Burhan Wani’s first death anniversary: Unprecedented security arrangements in Kashmir

In a highly deplorable move, Britain revoked permission granted to Kashmiris to organise a protest rally at Birmingham in connection with martyrdom anniversary of Burhan Wani.

Authorities have begun controlling people s movements and suspended mobile internet services in some areas. Ahead of Burhan’s anniversary, Muzaffar Wani, his father, said that Indians are safe in Kashmir, and Kashmiris are not safe in India. Since its a Friday, security has been stepped up to foil any protests.

Separatist groups have called for a strike on Saturday.

Security has especially been beefed up in Tral, Wani’s native village, to prevent any gathering of people.

It was reported by the media that India’s high commissioner to UK YK Sinha while delivering an unusual speech at a book release event in London, said that post-Brexit Britain’s eagerness to intensify trade with India can not happen when New Delhi’s core concerns are ignored.

Police fired tear gas cannisters when protesters threw rocks at them – an increasingly common tactic in the region.

India’s military said an off-duty army soldier visiting home was killed along with his wife after a shell fired from the Pakistani side hit their home in Poonch sector.

He also called for remembering the birthplace of Burhan Wani as Burhan Valley. Anyone who disrupts the peace and instigates terror would be killed.

Kashmir, divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, is one of the most heavily militarized spots on earth with a long history of conflict.

Rebel groups have been fighting since 1989 for Kashmir’s independence or merger with neighboring Pakistan.

Meanwhile, a Birmingham rally to commemorate the death of Wani was banned after the Indian government made an official objection to the UK. The Islamabad government had said that such acts “are a violation of fundamental human rights of Kashmiris and can’t deter the people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand for the realization of the right to self-determination”.

“Public anger and defiance has reached levels never seen in Kashmir before”.

Shops and business establishments remained closed while vehicles remained off the roads, the official said, adding that the situation was peaceful so far.

On Saturday, the entire city will be put under curfew to avert any law and order problem.