SKashmir Mirwaiz begins hunger strike over wine shop

Srinagar, Apr 19: The Mirwaiz of south Kashmir, Qazi Ahmed Yasir, along with dozens of supporters today began an indefinite hunger strike in protest against the opening of a wine shop near Khanabal chowk in Anantnag district.

Hundreds and thousands of residents gathered at Lal Chowk in Anantnag this morning to protest the opening of the wine shop at Batengo near Khanabal on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

Angry protestors shouted slogans against the district administration and demanded immediate closure of the wine shop.

Later, Qazi Yasir along with dozens of his supporters sat on an indefinite hunger strike to press for their demands.

They alleged that the wine shop had resulted in the increase in criminal activities in the area and had driven the youth to drinking and gambling.

The residents threatened to intensify their agitation if the district administration failed to order the closure of the shop.

However, senior civil and police officials were not available for comments.

UNI