Srinagar, Feb 11 (KNS): The authorities continued to impose curfew like restrictions in most parts of Srinagar, Trehgam village and other civil line areason Saturday while rest of the Valley observed complete shutdown on the 33rdhanging anniversary of JKLF founder member, Muhammad Maqbool Bhat.
Bhat was hanged and buried in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail on this day in the year 1984.
The shutdown call was given by the joint resistance leadership including Hurriyat (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani, Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik.
However, the authorities imposed curfew like restrictions to thwart any possible protest on the 33rd anniversary of Bhat.
Witnesses said that authorities sealed off most parts of Srinagar including the business Hub Lal Chowk, Maisuma, Safakadal, Maharaj Gunj, Nowhatta and Khanyar. Reports said that the restrictions were also imposed in Trehgam, the native village of Maqbool Bhat and other civil line areas.
Police and paramilitary were deployed on the roads to prevent protests. Police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were fanned out in the old city areas of Srinagar who had 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 to thwart any possible protests called by the leadership.
In the uptown Srinagar, men in uniform were deployed at many subtle places.
Officials told KNS that restrictions were imposed to prevent any possible
Besides restrictions in most parts of Srinagar, Trehgam and civil line areas, the rest of the Valley observed complete shutdown.
All shops, businesses establishments, petrol pumps and private offices remained closed in Srinagar and other major towns of Kashmir.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
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.
Meanwhile, inhabitants of Trehgam village of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district staged protest to demand mortal remains of Muhammad Maqbool Bhat.
Witnesses said that the protesters assembled at the main road and chanted pro-freedom slogans.
Meanwhile, reports said that clashes erupted between youth and forces in Palhallan, Pattan after forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth who were trying to march towards the highway.
Reports quoting locals said that clashes started in volatile Palhallan area soon after Zuhar (afternoon) prayers.
They said that protesting youth were trying to march towards the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway, but were stopped by the forces near the local government higher secondary School at Naik Mohalla, triggering clashes.
The agitated youth pelted stones to the forces who lobbed tear gas canisters to disperse them.
Meanwhile, according to the KNS correspondent, the network in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district was suspended by the authorities since the wee hours today. “All the mobile network services except BSNL were snapped in Kupwara district at 11:00am today thereby leaving the inhabitants of the district to suffer,” the locals said.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP), S P Vaid told KNS that the situation across the Valley remained under control.
However, Vaid said, “Minor stone pelting incidents were reported from Palhalan area of Pattan while the situation across the Valley remained under control,” he said. (KNS)