Kashmir News Bureau
Srinagar, Feb 09 (KNB): The normal life in Kashmir valley was affected on Friday due to the strike call given by Joint Resistance Leadership to commemorate the fifth ‘martyrdom’ anniversary of parliament attack convict Muhammad Afzal Guru.
Reports reaching Kashmir News Bureau, in view of the call of strike and protests, the state administration imposed curfew like restrictions in parts of Srinagar and Baramulla districts. The protest was called to observe his death anniversary and to reiterate the family’s demand for his mortal remains.
Senior pro-freedom leaders, Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq continue to remain under house arrest while Muhammad Yasin Malik has been lodged in the Central Jail.
Train services between north Kashmir’s Baramulla town and Bannihal town in the Jammu region have been suspended as a precautionary measure.
No Friday prayers were allowed at Kashmir’s grand mosque for the consecutive third week and forth time this year.
Reports reaching KNB, a number of lawyers led by Advocate Surat Shakeel staged a protest in district court complex to demand returning of mortal remains of Shaheed Maqbool Bhat and
Shaheed Afzal Guroo.
Meanwhile, KNB North Kashmir correspondent reported that some youth after Friday congregation prayers assembled at Jamia Masjid Sopore and started pelting stones on government forces deployed in strength at Main chowk and main bazaar area of Sopore town. Forces in return lobbed some tear gas shells to disperse the protesters, triggering clashes.
Pertinent to mention here, Afzal Guru was convicted for his role in the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. He received a death sentence for his alleged involvement, which was upheld by the Indian Supreme Court. Following the rejection of a mercy petition by the President of India, he was executed on 9 February 2013. His body was buried inside Delhi’s Tihar Jail. Independent commentators have questioned his sentence stating that he did not receive adequate legal representation and that his execution was carried out in secrecy. (KNB)
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.