Kashmir shuts against civilian killings

Srinagar, Sep 28: A complete shutdown affected normal life across Kashmir Valley on Friday. The strike, sponsored by the Joint Resistance Leadership comprising the separatist trio Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, was observed to protest the killing of Qamarwari youth Saleem Malik.

Malik lost his life in a search operation. Police said he was killed in cross fire, however, family while terming the killing as cold blooded murder hold Forces directly responsible for the act.

The JRL had asked people to observe shutdown to register their protest against what it described as “military highhandedness” against the people of Kashmir.

Throughout the city centre LalChowk, the business establishments and private institutions remained closed while as thin traffic plied on the streets. Educational institutions also remained closed for the day across Kashmir. The authorities imposed strict curbs in major parts of old Srinagar city to foil possible protests.

Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani continues to remain under house arrest while authorities arrested Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik on Friday morning to prohibit him from leading any protest. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was also placed under house arrest and thus was not allowed to lead prayers at historic Jamia Masjid where Friday congregational prayers were disallowed. In the areas of downtown heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces was made to patrol the streets and restrict people’s movement.

Mirwaiz Umer Farooq slammed the state government for imposing curbs at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.

Taking to his widely followed twitter handle Mirwaiz wrote: “Cycle of state killing & repression continues. Muslims barred for the 2nd consecutive week& 15th this year from offering Friday prayers at Jama Masjid,leadership & activists placed under detention, CASO continues. Meanwhile State claimer“establishing democracy at grass root level”!”

Reports from various district headquarters suggested that shutdown was observed in all the districts of Kashmir that include southern, northern and central Kashmir districts.