Burhan anniversary: Curbs to prevent protests in valley

Wani was killed in a gunfight with the security forces on July 8, 2016 in Kokernag area of Anantnag district along with two of his accomplices.

Srinagar: Restrictions were imposed in parts of the Srinagar city and other places in the valley on Monday to prevent separatist-called protests on the death anniversary of Hizbul commander, Burhan Wani. Not just shops, businesses and transport, but internet and even the advance of pilgrims for the annual Amarnarh Yatra was put on hold. Separatist conglomerate, Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) headed by Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik have appealed to the people to observe a valley-wide protest shutdown on the third death anniversary of Wani. Wani was killed in a gunfight with the security forces on July 8, 2016 in Kokernag area of Anantnag district along with two of his accomplices. More than a gun-wielding militant commander, Wani had become a poster boy for home-grown militancy in Kashmir. Restrictions have been imposed in Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainwari, M.R.Gunj and Safa Kadal among others, police sources said. Authorities also suspended mobile Internet services in four south Kashmir districts of Pulwama, Kulgam, Anantnag and Shopian to prevent spread of inflammatory posts and pictures. No movement of Amarnath Yatris was allowed from winter capital Jammu towards the Valley on day keeping in view the law and order situation. Shops, public transport, other businesses and educational institutions remained closed in Srinagar city and other parts of the valley. Skeletal private transport and some three wheelers, however, moved in uptown areas of the city here. Inter-district transport was also adversely affected because of the separatist protest call. Security forces have been deployed in sufficient strength to deal with any eventuality.