Srinagar, May 21, 2019 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, complete shutdown marked by curfew-like restrictions was observed across the Valley, today, to commemorate the martyrdom anniversaries of prominent liberation leaders, Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone.
All shops, other business establishments and educational institutions remained closed while traffic was off the road. Call for the strike and a march towards martyrs’ graveyard at Eidgah in Srinagar was given by the resistance leadership to pay tributes to the martyrs. The authorities had imposed curfew and other restrictions in Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, Maharaj Gunj and Safa Kadal areas of the city to prevent the march. Heavy contingents of army, paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force and police were deployed, on the occasion.
The authorities placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest. Hilal Ahmad War was also confined to his house in Srinagar and Mukhtar Ahmad Waza was arrested in Islamabad town. APHC Chairman, Syed Ali Gilani, is already under house arrest.
Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at his residence in Srinagar on 21st of May 1990. 70 mourners were killed in Hawal area of the city when Indian troops opened fire on the funeral procession of the martyr. On the same day, in 2002, Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone was killed by unknown assailants when he was returning from Eidgah after addressing a public gathering.
The Chairman of Hurriyat forum Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a statement criticized the Indian authorities for imposing restrictions in Srinagar to prevent people from commemorating the martyrdom anniversaries of the leaders.
The Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Gilani in a statement paid rich tributes to Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone as well as victims of Hawal massacre on their martyrdom anniversaries. Senior APHC leader Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai in a statement said that the services of the two martyred leaders for the Kashmir cause would always be remembered.
Meanwhile, Indian forces launched a violent cordon and search operation in Yarwan area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district, today. The operation was going till last reports came in.
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