The Hindu : Front Page : Strike affects life in Kashmir

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Thursday, Jan 18, 2007
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Strike affects life in Kashmir

Special Correspondent

Call given by Geelani to protest Pakistani visit of moderate faction leader

— PHOTO: Nissar Ahmad

AGAINST VISIT: Supporters of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, throw stones at the police (unseen) during a protest against the planned visit of moderate leaders to Pakistan, in Srinagar on Wednesday.

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SRINAGAR: In response to a strike call given by the hard line faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani to protest the visit to Pakistan bythe moderate faction leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, normal life in entire Kashmir came to a halt on Wednesday. At least a dozen people were injured in clashes between the police and the protesters at several places in Srinagar.

The strike in Srinagar and most parts of the valley was near total. Streets wore a deserted a look as shops, business establishments, government offices and educational institutions remained closed.

The transport was off the roads and inter-district traffic remained suspended for the day.

At scores of places including Gojwara, Naidkadal, Dalal Mohalla, Chota Bazar, Hyderpora, Khawja Bazar and Rainawari, pro-Geelani protesters raised slogans against what they called the "so called peace process." They burnt tyres and pelted stones at the police.

The most significant development was a protest march by over 300-strong crowd in the Jamia Masjid area, a bastion of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat.

Masarat Alalm Bhat, chairman of the Muslim League and a close confidant of Mr. Geelani, described the response to the strike as "peoples' stamp on their stand. It was a referendum between the Mirwaiz and us. The people have put their weight behind us," he said. The strike was supported by the Hizbul Mujahideen and other militant organisations.

Rival procession

However, a group of people took out a procession which was led by Shahidul Islam, spokesman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference.

They raised slogans in favour of the dialogue process initiated by the Mirwaiz faction.

Charging the Geelani faction of harassing and intimidating the people for observing strike, Mr. Shahidul Islam said, "they resorted to hooliganism and damaged over 200 vehicles and beat up shopkeepers. This is petty politics and cannot determine one's popularity."

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range, Farooq Ahmad told The Hindu that except for a few demonstrations the day went off peacefully.

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