Kashmir observes complete shutdown

Complete shutdown was observed across Kashmir on August 15 with roads wearing a deserted look and all commercial established closed.

The strike was called by separatist leaders.

“We had made elaborate arrangements to thwart any attack by militants,” a senior police officer said. “Though there was no specific input about any militant attacks, we had, however, made extraordinary security arrangements given the recent spurt in militant activities in Kashmir. A three-tier security cover was in place to deal with any challenge. All functions were held smoothly across the Valley.”

The movement of participants of the August 15 functions including legislators and other VIPS was being monitored through Close Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) camera. Police had recently installed nearly a dozen new CCTVs to ensure a tight vigil on the suspects. At least 20 such cameras were already installed at various points in Srinagar as part of the security measure.

On the directions of security agencies, mobile and internet services were snapped at 8:30 in the morning and restored at 12 in the noon. “This was part of the security measures,” a police official said, wishing not to be named.

In old Srinagar, police and paramilitary military had closed all roads by placing barbed wires thereby preventing people from venturing out of their homes. “We preferred to stay indoors given the nature of curbs since August 14. Today one could spot only paramilitary CRPF and police walking on the streets,” said Imtiyaz Ahmed Dar, a student from Saraf Kadal area of old Srinagar.

A Hurriyat (M) spokesman said the strike should send a clear message to Indian leadership and the world community that Kashmiris will not accept “preponderance of any nation.”

“Kashmiris would continue with their struggle with full commitment to achieve their cherished right to self determination,” he said in a statement issued here. “Kashmiris can’t be suppressed by means of military might forever. The Government of India should accept the reality that Kashmir is a political dispute which needs to be solved on urgent basis.”

Terming the complete shutdown in Kashmir on August 15 and imposing curbs in Srinagar on the Independence Day of Pakistan as an eye opener for New Delhi and the world community, Hurriyat (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar said that Kashmiri people have once again announced their decision about what they want and which side they want to be. “We suggest New Delhi to shun the traditional rigidity and stubbornness and accept the mandate of the people of Kashmir and give them a chance to decide their future by holding referendum,” he said.

Separatists caged:

All the separatist leaders were either placed under house arrest or lodged in police stations. As the Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani continues to remain under house arrest, many other leaders of the amalgam that include Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Altaf Ahmed, Ayaz Akbar were also placed under house detention. Many leaders of the amalgam were lodged in various police stations.

JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik has been lodged in police station Kothibagh while many other Front leaders were kept under preventive custody.

Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest on Thursday evening while many leaders of the conglomerate that include Moulana Abbas Ansari, Javaid Mir, Hilal War and others were either placed under house detention or lodged in police stations.

Senior separatist leaders Shabir Ahmed Shah and Nayeem Ahmed Khan were also placed under house arrest.

Mild stone pelting was reported from areas like Batamaloo, Habba Kadal and a few other areas in old city.

South Kashmir:

The twin districts of Pulwama and Shopian witnessed tight security cover amid complete shutdown. Heavy deployment of forces was seen at every nook and corner of Pulwama, Tral and Shopian towns. The roads leading to the police lines Pulwama and Shopian were completely sealed and no one was allowed to move without complete checking.

“Keeping in view the recent militancy related incidents in the districts, the security arrangements have been intensified as compared to previous years. We don’t want any untoward incident to happen and want the day should pass peacefully,” police said.

Complete shutdown was observed in Islamabad (Anantnag) also. In Khudweni area of Kaimoh in Kulgam district of South Kashmir, three youth were injured in clashes with police and CRPF, reports said. A group of youth resorted to heavy stone pelting on a police and CRPF camp housed in SKAUST office Khudwani. The forces fired pellet guns resulting in injuries to three youth. They were shifted to sub-district hospital Kaimoh for treatment.