Life crippled due to strike on Afzal Guru death anniv in Srinagar

Srinagar: Life was on Tuesday paralysed due to strike on the death anniversary of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru who was hanged to death on this day in 2013 in Delhi’s Tihar jail.

Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads in summer capital, Srinagar, where additional security forces were deployed to prevent any law and order problem.

Security forces had also established nakas and conducted searches of vehicles in the civil lines today.

The historic Jamia Masjid in the down town Srinagar wore a deserted look as all shops and other business establishments remained shut. The two main gates of the historic Masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, from Gojwara and Nowhatta were locked and security force bullet proof vehicles had been deployed outside.

Business and other activities also remained affected in the down town, including Nallahmar, Zaina Kadal, Nawa Kadal and other areas. Traffic was also off the roads though some private vehicles and three wheelers were seen plying.

Similar scenes were also witnessed in the civil lines, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city. Shops and other business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads. However, a number of several three wheelers and cabs and few passenger vehicles were seen plying.

Security forces had put up a naka at Lal Chowk where private vehicles and three wheelers were being searched before allowing them to go.

In the uptown life remained affected with all shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the roads. However, some shops, particularly selling vegetables and Kashmir bread were open. A number of roadside vendors could also be seen selling their products.

Guru was hanged and later buried in Tihar jail on February 9, 2013 for Parliament attack in 2001.(UNI)