Separatist-sponsored shutdown disrupts normal life in Kashmir

Ishfaq Tantry
Srinagar, February 24

Authorities on Sunday imposed restrictions in parts of the city as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in the wake of a shutdown call given by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) of Kashmir against the ongoing crackdown on the separatists and the Jamaat-i-Islami.

As the crackdown continues, the security forces rounded up religious preacher and Jamiat Alhadees vice-president Moulvi Mushtaq Veeri from south Kashmir and Difaye Jamiat Alhadees leader Moulana Maqbool Afrani, besides scores of other activists and second-rung leaders. 

Mobile Internet high speed has been reduced in many parts of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, where restrictions under Section 144 have been imposed in areas under five police stations.

The shutdown has been called by the Joint Resistance Leadership, a separatist conglomerate headed by Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik.

The strike affected normal life across the Kashmir valley.

Shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were shut in Srinagar, officials said.

They said public transport was off the roads, but some private cars and auto-rickshaws were seen plying in some areas of the city.

The weekly flea market was also shut as no stalls were put on the TRC Crossing-Batamaloo axis through city centre Lal Chowk, the officials said.

They said similar reports of shutdown were received from other district headquarters of the Valley.

Earlier, security forces detained around 200 leaders and activists of Jamaat-i-Islami including its Chief and also JKLF Chief Yasin Malik. In the wake of strike call today, additional security forces have been deployed in sensitive parts of Srinagar and other major towns of the Valley, with the police imposing restrictions in downtown areas of Srinagar city.

While confirming the arrest of Veeri secretary of Jamiat Alhadees, Abdul Rehman claimed that more leaders had been detained and they were ascertaining the safety of the family members. "We condemn the crackdown as it has unleashed a reign of terror in the valley,’’ Rehman told the Tribune. With PTI