Amid restrictions, Kashmir Valley Monday observed a complete shutdown to commemorate 35th hanging anniversary of Muhammad Maqbool Bhat who was hanged on 11 February 1984 and his body was buried inside Tihar Jail. To thwart possible protests authorities had imposed restrictions in the areas falling under five police stations of old Srinagar city, viz: Khanyar, Safakadal, Maharaj Gunj, Nowhatta and Khanyar while restrictions remained in vogue in Maisuma area of uptown as well. Restrictions were also imposed the movement of people in and around the native place of slain leader Thregam. All the shops and business establishments remained shut while transport was off the roads. The government offices and banks recorded low attendance .However, fewer public and private plied in uptown areas of the City. Amid chill, large contingent of police and CRPF personnel had been deployed to thwart any kind of protests.Maqbool Bhat, a resident of frontier district Kupwara, was hanged and buried by government of India on February 11, 1984, in Tihar jail of New Delhi. The call for shutdown was given by all leading pro-freedom leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik.Hundreds of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personal in riot gear and armed with assault rifles were deployed across Valley. Witnesses told CNS the forces imposed curbs in the Old City to contain protests. “They had erected concertina wires and armored vehicles were parked at various junctions and bridges of the Shehar-e-Khas,” they said.
The police had also deployed its men in volatile Maisuma and Gaw Kadal localities of the City. Joint Resistance Leaders and activists staged a protest demonstration demanding back the mortal remains of slain Mohammad Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat. Scores of the leaders and activists including females staged the protest in Srinagar and demanding back the mortal remains of Guru and Bhat. The protesting leaders also raised pro-freedom slogans. The JKLF spokesman claimed that many leaders were arrested during the protest at Lal Chowk Srinagar. A peaceful pro-freedom protest was held at Trehgam, the native village of Maqbool Bhat. Hundreds of people participated in the protest.The protesters carrying placards and banners demanded return of mortal remains of Muhammad Maqbool Bhat.Reports of shutdown were received from all the districts of valley including Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag, Kulgam, Budgam, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla.A police official told CNS that the situation remained peaceful across Kashmir. “A protest march was taken out in Thregam elsewhere in Valley the day passed off peacefully,” he said.Pertinently, authorities have detained almost all the leaders of the separatist organization either in their houses or in different police stations. (CNS)