Roomi Nazir
Pulwama | Ever since the armed rebellion broke out in Kashmir in 1989, the people of J&K witnessed many ups and downs-somewhere shouldering the coffins of their sons and other dear ones who sacrificed their lives in the line of militancy.
But over the years things have seemingly changed vis-a-vis the leadership, militants and the people. People in general have been supporting every move even if it takes their life aimed to benefit the on-going freedom movement.
Pulwama has remained the hot bed of militancy even during the peace times, when the militancy was its lowest ebb. Even in present day, it is Pulwama that tops the list about the number of local militants active in the state.
But for the first time, this south-Kashmir township didn’t shutdown in the backdrop of a strike call given by the pro-freedom leadership against an encounter between security agencies and militants took place in village Naina-in which an innocent youth and a militant was killed.
The people of Pulwama didn’t observe shutdown and they have a reason to tell…
They say the people of adjoining areas during their 20 days strike when they were demanding erecting “Martyr’s Memorial”.
According to the people in Pulwama, they suffered heavy losses during the days of shutdown, while as their counterparts in adjoining areas were running their business smoothly.
They also blame the Hurriyat Conference for not whole heartedly supporting their demand when they were on the roads demanding a wall memorial for those who laid their lives in the pat of freedom movement.