Mehbooba Mufti clamps down on separatists to thwart 'resistance' march in Anantnag

Strict restrictions have been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti’s Assembly constituency of Anantnag to thwart the march of Joint  Resistance Leadership (JRL) of separatists to the South Kashmir Township on Friday.

“General Public is informed that restriction is imposed in certain parts of Anantnag town under police station Anantnag for mitigating any law and order situation”, tweeted deputy inspector general of police, South Kashmir Range.

JRL had asked people to march to Anantnag for a rally to counter the narrative of the government that separatists have lost the battle for azadi in Kashmir.

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 last year's unrest in Kashmir Valley that left 100 people dead and thousands others injured and blinded.

Authorities, however, went into an overdrive and placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house detention. Few days ago JKLF leader Mohammad Yasin Malik was arrested when he defied orders and tried to lead a march from in Srinagar.

Hurriyat hawk continues to remain under house detention at his residence at Hyder Pora.

Authorities have also imposed restrictions in four police areas of old Srinagar city and two police stations areas of uptown to prevent people from marching towards Anantnag on Friday.

Hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani said police arrested and raided residences of several leaders to thwart the march to Anantnag on Friiday.

“Such coercive measures and repression won’t break our resolve. Most of its leaders and activists succeeded and reached Anantnag”, said a spokesman of Hurriyat.

Appealing people of south Kashmir for their participation in Anantnag rally, Huriyat said that it will symbolise their dedication and commitment with “freedom movement”.

On the other side a crucial meeting of moderate Hurriyat Conference was held at the Awami Action Committee headquarters at Rajouri Kadal and it was decided in the meeting Mirwaiz will try to leave for Anantnag at 11 am on Friday.

“JRL leaders will address the people and announce their future strategy,” a spokesman of Hurriyat said.