Sopore: A complete shutdown is being observed in Kashmir Valley on Friday to mark the fifth death anniversary of Muhammad Afzal Guru who was secretly hanged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail in 2013. The Supreme Court ordered the conviction of Guru in parliament attack case, saying, “The
collective conscience of the society will be satisfied only if the death penalty is awarded to Afzal Guru.” All shops and other business establishments are shut while traffic is off the roads.
Authorities have imposed restrictions in several parts of the valley particularly in north Kashmir’s Sopore, Guru’s hometown, and Srinagar to maintain law and order. Massive deployment of police and paramilitary forces are seen at several areas in order to prevent any protests called by the joint resistance leadership (JRL).
The government forces are seen patrolling across the streets, reports said, adding several link roads are blocked with rolls of concertina wires with security personnel manning the barricades.
The joint resistance leadership (JRL) had called for complete shutdown across the valley on the anniversaries of Muhammad Afzal Guru and Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, the JKLF founding leader, who was hanged in the same Tihar Jail in 1984.
Kashmiris continue to demand return of mortal remains of both Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat which lie buried in the premises of the Tihar Jail, Delhi.
