Restrictions In Srinagar Parts As Kashmir Shuts To Mark Moulvi Farooq, Gani Lone’s Death Anniversaries

Srinagar: Authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar city on Tuesday as Kashmir observes shutdown to mark the 29th death anniversary of Moulvi Mohammad Farooq, father of moderate Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq; Hurriyat Leader Abdul Gani Lone and the ‘martyrs’ of Hawal massacre.

Moulvi Mohammad Farooq was killed by unidentified gunmen after they barged into his Nigeen residence on May 21 in 1990. Subsequently, on the same day, a huge procession carrying his coffin was fired upon by CRPF men at Hawal in Srinagar. More than 60 civilians were killed in the CRPF firing, making it one of the biggest massacres in Kashmir.

Hurriyat Conference had called for a march to Eidgah and complete shutdown in Kashmir to mark the death anniversaries of Moulvi Farooq and Hurriyat Conference leader Abdul Gani Lone.

Besides imposing restrictions in areas falling under five police stations in old Srinagar city to foil the proposed march to Eidgah, the government placed Mirwaiz under house arrest at his Nigeen residence on Monday evening.

It was at Eidgah that separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone was assassinated at the commemorative rally on May 21, 2002. Both Moulvi Farooq and Lone are buried at Eidgah in the martyrs’ graveyard.

Shops and other business establishments in the Residency Road area, Lambert Lane, Regal Chowk, Maisuma in the city centre Lal Chowk and the Batamaloo and Karan Nagar areas of Srinagar remained shut today in response to the call.

Public transport is also off the roads in most of the areas in Srinagar and major towns.