Srinagar: Authorities on Friday foiled the Joint Resistance Leadership’s (JRL) ‘public jalsa’ at Anantnag by imposing restrictions in Srinagar and Anantnag areas as precautionary measure.
The district administration Srinagar imposed restrictions in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of six police stations including Rainawari, Nowhatta, Khanyar, MR Gunj, Safakadal, Maisuma and Kralkhud partially while the Anantnag police imposed restrictions at various places across the district in view of the JRL’s public Jalsa.
The JRL comprising of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik were scheduled to address public jalsa supposed to be held at Anantnag today.
Police and paramilitary troopers were deployed on the roads in large number to thwart any possible protests called by JRL, officials said, adding that various exit and entry points of Srinagar city were sealed by the forces.
Earlier, an official in the administration had said that the restrictions will be imposed as a precautionary measure while the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anantnag, Altaf Khan had informed that the restrictions will be imposed across the district to thwart any possible protest.
Meanwhile, various pro-freedom leaders tried to march towards Anantnag but the attempt was foiled the authorities by arresting them on the way.
Hurriyat (G) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had tweeted that he will defy the curfew and will march towards Islamabad (Anantnag) at 12:30 pmbut the forces deployed outside his Nigeen residence didn’t allow him to march towards Anantnag.
“Will defy house arrest today at 12.30 and try to march towards Islambad as per the programme of JRL to show solidarity with the people of south Kashmir who continue to bear the severe brunt of occupation!,” Mirwaiz tweeted prior to his arrest.
After Mirwaiz tried to come out from his residence where he was under house detention, the police deployed in large number outside foiled his attempt and detained him. “Not allowed , arrested by the shameful ruling regime , spoke to media just before arrest,” he wrote in his another tweet.
Mirwaiz while talking to reporters prior to his arrest condemned the imposition of curfew and suspension of internet services in view of the JRL’s call.
“If the government believes in democracy then why it always choke our political activities us, he said, adding that the restrictions and raiding the house of pro-freedom leaders and activists clearly indicates that the JK has been turned into police state.
“From last nine days I continued to remain under house arrest while Geelani also continued to be under house detention. Malik and other pro-freedom leaders were also out behind the bars,” he said.
Meanwhile, the senior Hurriyat leader and People’s Political Party (PPP) Chairman, Engineer Hilal Ahmad War along with scores of other pro-freedom leaders were today detained after they tried to march towards Anantnag where a public jalsa was scheduled to be held on Joint Resistance Leadership’s (JRL) call.
War said that the Nowgam Police intercepted them when they were marching towards Anantnag.
He was accompanied by Javaid Khan, Press Secretary, Mohammad Shafi Dar, Personal Secretary, Arif Khan, Youth leader PPP Hafeez ur Rehman.
Pertinently, The JRL comprising of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik had also asked the Government of India to allow the resistance leadership to hold public Jalsa if you believe in democracy.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Range, Munir Ahmad Khan said that the situation across the Valley remained ‘peaceful and under control’.
(With inputs from KNS)
