Amid curfew-like restrictions in several parts of Srinagar city, Kashmir Valley observed a complete shutdown on Monday to mark the 35th death anniversary of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder, Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, who was hanged at Tihar Jail on this day in 1984.
Fearing protests and unrest authorities had imposed undeclared curfew in areas falling under six police stations in old city since morning. All the major entry and exit points to these areas were blocked with rolls of concertina wires to prevent people from assembling at a single place. Hundreds of police and paramilitary CRPF men in full riot gear were deployed in sensitive areas of Srinagar.
Separatist leaders comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik had called for a protest shutdown on Monday. The separatists have been demanding that New Delhi should handover the mortal remains of Bhat and Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who was secretly hanged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail this day in 2013. Both remain buried inside the Tihar Jail.
Reports said, in rest of the valley, normal life was disrupted because of the strike call and restrictions placed by the authorities. Shops and other business establishments remained closed while public transport remained off the roads.
However, the skeletal movement of private vehicles was reported from various areas.
Published 11 February 2019, 12:25 IST