Srinagar: Kashmir today observed the first anniversary of its worst floods with a shutdown called by opposition National Conference, separatist groups and trade bodies to protest inadequate rehabilitation in the aftermath of the deluge that caused massive destruction besides leaving nearly 300 dead.
Authorities thwarted planned protests by detaining several leaders of trade bodies and putting leaders of separatist organisations, like Hurriyat, under house arrest. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah attacked the Centre and state government, saying they had made “tall promises” of providing relief to the people “but till this day, we have got nothing”.
Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed admitted that “there are still gaps in entire rehabilitation and reconstruction process” and said these need to be filled at the earliest. In view of the shutdown call given by NC, separatists and traders’ bodies, normal life came to a standstill across the Valley.
Business establishments, shops, schools and other educational institutions were closed while most of the public transport was off the roads. The attendance in government offices was thin while the roads wore a deserted look. Kashmir University has postponed all the examinations which were scheduled to be held today.
Earlier in the day, police took into preventive custody leaders of Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) including Mohammad Yasin Khan and Showkat Chowdhary in a pre-dawn swoop ahead of their planned protest at Lal Chowk. Several separatist leaders including moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, were also put under house arrest.
A police official said the area around Lal Chowk’s historic ‘Clock Tower was sealed and no one was allowed to proceed in that direction. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in large numbers to prevent any law and order situation, the official said. The KEA had called for a shutdown today to mark the first anniversary of the floods and was planning a symbolic protest.
Omar Abdullah warned that such actions will only alienate the people even as he accused the ruling PDP of “sabotaging” the relief package for the state. “In a series of midnight raids Mufti Syed has ensured the arrest of all the Trade Body leaders. Their crime? Unhappiness over flood relief.
“All these people wanted to do was register their dissatisfaction at the absence of any meaningful flood relief. Shame on Mufti the Dictator,” Omar said in a series of tweets.
