Srinagar, June 25: The parallel factions of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have called for complete shutdown on Saturday against the killing of two youth in Sopur by the paramilitary CRPF troopers. They have also called for Sopur Chalo on Monday.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Mirwaiz’s close aide Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam said the Hurriyat has appealed people to observe complete shutdown on Saturday against the killings by CRPF. “We urge people to march towards Sopur on Monday to protest the killings,” he said.
Meanwhile sources quoting senior Hurriyat (G) leader, Masarat Alam, said the party has also called for shutdown on Saturday and march towards Sopur on Monday.
 However, reports said that Masarat Alam has asked that students who are scheduled to appear in the Common Entrance Test to be conducted by the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations Saturday should be allowed to reach their respective centres.
 The High Court Bar Association has supported the bandh call against the killings in Sopur. The HCBA president Mian Abdul Qayoom condemned the killings.
 Chairperson Dukhtran-e-Millat, Aasiya Andrabi, while supporting the Hurriyat Conference (G) call for Kashmir bandh on Saturday said Kashmiris were being ‘massacred’ and it was time for all to protest.
 “I endorse the call given by Hurriyat Conference (G), Hurriyat Conference (M) and Bar for Kashmir Bandh and Sopur chalo. We are aware that students have to appear for Common Entrance Test but given the situation we can’t afford to ignore what is happening in Sopur where innocent youth are being martyred. I urge parents of those appearing for the examination to accompany their wards for the test or else the aspirants should carry roll number slips in case of curfew or restrictions,” she said in a statement.
 Aasiya urged people from all districts to converge at Sopur on Monday to protest what she termed mayhem in the Apple Town.

‘COME OUT WITH JOINT STRATEGY’
 Kashmir Traders Federation has appealed the pro-freedom leadership to come out with a joint strategy so that economic conditions of the people are not worsened.
 The Federation, at a meeting held here today with Haji Jan Muhammad Koul in chair, expressed serious concern over the killing of innocent civilians by the ‘unbridled’ armed forces and arrest of innocent students. It asked the government to remove all the bunkers, release all the detainees and revoke Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the first instance to restore peace and security in Jammu & Kashmir.
 Meanwhile, the Federation has appealed the authorities of all banks operating in the Valley to keep their branches open on June 27, Sunday, to enable the traders to run their business as usual on this day. It has asked the salesmen working in all the business institutions and outlets to ensure their attendance at their work places on Sunday.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST