A shutdown was observed in Kashmir valley on Tuesday, the eighth death anniversary of Afzal Guru, the 2001 Parliament attack convict who was hanged in 2013.
Most markets and commercial hubs remained closed in the Valley. Lal Chowk, the main commercial hub, saw most shops and offices closed. There was skeletal traffic on the roads.
An official said security forces were put on an alert in the wake of intelligence inputs about some elements planning violence. Frisking of vehicles was stepped up at most checkpoints in Srinagar city. According to officials, extra deployments were made in sensitive areas.
A shutdown call was issued by the Hurriyat and the banned outfit JKLF.
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“The history of sacrifices rendered by the people of Kashmir and the leadership for their rights is so glorious that it cannot be forgotten. One must not lose hope with the changing times,” said a spokesman of the Hurriyat, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
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The Hurriyat has also condemned the police’s move to lodge an FIR against the family members of Athar Mushtaq, who was killed in the Lawaypora encounter, for demanding his body. “It's shameful and unfortunate that the body of an innocent youth was not handed over to the family for the last rites. And an FIR was lodged against the father for demanding the same,” the spokesman said.
