Ruling PDP-BJP regime on Monday imposed strict restrictions Old City and foiled the proposed Eidgah march and rally of joint resistance leaders to commemorate the death anniversaries of two leaders—Mirwaiz Maulvi Muhammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone who were killed by unidentified gunmen on May 21, 1990, Lone and May 21, 2002 respectively.The JRL leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik had called for a march to Eidgah in Old City here to commemorate the death anniversaries.The authorities imposed strict restrictions within the jurisdiction of police stations of MR Gunj, Safa Kadal, Nowhatta, Khanyar and Rainawari. Hundreds of paramilitary forces personnel were deployed in length and breadth of downtown areas and all roads leading to Eidgah were sealed off with concertina wires.Although the day passed off peacefully but minor stone-throwing clashes broke out at Aali-masjid, near Eidgah. However, there were no reports about injuries to anybody. All JRL leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz UmarFarooq, Mohammd Yasin Malik were either detained in their houses or in police lock-ups to prevent them from leading protest rallies.
In the wake of shutdown call, normal life across the Valley came to halt with most of the shops, commercial establishments and fuel stations closed along with the educational institutes, Government offices and banks. The public transport was also partially affected but private vehicles plied normally.The JRL strongly condemned the ruling regime’s decision of imposing toughest curbs and restrictions in downtown Srinagar even as it said complete shutdown by people across the Valley amplifies their commitment to the mission of the martyrs.The leadership said that the complete shutdown observed by the people across the Valley amplifies their commitment to the mission of the martyrs and the ongoing movement and their pledge that no matter how tough the repression goes, people will continue to strive for their rights till the final goal is achieved.JRL said that no matter how far Delhi and its local “collaborators” go in unleashing repression upon people, people have shown that they will continue to follow the cause for which the martyrs sacrificed their life and will at all cost resist the New Delhi’s military might with full strength. (GNS)