Security forces were on Wednesday deployed in strength across the valley, particularly south Kashmir and downtown Srinagar, to maintain law and order on the fourth death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahidden (HM) commander Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter with security forces alongwith two other militants on this day in 2016 in Anantnag.
Meanwhile, majority of the shop and business were closed in Srinagar and other parts of the valley though it could not be ascertained if it was because of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to curtail spread of COVID-19 or in view of the death anniversary of Wani.
Official sources said that security has been beefed up in sensitive areas in Srinagar, including downtown and uptown, to maintain law and order on the fourth death anniversary of Wani.
They said mobile internet services of all Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), has been suspended in south Kashmir to prevent any rumour.
A police spokesman on Tuesday said the letter of hardline Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani which was circulated on Social Media networks was fake. The letter had urged people to observe strike today, fourth death anniversary of Wani and on July 13 as on that day in 1931 about 22 people were killed in Dogra police firing outside central jail, Srinagar.
Additional security forces could be seen deployed to maintain law and order in downtown Srinagar, where one side of the road has been closed with barbed wires at Kawdara. Shops and business establishments were closed in downtown, where private vehicles were plying normally. The public transport has been off the roads in the valley from last over four months in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
Shops and business establishments in the Jamia and nearby markets remained closed. Additional security forces have been deployed near the historic Jamia masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq. Security force vehicles had been parked near the main gate of the worship place which remained closed since March in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
Deployment of security were also witnessed in uptown and civil lines, where personnel were seen patrolling the roads since early this morning to maintain law and order. Shops in these areas — including Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, Batamaloo, Dal Gate – were also closed.
Similar reports were received from other parts of the valley, including Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and some parts of north Kashmir.