Separatists call for a shutdown on Sept 10 on Rajnath’s visit to Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 7: Separatists have called for a strike against Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Kashmir valley on September 10.

      Both the factions of Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) today urged people to observe a complete shutdown on September 10.
      Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh led Congress delegation is also visiting the state on September 10.
      The Home Minister is all set for a three-day crucial visit to Jammu and Kashmir from September 9. The decision of the Home Minister to visit the state comes close on the heels of Mr Singh making a statement that he is keen to work for a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue.
      However, the administration has put under house arrest chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq and arrested Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Mohammad Yaseen Malik today while chairman of hardline HC Syed Ali Shah Geelani is already under house arrest.
      About a dozen senior separatist leaders have also been arrested by the Natioinal Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate in connection with terror funding and money laundering cases.
      “By observing the strike, people of Kashmir will prove to the world community and the Indian leadership that by using military might against the people or harassing the leadership genuine and people’s movement in Kashmir cannot be crushed,” a joint statement issued here this evening said.
      They alleged that to keep the separatist leaders away from the people, all undemocratic means are being employed by Delhi.
UNI