Shutdown disrupts life in Valley

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 9: Life in Kashmir valley was disrupted today due a shutdown called by separatists and restrictions imposed by authorities in parts of Valley on the occasion of fifth anniversary of Afzal Guru’s hanging.
Separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Yasin Malik had called for shutdown and protests to observe the anniversary of Parliament attack                  convict Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat, a JKLF founder who were hanged in Tihar Jail in 2013 and 1984 respectively.
Shops and other business establishments remained closed in the Srinagar while public transport was off the roads. Shutdown was also observed in other parts of the Valley.
Despite restrictions, the separatist leaders visited the residence of Afzal Guru in Jageer Ghat, Dubgav village of Sopore in North Kashmir.
Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC were imposed in Sopore town and old city of Srinagar and Maisuma to prevent protests.
Police and para-military CRPF ware heavily deployed in old city to prevent movement of people and vehicles and foil any protests. Police blocked the main roads with iron barricades and concertina wire. The roads in Sopore were also blocked to prevent any protest march towards Jageer Ghat.
Contingents of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed in sensitive parts of Kashmir to prevent protests.
Chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq continued to remain under house arrest while Mohammad Yasin Malik has been lodged in Srinagar Central Jail.
Train services between Banihal and Baramulla in Kashmir Valley remained suspended as a precautionary measure.  The Railways issued the suspension of train services to prevent loss to its property.
Meanwhile, clashes were reported from Sopore, HMT Srinagar, Machowa-Nowgam railway track, and Memander in Shopian.
At least five persons are said to have received pellet injuries in Machowa-Nowagam railway track and Memander, Shopian. The injured youth have been hospitalised.
Among the injured, a youth Showkat Ahmad Ganie received pellet wounds in his eyes at Memander, Shopian while as another youth Umar Mushtaq received pellet injuries in his face. Both the injured youth were taken to nearby respective hospitals where from they have been referred to Srinagar hospital for specialised treatment.
A police spokesperson, however, said that the overall situation remained peaceful barring few “stray incidents” of stone pelting.

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