Guru's death anniversary, Kashmir observes restrictions

SRINAGAR: Kashmir Valley and parts of Jammu saw a shutdown on the third anniversary of execution of Parliament attack case convict Mohammad Afzal Guru. Authorities deployed extra contingents of police and paramilitary forces in all district centres and sensitive towns and villages, fearing protests. Srinagar's downtown was barricaded and concertina wire spread on all major roads to prevent any movement of vehicles and people. Afzal belonged to north Kashmir's Du Aabgah village situated on the outskirts of Sopore town.He was hanged in Tihar Jail on this day in 2013 for the 2001 terror attack on Parliament in which 14 people including five attackers were killed.

All shops, business establishments and educational institutes remained closed and attendance in government offices was thin. The state government imposed curfew-like restrictions in downtown Srinagar and detained or arrested all influential, pro-freedom leaders to  prevent any protest march to express solidarity with Guru. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yaseen Malik has been put under judicial custody in Srinagar's central jail, officials said. Senior Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq are currently in Delhi.