Arrest of JKLF Chief: Kashmir Valley Shuts On JRL Call

SRINAGAR — Authorities Friday imposed restrictions in several areas here as Kashmir shut in protest on the call of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL).

The JRL comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik had called for a shutdown after Malik was booked under the Public Safety Act and shifted to Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu on Thursday. 

“This spree of arrests, ban on Jamat-I-Islami and attempts to tinker with hereditary state subject law under the pretext of 35A deserves our stiff protest and resistance and people of Kashmir besides holding peaceful protests after Friday prayers will also observe a complete and comprehensive shutdown tomorrow,” it had said in a statement.

On Friday, police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in strength to impose restrictions in Maisuma, Rainawari, Khanyar, M.R. Gunj and Safa Kadal areas. Authorities also placed Mirwaiz and Geelani under house arrest and barred people from offering Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in old city.

Shops, public transport and other businesses remained shut across amid skeletal traffic on major roads.

A protest was held after congregational Friday prayers at Maisuma against the JKLF chairman’s detention under the Public Safety Act and  shifting to the Kot Balwal Jail in Jammu.

Scores of Malik’s supporters staged a demonstration and raised slogans to demand his and other political prisoners’ release besides revocation of ban on Jamaat and release of arrested leaders and activists.

The Syed Ali Shah Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference also held a protest in Hyderpora area of the city.