AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Srinagar, February 09, 2014 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, three-day protest strike has commenced to mark the martyrdom anniversaries of martyred liberation leaders, Muhammad Maqbool Butt and Muhammad Afzal Guru.
Call for the shutdown has been given by pro-freedom leaders and organizations and is aimed at pressing the demand for transfer of mortal remains of the martyred leaders from New Delhi’s Tihar Jail to the occupied territory for a decent burial. Muhammad Afzal Guru was hanged in Tihar Jail on this day, last year, while Muhammad Maqbool Butt was sent to gallows on the 11th February in 1984. Both the leaders remain buried in the premises of the jail.
The occupation authorities have imposed undeclared curfew across the occupied territory and deployed heavy contingent of Indian troops and police personnel to prevent people from holding anti-India demonstrations. Stringent restrictions have been put in place in Srinagar to thwart people’s march towards the Lal Chowk, call for which has been given by the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front. All roads leading to Lal Chowk have been sealed and people are not being allowed to proceed towards the area.
The authorities have placed the veteran Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Mukhtar Ahmed Waza and Altaf Ahmed Shah under house arrest.
Indian police during massive crackdown in last few days have arrested hundreds of people including pro-liberation leaders, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Mushtaq-ul-Islam, Zafar Akbar Butt, Hilal Ahmed War, Bashir Ahmed Butt, Showkat Ahmed Bakhshi, Muhammad Yousuf Naqash, Hakeem Abdur Rasheed, Firdous Ahmed Shah, Shabbir Ahmed Dar, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, Muhammad Shafi Reshi and Sheikh Khalid. The actions have been taken to foil conducting of various programmes in connection with the martyrdom anniversaries of Muhammad Maqbool Butt and Muhammad Afzal Guru.
For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Phone: 92-51-4435548, 4435549
Fax: 92-51-4861736