Restrictions in downtown today
Mirwaiz placed under house arrest, police says rallies won’t be allowed
Police placed Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest on Wednesday ahead of the death anniversaries of Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone.Meanwhile, authorities have decided to impose restrictions in areas failing under the jurisdiction of six police stations in downtown Srinagar on Thursday to prevent Hurriyat (M) from taking out rallies.
Hurriyat (M) spokesman, Shahid-ul-Islam, said a contingent of policemen was deployed outside the residence of Mirwaiz at Nigeen this morning.
“The cops informed him that he is under house arrest and can’t move out,” he said adding Mirwaiz was scheduled to lead a rally from Hawal today to mark the death anniversary of late Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq and Hawal massacre.
The Hurriyat (M) has been holding rallies in Eidgah on May 21 to mark death anniversaries of Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone.
The conglomerate has also called Valley-wide shutdown and “Eidgah chalo” tomorrow.
Addressing the rally on phone, Mirwaiz termed his house arrest as the worst form of dictatorial politics.
“Once again the government violated basic human and democratic rights and placed me under house arrest to restrict me from paying homage to Kashmiri martyrs in this week of Hafta Shahdat,” Hurriyat (M) chairman said and appealed people to observe complete shutdown tomorrow and march towards Eidgah to show complete resolve towards the struggle.
He said Kashmir was standing at a crucial juncture of history and it has become necessary for people to show their complete commitment to the cause.
IGP Kashmir SJM Gillani told us that restrictions will be imposed in areas falling under six police stations in downtown Srinagar tomorrow to maintain law and order and foil Eidgah rally.
“There were apprehensions of breach of peace and we placed Mirwaiz under house arrest. We would impose restrictions under six police stations — Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal, Rainawari, M R Gunj, Kralkhud and Zadibal. The downtown will remain our focus,” he said.
Gillani said restrictions will be imposed to prevent rallies planned by Hurriyat (M) to commemorate death anniversaries of Moulvi Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone.
The IGP said they won’t allow any rally tomorrow as these may turn violent.
“We won’t take any chances with the law and order situation in the city or elsewhere in the Valley,” he added.
Sources said police and paramilitary CRPF personnel would be deployed in strength in downtown Srinagar and other sensitive pockets of Srinagar to foil the separatist rallies.
The cops this evening erected barricades and laid concertina wires on the roads leading to Eidgah.
Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq, father of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was killed by unidentified gunmen on May 21, 1990.
