Handwara massacre still in memory of survivors

Srinagar, January 25, 2014 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, the memory of the Hundwara massacre carried out by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) sends shivers down the spines of survivors even after 24 years. On January 25, 1990, two BSF patrolling parties opened indiscriminate fire upon thousands of peaceful and unarmed people, protesting against the massacre of 52 people by CRPF troopers in Maisuma locality of Srinagar four days earlier. Seventeen people were killed in the BSF firing in Handwara, the second massacre that took place after Jagmohan took charge as the Governor of occupied Kashmir to suppress mass uprising against Indian rule in the territory.

“We were protesting peacefully against the Maisuma massacre, when a BSF van appeared in the town. Within no time, the LMG mounted on the van started firing indiscriminately. The foot soldiers also loaded their rifles and joined in the carnage,” recalled a survivor, Ghulam Nabi Lone. Nineteen people, he said, died on the spot after sustaining multiple bullet injuries. Six others, he said, died at the different hospitals. “The injured were countless. It was a doomsday. Everyone was running for life,” Lone said.

Abdul Rasheed, another eyewitness, said that he was surprised how he survived on that day, even as he saw bodies piling up in the crowded town square. “Apart from the armoured vehicles, the BSF foot patrols at the market also opened random fire upon the protesters. Three people died in front of me, countless were injured.

I wonder what stopped them from killing me,” he said. He said that a man, who had suffered bullet injuries, was running for his life when a group of troopers cornered him and emptied their guns on him. “He died on the spot. I was helplessly looking towards him. When I regained my senses, I ran towards my house. I bolted my house from inside and started crying like a baby,” he added.

Recounting the horror, President of Traders Federation, Handwara, Shabir Ahmad said: “24 years have passed but recalling those moments send shivers down my spine. I witnessed the gory dance of death and destruction. I saw people collapsing and crying mercilessly for help,” he said.

Javed Ahmad, another survivor, said that five days after the massacre, the locals visited the police station and filed a case against the BSF troopers. “Police had then assured us that the killers would be taken to task but nothing has been done.

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