Srinagar/May,19: Curbs on the movement of people in the city centre Lal Chowk and detention of top separatist leaders on Saturday foiled the ‘Lal Chowk Chalo’ march called by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) on the eve of the one day visit of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu & Kashmir.
JRL comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Molvi Umar and Yasin Malik had asked people to march to Lal Chowk, while carrying placards “what Kashmiris want” to protest Modi’s visit. Modi inaugurated circular ring road project and dedicated Kishenganga power project to the people at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convocation Center (SKICC) on the banks of Dal Lake.
The capital city Srinagar was placed under thick blanket of security cover with educational institutions, commercial establishments and offices closed. Security was heightened in Srinagar with areas around SKICC, the venue for the PM’s function kept under tight security cover.Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq tried to take out a protest rally from his Nigeen residence towards city center Lal Chowk, but contingents of forces personnel prevented him from marching ahead. Later, Mirwaiz was detained in Nigeen police station. Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani was confined to his home as he was not allowed by authorities to move out from his Hyderpora residence to take out a protest rally towards Lal Chowk. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik continues to be under detention. JKLF’s march towards Lal Chowk was also foiled with scores of its leaders and activists placed under detention.
