Valley shuts in protest against Dec 13 verdict

Kashmir today observed a partial to near-total bandh in protest against the death sentence awarded to three persons from the Valley accused ...

Kashmir today observed a partial to near-total bandh in protest against the death sentence awarded to three persons from the Valley accused in the December 13 Parliament attack case.

The bandh had been called by the J&K High Court Bar Association and Dukhtaran-e-Milat. The authorities, anticipating protests, had beefed up security in the violence-prone areas. However, despite the presence of police personnel, protesters pelted stones at vehicles and shops at some places.

Demonstrations were taken out in Baramulla and some parts of Srinagar with bandh supporters indulging in heavy stone-pelting. In Srinagar’s sensitive Maisuma locality, senior JKLF leader Javid Ahmed Mir and Hurriyat leader Shahid-ul-Islam led the demonstration. Police arrested the two along with six others.

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The bandh was near-total in Baramulla, the native place of the three who were convicted — Syed Abdul Rehman Geelani, a Delhi University lecturer, Showkat Hussain Guru and Mohammad Afzal. The town wore a deserted look with shops and business establishments remaining closed and vehicles staying off the roads.

In Sopore, the situation was tense amid chanting of pro-freedom slogans by the demonstrators.

Separatist leaders and the Hurriyat strongly condemned the verdict saying it was ‘‘politically motivated’’. Hurriyat leader Umar Farooq said: ‘‘We will hold demonstrations to lodge our protest.’’ J-K Democratic Freedom Party founder Shabir Ahmed Shah demanded that ‘‘the case be investigated by any international organisation’’ and said the verdict was aimed at ‘‘appeasing’’ hardline Hindu parties.

Meanwhile, the National Conference demanded an ‘‘impartial and open trial’’ in the case. ‘‘We don’t know who attacked Parliament. All we seek is the setting up of a special court headed by a reputed judge,’’ said the party’s provincial chief here. The PDP, however, remained silent on the issue saying ‘‘the matter is sub-judice and it will be premature to comment on it.’’