Curfew in Srinagar on death anniversary of Hurriyat leaders

Curfew was imposed in Srinagar on the death anniversary of separatist leaders Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone. They were shot dead by unknown gunmen in 1990 and 2002 respectively.

Srinagar: The authorities in Kashmir have strictly imposed "corona curfew" in the capital Srinagar and adjoining areas to restrict public movement on the death anniversary of separatist leaders Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone, who were shot dead by unknown gunmen on the same day in 1990 and 2002 respectively.

Police have installed barricades across the roads. Only medical staff, government officials and journalists besides commoners in an emergency, are being allowed movement on the roads.

Veteran Hurriyat leader Lone was shot dead outside the "martyr's graveyard" in Srinagar shortly after he paid tributes to Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq on his death anniversary.

Mirwaiz Molvi Farooq was killed in the year 1990. Dozens of civilians were killed in Mirwaiz's funeral procession at Hawal in old Srinagar when Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) opened fire. Many bullets also hit Mirwaiz's coffin. The day is observed as "martyr's day" in Kashmir since 1991.

President Anjuman Sharie Shian Aga Syed Hassan paid tribute to both of them on their death anniversary. He said both of them fought hard for the people of Kashmir and their sacrifices for the people will be remembered always.

Meanwhile, Lone scion Sajjad Gani, who joined pro-India politics and became a minister in the PDP, BJP alliance government in 2015, also paid tribute to his father.

"Remembering my father Abdul Gani Lone who was killed on this day 19 years ago. He was killed for speaking the truth. Truth is as much of a rarity now as it was then," Sajjad tweeted.