Restrictions in old city as separatists call for march

SRINAGAR: The authorities on Sunday imposed restrictions in Srinagar, thereby keeping several parts of the old city out of bounds as the joint resistance leadership called for Eidgah march on Monday to mark the death anniversaries of Mirwaiz Kashmir Moulvi Farooq and Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone.

A paramilitary personnel stands guard on a deserted street in Srinagar. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 20

The authorities on Sunday imposed restrictions in Srinagar, thereby keeping several parts of the old city out of bounds as the joint resistance leadership called for Eidgah march on Monday to mark the death anniversaries of Mirwaiz Kashmir Moulvi Farooq and Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone.

Apprehending trouble, restrictions were enforced in old city areas of Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Safakadal and Eidgah, throwing life out of gear and disrupting traffic movement in the city.

The moderate faction of the Hurriyat headed by Mirwaiz is observing “Hafta-e-Shahadat” (martyrs’ week) to commemorate the death anniversaries of Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq (assassinated on May 21, 1990) and Abdul Gani Lone (assassinated on May 21, 2002). Both were buried at Eidgah cemetery.

Lanes and bylanes were sealed with concertina wires by the security forces on Sunday, while transport was not allowed to move through downtown areas, considered the bastion of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. However, pedestrian movement was allowed in these areas.

It was for the second consecutive day that the downtown areas of Srinagar were facing restrictions as on Saturday the area was closed in view of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who in his speech in Srinagar said the only solution to any conflict was development.

In an apparent reference to the PM’s speech, Mirwaiz tweeted: “Leadership under detention while downtown continues to be put under curfew and restrictions! Mirwaiz Manzil Rajouri Kadal completely sealed and barricaded! Repression for the sake of “development”, the new mantra for Kashmir resolution!”

Traffic movement disrupted

Restrictions were enforced in old city areas of Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Safakadal and Eidgah, throwing life out of gear and disrupting traffic movement in the city
Lanes and bylanes were sealed with concertina wires by the security forces, while transport was not allowed to move through downtown areas, considered the bastion of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
Pedestrian movement was allowed in these areas.