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Curfew in Kashmir Valley after Afzal Guru's execution

Curfew has been imposed in the Kashmir valley following hanging of the Parliament attack accused Afzal Guru in Delhi's Tihar jail today. Curfew imposed in Srinagar

Updated on: Feb 09, 2013 01:03 PM IST
Hindustan Times | By , Srinagar
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Curfew has been imposed in the Kashmir valley following hanging of the Parliament attack accused Afzal Guru in Delhi's Tihar jail on Saturday.

A-policeman-patrols-a-deserted-road-during-restriction-in-Srinagar-after-Afzal-Guru-was-hanged-for-plotting-the-2001-Parliament-attack-Reuters-Danish-Ismail
A-policeman-patrols-a-deserted-road-during-restriction-in-Srinagar-after-Afzal-Guru-was-hanged-for-plotting-the-2001-Parliament-attack-Reuters-Danish-Ismail

The news of hanging has created a sence of unease in the state's summer capital Srinagar. Curfew has been imposed in all major towns in the valley.

According to reports the national highway has also been closed.

Heavy deplyoment of paramilitary forces can be seen most parts of the Valley, mostly in sensitive areas like the old city in Srinagar as well as Sopore which is the hometown of Guru.

According to senior police officials, curfew has been imposed following apprehensions of violence after the news of the hanging come out.

However, there is no information of violation of the restriction orders from any part of the state including Sopore.

Sources say, the state machinery was informed about the execution late on Friday night.

People, however, came to know about the restrictions after announcements were made in local mosques as they gathered for morning prayers.

The state chief minister Omar Abdullah, who was in New Delhi was according to sources, was also informed about the developments on Friday night.


Guru who belonged to Sopore area of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir, was on death row since 2003 when Supreme Court of India had convicted him of the charges.

Guru's wife Tabasum had appealed for clemency for him, claiming that there was no 'direct evidence' linking him to the Parliament attack in 2001.

Guru, according to the Delhi Police, was a Jaish-e-Mohammad militant convicted of December 2001 attack on Parliament.

Various human rights groups, including political groups in Kashmir like the main opposition People's Democratic Party, which believes that Afzal Guru did not get a fair trial.

Human rights activists in various parts of the country have also demanded reprieve as they believe that the trial was flawed. The activists include prominent names like Arundhati Roy and Praful Bidwai.

Guru who belonged to a middle class family in Kashmir's apple town Sopore had completed the first year MBBS was preparing for IAS exams when he was arrested for being providing logistic support to the 'fidayeens' in New Delhi

The appeals for his clemency could be heard again after hanging of Pakistani national Ajmal Kasab who was hanged for his role in the Mumbai attack.

However, no political party has given any formal reaction to the hanging. Meanwhile Hurriyat conference, Geelani group, has call for a three day strike on the issue.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Toufiq Rashid

Chief of bureau of HT at Srinagar, Toufiq has been covering the volatile state of Kashmir for the past seven years. Was working as special correspondent in Indian Express in New Delhi, covering health and wellness. Has done human interest stories from across the country for almost a decade.

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk Hunger Strike LIVE and more across India.
Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk Hunger Strike LIVE and more across India.
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