Separatists announce no break in shutdown in Kashmir on Eid
SRINAGAR: The separatist leaders in Kashmir have extended the strike upto September 16 and have not announced any break in shutdown on Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Azha, which will be celebrated on September 13.
In a joint statement issued by separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, they announced new “protest calendar” and extended the strike call upto September 16.
Kashmir has been witnessing curfew and strike since July 9, a day after killing of 21-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in Kokernag area of South Kashmir. The authorities lifted the curfew after 51 days while the shutdown continues.
At least 76 people including two policemen have been killed and thousands others injured in clashes between security forces and youth during protests in Valley since July 9.
In the new “protest calendar”, Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik, who are leading the ongoing unrest in the Valley, have not announced not announced any break in shutdown on Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Azha, which will be celebrated on September 13.
They have called for “UN March” on September 13 for submitting a memorandum to UN observers ahead of start of 71st Session of UN General Assembly.
On September 14 (2nd Eid day), separatist leaders have asked people to occupy highways and inter-district roads. “People were also asked to offer afternoon (Zuhar) prayers on roads.”
It will be for the first time in Kashmir that strike will be in forces on Eid.