Authorities foil Hurriyat rally
Authorities on Monday imposed restrictions in old city here to foil proposed protest rally of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference at Eidgah here to commemorate the death anniversary of its two assassinated leaders, Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone.
Reports said the authorities had deployed more than 30 companies of para-military central reserve Police force (CRPF) along with hundreds of policemen in downtown city to enforce restrictions. The security personnel wearing battle gear were seen patrolling the lanes and by-lanes.
The forces had also erected checkpoints and barricades on all roads leading to old Srinagar.
Besides the old city, additional police and paramilitary forces were deployed in some vulnerable areas of the city.
A police spokesperson said the restrictions were placed in view of clashes in Hurriyat office at Rajbagh on Sunday.
“As there was an apprehension that the clashes could have spilled onto the streets during today’s proposed march,” he added.
“This morning a team of district officers led by District Magistrate went to meet Mirwaiz Omar for facilitation of the proposed march and rally at Idgah. However, the Mirwaiz declined to meet the team and the situation left with no option but to impose restrictions in some old city areas, to avoid any breach of peace,” he said.
Elsewhere, the strike called by moderate Hurriyat Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq evoked mixed response with most of the places registering partial to complete shutdown.
The authorities had put Mirwaiz Umar under house arrest.
