Srinagar: Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) has called for a two-day shutdown in Kashmir on Wednesday and Thursday to protest against the NIA raids and the legal challenge to Article 35-A.
JRL comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik urged the people to observe complete shutdown tomorrow and the day after.
They said the shutdown would be observed to protest widespread arrests, NIA raids and the attempts to tinker with Article 35-A.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out raids at the residences of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik, Ashraf Sehrai, Shabir Shah and Zaffar Akbar Bhat on Tuesday morning.
The National Investigation Agency of India (NIA) on Tuesday raided the Maisuma residence of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik and the residence of Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
Moreover, in a massive crackdown on Jamaat-e-Islami, dozens including the top leadership were also detained during night raids in Kashmir.
In a statement, a JeI spokesman said the police and other forces launched a “mass arrest drive” during the intervening night of February 22 and 23 and arrested dozens of its central and district-level leaders.
“Article 35(A) which grants special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is being heard within days and the way forces personnel unleashed the spree of mass arrest and detained dozens of Jama’at members prior to the hearing seems something is hatching behind the curtains,” said the spokesman, adding: “Any attempt of eroding or tempering Article 35(A) is unacceptable for people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Jamaat spokesperson said in a statement.
Following the reports of mass arrests of Jamaat-e-Islami and Hurriyat leaders, parts of Srinagar city, including commercial hub of Lal Chowk, on Saturday remained partially shut.
However, Police said that the crackdown on Jamat-e-Islami and the additional deployment of armed police forces is “purely” part of an election exercise undertaken to ensure free and fair polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Lone has questioned the detention of Jamaat-e-Islami and Hurriyat leaders in nocturnal raids on Friday.
Earlier, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday while reacting over the crackdown on Jammat and Hurriyat leaders said that such a move will only precipitate matters in the state.
