This Article is From May 21, 2015

Restrictions in Some Areas of Srinagar Ahead of Hurriyat Rally

Restrictions in Some Areas of Srinagar Ahead of Hurriyat Rally

Restrictions on the movement of people were imposed on various police stations ahead of Hurriyat Rally to mark the death of two leaders.

Srinagar: Authorities today imposed restrictions in six police station areas in Srinagar ahead of a rally by the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference to mark the death anniversary of its two leaders.

Restrictions on the movement of people were imposed in Khanyar, Safakadal, Maharaj Gunj, Nowhatta, Rainawari and Maisuma police station areas as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, a police official said.

He said there were apprehensions of law and order problems during the Hurriyat's rally at Eidgah in the old city area.

The official said the situation across the Valley was peaceful so far with no untoward incident reported from any place.

Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was placed under house arrest on Wednesday, a day ahead of the rally to commemorate the death anniversary of his father, who was assassinated by gunmen in 1990.

Criticising the move, a Hurriyat spokesperson said, "When Kashmiris were peacefully organizing Hafta Shahadat to remember (Mirwaiz's father) Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq, (Hurriyat leader) Abdul Gani Lone...placing him under house arrest was like rubbing salt on the wounds of Kashmiris."

Mr Farooq was shot dead by militants on May 21, 1990, and Mr Lone fell to the bullets of ultras during a commemoration rally for the former on the same day in 2002.

Meanwhile, normal life in the Valley was affected due to the strike call given by the Hurriyat for marking the death anniversary of the two leaders.

Schools and business establishments were closed in most parts of the Valley but some schools in the interiors of the city were functional.

Public transport remained off the roads but private vehicles could be seen plying the roads in the city and other parts of the Valley, officials said.
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