SRINAGAR: A complete shutdown was observed in the home town of Afzal Guru on his 5th death anniversary while all shops, business establishments remain shut and public transport was also off the roads.
In order to maintain law and order and foil possible attempt of protests, authorities imposed strong restrictions in some parts of town. Reports said that the security personnel sealed entry points towards Afzal Guru’s home village Jageer Ghat.
However to avert any law and order situation in Sopore district administration had imposed section 144 under section CRPC in Sopore town. Contingents of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in full riot gear were deployed in the restriction imposed areas.
As precautionary measures authorities also suspended the Baramulla – Banihal train service for the day. The restrictions were also imposed in old city areas of Srinagar, the uptown area of Maisuma and in some north and south Kashmir areas.
Meanwhile, condolence meet was held at the residence of Afzal Guru on his 5th death anniversary in Jageer Ghat village of Sopore, mourners including pro-freedom leaders made a beeline since Friday morning to the house where they demanded the return of mortal remains of Afzal Guru.
Meanwhile the joint resistance leaders comprising Syed Ali shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Yasin Malik had asked the people to observe complete shutdown on February 09 and February 11 and to hold protests and demand mortal remains of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat on their hanging anniversaries.
Senior separatist 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.
Muzaffarabad-based umbrella of militant groups called the United Jihad Council (UJC) headed by Syed Sallauddin has supported the protest shutdown.
Pertinently Guru was secretly hanged and buried in Delhi’s Tihar jail on February 09, 2013 for his role in 2001, militant attack on Parliament in which 14 people including five attackers were killed. (PTK)
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