Restrictions in Srinagar foil Eidgah march
Shutdown affects normal life
Srinagar, May 21: Authorities on Monday imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar city to prevent a separatist called march.
Separatists had called the march to Eidgah grounds here to commemorate the death anniversaries of late Mirwaiz Maulana Muhammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone and Hawal massacre victims.
Mirwaiz Farooq was killed on May 21, 1990 while Lone was killed on May 21, 2002 by unknown gunmen. On this day in 1990, over 60 people were killed in Hawal area of Srinagar, when government forces opened fire on mourners carrying the body of Mirwaiz Farooq.
Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, son of slain Mirwaiz Farooq, was placed under house-arrest at his Nigeen residence in the outskirts here.
Hurriyat-G leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was also placed under house-arrest in his uptown Hyderpora residence here while JKLF chief Yasin Malik has been taken into preventive custody.
Restrictions were imposed in Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, M.R.Gunj and Safa Kadal police station areas in the old city, while partial restrictions remained in place in Maisuma and Kralkhud police station areas in the uptown.
Contingents of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) remained deployed to maintain law and order and enforce the restrictions.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq taking a dig at authorities wrote on micro blogging website: “The Nation today joins to pay glowing tributes to the peoples leader #ShaheedEMillat Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq, #ShaheedEHurriyat Abdul Ghani lone and the #61Martyrs of #HawalMassacre on their Martyrdom anniversary. The rulers will not allow us to collectively commemorate this day”.
In another tweet Mirwaiz said: “… at Eidgah Martyrs graveyard as #YoumETajdeedEAhed as half the city has been put under severe curfew and restrictions but the commitment to carry forward the legacy of our Martyrs till freedom from occupation runs deep in the heart of each one of us!”
Exams scheduled for the day were also postponed by the University of Kashmir and the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST).
Normal life also remained affected across the Valley due to the strike called by the separatists for commemorating the death anniversaries of the slain leaders.
Business establishments, schools, colleges and other educational institutions remained closed while public transport was off the roads in most parts of the valley.
The authorities also suspended train services in Kashmir in the wake of shutdown. Officials said train service on both the segments from Srinagar to Banihal and Srinagar to Baramulla was suspended for today.
