Clampdown in Srinagar to prevent rally

A security clampdown was on Wednesday launched in parts of Srinagar to hold back a rally planned beside the martyrs’ cemetery in Jammu and Kashmir summer capital to commemorate the slaying of the region’s then chief Muslim cleric Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq and another separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone.

Elsewhere, a shutdown called by a faction of separatist Hurriyat Conference alliance closed shops and other businesses and educational institutions whereas the transport services were disrupted resulting in also thin attendance in government offices. As many as seventy government officials were placed under suspension by the district magistrate for remaining absent from duty in central Budgam.

The slain Mirwaiz’s son and present incumbent Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who had called for “Idgah Chaloo” march was placed under house arrest ahead of the rally.

Several other senior conglomerate leaders and activists too were either detained in concerned police stations or not allowed to come out of their respective residences. All roads leading to the venue of the proposed rally were sealed by the security forces by laying Concertina barbed wire and ‘ bunker vehicles in the middle a night before.

Hundreds of armed policemen and CRPF jawans enforced curfewlike restrictions in police stations areas of Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal, Rainawari, Maharaj Gunj, Kralkhud and Zadibal. Police officials said the restrictions under Section 144 CrPC were imposed as a precautionary measure in seven police station areas of the City.

“We felt it necessary to prevent a law and order situation which could have posed a threat to public peace. There was every apprehension that rally could create law and order problems,” said J& K’s outgoing DGP Ashok Prasad.