Srinagar:
Defying the curfew imposed in Anantnag, a mob attacked the Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, who is a former Pradesh Congress chief, at his house. One person was injured as security forces opened fire and used tear gas. The situation has been brought under control.
An indefinite curfew was imposed this morning in Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir valley such as Anantnag, Bijbehara, Pulwama, Kakapora, Sopore and Baramulla.
After violence and arson marred Eid celebrations in Srinagar on Saturday, the police today morning registered an FIR against Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference.
Mirwaiz has been accused of instigating violence and arson, which started when a protest march from Idgah to Lal Chowk went out of control.
Speaking to NDTV, Mirwaiz denied any role in inciting violence. He said it was the people's anger that spilled over to the streets. (
Watch: Hurriyat not responsible for violence, says Mirwaiz)
But the police have blamed him for the violence. Speaking to NDTV, the Inspector General of the Kashmir Police S M Sahai said, "Mirwaiz has to take responsibility for what he did, he converted religious congregation into a protest. Mirwiaz can say anything but what your action are that's what counts." The law will take its own course, he added. (
Watch)
Sahai also said that the violent mob has set the government middle school on fire in Kralgund.
Meanwhile, the BJP has lashed out at Mirwaiz, saying the Hurriyat has the backing of the ISI. The party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad also hit out at Omar, saying the Chief Minister should spend more time in Kashmir, handling the situation on the ground. (
Watch: Real face of separatists unmasked, says BJP)
"The real face of the Hurriyat and the separatists have been unmasked. The BJP condemns this strongly. Obviously this is being done by instigation by handlers across the border having patronage of the ISI...We would like to remind that Omar Abdullah was surprisingly absent from the valley and was sitting in Delhi. It was important for him to control these activities in the valley", said Ravi Shankar Prasad.
On Saturday, mobs went on a rampage. First, a police post was set on fire outside the Hazratbal shrine. As security forces tried to control the crowds, suddenly in another part of the city, a complex that houses the state's power department and crime branch headquarters, went up in flames. Protesters targetted everything that symbolised state authority.
With the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on Monday to make an announcement on Kashmir, the latest outbreak of violence in Srinagar may put a spanner in the works.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who after offering ID prayers in Srinagar, was in Delhi on a private visit, blamed the separatists for not honouring their promise, and said this would be a huge setback to the peace initiative that was to be announced on Monday.
"We want confidence building measures to take place. I am here in Delhi trying to keep the confidence in the process alive. Such protests create problems for everybody else...How can you take this move forward if violence continues?" said Omar. (
Read: Violence erupts on Eid, Omar Abdullah blames Mirwaiz)
So will these flames also burn down the government's political initiative for the valley? NDTV has learnt that:
- Kashmir announcement is expected after the CCS meet on Monday
- The Home Ministry is in favour of AFSPA
- The violence in Srinagar on Saturday could severely hamper the proposed dilution of AFSPA
But the separatists who put on a show of unity, distanced themselves from the violence raising the question of who is in control of Srinagar, if anyone at all.
"As far as the AFSPA is concerned, we want the repeal of it. Half-hearted steps will not take us anywhere as these are mere gestures. We need a concrete, solution oriented process. The CCS is meeting and the government is talking amongst themselves, this is not helping," said separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
The Opposition blamed the state government for not doing enough.
"It would have been better to make a fair assessment here on the ground and then respond to the entire situation...control the situation first...see that what has been happening for last three months. I wish that both the central and state government turn serious and do something which is required...which matches the entire situation and the crisis," said Nizamuddin Bhat, Leader, PDP.