Kashmir shuts to pay homage to Manan Wani
Restrictions imposed, funeral prayers in absentia held
Srinagar: A complete shutdown was observed across the Valley while as the restrictions were imposed by the authorities in Srinagar and Kupwara parts on Friday to thwart any protests against the death of PhD scholar-turned-militant, Dr Abdul Manan Wani.
The shutdown call was given by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, appealing people to observe a complete shutdown to pay homage to the slain top Hizb commander.
Notably, in view of the shutdown against Wani’s death, the district administration Srinagar and Kupwara imposed restrictions under section 144 CrPC to prevent protests against the death of Manan Wani, who joined militant ranks this year at a time when he was persuing his PhD at Aligarh Muslim University.
Witnesses said that police and paramilitary troopers were deployed in strength in parts of Srinagar and Kupwara since the wee hours of the morning.
Beside, the deployment troops had erected concertina wires on the roads, thus halting the vehicular as well as pedestrians movement in the restriction bound areas.
Meanwhile, following the call given by JRL, all the shops, business establishments, petrol pumps and educational institutions in the Valley remained closed while as traffic too was off the roads.
Besides, the government had also announced that the class work in several colleges and schools shall remain suspended for today to curb the possible student protests against Manan Wani’s death.
Following the restrictions authorities disallowed the mandatory Friday congregational prayers at the Grand mosque in Srinagar. Witnesses said that authorities sealesd all the four gates of the grand Masjid by imposing restrictions around it.
Meanwhile, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman and Jamia Masjid’s head cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was also barred to deliver the sermons at Jamia Masjid by placing him under house detention.
Mirwaiz continued to remain under house detention from past several days.
In a series of tweets, Mirwaiz said the New Delhi was pushing the youth to pick arms here.
“Even as Kashmir shuts to mourn scholar shaheed Manan wani , downtown under strict curfew prayers at Jamia Masjid again barred for the 15 th Friday this year while arbitrary arrests PSAs on activists , suspension of Kashmiri students from universities, repeated closure of colleges and universities to disallow dissent continues unabated. This repression coupled with intransigence of Govt of India pushes young boys to armed resistance and a cycle of death and loss,” Mirwaiz tweeted.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was also observed in highway town of Banihal in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir to pay homage to slain Hizb commander Mannan Wani.
All shops and other business establishments remained closed in Banihal town, and Gundadalkoot, Charil, Tethar and Nowgam markets located on Jammu-Srinagar highway.
Meanwhile, clashes and protest broke out at several places across the Valley today during which forces used tear smoke shells to disperse the agitating youth.
Besides, funeral prayers in absentia were also held at Trehgam Kupwara, Tikipora area of Lolab and Anantnag town today for the slain top Hizb commander.
Hundreds of people today participated in the funeral prayers in absentia for the Phd scholar-turned-militant, Dr Abdul Manan.
KV News
