Srinagar, Complete shutdown was observed in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, today, against the posting of a blasphemous video about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by a Hindu student from India studying in an institute in Srinagar.
According to Kashmir Media Service, call for the shutdown was given by All Parties Hurriyat Conference and supported by other pro-freedom organizations. The shutdown was also aimed at protesting against illegal arrests, booking of seven Kashmiri students under a draconian law, dismissal of government employees and confiscation of properties of Kashmiris for their affiliation with the freedom struggle.
Shops and business establishments were closed in Srinagar and other major cities and towns of the territory while traffic movement on roads was very thin. At many places Indian troops and police personnel forced the shopkeepers to open their shops in an attempt to give an impression that the situation was normal.
The occupation authorities deployed Indian troops and police personnel in strength across the occupied territory to prevent people from holding protest demonstrations. Despite the heavy presence of Indian forces’ personnel, the students of Kashmir University held a massive demonstration against the blasphemous act of the Hindu student. Indian police locked the Jamia Masjid Srinagar on the 8th consecutive week and prevented people from offering Juma prayers fearing that the congregation at the grand mosque could turn into an anti-India and anti-Israel demonstration. The occupation authorities also put senior APHC leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and noted religious scholar, Agha Syed Mohammad Hadi Al-Moosvi, under house arrest.
It is to be mentioned here that a Hindu student studying at the National Institute of Technology Srinagar posted a derogatory video clip on social media about the Holy Prophet (PBUH) on Tuesday. Since then the occupied territory is simmering with anger. Earlier on Monday, the Indian police booked seven students of the Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology in Ganderbal district of occupied Kashmir under black law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for celebrating Australia’s win against India in the World Cup final. Also, while continuing the arrest spree, the occupation authorities are terminating the Kashmiri government employees and confiscating the properties of the people to punish them for their affiliation with the ongoing freedom movement.