Authorities foil JRL’s Shopian march as Valley observes shutdown
Srinagar: Authorities on Wednesday imposed restrictions in Srinagar parts and in several southern areas to foil the Joint Resistance Leader’s (JRL) proposed Shopian march, while a complete shutdown was observed across the Valley against the civilian killings in Shopian and shifting of inmates from the Valley.
JRL comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik had called for a shutdown today against the civilian killings at Shopian. They had also appealed people to march towards Shopian.
In response of the shutdown and Shopian chalo call, the authorities imposed strict restrictions in Srinagar and southern areas to foil any possible protest against the Shopian killings, witnesses said.
According to the officials, the restrictions were imposed in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj and Safa Kadal Police Stations while the areas falling under the jurisdiction of Maisuma and Kral Khud Police Stations remained under partial restrictions.
Police in the morning sought cooperation of the citizens for maintaining order for ensuring peace.
“At some places you are going to find restrictions today in Srinagar city. Also South Kashmir particularly in Shopian restriction has been placed. General Public is requested not to pay attention to any rumours. In case of emergency please reach to Dial 100 for assistance,” a police spokesman said.
Witnesses informed ‘Kashmir Vision’ that heavy contingents of forces were deployed in Srinagar areas who had erected concertina wires on the road, which halted the pedestrian as well as the vehicular movement.
Besides, the chairman of both the factions of Hurriyat including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq tried to march towards Shopian.
However, police disallowed the senior pro-freedom leaders to march towards Shopian.
In the morning hours, the Mirwaiz defied house detention and tried to march towards Shopian. However, a heavy contingent of police detained Mirwaiz soon after he stepped out of his Nigeen residence.
Soon after his detention, Geelani also tried to step out from his office-cum residence at Hyderpora to lead a protest towards Shopian.
However, the Hurriyat (G) spokesman said that the police and CRPF didn’t allow him to visit Shopian.
He said that all the roads leading to Geelani’s residence were sealed by government forces, while barricades were also erected outside his office.
Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik was detained on last Sunday and was shifted to Central jail here.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed across the Valley to protests against Shopian killings and shifting of inmates from Srinagar to outside jails.
All the shops, business establishments and petrol pumps remained closed throughout the day while the vehicular movement was also thin on the roads.
The educational institutes across the Valley which were scheduled to reopen after winter vacation on Monday were closed till Wednesday in view of the prevailing situation.
Director School Education Kashmir, G N Itto had announced the closure of schools till Wednesday saying that the schools would continue to remain shut till Wednesday as a ‘precautionary measure’.
Notably, all the exams schooled to be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were also postponed while the authorities had said that the fresh dates for the exams will be notified soon.
Meanwhile, reports said that at least six youth sustained injuries during the clashes that erupted between youth and forces at Safan Naman, Batapora, Bongam, Memander and Goal Chowk in South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
“Six youth including a girl were injured in violent clashes in Shopian district of south Kashmir,” reports said.
Reports quoting locals sources said that youth pelted stones on forces who retaliated by firing teargas shells and pellets in which around six youth including a girl sustained injuries.
The injured youth were shifted to district hospital Shopian and to SMHS Srinagar.
The injured were identified as Zubair, Umer, Showket, Aijaz and a girl. “Three of these have pellet injuries in eye,” the doctors said, adding other two have injuries in leg and face.
In view of the shutdown call, authorities had also suspended the train services for “security reasons” in the Kashmir valley today.
“We have suspended all train runs in the Kashmir valley for security reasons following advisory from the police,” officials said.
KV Correspondent
