Protest demonstrations were held in Barzalla locality of uptown Srinagar on Sunday against the alleged highhandedness of security forces who raided a cluster of houses to hunt for local leaders who led the recent protest demonstrations in the area. The Valley observed shutdown for most of the day until the shops reopened in the evening and most places and roads were abuzz with activity.
Unknown miscreants set ablaze a truck at Pazalpora village in south Kashmir’s Bijbehara area, apparently to enforce the daytime shutdown called by the separatists.
Three separatist leaders — Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik — are spearheading the shutdown that completed 107 days on Sunday. The separatists are demanding resolution of Kashmir issue through dialogue between India, Pakistan and the representatives of Kashmiri people.
More than 90 people, mostly protesting teenagers and bystanders have been killed by the police and security forces to quell the uprising that shattered the normal life for more than three months. Thousands of people have been wounded by pellets, many of them hit in their eyes.
While the authorities have launched a Valley-wide crackdown to nab the people who have been allegedly involved in participating or organising anti-India protest demonstrations, a new controversy has erupted after the authorities issued orders to sack a dozen Government employees for fuelling unrest in the Valley.
The employees have threatened to launch agitation against the Government order. The authorities, however, placed president of Employees joint Action Committee (EJAC) president Qayoom Wani under suspension, apparently to thwart any attempt to launch a fresh stir.
The Opposition parties have decried the Government decision. An independent legislator Sheikh Rashid has announced to stage a protest in front of the Civil Secretariat on Monday against the Government order.
Menwhile, unknown miscreants set ablaze a truck in south Kashmir’s Bijbehara pocket on Sunday afternoon. For the past two weeks, several commercial vehicles have been set ablaze. The authorities blame miscreants who want to enforce the shutdown in valley.
Compared to the initial days of the unrest, the Valley is witnessing less effective shutdown and added movement of vehicles on roads. However, the educational institutions and the industrial units are continuously shut. On Sunday, the flea market in Srinagar along the Residency Road was abuzz with activity.