Srinagar/ Jan , 21: A complete shutdown on Monday on the anniversary of Gawkadal massacre crippled normal life in Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas. As already reported Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL)—comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik had called for shutdown to mourn the killing of 51 civilians on this day (January 21) in 1990 in the area .
Reports said authorities have imposed strict restrictions in and around Gaw Kadal, Maisuma, Basant Bagh and Lal Chowk areas and JKLF Chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik as arrested Monday morning to foil his attempt to take out a protest march from the adjoining Maisuma area.
Shutdown is being observed in Lal Chowk and adjoining areas of Mandir Bagh, Maisuma, Basant Bagh, Gaw Kadal, Red Cross Road, Exchange Road, Budshah Chowk, Abi Guzar, Residency Road, MA Road, Sarai Bala, Court Road, Koker Bazar, Hari Sigh High Street, Goni Khan and Polo View.
All shops and other business establishments in these areas remained closed for the day. However, public transport plied normally on MA and Residency roads.
On January 21, 1990, at least 51 civilians were killed after CRPF troopers opened fire on a procession at Gaw Kadal in Srinagar, where people had gathered to protest the reported molestation of women by the forces’ personnel during a night raid in Chotta Bazar.
