Fazil Qayoom ,Srinagar: Kashmir Valley on Monday observed a complete bandh in response to a shutdown call given by Hurriyat (G) endorsed by several pro-freedom parties against the Dr Faktoo’s judgement.
All shops and business establishments remained shut and public transport stayed off the roads in capital Srinagar and other districts. Attendance in government offices including banks and financial institutions was thin, while schools across Valley remained closed.
The strike call was given by Hurriyat (G) Chairman, Syed Ali Geelani which was supported Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and People’s Political Party Chief, Hilal Ahmad War.
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court last week had ruled that “life imprisonment meant imprisonment for life” while disposing of a petition of Muslim League Chief, Dr Muhammad Qasim Faktoo. Dr Faktoo had pleaded for release since he had already completed 14 years in jail after being sentenced for life by a trial court.
In the meantime, Kashmir lawyers held a protest demonstration against Israeli attacks on Gaza and expressed their solidarity with Palestinians. On marching towards the city centre Lal Chowk, the protestors shoutedanti-Israelslogans and burned down the Israeli flags. The number of injured Palestinians so far according to officials has surpassed 600 with 87 deaths including more than 20 children.
Meanwhile, Syed Ali Shah Geelani in a statement issued to Global News Service has expressed his gratitude and appreciated the people for observing the complete shutdown and urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to honour the peoples’ verdict.
“People have expressed their solidarity with Dr Qasim Faktoo and reaffirmed their faith with the freedom movement. It is a people’s verdict that Dr Qasim be released forthwith,” the statement said.