Srinagar: Four days after the death of senior Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has lifted restrictions from most parts of the valley. However, paramilitary personnel and police have been deployed in sensitive areas of the city. In view of Syed Ali Gilani's fourth day funeral ceremony, barricades were erected on the main road and alleyways leading up to his residence in Haiderpora. Security has also been beefed up around the local graveyard where he is buried.
At the same time, only vehicles with passengers carrying a plane ticket are being allowed movement to and from the International airport. Although the movement of private vehicles was witnessed in the civil lines areas of the city to some extent, main and link roads in Nowhatta, Rainawari, Safakadal, Gojwara, Khanyar, Hawal and Soura areas were closed using barbed wires and barricades. Further, police and paramilitary forces have been deployed to deal with any possible situation.
Due to the restrictions, shops and businesses in various districts of the valley, including Srinagar city, remained closed even on the fourth day. Public transport was also completely missing from the roads and the Banihal-Baramulla rail services were also suspended.
Meanwhile, internet and calling services, which had been shut down since midnight on September 1, were restored after two days on the evening of September 3, but mobile internet remains suspended. However, after reviewing the overall situation, the administration may restore mobile internet services by evening.
Also read: FIR against Geelani's family members, others for indulging in 'anti-national activities'
According to the police, the situation in the valley has generally been peaceful in recent days, with no untoward incident reported from any area.
Meanwhile, on Friday night, Budgam police filed a case against Syed Ali Shah Geelani's family and others under UAPA for chanting anti-national slogans on Syed Ali Shah Geelani's death and placing a Pakistani flag on his body.
Kashmir's senior separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani passed away at the age of 92 on September 1 at 10.30 pm at his residence in Haiderpora, Srinagar. Geelani has been well known for his tough stance on Kashmir. While Syed Ali Shah Geelani remained active in Kashmir politics for around 50 years, he played an important role in Kashmir politics in the last three decades.
