Candle marches taken out in Kashmir parts
Srinagar, February 08: The death toll in the terror attack in Habba Kadal area of the city has risen to two as an injured worker from Punjab succumbed to injuries at a hospital here, officials said on Thursday.
Rohit Masih succumbed to injuries at the SKIMS Hospital here this morning. He was shifted to the tertiary care institution late Wednesday night after his condition worsened at the SMHS Hospital, the officials said.
Another worker from Punjab, Amritpal Singh, had died in the terrorist firing at Shalla Kadal in Habba Kadal on Wednesday. It was the first targeted killing of the year.
The terrorists had carried out three attacks on non-local workers in 2023, resulting in the death of two persons and injuries to three others.
While a circus worker from Udhampur district was shot dead by terrorists on May 30, 2023 in Anantnag district, brick kiln worker Mukesh Kumar from Bihar was shot dead by the ultras on October 31 last year in Pulwama district. Three labourers were injured in an attack by terrorists in Gagren area of Shopian district on July 13.
Meanwhile, to express solidarity with the families of the two Punjab residents killed on Wednesday evening in Srinagar by militants, hundreds of people in North Kashmir district held a candle march on Thursday.
Similar marches were also reported in other parts of Kashmir including Shopian, Kulgam Anatnag as well as in Srinagar during which the participants expressed solidarity with the families of the victims.
Amrit Pal Singh and Rohit Masih, who were killed in a militant attack in Srinagar on Wednesday evening, belonged to poor families in Punjab’s Amritsar and had come to Srinagar to support their families.
Around 6:00 pm, hundreds of people including the local residents, members of Civil Society Kupwara, Traders, and Transporters took out a candle march from Kupwara Bus stand which culminated at Fountain Chowk Rigipora after passing through Kupwara By-Pass.
The protesters denounced the attack and expressed solidarity with the families of the civilians killed.
Terming the killing an unfortunate and dark chapter in Kashmir, protestors said that such incidents create sadness and distress among people of Kashmir.
The protesters said that people want to live in peace & harmony. They said that such unfortunate incidents should not take place as every human life is precious.
Meanwhile, the members of civil society, traders federation, and citizens of Baramulla today gathered together and held a candlelight March condemning the killing of two innocent civilians in Srinagar yesterday.
The march witnessed huge participation of people, with participants holding candles as the march passed from Main Chowk to Nanak Bhawan, expressing their sympathies with the families of the innocent civilians of the target killings.
With resolute determination, the participants called upon the authorities to swiftly and diligently identify the perpetrators responsible for this despicable act and ensure that they are held accountable under the full extent of the law.
The protesters fervently denounced the heinous attack, unequivocally expressing their unwavering solidarity with the grieving families affected by their tragic loss.
The candlelight March served as a poignant reminder of the community’s collective resolve to stand against violence and to uphold the principles of peace, justice, and unity.
Similarly, candlelight vigils and solidarity marches were held across the district including Sopore, Uri, echoing the sentiments of unity and empathy towards the victims.
