Amidst eerie calm, business comes to a standstill across Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 2: Hundreds of security forces personnel were deployed in Srinagar and other parts of valley while as all modes of communication including mobile internet and voice calling was snapped on Thursday in the wake of death of the senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani.

Mr Geelani breathed his last on Wednesday evening after developing chest congestion and breathing issues. Soon after the news of his death spread across Srinagar, police and CRPF in riot gears deployed its men across the length. An eerie calm prevailing in Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir in the wake of huge forces’ presence to prevent law and order issue or the large gathering on the aged leader’s funeral.

News agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) quoted residents as saying that Srinagar roads were dotted with police and paramilitary CRPF personnel, wearing riot gear. “Outside the Hyderpora residence of Geelani, there was huge deployment of police and CRPF men since Wednesday evening. Roads leading to the Geelani’s Hyderpora residence were sealed with concertina wires,” he said.

Srinagar roads, as per a witness, wore a deserted look as only security forces’ vehicles could be seen making rounds. Public transport was off the roads and all the shops and other commercial establishments remained shut in the wake of strict curbs imposed by the authorities.

A police official told KNO that they had directions to seal all entry and exit points within Srinagar to prevent any large gathering at the funeral of Geelani. “This was a precautionary measure to maintain peace,” he said.

Speaking to reporters outside Geelani’s Hyderpora residence late on Wednesday evening, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar had said that they will impose curbs and shut the internet and mobile phone voice-calling. BSNL, however, allowed its subscribers to use its voice-calling service but shut its internet facility on the network. Srinagar came to a grinding halt owing to the stringent curbs put in place by the authorities. Afaq Ahmed, a resident of Abi-Guzar area near Lal Chowk, said that the city centre had turned into a “ghost town” as one could spot only men in uniform were seen roaming around.” —(KNO)