Srinagar, February 09 (KNO) : Kashmir valley on Saturday observed a complete shutdown to commemorate sixth death anniversary of Indian Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. He was hanged this day in high security Tihar prison in 2013.
The shutdown was observed as Joint Resistance Leadership comprising of Hurriyat pioneer Syed Ali Geelani, chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik had called for a complete shutdown on February 9 and 11, to mark hanging of Guru and Maqbool Bhat.
To thwart any pro freedom marching and rallies, authorities had imposed curfew like restrictions in old city. Locals told KNO that forces in large numbers have been deployed in and around the old city and entry and exit points of the city have been barricaded.
Concertina wires were installed at various locations inside city that hampered public movement in the area. In Guru's home town Sopore, large contingent of forces were deployed to thwart any processions by Hurriyat activists and people.
Movement of Hurriyat leadership was hampered by government putting measures to not let them lead any rally during the shutdown. Syed Ali Geelani remains under house detention at his office cum residence at Hyderpora Srinagar. Guru was hanged in Tihar jail on Feb 9, 2013 for allegedly being part of the attack on Indian Parliament on 2001 that had shook the whole of India.
The court had said that the hanging was ordered to 'satisfy the collective conscience' of Indian society. Guru was not let meet his family before the hanging and the hanging was done discreetly at the Tihar Jail and was buried there. Maqbool Bhat too was hanged in Tihar jail and is buried in the high security prison in Delhi.(KNO)