In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, complete shutdown was observed in Srinagar, Sopore and other areas today to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Muhammad Afzal Guru.

According to Kashmir Media Service, call for the shutdown was given by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front.  The shopkeepers kept their businesses closed despite warnings by the occupation authorities to keep their shops open.

The movement of traffic was thin in down town area of Srinagar city, Sopore and at other places.

Indian troops and police personnel were deployed in strength to prevent people from holding protests.

The shutdown was aimed at pressing the demand for the return of the mortal remains of Muhammad Afzal Guru and renowned Kashmiri liberation leader, Muhammad Maqbool Butt, from New Delhi’s Tihar Jail to occupied Kashmir for a decent burial.

India had sent Muhammad Afzal Guru to the gallows in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail on this day in 2013 while Muhammad Maqbool Butt on 11 February in 1984. 

Rallies were held in Azad Jammu and Kashmir to pay homage to the martyred prominent Kashmiri leaders. A march was conducted from Afzal Guru Chowk to Srinagar Highway in Muzaffarabad.

Senior APHC leaders Shabbir Ahmed Shah in a message from Tihar jail and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who is under house detention in Srinagar in a statement said that India cannot suppress the Kashmiris’ freedom movement through gallows, illegal detentions and other brutal tactics.