Hurriyat calls for shutdown in Srinagar on death anniversary of Mirwaiz and Lone

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), May 21 (ANI): The Hurriyat Conference has called for a shutdown on Friday on the occasion of the death anniversaries of prominent leaders, Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Ghani Lone.

Shops, colleges and business establishments have been closed in view of the shutdown. The traffic is also off the roads.

Most people are staying indoors, and government offices have registered a very low attendance of employees.

"The Kashmir shutdown marks the death anniversary of Moulvi Farooq, and has been called for by the Hurriyat Conference," said Asif Ahmad, a local resident of Srinagar.

The shutdown was initiated at the behest of Hurriyat supremo, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, son of Moulvi Mohammad Farooq. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, along with several other Hurriyat leaders, would be addressing a public meeting at the Eidgah ground. No incidents of violence have, however, been reported so far.

"The extremism and violence that is going on in the valley since the past many years must be stopped. This is the message that the Hurriyat Conference is sending to the people of Kashmir through the shutdown," said Mukhtar Ahmad, a local resident of Srinagar.

Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Lone was assassinated on May 21, 2002, while commemorating the twelfth anniversary of Moulvi Mohammad Farooq. (ANI)