Kashmir Curfew Extended, Mufti’s Meet Faces Separatist Resistance

In response to separatists’ call to extend the strike, curfew in Kashmir entered day 14 after Burhan Wani’s death.

CRPF soldiers watch as Kashmiri protesters throw stones and bricks at them during a protest in Srinagar, Kashmir, Wednesday, 20 July 2016. (Photo: AP)

Life remained paralysed in the Valley on Thursday for the 14th consecutive day as authorities continued to impose curfew following an extension in the protest shutdown called by separatists.

Separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yasin Malik on Wednesday announced an extension in the protest shutdown till Monday, 25 July.

To prevent escalation of violence, it has been decided to impose curfew in most of the parts of the Valley today (Thursday) as well. 

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People in Kashmir joined Burhan Wani’s funeral by defying the curfew restrictions. (Photo: Reuters)

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State Govt Efforts

The Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti-led Jammu and Kashmir government decided to reopen schools in four districts of Ganderbal, Badgam, Bandipora and Baramulla.

After remaining suspended for five days, all vernacular and English language newspapers resumed publication in the Valley on Thursday.

The editors decided to resume publication following their meeting with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, where she regretted the decision to have suspended newspaper publication.

Media persons protesting the information and communication blackout in the Kashmir valley. (Photo: IANS)

Mufti’s All Party Meet

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called for an all party meet on Thursday in the state to discuss measures to end the present unrest.

Separatist leaders in the Valley circulated a joint resolution through email asking Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to boycott the meeting.

The regional National Conference (NC) party decided on Wednesday to boycott the meeting.

Ram Madhav, national general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and party in-charge of Kashmir affairs, reached Kashmir for discussion with Mufti.

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Although no casualties were reported from the Valley on Wednesday, the death toll in the extended violence stands at 43.

The turmoil started after Hizbul Mujahideen commander and youth icon of Kashmir Burhan Wani (22) was shot dead by security forces in an encounter.

The protests against his killing turned violent and has left thousands injured and the hundreds with partially or completely disabled vision due to use of pellet guns, considered to be non-lethal weapons used to maintain peace.

The matter was made the subject of debate in the Lok Sabha on the third day of the monsoon session of the Parliament. Congress member Jyotiraditya Schindia and BJP’s Anurag Thakur took turns to shift the blame for the rising militancy in the Valley.

Source: PTI, IANS