Life was hit after separatists called a day-long shutdown here on Monday. The authorities placed restrictions in parts of Srinagar to avoid any showdown between the separatists and security forces in the wake of a protest march call.
Top separatist leaders — Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik — had called for a march towards Srinagar’s commercial hub Lal Chowk.
While Mr. Geelani and Mr. Mirwaiz were placed under house arrest, Mr. Malik was detained near Sarai Bala when he tried to lead the procession. The authorities also blocked all roads leading to Lal Chowk.
“The terror unleashed by the forces is the only reason that the well-educated youth of Kashmir are picking up guns,” said Mr. Malik.
Meanwhile, Mr. Geelani said those parroting normality continued to play with innocent lives. “We will fight till our last breath,” said Mr. Geelani. Sporadic stone-throwing occured in the Valley. . Several parts of Srinagar saw youth hurling stones at security forces’ patrols.
Meanwhile, train services between north and south Kashmir were suspended after an unknown youth damaged rail infrastructure in the Delina and Pattan areas of Baramulla. A Northern Railway spokesman said they would try to restore the services by Tuesday.
Farooq backs stir
Describing the five-month separatists’ agitation as “a struggle for people’s rights”, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday said his party “supports and stands by it”.
Speaking on the 111th birth anniversary of party founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah in Srinagar, Dr. Abdullah said, “The ongoing struggle is for people’s rights. I ask the NC workers not to stay away from this movement. We cannot achieve anything unless we all are united.”
