JOIN USReturn Afzal's body to kin: Geelani
Hurriyat’s hardline leader Syed Ali Geelani on Monday issued a fresh protest calendar calling for complete strike on February 20 and 21 for returning the body of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru who was executed on February 9.
The Hurriyat hawk, who is under house arrest in New Delhi, urged people to stage protests after Maghrib (evening) prayers and “peaceful protests” across Kashmir after 12 noon on Friday with the return of the body of Afzal as sole agenda.
“There should be no demand other than to seek the body of Afzal back so that he is buried as per Islamic rites in Srinagar,” Geelani said. Moderate Hurriyat led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front have also given a call for a shutdown on Friday.
Geelani-led faction used to issue weekly protest calendars during the 2010 summer unrest in the Valley that left more than 110 people dead.
Meanwhile, normalcy returned to Kashmir valley on Monday after nine days of curfew and strike in the aftermath of the execution of Afzal.
The markets in Srinagar and other major towns were abuzz with activity as shopkeepers opened their outlets on Monday morning. Government and private offices and other commercial establishments opened as per their normal schedule. Public transport was also seen plying. Curfew was imposed on the Valley on February 9 due to apprehensions of law and order problems following Afzal’s execution. Separatists had called for a seven-day shutdown in the Valley and the authorities lifted curfew late on Friday.
Three persons died and over 60 others injured, including 25 policemen, in clashes between protesters and security forces following Afzal’s execution.
Meanwhile, rumours continue to do the rounds in Kashmir about the possibility of Afzal’s body being returned to the family for last rites. However, there has been no official confirmation on this so far.