SRINAGAR: Authorities have imposed restrictions in capital Srinagar ahead of a 3-day strike called by the separatists to demand the mortal remains of Afzal Guru, who was hanged and buried at Delhi’s Tihar jail on Feb 9.
“According to Srinagar District Magistrate Baseer Ahmad Khan, in view of law and order situation, restrictions under Section 144 CrPC have been imposed in entire district Srinagar with immediate effect,” an official spokesman said.
The hardline faction of separatist alliance Hurriyat Conference has called for a strike on Wednesday and Thursday besides a strike after Friday prayers to press for demands that his body be returned for “proper Islamic burial” in Kashmir. (Read More)
The moderate Hurriyat Conference, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and JKLF have also called for a shutdown on Friday.
The spokesperson said the restrictions had been imposed “to avoid breach of peace and tranquillity besides damage to life and property”.
Life returned to normal on Monday, nine days after Guru was hanged. Three youth died and dozens were wounded during clashes with police and paramilitaries.
Authorities had imposed a curfew which continued till Friday evening. However Geelani had asked the people to continue the strike until Sunday last to demand that New Delhi returned guru’s body.
Guru’s family has also written to the union Home Ministry seeking Guru’s body for burial in the valley. People have reserved an empty grave for Guru at the “Martyr’s Graveyard” in Srinagar.
“His body lies with the government of India as a trust,” reads its epitaph.
