Kashmir observes shutdown over govt ‘failure’ in rehabilitating flood victims

Srinagar, Sept 7 : A complete shutdown was observed in Kashmir today on call of traders’ bodies and separatists to protest against the government’s “virtual failure” in rehabilitating victims of last year’s devastating floods.
Government, meanwhile, clamped down on leaders to foil a protest march which was scheduled to assemblt at Lal Chowk. Police arrested over a dozen of separatists and traders on their way to Lal Chowk, who were later released. Many were kept under house arrest.
The government began the clampdown since Sunday evening with many top rung separatists, including JKLF chairman Yasin Malik and Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq placed under house arrest.
Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah is already under house arrest and his close aides, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, Raja Mehraj-u-Din and Ayaz Akbar, were also arrested.
“Monday morning, a large contingent of police reached at the Mirwaiz’s residence and informed him about his house detention. The police also raided the houses of senior leaders Javaid Ahmad Mir, Engnieer Hilal Ahmad War, Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi. Hurriyat media advisor Shahid-ul-Islam was also placed under house detention on Sunday late night,” said the Mirwaiz’s spokesman in a statement.
Top leaders of the Kashmir Economic Alliance, a conglomerate of traders and business houses that called for a shutdown, were detained when they tried to reach the protest venue on Monday. Among those detained were KEA top leaders Yasin Khan and Showkat Chowdhury.
The arrests came after the government denied permission for the protest assembly at Lal Chowk and suggested a different venue.
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Sheikh Ashiq condemned the state government’s action against traders.
“The detention of trader bodies’ leaders was unwarranted. It was our democratic right to protest over the government’s failure to resurrect Kashmir economy and reach out to the sufferers. The police action is condemnable,” Ashiq said.
However, IGP Kashmir Syed Javid Mujtabha Geelai told KNS no trader or separatist was detained. “Only 20 -25 people were arrested who were later released. Rest everything was normal and nothing untoward was reported,’ he said.
The shutdown call of traders was supported by separatist as well as mainstream parties, including the National Conference.