Srinagar: Amid unprecedented clampdown and curfew, an unprecedented shutdown was observed across Kashmir Valley on the first anniversary of popular militant commander Burhan Wani even as the native town of the slain militant remained under the strict vigil and supervision of Indian Army that marched the streets and roads to restrict the movement of the people. Not a single person including the Journalists were allowed to visit the native village Sharifabad of Burhan Wani where government forces had taken control of martyrs grave yard and the Eidgah-the place where lakhs of mourners had attended his back to back funeral prayers on July 8 last year.
All the districts of South Kashmir including Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian reeled under strict curfew while men in uniform were seen patrolling on the deserted roads and streets of these districts. Police used loudspeakers to inform people about the imposition of Curfew. 2016 like situation prevailed in Valley with deserted roads, closed shops and pin drop silence everywhere.
“We are not allowed to move towards Sharifabad, the native village of Burhan Wani. SP Awantipora Mr Zahid Malik categorically refused to pave way for us stating that authorities have prohibited entry of any individual including journalists into the town,” a group of Journalists from South Kashmir said.
Reports said that those who had managed to reach Sharifabad based Burhan Wani’s house on Friday evening, were barred from coming out as Police reportedly locked the gate of the house. Reports added that during a raid on the Burhan’s house by Army, a number of people were detained and handed over to police. Among those detained in police station Tral is the senior separatist leader Abdul Samad Inqalabi. Inqalabi as quoted by local news gathering agency CNS said that at least 50 persons have been detained at the police station. Reports added that amid massive presence of Army and other government forces personnel, patriotic numbers eulogizing Burhan and Kashmir Freedom Struggle were played on the loud speakers of the mosques. Witnesses said that as soon as atmosphere was reverberating with the freedom numbers, army used to visit the area shutting down the sound system. “The situation remained tense throughout the day in the town while authorities enforced strict curfew, curbing the movement of the people,” said an eyewitness.
Meanwhile, a complete and unprecedented shutdown was observed across Kashmir. The call for shutdown was forwarded by Joint Resistance leadership including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muahammad Yasin Malik. Geelani and Mirwaiz are under house detention while Muhammad Yasin Malik has been languishing in Central Jail Srinagar. Muslim dominated Chenab Valley also observed shutdown to remember Burhan Wani on his first anniversary.
Parts of Srinagar city reeled under strict restrictions as government forces restricted the movement of people in maximum parts of old Srinagar city. “These are not restrictions but curfew is in place. We were even not allowed to buy milk and essential commodities here,” said a native of Kawdara area of Srinagar city.
Clashes broke out in Rainawari and Mehjoor Nagar area of Srinagar city where government forces used tear-smoke shells to disperse the protesters. A large number of youth amid pro-freedom slogans pelted stones on the government forces in Rainawari who in retaliation fired tear-smoke shells to disperse them. Reports said that a youth was detained by police sparking massive protests in the area.
All the shops and business establishments remained shut in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district while senior separatist leader Aga Syed Hasan Almosvi Alsafvi continued to remain under house arrest.
Clashes broke out between protesters and government forces in apple town Sopore of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Reports said that locals played patriotic numbers on the public address system of the mosques. Clashes in the town continued for hours.
At least three persons were injured during clashes in Hajin town of Bandipora district. Reports said that youth pelted stones on government forces who fired tear-smoke shells resulting in the injuries of three persons.
In a bid to foil any program on the anniversary of Burhan Wani, government forces had sealed the Eidgah at Ajas Bandipora where yesterday dozens of posters had surfaced asking people to assemble at Eidgah to pay tributes to Burhan Wani and other martyrs.
Reports said that throughout the day atmosphere reverberated with freedom numbers played on the loud speakers of the local mosques while special prayers were offered for Burhan Wani and other militants and civilians killed in Kashmir Valley.
Army conducted flag march in Pulwama district after a stone-pleting incident. Clashes between protesters and government forces were reported from Tahab area of the district.
Over a dozen protesters including few females were wounded after government forces reportedly fired pellets and tear-smoke shells to disperse them in South Kashmir’s Shopian town. Eyewitnesses said government forces raided a mosque where youth played freedom songs on lound speakers. This irked people who pelted stones on the police. The police in retaliation fired pellets resulting in the injuries of over a dozen persons. Witnesses said that some of the injured were shifted to hospital for treatment.
A police official said that barring few stray incidents of stone-pelting, the situation across Kashmir Valley remained peaceful.
