The resumption of Government functioning from summer capital Srinagar after biennial shifting from Jammu was eclipsed by a separatist sponsored shutdown in Kashmir valley on Monday against the killing of five civilians and as many Hizbul Mujahideen gunmen during a gun-battle and subsequent civilians protests in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Monday. Though the situation remained by and large peaceful, the shutdown crippled normal life, subdued the official function of civil secretariat re-opening and kept majority of people within the confines of their homes.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti reiterated call for political initiative for an end to the continued bloodshed and urged the central leadership to exhibit statesmanship to reach out to the people of Kashmir.

The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising prominent separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik had called for shutdown against recent killings in Shopian area of south Kashmir. Most of the shops, educational institutions, business establishments, banks, post offices and fuel stations remained closed in Srinagar and other district headquarters while passenger traffic was generally off the roads.

Five Hizbul Mujahideen ultras shot dead in Badigam village of Shopian included Saddam Padder, a high-ranking militant and former aide of the slain leader of the new-age militancy in Kashmir, Burhan Wani besides Dr Rafi Ahmad Bhat, a Kashmir University Assistant professor who had joined militant ranks just two days ago. Security forces say Padder and his associates were involved in a number of attacks on security forces and civilians in the area.

The authorities imposed restrictions on public movement in old Srinagar and various sensitive areas across the valley to prevent separatists’ march towards the civil secretariat. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq announced to defy the restrictions but he was detained by police when he came out of his Nigeen residence.

A group of Opposition National Conference leaders and workers staged a protest march against the killings. They marched in a fortified area from the party headquarters and raised slogans against the ruling PDP-BJP alliance. Legislator Ali Muhammad Sagar said that killings must come to an end and an open ended dialogue process must be started to resolve the long pending Kashmir issue.

Independent lawmaker Sheikh Rasheed also tried to proceed towards the civil Secretariat but he was detained by police along-with many of his supporters.

A group of lawyers belonging to Kashmir High Court Bar Association also protested against the killing of civilians and militants in Shopain district. Describing the killings as ‘barbaric’ the lawyers demanded grant of right to self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

A group of traders also held protest demonstration at commercial hub Lal Chowk.

Reports said that thousands of people took part in the funeral of slain militant Saddam Padder at his native village Heff Shirmal near Shopian. His funeral prayers were offered fifteen times before he was buried on Monday morning. Reports said that Padder’s mother gave a gun salute to her son by firing some gunshot in the air using Saddam’s associate’s rifle. Several armed militants showed up in the area during the funeral processions.

The mobile internet services remained suspended in many central and south Kashmir areas for the third consecutive day. The authorities have also suspended train services between Banihal and Baramulla.

The separatists have announced to continue the shutdown for another day on Tuesday. Sensing trouble, the divisional administration announced closure of all educational institutions while the Kashmir University postponed examinations scheduled for Tuesday.

Meanwhile, amid tension write large, the authorities reopened the civil secretariat amid stringent security measures. The top level government offices function six months each from winter and summer capitals of the state, continuing a legacy of the feudal rulers.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti inspected the traditional guard of honour inside the Civil Secretariat premises to mark the opening of the offices. Speaking to media persons on the occasion, Mufti said that the civil society in the State and the country has a major role in finding a solution to the present difficulties of the people of the State for which they should rise to the occasion.

Mehbooba said the civil society in the State and the country has a major role in finding a solution to the present difficulties of the people of the State for which they should rise to the occasion. She also appealed the national leadership of the country to show the element of compassion and display the statesmanship to get Jammu & Kashmir out of this vicious cycle of killings.

She described it unfortunate that the ultimate victims of this violence have been the people belonging to lowest strata of society, poor and underprivileged which bear the brunt of situational uncertainties for whom earning a daily livelihood is a matter of life and death. This, she said, leads many to go for begging or sell their assets to sustain a living which inflicts more pain and injury to the social health of our system. She appealed the parents of youth to make them realize that their energies, youthfulness, dreams and aspirations are far more important and sacred to the society than their dead bodies or graves.

Mufti later chaired a meeting of the Council of Ministers. The meeting took a comprehensive review of the law and order and developmental scenario in the State.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Tuesday, 08 May 2018 | Khursheed Wani | Srinagar