FIR against Mirwaiz; indefinite curfew imposed in Srinagar

Mtoday news

Srinagar, Sept 12:  After violence and arson marred Eid celebrations in Srinagar, the police have registered an FIR against Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference.

Mirwaiz has been accused of instigating violence and arson, which started when a protest march from Idgah to Lal Chowk went out of control.

Speaking to NDTV, Mirwaiz denied any role in inciting violence. He said it was the people’s anger that spilled over to the streets.

An indefinite curfew has also been imposed in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley such as Anantnag, Bijbehara, Pulwama, Kakapora, Sopore and Baramulla.

On Saturday, mobs went on a rampage. First, a police post was set on fire outside the Hazratbal shrine. As security forces tried to control the crowds, suddenly in another part of the city, a complex that houses the state’s power department and crime branch headquarters, went up in flames. Protesters targetted everything that symbolised state authority.

With the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on Monday to make an announcement on Kashmir, the latest outbreak of violence in Srinagar may put a spanner in the works.

 

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who after offering ID prayers in Srinagar, was in Delhi on a private visit, blamed the separatists for not honouring their promise, and said this would be a huge setback to the peace initiative that was to be announced on Monday.
 
"We want confidence building measures to take place. I am here in Delhi trying to keep the confidence in the process alive. Such protests create problems for everybody else...How can you take this move forward if violence continues?" said Omar. (Read: Violence erupts on Eid, Omar Abdullah blames Mirwaiz)

So will these flames also burn down the government’s political initiative for the valley? NDTV has learnt that:

Kashmir announcement is expected after the CCS meet on Monday

The Home Ministry is in favour of AFSPA

But the Army opposes both amendment and partial lifting of AFSPA

The violence in Srinagar on Saturday could severely hamper the proposed dilution of AFSPA

But the separatists who put on a show of unity, distanced themselves from the violence raising the question of who is in control of Srinagar, if anyone at all.

"As far as the AFSPA is concerned, we want the repeal of it. Half-hearted steps will not take us anywhere as these are mere gestures. We need a concrete, solution oriented process. The CCS is meeting and the government is talking amongst themselves, this is not helping," said separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

The Opposition blamed the state government for not doing enough.

"It would have been better to make a fair assessment here on the ground and then respond to the entire situation...control the situation first...see that what has been happening for last three months. I wish that both the central and state government turn serious and do something which is required...which matches the entire situation and the crisis," said Nizamuddin Bhat, Leader, PDP.