Govt all set to foil ‘Sopore Chalo’
• Restrictions in parts of City today, Curbs imposed on separatists
Restrictions will be imposed in the areas of Srinagar city falling under the jurisdiction of five police stations on Friday to prevent people from taking out protest marches to Sopore on the call of separatist leaders, police officials said.
“Restrictions have been imposed in five police station areas of downtown that include Nowhatta, Khanyar, M R Gunj, Rainawari and Safakadal,” Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar, Amit Kumar told .
“Maisuma area in Lal Chowk will also remain under restrictions to maintain law and order in the city,” he added.
Both the factions of Hurriyat Conference and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front had called on people across Valley to reach Sopore on Friday as a mark of unity and resentment against the recent civilian killings in the north Kashmir town and to express solidarity with the bereaved families.Meanwhile, authorities have also imposed restrictions on the movement of separatist leaders.
Police arrested JKLF chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik Wednesday night and lodged him at Kothi Bagh police station.
The JKLF spokesman said he (Malik) has been detained to prevent from visiting Sopore on Friday. “Around 8:30 pm on Wednesday a police party detained Malik sahab at Nowgam while returning home. He is currently placed in Kothi Bagh police station,” he said, terming it as “undemocratic, oppressive and uncivilized” act.
Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was also placed under house arrest to prevent him from reaching Sopore on Friday.
“A heavy deployment of police reached Mirwaiz sahib’s residence at Nigeen in the afternoon and informed him about his house detention,” Hurriyat (M) spokesman, Shahid -ul–Islam told .
Despite the curbs imposed on the movement of Mirwaiz, Shahid said Hurriyat leaders and activists would march towards Sopore on Friday.
“We will be visiting the bereaved families who were killed by unknown gunmen recently and will express solidarity and sympathy with the bereaved families,” he said.
Restrictions continued on the movement of Hurriyat Conference (G) chariman, Syed Ali Geelani. Hurriyat (G) spokesman, Ayaz Akbar said Geelani has remained under house arrest since his return from Delhi on April 16.
“A large number of forces and police personnel remained deployed outside the Hyderpora residence of Geelani sahab. He has not been allowed to move out from his house,” Akbar said.
After a joint meeting of both the factions of Hurriyat and JKLF, they had called for ‘Sopore Challo’ on Friday where Geelani, Malik and Mirwaiz were scheduled to address public meetings after Friday prayers.
Police has also arrested senior separatist leader and Democratic Freedom Party chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah. “It is sheer frustration of state administration. They are defying all democratic norms and is hell bent to muzzle voices of innocent people,” DFP spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police, Amit Kumar said: “We don’t want any untoward situation in the valley. The arrest of the separatist leaders was a preventive measure for maintaining law and order.”
Since June 9, four people have been killed by unidentified gunmen in Sopore area. Police has claimed that two militants are involved in the killings and has even announced cash reward of Rs 10 lakh to nab them.
