Mehbooba Mufti govt thwarts separatists’ march to Shopian, DM issues prohibitory orders

Jammu and Kashmir government has launched a major clampdown to thwart the separatists' march to Shopian against the civilian killings on Friday.

District Magistrate Shopian has imposed restrictions on the movement of public and transport in the territorial limits of district Shopian on Friday under Section 144 CrPC. However, the restrictions shall not be applicable to essential services including banks. 

Similarly, authorities have imposed restrictions in the sensitive old city of Srinagar to thwart separatists march.

Restrictions have been imposed in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of police stations of Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal, MR Gunj. However there will be partial restrictions in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of Maisuma and Kal khud police stations of civil lines area.

Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL)  of  separatists  had called for Shopian March on Friday to protest the civilian killings in Army firing last Saturday.

JRL is an amalgam of Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Geelani, Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, who spearheaded the 2016 unrest in the Kashmir valley.

Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani said police have detained dozens of separatist leaders and activists ahead of Shopian March. 

A spokesman of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani said police have placed Tereekh-e-Hurriyat (TeH) general secretary Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai and senior leader Mohammad Ashraf Laya under house detention.

"Many Hurriyat Conference leaders and activists including its spokesman Ghulam Mohammad Gulzar was arrested and lodged in police station Shergarhi, " said a Hurriyat spokesman.