Deaths fanning the flames in India-held Kashmir on Eid

All attempts to thwart unrest on Eid have failed, and anger shows signs of escalating in IHK.
Published September 13, 2016
A Kashmiri throws a rock at Indian security personnel during a protest after Eid prayers in Srinagar, Indian-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP
A Kashmiri throws a rock at Indian security personnel during a protest after Eid prayers in Srinagar, Indian-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP

TRAL: One was the poster boy of India-held Kashmir's (IHK) uprising, the other a seemingly random victim of a surge of violence that shows little sign of ending.

But as Muslims in India began celebrating Eid on Tuesday, the families of Burhan Wani and Riyaz Ahmed Shah started their day with a trip to a cemetery, united in grief but with vastly different reflections on their losses.

"When Burhan left us, he left for the cause and became the son of the whole of Kashmir, so I constantly thank God it was my son who was sacrificed," said Muzaffar Wani as he spoke calmly of his son's death in a gun battle with soldiers.

Read more: They say Kashmir is ours but they don’t consider Kashmiris as their own, claims Burhan Wani’s father

In this picture taken on September 12, 2016, father of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, Muzaffar Wani, sits in his home in Tral, a day before Eid. ─ AFP
In this picture taken on September 12, 2016, father of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, Muzaffar Wani, sits in his home in Tral, a day before Eid. ─ AFP

Gulping back tears, Shah's sister Amina tells a very different story; overwhelmed by the thought that her 22-year-old brother's life had been cut short after being shot for no apparent reason on his way home from a shift as a security guard.

"Riyaz never took part in the protests, he never even picked up a stone. He was very responsible, all he ever wanted to do was put food on the table," said Amina at the family's home in the state capital Srinagar.

"We have still not come to terms with what happened, our hearts are restless," added her older sister Shahina, describing her family's Eid that included a trip to Riyaz's grave in a section of the local cemetery reserved for 'martyrs'.

The usual Eid feast of mutton and chicken would be replaced by lentils and rice.

"We will be praying for all those who have been injured or martyred... the entire Kashmir nation is in mourning."

In this picture taken on September 12, 2016, Amina Shah (L) and Shaheena Shah (R), sisters of Reyaz Ahmed Shah, mourn the death of their younger brother at their house in Srinagar on the eve of Eid. ─ AFP
In this picture taken on September 12, 2016, Amina Shah (L) and Shaheena Shah (R), sisters of Reyaz Ahmed Shah, mourn the death of their younger brother at their house in Srinagar on the eve of Eid. ─ AFP

Around 80 Kashmiris have died in the two months since Wani was killed on the southern edge of the region, making it one of the worst bouts of violence since a full-blown armed rebellion was at its peak in the 1990s.

Prayers banned

All efforts to thwart the unrest have failed, and anger towards their rulers shows every sign of escalating in IHK.

Fearful that large scale congregations could morph into mass protests against Indian rule, authorities have banned prayers at Srinagar's main mosque.

Helicopters and drones buzz over the city, while internet and mobile networks have been suspended.

With virtually all shops shuttered for weeks, wrecking what should be one of the busiest times of the year for retailers, few families will be exchanging gifts or enjoying lavish feasts.

While the shutdown was initially imposed by the Indian authorities, retailers closed in response to calls by separatist groups.

Read more: In Kashmir, the young are paying for India’s lack of vision

Kashmiri protesters face Indian security personnel during a protest after Eid prayers in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP
Kashmiri protesters face Indian security personnel during a protest after Eid prayers in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP

In Wani's home town of Tral, normal life has come to a standstill with schools shut and public transport suspended since his killing on July 8.

One of the few hives of activity is the family home where Muzaffar Wani still receives a steady stream of visitors paying their respects to a rebel leader who has arguably become more potent since his passing.

He was the second son to have died at the hands of Indian forces, with his older brother Khaled allegedly tortured to death in April last year after being intercepted on his way back from a clandestine meeting with his brother.

Muzaffar Wani told AFP there would be Eid celebrations but he was heartened that his sons have managed to galvanise the separatists' cause.

"I'm proud of their sacrifices... of course I'm sad as well and try not to talk about it too much in case it weakens my resolve," said Wani, who also began his day by visiting his sons' graves.

In this picture taken on September 12, 2016, Muzaffar Wani stands outside his home in Tral, a day before Eid. ─ AFP
In this picture taken on September 12, 2016, Muzaffar Wani stands outside his home in Tral, a day before Eid. ─ AFP

Burhan and Khaled account for two of the 45 plots in Tral's graveyard, all of whom have died in the separatists' cause since independence.

Speaking in front of a poster proclaiming "Burhan, your blood will bring about a revolution", Muzaffar Wani recounted how his then 15-year-old son left home to join the Hizbul Mujahideen, angered by a beating that soldiers dished out to his brother.

Sneaking home

Over the next eight years, he would occasionally sneak home at night before rejoining his fellow militants in a group that supports Kashmir becoming part of Pakistan.

Explore: Burhan Wani has become what India long feared

In Tral, Pakistani flags fly from rooftops while graffiti denouncing "Indian dogs" or glorifying "our hero Burhan" are ubiquitous.

Some members of the security forces admit that authorities underestimated the impact of killing Wani, a dashing 23-year-old who built up a big following on social media as he posed with an AK-47.

Indian government security personnel walks past Kashmiris with a sheep on Eid during a curfew in Srinagar on September 13, 2016. ─ AFP
Indian government security personnel walks past Kashmiris with a sheep on Eid during a curfew in Srinagar on September 13, 2016. ─ AFP

While Wani's killing has fanned the separatist cause, a senior police official acknowledged that Shah's shooting had exacerbated the divide between the security forces and an alienated civilian population. He died when pellet gunshot fired at close range tore through vital organs.

There was no record of stone-throwing and he was on a scooter, said the officer, speaking anonymously. "There can be no justification."

Kashmiris carry a wounded protester on a stretcher for treatment at a local hospital in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP
Kashmiris carry a wounded protester on a stretcher for treatment at a local hospital in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP

Kashmiri protesters clash with Indian government forces on Eid during a curfew in Srinagar on September 13, 2016. ─ AFP
Kashmiri protesters clash with Indian government forces on Eid during a curfew in Srinagar on September 13, 2016. ─ AFP

Kashmiri protesters clash with Indian government forces on Eid during a curfew in Srinagar on September 13, 2016. ─ AFP
Kashmiri protesters clash with Indian government forces on Eid during a curfew in Srinagar on September 13, 2016. ─ AFP

An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard during curfew in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP
An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard during curfew in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP

Kashmiri protesters runs for cover as Indian security personnel fire tear gas shells at them during a protest after Eid prayers in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP
Kashmiri protesters runs for cover as Indian security personnel fire tear gas shells at them during a protest after Eid prayers in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP

Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a deserted street during curfew in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP
Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a deserted street during curfew in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP

Kashmiri women shout freedom slogans during a protest after Eid prayers in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP
Kashmiri women shout freedom slogans during a protest after Eid prayers in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP

Indian government security personnel looks on amid clashes with Kashmiri protesters on Eid during a curfew in Srinagar on September 13, 2016. ─ AFP
Indian government security personnel looks on amid clashes with Kashmiri protesters on Eid during a curfew in Srinagar on September 13, 2016. ─ AFP

A Kashmiri protester prepares to throw back a tear gas canister at Indian security personnel as another takes cover behind an electric pole during a protest after Eid prayers in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP
A Kashmiri protester prepares to throw back a tear gas canister at Indian security personnel as another takes cover behind an electric pole during a protest after Eid prayers in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. ─ AP