Hajin shuts, protests against civilian killings by unknown gunmen

Bandipore: The slaying of a civilian in Hajin area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district sparked a protest and shutdown while people demanded stringent punishment to the unidentified killers.
Shops and other business establishments remained closed in Hajin town and adjoining area including Naidkai, Madwan, Prang, Shahgund, Vijpora and Markundal.
Muhammad Yaqoob Wagay, a resident of Preng Hajin according to his wife was killed in front of her by unidentified masked gunmen. Before his killing, another youth Hilal Ahmed Parray was killed by unknown gunmen in the same town.
Reports said that scores of protesters, including relatives of the slain civilian hit to roads and organized a protest rally that started from Preng and culminated near Police Station Hajin. The protesters demanded identification of killers and punishment for them.
Since April 3 to May 25, unidentified gunmen have killed at least six civilians in Hajin area. The slain included Muntazir Ahmed of Shahgund, Manzoor Ahmed of Hajin, Ghulam Hassan Dar alias Hassan Rassa and Bashir Ahmad Dar, Hilal Ahmed Parray and Muhammad Yakub Wagay.