Restrictions imposed to foil Hurriyat's Eidgah rally

Authorities imposed strict security restrictions in the old city of Srinagar to foil the moderate All Parties Hurriyat Conference rally to observe the death anniversary of its two prominent leaders on Monday.

It was on this day in 1990 when unidentified militants gunned down Valley's leading cleric, Moulvi Mohammad Farooq, father of the moderate APHC chairman, Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq inside his Nageen residence.

Another prominent separatist leader, Abdul Gani Lone was gunned during a rally at Eidgah grounds on May 21 2002.

Moderate APHC's call for a shutdown led to closure of shops, businesses in Srinagar.

While public transport was off the roads, private vehicles continued to ply.

The police and paramilitary, Central Reserve Police Force troops were deployed across threcapital city to maintain law and order and enforce strict restrictions in the old city where the rally was scheduled to begin on Monday afternoon.

Almost all the moderate APHC leaders including Mirwaiz have been placed under house arrest.

Security was beefed up around Eidgah grounds to foil any attempts by supporters of Mirwaiz to reach there.

The APHC headquarters witnessed ugly scenes as supporters of rival groups clashed with each other on Sunday.

Image: Security was beefed up in the old city of Srinagar on Monday | Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com