Srinagar, February 09 (KMW): In Kashmir, complete shutdown is being observed, today, to mark the sixth death anniversary of Muhammad Afzal Guru, who was hanged by the Indian authorities in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail on this day in 2013.
Call for the shutdown has been given by the Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik.
The shutdown is aimed at pressing the demand for the return of the mortal remains of Muhammad Afzal Guru and renowned Kashmiri liberation leader, Muhammad Maqbool Butt, from New Delhi’s Tihar Jail to Kashmir for decent burial. The JRL has also called for shutdown in the territory and a march towards Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Monday on the death anniversary of Muhammad Maqbool Butt.
India had sent Muhammad Afzal Guru to gallows in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail on February 09, 2013 and hanged Muhammad Maqbool Butt in the same jail on 11th of February in 1984 for their role in Kashmir movement. Their bodies remain buried in the premises of the jail.
The authorities have put Hurriyat leaders including Syed Ali Gilani Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Hilal Ahmed War, Javaid Ahmed Mir, Mukhtar Ahmed Waza, Muhammad Ashraf Laya and Imtiaz Haider under house arrest or in police custody to prevent them from leading anti-India demonstrations on the anniversaries of Muhammad Afzal Guru and Muhammad Maqbool Butt.
The authorities have also imposed restrictions in Doabgah, the native area of Muhammad Afzal Guru, in Baramulla district to prevent people from visiting the family members of the Afzal Guru and expressing solidarity with them. Restrictions have also been imposed in different areas of Srinagar including Mahraj Gunj, Rainawari, Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Khanyar and Maisuma to prevent any protest rally.
