Kashmir observed a complete shutdown Sunday against the government of India’s move to ban the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front led by Muhammad Yasin Malik under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
On March 22, the union ministry of home affairs banned theJKLF led by Malik, who is presently serving detention under the Public SafetyAct, alleging that the organisation was “promoting secessionist activities” inKashmir. The JKLF is the second organisation to be banned by the MHA in a spanof less than a month. Last month, the MHA banned the socio-religiousorganisationJamaat-e-Islami (J&K), alleging that it has links with themilitant outfits, including the HizbulMujahideen.
The ban on JeI followed a massive crackdown on its membersby the police across Kashmir. The organisation’s chief Hameed Fayaz is amongseveral Jamaat members slapped with the PSA and shifted to a jail in Jammu.
The call for Sunday’s shutdown—which evoked a near-totalresponse—was given by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed AliGeelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Malik.
All shops and other private outlets remained closed inSrinagar’s commercial hub, LalChowk, and elsewhere. However, the weekly Sundaymarket remained open, though the footfall of shoppers was thin.
In Srinagar’s Downtown areas, curbs under section 144, whichbars assembly of four or more persons at a particular location, were imposedamid heavy deployment of forces to ensure law and order is maintained, anofficial said.
A witness said the gates of historic Jamia Masjid weresealed to ensure no gathering takes place there against the JKLF ban.
Shutdown was also observed in all district headquarters,including Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Anantnag, Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora,according to reports from these places.
A witness said clashes rocked HabbaKadal area of Srinagarwhen youths took to streets and engaged forces in pitched battles.
In small groups, youths hurled rocks and bricks at forces,who, in turn, responded with tear-gas shelling, the witness said.
Clashes were on till late evening.
Another witness said soon after withdrawal of forces fromDowntown areas, youth hit the streets in Sekidafar, Eidgah and NawaKadal andpelted forces with the stones, triggering clashes.
The forces responded with tear-gas shelling.
Meanwhile, the Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed AliGeelani continued to remain under detention at his Hyderpora residence whilethe Hurriyat Conference (M) chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under housearrest again on Saturday evening.