Police foils Lal Chowk march

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 23: Authorities on today imposed curbs in parts of this capital city and detained senior separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik to foil their march to Lal Chowk against Kulgam killings.
Restrictions were imposed in and around Lal Chowk to foil the protest march called by separatists against the killings in Kulgam.
Lal Chowk presented a deserted look with all shops and offices closed and all the entry and exit points were sealed by the security forces with concertina wire. Despite curbs and stringent security measures, JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik, who had gone into hiding ahead of the proposed Lal Chowk march, surfaced at Koker Bazaar this morning and tried to take out the rally. However, before he could reach the Ganta Ghar, police detained Malik and took him to the nearby police station.
Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was also detained when he tried to march towards Lal Chowk after scaling wall of his residence in Nigeen.
However, the chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani was not allowed by cops to step out of his Hyderpora residence.
And in Lal Chowk, trade bodies staged peaceful demonstrations. Dozens of members of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and industry (KCCI) this morning assembled at Regal Chowk and staged a protest to express solidarity with the families of the people killed in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) and Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) also staged protest over the killings.
Members of High Court Bar Association also took out a protest march against the alleged human rights violations. The Bar members were led by its president Mian Abdul Qayoom.
Meanwhile, protests and clashes broke out in parts of Srinagar and South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, as a shutdown was observed in parts of the Valley against the fresh spate of killings.
Youth clashed with security forces in Nawab Bazar, Chattabal, Parimpora, JVC and other parts of Srinagar. Security forces fired tear smoke shells to disperse the angry protesters.
At Wathura, Chadoora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, security forces used teargas after angry youth pelted rocks at them.
Clashes were also reported from Kadlabal area of Pampore area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
In the meantime, authorities have decided to seal off all roads leading to Kulgam tomorrow in wake of the protest march called by separatists against the killing of seven civilians in the South Kashmir.
Police has issued an advisory to all District Magistrates and asked them to take a call regarding closing of educational institutions and rescheduling the examinations.
Railway authorities have decided to suspend train service in Kashmir valley tomorrow. “Due to apprehensions of law & order problem in the Valley tomorrow, train operation on Banihal-Baramulla section of Kashmir valley shall remain suspended on,” a Railway official said.

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