes between the youth and forces were also reported from some places along the route of the rally.
There was heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces, wearing riot gear, on the streets.
Dr Qazi Nisar, the founder of Ummat-e-Islami (UeI) and a co-founder of Muslim United Front (MUF) was shot dead by some unidentified gunmen in Dialgam village of this south Kashmir district, on this day exactly two decades ago.
Qazi shot to fame in 1985 after he openly slaughtered a cow in Lal Chowk area of Anantnag. Cow slaughter, as per the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), is a punishable offence in Kashmir.
Yasir Qazi addressing the rally today said Dr Qazi’s contribution towards the Kashmir movement is a driving force for many in Kashmir and can never be forgotten.
“I vow to tale my father’s struggle for freedom of Kashmir forward,” said Yasir.
He also blamed New Delhi for the killing of his father, Qazi Nisar.
Meanwhile some youth were seen carrying ISIS flags at Mattan chowk during a rally.
