Valley shuts on Burhan’s second death anniversary

Srinagar, July 8: Kashmir observed a complete shutdown on Sunday in remembrance of Burhan Wani, the commander of Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit, who, along with his two associates, was killed by government forces on this day two-years ago in 2016 in an encounter in south Kashmir. Authorities imposed strict restrictions across valley to thwart any rally announced by Joint Hurriyat Leadership. Severe restrictions were placed in sensitive areas of Srinagar, south Kashmir and other parts of the valley. All the business establishments and shops remain closed in view of the call given by Joint Hurriyat leadership on Wani’s second death anniversary. “Restrictions remained in force in areas under the jurisdiction of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, M.R. Gunj and Safa Kadal police stations in old city Srinagar,” official sources said. “Partial restrictions were also placed in areas under the jurisdiction of Kralkhud and Maisuma police stations.” Thousands of armed police and paramilitaries were deployed in streets of major towns and villages including Srinagar. They laid coils of barbed wire at entry and exit points in many towns. In Tral, Burhan’s hometown, unprecedented clampdown arrangements were set in place as the authorities fear massive assembly of people to pay homage to Burhan Wani. Despite it, clashes broke out in Nowdal village of Tral between locals and government forces on Sunday. Reports said that as youths tried to march towards the native village of Burhan to pay tribute to him, the forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the youth and foiled their march that triggers clashes in the area. In Srinagar, nearly 200 students in Kashmir University campus staged a protest in remembrance of Burhan. The students carried Burhan’s photographs and displayed placards while chanting slogans like “Farewell our martyr” and “Go India, go back. Mobile Internet services were suspended throughout the Valley while the speed of fixed line broadband connections was slashed. A complete shutdown was also observed in Bhadarwah area to mark the second death anniversary of Burhan. Anjuman-e-Islamia Bhadarwah (AIB) had called for shutdown on Sunday to pay tribute to Burhan and to protest the killings of three civilians in army firing in Kulgam district on Saturday. All shops and other business establishments remained closed in the Additional district Bhadarwah. Senior separatist leaders, Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were already placed under house arrest while Yasin Malik was taken into preventive custody. Meanwhile, funeral prayers in absentia were offered for the slain civilians killed in Hawoora village of Redwani area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Three civilians including a teenage girl were killed by the army in Hawoora village of Kulgam district on Saturday. Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front activists led by Noor Mohammad Kalwal and Bashir Kashmiri organized funeral prayers in absentia for the slain people after Zuhr prayers outside Jamia Masjid Gaw Kadal Srinagar. Rich tributes were paid to the slain militants and civilians after the prayers. On 8 July 2016 Burhan Wani along with his two associates were killed in a brief encounter with forces in Bamdoora Kokernag area of south Kashmir. Soon after his death Kashmir erupted with protests and strikes for six months. During six months of protests over 100 civilians were killed while more than 15,000 were injured in anti-India demonstrations.