Separatists call for general strike in Kashmir

In a huge show of strength at a rally in Srinagar, separatist leaders revived the three-day general strike beginning from Saturday.

In a huge show of strength at a rally in Srinagar on Friday, separatist leaders revived the three-day general strike beginning from Saturday and demanded a dialogue involving India, Pakistan and representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to resolve the Kashmir issue.

“There will be complete strike in Kashmir for the next three days. Peaceful protests in the day and between evening and night prayers shall continue,” Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said after a massive rally at the Idgah maidan in Srinagar.

Tens of thousands of people waving green and black protest flags streamed into the sprawling Eidgah maidan in downtown Srinagar to participate in the rally organised by the separatists’ Coordination Committee spearheading the agitation in the Valley.

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After weeks of violence, Kashmir was by and large peaceful in the last three days when the committee had suspended the stir.

The Mirwaiz, who is member of the Committee, said the separatist leadership will stage a sit-in at Lal Chowk in the heart of the city on Monday.

“People have given their verdict by turning out in hundreds of thousands over the past weeks. They want freedom,” the Mirwaiz said.

The Hurriyat Chairman said India must accept the ground realities and start a process for resolution of Kashmir issue with the involvement of Pakistan and representatives of the people of the state.

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The Mirwaiz said government of India should initiate steps on priority basis to throw open Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road for trade and travel.

“All political prisoners should be released immediately, all draconian laws including Public Safety Act and Armed Forces Special Powers Act revoked and India should move towards demilitarisation of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

In the backdrop of the rift between the two factions of Hurriyat Conference, which comprise the Coordination Committee, many placards carried by rallyists asked the separatist leaders to end their factionalism.