A general strike was observed in the Valley on Saturday on the call given by Hurriyat Conference (G) to pay tributes to those killed in last three years’ summer unrests.
On June 11, 2010, 17-year-old Tufail Mattoo was killed by a tear gas shell fired by police near Rajouri Kadal here. About 116 civilians, mostly children and youth, were killed by police and paramilitary CRPF during the following days to quell pro-freedom protests in the following four months. Estimated 190 people, all of them civilians, have been killed in the past three years of summer unrests.
The authorities did not impose any restrictions today in uptown and downtown Srinagar. However, the security personnel wearing battle gear patrolled the lanes and by lanes of Srinagar. They were also deployed at major intersections and small alleys to thwart any protests. Shops, business establishments, schools, banks and other commercial establishments remained closed while public transport was off the roads though some private transport plied on the roads. Attendance was very thin in government offices, banks and post offices because of non-availability of public transport.
The authorities had already imposed section 144 CrPC in Srinagar- which bars the gathering of more than four people at one place.
Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani had called for the strike to pay tributes to those killed in last three years during summer unrests, including the land agitation of 2008 and Shopian agitation of 2009.
Geelani was placed under house arrest today. “He is detrimental for the law and order. That is why we took preventive measures and stopped his movement,” a police officer said.
There was no report of any untoward incident reported from any part of Srinagar.
The strike call had a considerable impact in both south and north Kashmir.
In North Kashmir’s Baramulla, Sopore, Zainageer, Rafiabad and Bandipora areas complete shutdown was observed. The shops were closed and no public transport plied on the roads except some skeletal private transport.
In South Kashmir complete bandh was reported from Islamabad, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian and other areas.
In Islamabad town people were distributing water and juices among the people in Kadipora and Malaknag areas in remembrance of the “martyrs of past three years.”
“We cannot forget our martyrs,” a youth from Kadipora said. “The police have detained scores of people and charged many more to avert any trouble. You cannot bring peace by pressure and detaining people,” he said.
The police spokesman said the situation remained peaceful throughout the valley. “The strike had least impact on general affairs of public,” he said.
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