J&K-cops round up Yasin Malik, Mirwaiz Farooq to prevent protests
Police in J&K rounded up top separatist leaders today to prevent them from going ahead with a protest strike in the Valley. Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chief Yasin Malik has been detained, while moderate Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was put under house arrest. Hardline Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani continues to remain under house detention.
Separatist leaders had called protests against civilian killings
Malik, Mirwaiz and other separatists had announced protests today over the alleged killing of civilians in firing by security forces, and the outrageous murder of eminent journalist Shujaat Bukhari, under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL). Bukhari and his two guards were shot dead in the high-security Press Colony office on June 14. The attack shocked the nation, triggering mass outrage.
Normal life disrupted due to shutdown
Today, the day of the strike, public transport largely remained suspended, educational institutes stayed shut and shops and businesses didn't open. Attendance in banks and post offices remained dismal. However, some private cars were seen running in uptown Srinagar. Rail services were suspended as a precaution. Reports from other towns in the Valley showed the shutdown affected normal life elsewhere too.
Police take preventive action to prevent violence
To prevent things from turning violent, police picked up Malik from his residence in Maisuma this morning. He has now been taken to the police station in Kothibagh. Meanwhile, Mirwaiz has been kept under house arrest at his Nigeen residence.
The 'ceasefire' month in Kashmir saw more violence than usual
Kashmir saw a tense month as the government declared a brief ceasefire, but terrorists continued attacks. In fact, violence reached a record high, official data has revealed: there were as many as 20 grenade attacks, 50 terror strikes and 41 deaths during May 16-June 17. The government eventually called off the ceasefire, saying operations against terrorists will now resume.
