Sunday 10th May, 2026
Srinagar, Mar 10: (UNI) Curfew like restrictions were imposed on Sunday in the down town and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK), where different trade bodies have called for a two-day strike from today in protest against summoning of chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has summoned Mirwaiz and Syed Naseem Geelani, son of chairman of hardline HC Syed Ali Shah Geelani in connection with alleged terror funding cases.
Beopar Mandal Mahraj Gunj (BMMG), SeK Traders & Manufacturers Coordination Committee & Jamia Market Traders Federation (JMTF) have called for complete shutdown in and around Old City Srinagar on Sunday and Monday.
Meanwhile, all gates of historic Jamia Masjid, stronghold of Mirwaiz, have again been closed since early this morning. The gates of the worship place were opened only yesterday after remaining closed on Friday when no prayers were allowed.
Police said Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC were imposed in the down town and SeK as precautionary measure to prevent any law and order problem.
Hundreds of state police and Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) have been deployed to strictly impose restrictions in these areas.
Security forces have closed the main Nallahmar road from Nawa Kadal to Khanyar with barbed wire and by parking bullet proof vehicles in the middle at several places, including Rajouri Kadal, Mirwaiz Manzil, Khanyar and Braripora. People living on both sides of the road alleged that they were not being allowed to move out of their homes by security forces since early this morning. They further alleged that vegetable sellers and milkmen from outskirts were prevented from entering the restricted areas.
However, the main road to S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) via Eidgah was open and patients, their attendants and medical staff and ambulances were being allowed.
All roads leading to Jamia Masjid were closed for any movement, including at Khanyar, Rangar stop, Nowhatta and Gojwara. Large number of security forces and state police personnel had been deployed in Jamia market to prevent any assembly of demonstrators there.
However, situation elsewhere in the summer capital was near normal. Hundreds of vendors have put up their stalls at famous Sunday market.
Mirwaiz and son of Geelani have been asked to appear before the NIA at its headquarters in New Delhi on Monday.
The notice comes less than two weeks after the NIA on February 26 conducted searches at the premises of separatist leaders, including the Mirwaiz, in his alleged connection with a terror funding case.
The NIA notice to Mirwaiz said that it appears that you are acquainted with the circumstances of the case noted below, which is now under investigation by the NIA, New Delhi, you are hereby required to report before the undersigned at National Investigation Agency, New Delhi on March 11, 2019 at 1030 hrs for the purpose of your examination relating to the case,” the notice read.
The state government recently withdrew security cover to Mirwaiz, following directions by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to review security and other facilities of all separatist leaders, after the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) fidayeen attack on CRPF convoy at Awantipora on Srinagar-Jammu national highway that left 44 jawans dead.