Srinagar: Authorities on Friday imposed restrictions in parts of Old City including Nowhatta, housing the grand Jamia Masjid. Also, the governor administration placed chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while detained JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik ahead of the death anniversary of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander. Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani also remained under house.
Reports said that barricades have been laid at main road near Islamia College, Rajouri Kadal, Nowhatta and interiors of these areas to prevent movement of civilians. Police and paramilitary CRPF, equipped with riot gear and assault rifles, have been deployed in strength to enforce the unannounced restrictions in the area.
Meanwhile in a tween, Mirwaiz said that restrictions were imposed in Downtown Srinagar while he was placed under house detention.
“Restrictions imposed in Downtown Srinagar, #JamaMasjid under seige, crackdown on #Hurriyat leadership. Yasin arrested, I am placed under #HouseArrest, Geelani Sb continues to be under #HouseDetention. Hurriyat activists houses raided, scores of youth picked up & detained by authorities!” tweeted the Mirwaiz.
Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik was arrested on Friday morning from his Maisuma residence in Srinagar.
A spokesman said that a police party reached at the residence of Malik and detained him.
The house arrest and detention of JKLF and Hurriyat conference leaders comes just two days ahead of second death anniversary of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik has called for a Kashmir-wide shutdown and a public meeting at Wani’s native Tral area on July 8. Burahn’s killing triggered an uprising in 2016 and nearly 100 people were killed and more than 10000 people were injured, mostly with pellets.
