Separatists call for shutdown on Afzal Guru’s death anniversary

Normal life was affected as separatist groups have called for a general strike today over the hanging of Guru, who was sent to the gallows in 2013 following his conviction in the Parliament attack case.

Malik alleged that police was humiliating boys and putting them behind bars. “People are being randomly arrested in towns and villages”.

According to sources, all the separatist leaders were detained or put under house arrest. “Geelani said that the policy of the Indian government with respect to Kashmir is increasing the political uncertainty and instability in the state”, he said.

The Hurriyet AJK leaders at a meeting paid glowing tributes to Kashmiri leaders, Muhammad Maqbool Butt and Muhammad Afzal Guru on their martyrdom anniversaries. Para military forces and police have been deployed in sensitive areas to stop people from protesting.

Spokesperson Islamic Political Party Tuesday said that a heavy contingent of police raided the house of senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference Leader and Chairperson Islamic Political Party JK, Mohammad Yousuf Naqash, to arrest him but he was not at his home.

Kashmir Mass Movement, a constituent of hardline Hurriyat, staged a protest at Press Colony against the hanging of Guru. The protest was led by Mohammad Iqbal Mir and was attended Shabir Ahmad Dar, Mohammad Ahsan Untoo, Qutub Alam, Mohammad Shafi and Manzoor Ahmad.

In his message, the AJK Premier said that Afzal Guru was hanged to death without being given a fair trial.

CRPF DIG (Operations) Srinagar Sanjeev Dhundia reviewed the security situation and asked officers and jawans to remain vigilant and alert, and to take adequate measures to prevent injuries to force personnel.

The DFP spokesperson, in a statement issued in Srinagar said, “On the directions of party Chairman Shabbir Ahmad Shah, a delegation comprising Farooq Ahmad Khan, Molvi Bashir Ahmad, Muhammad Yousuf Butt, Muhammad Ibrahim, Feroz Ahmad and others, succeeded in reaching Muhammad Afzal Guru’s residence despite stiff police restrictions”, KMS reported.

“All CRPF camps have been alerted and security has been strengthened and troops have been briefed to be ready to deal with any unforeseen law and order problem, without use of lethal weapons”, he added.