Kupwara: A complete shutdown was being observed Saturday in the frontier Kupwara district to pay homage to 27 civilians killed on this day allegedly by Army for observing shutdown on January 26′ 1994.

All the shops and business establishments remained closed and roads wore a deserted look in Kupwara, Trehgam, Kralpora, and other areas, witnesses said.

Recalling that fateful day an eyewitness said: “Around 11 am when shopkeepers were upping the shutters to start their routine business activities soldiers posted on (ROP) duty opened fire from all the directions killing 27 people, including traders, some policemen and other officials.”

“At 12 PM the firing stopped. After unleashing death, soldiers asked survivors to assemble in the ground and undergo an identification parade.” Sources said that no one was allowed to lift the bodies and take the injured to any hospital.

“A boy died in front of his father, who begged the soldiers to allow him to take his son to the hospital. But the soldiers didn’t pay any heed towards his pleas,” said a witness, who had witnessed the carnage.

Guest