October 27: Kashmir shuts against landing of Indian soldiers on this day in Valley

Srinagar, Oct 27: Kashmir observed a complete shutdown on Saturday against the landing of Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir on this day in 1947.

The call for shutdown was given by Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yaisn Malik who had urged people to observe October 27 as “Black Day.”

All commercial establishments, schools, colleges, and private institutions across Kashmir remained closed while attendance of employees in government offices was reported to be very thin. Traffic was largely off the roads.

Restrictions were in place in the old city area of Srinagar to thwart any protest as pro-freedom leaders had called for shutdown against the landing of Indian army in Kashmir on same day 71 years back.

A large number of police and other forces was deployed in the areas coming under seven police stations to implement the restrictions.

Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq continued to remain under house detention while Muhammad Yasin Malik has been lodged at Police Station Maisuma.

Restrictions were imposed in Rainawari, Safa Kadal, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Maharaj Gunj, Rainawari and Maisuma in Srinagar to prevent protests in these areas.

It is pertinent to mention here that on this day in 1947, Delhi airlifted its forces to Srinagar after the last monarch of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh “singed the conditional Instrument of Accession” with India.

“On this day, Indian forces landed in valley against the wishes of Kashmiris,” separatists maintain. It is for this reason that separatist camp – fighting for the rights to self determination of Kashmiris – observe October 27 as “Black Day”.