Omar laments killing of 51 civilian protesters in 1990

Jammu and Kashmir has to be freed of violence and guns, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Tuesday on the anniversary of the 1990 killings of 51 civilian protesters in security forces firing in Srinagar.

The firing had taken place in Gaw Kadal area of the capital Jan 21, 1990.

"Today marks the anniversary of a very dark day in the recent history of Kashmir. The #Gawkadal killings symbolise much of what went wrong," Abdullah wrote on Twitter.

The chief minister, however, reaffirmed his belief that the state needs to be freed of guns and violence, and said violence has come down appreciably in the state over the years.

"Though violence levels are at a record low, memories of incidents like #Gawkadal reinforce why Kashmir has to be freed of violence and guns," the chief minister said.

A shutdown called by separatists, protesting the Gaw Kadal killings, Tuesday affected life in Srinagar.

The killings had taken place during Governor's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir. Jagmohan was the governor then.

Yasin Malik, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), carried out a protest in Maisuma area of Srinagar, where sporadic incidents of stone pelting at security forces were also witnessed.

The overall law and order situation in Srinagar and adjoining areas was peaceful despite the separatist shutdown.