Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Dec 10: Normal life in Kashmir valley remained disrupted today in response to strike called by separatists against the life imprisonment awarded to two Kashmiris by a TADA court while 6 separatists were detained by police for trying to carry out a protest demonstration in Srinagar on the occasion of World Human Rights Day.
The strike was called by Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and was supported by the High Court Bar Association and both the moderate and hardline factions of Hurriyat Conference.
Shops and business establishments were mostly closed in response to the strike call. The public transport remained off the roads. However, private cars were plying in the city and other major towns of the Valley.
Majority of the educational institutions remained closed but colleges were open in view of the University Examinations.
Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) contingents were deployed in strength in sensitive areas of the city and other major towns. However, there were no restrictions anywhere in the city on the movement of the people and vehicles.
In Srinagar’s Residency Road area a group of separatists appeared on the occasion of the World Human Rights day to protest against the human rights violations but police swooped on them and wished them away in a gypsy. One police man was critically injured when he fell from his vehicle while arresting these separatists. The cop was removed to hospital for treatment.
The chairman of the JKLF Mohammad Yasin Malik and several other separatists observed a day long hunger strike against the life imprisonment awarded to two JKLF activists, Showkat Ahmed and Nazir Ahmed Sheikh, for killing a BSF officer. The duo was in jail for several years before they were sentenced for life last month by a TADA court.
In the evening, JKLF activists carried out a torch procession against the lifer to two of its activists in Maisuma and adjoining localities. Separatist leaders Shabir Ahmad Shah and Javed Malik also joined the procession.
In Nishat area of Srinagar, protesters blocked the foreshore road on the Dal lake in protest against the life imprisonment to one of the JKLF activists who hails from Nishat.
MLA Langate, Engineer Rashid also carried out a protest march in Regal Chowk, Srinagar, along with his scores of supporters. They were demanding revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), release of political prisoners, seeking clemency for Afzal Guru and abolition of life imprisonment.
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