Srinagar, Feb 9 (KNS): Authorities Tuesday imposed curfew like restrictions in most parts of Srinagar even as the Valley observed complete shutdown on the third anniversary of Muhammad Afzal Guru.
Guru, who was hanged in a New Delhi jail on February 9, 2013, was buried in New Delhi's Tihar jail after his conviction in parliament attack.
The shutdown call on his third anniversary was given by all the factions of Hurriyat including Hurriyat (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani, Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, senior Hurriyat leader led by Shabir Ahmad shah, chairman Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik and several other separatist leaders.
All shops, businesses establishments, and private offices remained closed in Srinagar and other major towns of Kashmir.
Public transport also remained affected but private vehicles were seen plying on most of the roads. The strike also affected work in government offices, banks and post offices.
Authorities sealed off most parts of Srinagar including Maisuma, Safakadal, Maharaj Gunj, Nowhatta, Kral Khud and Khanyar.
Police and paramilitary were deployed on the roads to prevent protests. Police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel fanned out in the old city areas of Srinagar and blocked all the roads with barricades and concertina wire to curtail pedestrian and vehicular movement in these areas.
Police and CRPF men were seen patrolling the deserted streets in old Srinagar.
Armoured vehicles were also seen at some road junctions including Jehangir Chowk, Bemina crossing, Parimpora crossing and other road junctions to thwart any protests. Heavy deployment of police and CRPF was also made in areas falling under Maisuma police station.
In the uptown Srinagar, men in uniform were deployed at many subtle places. However, no untoward incident was reported from anywhere till the report was filed.
Though the situation was peaceful in the City throughout the day but minor clashes between police and protesters erupted at Kral Khud. Nonetheless, no injury was reported.
Similar reports of shutdown were also received from central, south and north Kashmir of the Valley.
According to the KNS correspondent, curfew like restriction was imposed in parts of Sopore to thwart any possible protests. “A peaceful protest was also held at Sopore– the native village of Afzal Guru– by his family members and other people residing in the area. They were demanding mortal remains of Afzal Guru,” he informed.
Curfew like restrictions in parts of Srinagar and Sopore was imposed to maintain law and order. Police officials informed KNS that the decision to impose restrictions was taken following the call given by separatist camp to organize protest marches on the third anniversary of Guroo.
Separatists have called for a complete shutdown to protest the “judicial killing” of Guru and to demand his mortal remains.
Guru was secretly hanged and buried at New Delhi’s Tihar jail on this day in 2013 after Supreme Court called for his hanging “to satisfy collective conscience of nation” over the attack on the Parliament.
Activists have criticized the SC ruling, saying that Guru’s role couldn’t be established in the attack.
Authorities on Monday arrested Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik from Abi Guzar area of Srinagar and later, he was remanded to seven-day judicial custody.
The separatist leaders including Peoples League vice Chairman, Muhammad Yaseen Attie, Imtiyaz Haidar, Muaslim League senior leader, Bashir Ahmad Bhat and several others have been taken under preventive custody on Monday night. (KNS)