Kashmir remembers Maqbool Bhat on his death anniversary

Rameez Bhatt:

Srinagar: A complete shutdown marked the 27th death anniversary of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Mohammad Maqbool Bhat across the Kashmir Valley on Friday, reports and eyewitnesses told Kashmir Dispatch.

They said life in this summer capital came to a grinding halt in wake of the shutdown, called by most of the pro-freedom parties, including Hurriyat Conference factions to commemorate the death anniversary of Maqbool Bhat, who was hanged in New Delhi’s Tihar jail on this day in 1984.

In Srinagar, all shops, private and government offices, education institutes, banks and financial institutions, petrol pumps remained close in response to the strike call. The roads also presented a deserted look. Only vehicles carrying forces were seen plying on the otherwise busy roads of this capital city.

Earlier in the morning, activists of JKLF (R) led by senior leader, Javed Ahmad Mir took out a procession from Abi Guzar in the heart of the city, demanding the return of mortal remains of the party founder. Chanting slogans like “We want freedom,” “Return the remains of Maqbool,” the protesters tried to march through the streets of this capital city.
However, police swung into action and detained Mir and other JKLF activists before whisking them away to the nearby police station.

Police also detained at least four activists of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Liberation Party (JKDLP) led by Hashim Qureshi, when they tried to take out a protest rally from Abi Guzar.

Meanwhile, stringent security measures have been put in place in volatile areas of the city to thwart pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police have been deployed in strength in Maisuma, and the old city to keep the protesters at bay.

Reports of complete shutdown are also pouring from other major towns and districts of the Valley.