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Kashmir shuts down on U.N. Day

Shujaat Bukhari

People shout pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, take out protest marches in the valley

— Photo: Nissar Ahmad

PRESSING THE U.N.: A protest march by supporters of separatists on the U.N. Day in Srinagar on Friday demanding the implementation of a U.N. resolution on the Kashmir issue.

SRINAGAR: On the United Nations Day on Friday, the Kashmir valley observed a complete shutdown reminding the international body of its role in resolving the Kashmir dispute.

The authorities put leading separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and others under house arrest.

The call for the strike was given by hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who is under treatment in Delhi. The appeal evoked near-total response with shops, business establishments, educational institutions and government offices closed. Vehicles were also off the roads.

Mr. Geelani had called the strike to remind the U.N. about its duty towards the people. “It should force the government of India to accept our demand for right to self-determination,” he said in a message from hospital. People have also started sending postcards to the U.N. supporting the demand.

Processions

At several places, people took out processions after Friday prayers, shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. However, police used force to disperse them. Police arrested Ghulam Nabi Sumji, acting chairman of the Hurriyat Conference led by Mr. Geelani, for leading the anti-election campaign. Earlier, JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik and Jamiat Ahlahadees chief Moulana Showkat were arrested while raids were continuing on the houses of other leaders.

Mirwaiz under house arrest

Mr. Farooq was put under house arrest and not allowed to deliver the Friday sermon at the Jamia Masjid. Talking to The Hindu over phone, the Mirwaiz condemned the arrest of leaders and said, “This is simply frustration on the part of government. As mainstream parties are campaigning for votes we should also be allowed to run anti-election campaign and that should be the spirit of democracy.”

The Mirwaiz said that by announcing seven-phase-long election process, the government was adding to the miseries of the people. “Academics and businesses will be affected by the tension these elections arouse,” he said. In any case, a Chief Minister elected through this process will be a “stooge of the Central government.” “So they should have selected someone and installed him here.”

The Mirwaiz said that Kashmiris, by marching towards U.N. office, Pampore and Eidgah in August, had given their verdict, and elections had no meaning. He criticised the mainstream parties for being mute spectators to “people’s revolutions” and instead joining the electoral bandwagon.

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