Parts of Budgam shuton death anniversary of 8 youth

Budgam: Parts of central Kashmir’s Budgam district observed a spontaneous shutdown to commemorate the first death anniversary of 8 budding youth killed in government forces on polling day last year on April 9. No outfit had called for shutdown.
All shops and other business establishments remained closed in Chadoora, Charar-e-Sharief, Pakherpora, Dalwan, Kawoosa, Zangalpora, Churmujal and Rathsuna in Beerwah-the native areas of slain civilians. Public transport also remained off the roads.
Apprehending protests, the district administration had ordered closure of all colleges and higher secondary schools in these areas.
Last year, Srinagar parliamentary seat that was won by National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah recorded only 7.1 per cent polling, a record low in the history of Kashmir Parliament elections.
On that day, Government Forces gunned down eight youth to ensure ‘smooth’ polling in Srinagar Parliamentary constituency.
Over 150 people were wounded some critically. Some youth were shot at point blank range.
The youth killed by forces were in age group of 15 to 25 and were killed in “direct firing” on protestors in at least seven areas. They were Faizan Fayaz Dar (15), Abass Jahangir (22) of Dalwan Pakharpora, Shabir Ahmed Bhat (22) of Dawlatpora Chadoora, Nisar Ahmed Mir (25) of Ratsun Beerwah, Akeel Ahmed Wani (22) of Churmujroo Beerwah, Adil Farooq Sheikh (19) of Yarigund Kawoosa Khalisa, Amir Ahmed Rather (20) of Dadwanpora Chadoora and Omar Farooq Ganie (21) of Barsoo Ganderbal.
Besides killing of eight civilians, a 55-year-old lady Jana Bagum of Dalwan also suffered heart attack. Officials however did not relate that death with the prevailing situation.